Sermons on Obvious Characters:

Encountering Jesus (4) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 11, 2019

In Luke 19, Zacchaeus encounters Jesus. Zacchaeus may have been a wee little man, but he was more than a little charged, charitable, and changed by Jesus.

Encountering Jesus (4) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 1/25/2015 How many of you remember the story of Zacchaeus? Of course, you remember. Anyone who hears his story never forgets. Zacchaeus is one of those memorable Bible characters we learn about in Sunday School. In fact, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church

Faith Meets Social Distance

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 14, 2020

Healing, miracle

FAITH MEETS SOCIAL DISTANCE (JOHN 4:45-54) Here is purportedly Jesus' Report card from grade school... GRADE TEACHERS COMMENT: Religion: D To the question “Who made the world?” persisted in answering 'My dad'. Claims Bible originated from the same source. English: D+ Tends to speak and ...read more

Scripture: John 4:45-54

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus And David Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 8, 2018

All early Christians understood that Jesus was a descendant of David; but He did not derive his authority from his personal ancestry. The Messiah must be thought of, not as a national monarch but as the lord of all, exalted far above David.

-Tuesday- Jerusalem Jesus and David (Psalm 110:1) Matthew 22:41-46 (focal passage), Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20:41-44 Matthew 22:41-46 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:41-46

Denomination: Baptist

Andrew: The Apostle Of Small Things Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on May 23, 2018

From Andrew’s testimony we learn that there are no insignificant gifts, no inconspicuous service and evangelism one on one is powerful and effective! Please read this sermon to learn more.

Andrew: The Apostle of Small Things John 1:35-42 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Ever feel that the resources, time and spiritual gifts that you have to offer are too insignificant to make a difference in God’s kingdom? If one cannot sing like an angel, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Heart Of Religion

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 19, 2021

Religious traditions and rules can be harmful, or they can provide a framework for a heart transformed. The heart is transformed by the Holy Spirit.

THE HEART OF RELIGION—Mark 7:1-23 If you would ask 100 people, maybe on a street corner of a university or in your neighborhood, “What do you think about religion?” What would you hear? Some people would politely say, “It’s not bad to be religious, if you are into that.” Some might be glad to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Ezekiel 11:19-20, John 7:38-39, Proverbs 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Clean Heart In A Dirty World

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Aug 11, 2020

I love the 51st Psalm. It’s a very personal prayer of Confession - Self-Examination - A Cry For Forgiveness. I can really identify with the author of this Psalm. Not with what he did, but with his own sense and need for forgiveness.

TITLE: A CLEAN HEART IN A DIRTY WORLD SCRIPTURE: PSALM 51:1-12 Out of all the 150 Psalms, I believe this is one of the most heart wrenching of them all. It is a heart filled and genuine account of David’s guilty heart. There is no real need to enlarge the circumstances, the heading tells the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Fear Of The Lord Is The Beginning Of Wisdom: Why Do We Fear God?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 30, 2021

The scriptures read "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Wisdom is something we desperately need in our world. We need it today especially. We need it as the body of Christ on Earth.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. -Psalm 111:10 NIV The scriptures read "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Wisdom is something we desperately need in our world. We ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:2-8, Psalm 111:10, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Psalm 23:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Everything Minus Love Equals Nothing Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

In this great love chapter Paul makes it clear that love is the supreme gift. All of the human relation problems in the world are caused by a lack of love, and only love can lift us above the hatreds in the hearts of mankind.

Where love is absent hate will reign. This is true in every area of life for individuals and groups of all kinds. We are grateful for those who give their lives to protect us from enemy forces, but we cannot thank God that their sacrifice was necessary, for we would not have needed such ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Thomas The Doubter Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 18, 2021

Thomas got tagged as the doubter because of his one experience. On this basis he gained a reputation as if he was a skeptic. The fact is we have as much evidence on record as we need to call him Thomas the dedicated defender.

Sometimes popular ideas about biblical characters are so accepted that one is compelled to go along with them almost as if they were inspired, but they are often arbitrary and superficial. No one ever calls John the Baptist John the doubter, yet his experience of doubt was far more serious than ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

What Does Holy Mean? Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 13, 2021

There are several words in our “Holy vocabulary” that even Christians don’t fully understand. Taking a closer look at some of these Holy words to make sure that we fully understand them before we use them.

As I was praying over what direction God would have me to go, God brought my attention to the fact that, as Christians, we have a unique vocabulary. We tend to use words that a non-Christian might not understand. So, when trying to witness to someone, we should be careful to use words they can ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:25-31, Psalm 19:1

Denomination: Baptist

…the Good Hand Of His God Upon Him

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 9, 2021

Today in this sermon, we want to turn our attention to a very special man. His name is Ezra. He is one of those fellows you do not hear a great deal about, but yet he was a giant among men in the spiritual world.

Ezra was a priest, but he was not able to serve in the temple because the temple had been destroyed. This could be why we do not hear a lot about Ezra. He was not a temple priest. Ezra is noted for other things, such as: • He studied the Word of God. In Ezra 7:6, we read that he was, “A ready ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:10

Denomination: Baptist

Unity In Diversity: Beings In Relationship

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 1, 2021

What is man? Is man a dream in the eye of his creator? It would seem so, by the Christian worldview. What is man for? How can man find fulfillment in life?

What is man? Is man a dream in the eye of his creator? It would seem so, by the Christian worldview. What is man for? How can man find fulfillment in life? Human kind, one by one may find ultimate fulfillment in relationship. I have learned slowly but surely, that I am a being made for ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:14, Galatians 3:28

Denomination: Salvation Army

Defining The Kingdom Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 15, 2024

A parable "leaves the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application to tease it into active thought

DEFINING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Series: The Parables Of Jesus Mathew 13:11. And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. A. INTRODUCTION The parables of Jesus make up a crucial part of the Bible. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:11

Give And Take

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 26, 2023

Givers trust in God, rather than in themselves; they are focused outward. Takers have not learned to trust in God and focus on their own needs.

Anybody remember the televangelist scandals of the 80’s? Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Oral Roberts and his highly publicized plea for - what was it, $8 million? - to keep God from striking him dead. Remember the uproar in all the secular news media and the shame felt by so many evangelicals at being ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Cost Of Weak Spiritual Leadership Series

Contributed by Ellick Wu on Aug 14, 2023

From Exodus 32:1-6, we will uncover invaluable lessons about the consequences of weak spiritual leadership. We will glean insights that pierce through the complexities of our present church condition and trends, shedding light on both the pitfalls we must avoid and the pathways we should pursue.

THE COST OF WEAK SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP EXODUS 32:1-6 Scripture reading prior to sermon Ex 33:11-16, 34:6-10 Introduction When I was young, I was taught honesty is the key character for life being a great person and we should model after young George Washington the first President of the United ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-6

Denomination: Baptist