Sermons on Not Too Far:

"I Know What You Are Going Through…"

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 22, 2018

Too easily, we try to comfort people in sorrow and pain, saying that we know what they are going through. The fact is that mostly we don't. But Jesus knows what we are going through, because he has been there. What does that imply for us?

[Sermon preached on 18 February 2018, 1st Sunday in Lent / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] I was still a student when we gathered with a group of theological students for a training seminar on pastoral counseling. One of the members shared some of her childhood experiences that had recently come to the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:17-18, Mark 1:12-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Don’t Ship-Wreck Your Faith Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 4, 2013

Timothy had a major challenge in ministering to the Church at Ephesus. To accomplish that task Paul told him he needed a strong faith in Christ. If he didn’t have that, it was possible that he, himself could become a spiritual ship-wreck. We too need tha

DON’T SHIPWRECK YOUR FAITH 1 Timothy 1:18-20; Dorn Ridge May 05, 2013 Audio Link to sermon: http://chirb.it/fvHc15 INTRODUCTION: 1.) I have titled this morning’s message: “Don’t Ship-wreck your faith.” 2.) Paul was writing to a young minister some advice for ministering to the Church at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Captivating Series

Contributed by Greg Lindsey on Mar 8, 2020

Jesus Came To Rescue You. He cares about more than what you have done. He cares about what has been done to, said to, and said about you. Not just forgiveness but healing, redemption and restoration is available too.

ILLUST> In the movie Shall We Dance, John Clark is middle aged Chicago estate lawyer who loves his family and his wife Beverly but their combined hectic lives and schedules have left him feeling unfulfilled and empty. Like we talked about last week he is a man who has lost heart. So he decides ...read more

Remember My Chains Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 24, 2008

Like some of Paul’s companions in prison, we may be held back by tasks too small, by shame, or even by our own prejudices. But once we accept our limitations as part of God’s will, they become ways to help others and fulfill our life callings.

If you suffer severe limitations, what do you wish for? What is your prayer, if you are bound by something that keeps you from doing what you really want to do? Do you wish you could be free from it? Likely you do. Do you even pray that you might have that limitation removed? I expect that I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-18

Denomination: Baptist

Has Quitting Ever Crossed Your Mind?

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Nov 2, 2020

Sometimes people feel like giving up.

JEREMIAH 20:7-9 “HAS QUITTING EVER CROSSED YOUR MIND?” A) Jeremiah, like many other men who have been tested by suffering, failed God, and then laid blame on the Almighty for his insults and bodily sufferings. * He was being persecuted and mocked by the multitudes. B) God had told him in ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Being Seen Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Oct 30, 2025

We are called to be like Jesus—to look up, to see the lonely and lost, to extend radical acceptance, to invite ourselves into people’s messy lives.

Title: Being Seen Intro: We are called to be like Jesus—to look up, to see the lonely and lost, to extend radical acceptance, to invite ourselves into people’s messy lives. Scripture: Luke 19:1-10 Reflection Dear Friends, There is something about being seen, really seen, that changes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Other

Men And Their Macho Machines

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 4, 2009

Men have sadly learned to use machines as status symbols and instruments of power, but that only leads to destruction. Learn from Him whose ride was a lowly beast and whose symbol is a cross.

I had been away from home for about three months, working in Akron, Ohio, as an engineering student. The three months were over, and it was time to go back home. I went back the way college students traveled in 1957 … not in a plane, not in a car of my own, not with my father coming to transport ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 9:14-28

Denomination: Baptist

Which Jesus Do You Want?

Contributed by David Roth on May 2, 2020

Our sinful flesh chooses Barabbas, as did the crowd, because he is like us. But Christ chooses us, that we may be like Him.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Which Jesus do you want?” He had two prisoners. Both of them had been accused of trouble-making. Of being insurrectionists and revolutionaries. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:15-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Worship (Deuteronomy 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 31, 2024

How has worship changed since the old covenant? Let's review Deuteronomy 12.

What did God detest about pagan worship? Does the Bible teach us how we now worship God if special places are no longer necessary? Let’s look in Deuteronomy 12. What was Israel to do with the idols left behind by the nations they were to drive out of the land? These are the statutes and the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Question That Changes Everything Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Apr 28, 2025

This series is aimed at tackling the top questions that people ask about Christianity. This first sermon was preached on Easter Day. It was also a baptismal service. What a day!

I. Welcome – A Day of New Beginnings Good morning! It’s so great to see so many of you here—whether you’re part of the furniture or just visiting today, you are so welcome. Today is a day of celebration. A day of joy. A day of life. We’ve sung songs, we’ve read the resurrection story, and we’ve ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Romans 6:3-5

The Cost And Consequences Of Disobedience Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 29, 2004

The main points of the message are: 1. God Loves You Too Much to Let Remain In Disobedience. 2. A Believer’s Disobedience Always Involves Others. 3. Disobedience Leaves Us Powerless Before the Storms. 4. You Can Not Live A Disobedient Life and It Not Sho

A Study of Book of Jonah Sermon # 2 “The Cost and Consequences of Disobedience?” Jonah 1:4-16 You will remember that last week we dealt with Jonah’s decision not to do as God had asked. He decided not to go to Nineveh but rather to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:4-16, Jonah 1:1-12, Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Wise Still Seek Him

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Dec 12, 2006

Using the story of the wise men to teach us how God seeks us and brings us to seek the Christ.

The story of the wise men visiting the Christ child is an intriguing one. These men began a long trip to Israel simply because a particular star was in the sky, alerting them to the birth of the king of the Jews. They traveled for several months finally meet the Christ child in person. I believe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Christ Our Pioneer Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

the joyful news of the incarnation is that God has come to take on our full humanity and transform it. We have a brother who’s fulfilled God’s plan already and who’s paved the way for us, so that we too can be made perfect and in the end can be brought th

I wonder how many of you watched the documentary on the 2004 Tsunami on Wednesday night. If you did, you were probably blown away once again by the sheer power of the sea as it rolled in with such relentless force. What struck me was the sense of unbelief on the part of the westerners in particular ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:3-18

Denomination: Anglican

Watch Out For False Teachers Pt. 1 Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Apr 30, 2008

Hungry wolves and Healthy sheep.

1. Hungry Wolves & Healthy Sheep. They go together. 2. Wherever there are healthy sheep, there are hungry wolves. a. AND wherever the truth is taught, lies are pressing in. b. It’s true in the physical world, but it’s especially true in the spiritual realm, in the church. c. To put it another ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gonna Need A Bigger Cup

Contributed by G W Bill Elliott Jr on Nov 30, 2019

Typically, we stop pouring fluid as the container is filling to the rim. Too often, we tend to ease-up on God's calling on our lives because we sense we are filling up. He wants us to go get a bigger cup, through!

No, this is not a story about the whole ‘glass half full’, or ‘glass half empty’ debate. In fact, the late George Carlin once observed, “Maybe the glass is just twice as big as it needs to be!“… he then proceeded on a tirade of how we overthink, over-analyze, and certainly over-debate about such ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:22, Luke 6:38, Matthew 7:13-14, Psalm 23:5

Denomination: Independent/Bible