Sermons on Of Cause And Counter:

First Christmas Risk-Takers

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 21, 2011

Risk taking at times needs to be bold and calculated. Other times require spontaneity. Risk taking is taking on something that causes fear and has the possibility of failure. Risk taking is an essential ingredient in ministry in the Kingdom of God. Most B

Opening illustration: Three pastors have been called Monday to report to prison in Shiraz, a city in southwestern Iran, within the next 30 days in what is estimated to be an act of religious persecution. The pastors were essentially being sentenced for having meetings at home, making the government ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:40-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Word Of God Continues Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jan 29, 2013

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PASSAGES THEY MAKES YOU SCRATCH YOUR HEAD AND WONDER WHY IT IS INCLUDED IN OUR BIBLE. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO CONNECT WITH THE CONTEXT BEFORE IT OR AFTER IT. SIMPLY, IT STANDS ALONE AND AS SUCH GIVES IS CAUSE TO PONDER WHY IT IS HERE;

THE WORD OF GOD CONTINUES Acts 12:19-24 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Christians Must Be Prepared To Suffer For Christ

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 3, 2019

The Prosperity movement has given Americans a wrong view of God -- that He won’t let Christians suffer. But the truth is that suffering is a vital part of Christianity. Suffering should be viewed as a blessing, a cause for rejoicing, and a sign of future reward.

CHRISTIANS MUST BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST Matt. 24:9 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: MAGIC AT THE PASTRY SHOP 1. Two broke and hungry best friends, Dave and John, went into a pastry shop. Dave suddenly whisks three cookies into his pocket with lightning speed. The baker didn't notice. Dave ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9, Matthew 5:11-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Being Revived Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Aug 17, 2019

When we are connected to Jesus we can confidently approach the Holiness of God. This confidence should give us cause to consider how to spur on one another and build an environment of encouragement as we commit to our church fellowship.

Message Hebrews 10:24-25 In Fellowship Together – Being Revived When we talk to people during the week, and they ask us what we do on the weekend, I’m sure there have been times when we have all said, “I am going to fellowship with my church.” Have you ever stopped to wonder what “going to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Pandemic And Political Paranoia - The Torment Of Fear Versus The Peace Of God's Love

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 17, 2020

The recent international pandemic and the persistant unprecedented overreach and intimidation by governmental authorities has caused anxiety and fear to run rampant across the world, affecting everyone, the likes of which I have never seen before in my lifetime.

The world gives a lot of reasons to justify living in tormenting fear. The unknown ahead of us, and the uncertainty of the future, can be very intimidating. The recent international pandemic has caused anxiety and fear to run rampant across the world, affecting everyone, the likes of which I have ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3, Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 14:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Revelation 3:19, Colossians 3:5-6, Luke 21:26, Job 3:25, Matthew 8:26, Isaiah 26:3-4, 1 John 4:16-18, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7-9, Matthew 21:21-22, Job 3:25-26, James 5:14-15, 2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 10:17, Proverbs 3:5-8, Psalm 25:12-15, 1 Peter 5:6-7, 1 John 4:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Placebo Faith - The Real Thing Part 2 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Dec 11, 2017

This is part two of my series, Placebo Faaith - The Real Thing. In this message I review the story of Peter walking on the water and how his thinking caused him to step out of the boat, walk on the water but ultimately start sinking.

Placebo Faith – The Real Thing Part 2 Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1, 6; Proverbs 23:7a; Matthew 14:22-31 Introduction This is part two of my series, “Placebo Faith – The Real Thing.” Last week I shared with you that that medically there are patients who, because they truly believe they have an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stewardship-Pathway To Victory Series

Contributed by Ralph S. Adebowale on Jul 13, 2020

Within the Last Few Months of the Global Pandemic, with several questions in the hearts of many, “How come a Pandemic after the Beginning of a New Year?”, was it caused by several atrocities of the World or is it a Natural Catastrophe or an Environmental syndrome or an engineered economic disorder?

Well, God still reigns in the Affairs of Men as his the owner of The World (Ps 24:1) and always Assures Us of Victory even when we are faced with Such or More even Happens (Ps 34:19) This is a Pointer for us to give to God the best of who we are and what we have received, because God intends to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Mary The Mother Of James And Joses. Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Mar 10, 2021

Luke 8:1-3 names some of the women who are recorded in the resurrection account. Without the resurrection Jesus can be viewed as just another good man who died for His cause - or a Roman crucifixion of a false messiah.

Mary the mother of James and Joses. Mark 15:40–41, Luke 8:1-3 Many of us are aware of the Resurrection of Jesus , but we don’t always realise how we got the record of this event: and it is this: the first witnesses of the resurrection were women. Now with our 21st century ears when we hear ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:40-41, Luke 8:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Earthquake In Nepal

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 6, 2015

Sermon the week after the earthquake in Nepal in April 2015. Does God cause all earthquakes or are some just the result of an aging world in a death spiral? How does a Christian respond to 6,000 deaths in one disaster?

When I was in my 20’s I worked with a man in his 50’s. I thought he was old but he was in great health until he fell backwards on ice, hit his head and died instantly. We were shocked at the loss of Bob. Last Saturday, April 24, 2015, there was a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Nepal. Here ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:7-8

Denomination: Nazarene

A Light In The Darkness

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 24, 2020

Our country/world is experiencing a time of darkness. I want to give you 3 causes for HOPE: a. It’s NOT as dark as you think; b. the Light of the world has come; and c. the Light will triumph in the end!

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS Isaiah 42:16 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: APPRECIATE YOUR LOYALTY 1. A little old lady got into an argument with her pastor. It got rather abrasive. The pastor thought he would never see her again, however she showed up for the next service. 2. “I thought you’d be gone for ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:16, Isaiah 5:20, John 8:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Consequences Of Bad Religion

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 24, 2013

THE JEWISH NATION HELD A PRIVILEGED STATUS WITHIN THE ROMAN EMPIRE, AND THE SANHEDRIN FEARED THAT JESUS WOULD GAIN A LARGE FOLLOWING, CAUSE A CIVIL UPROAR, AND ANGER THE GOVERNING ROMAN EMPIRE. IF THAT HAPPENED, these religious leaders would lose their...

5-16-2004 Title: Consequences of Bad Religion Text: John 11:47-48, 53 Scripture Reading: John 11:45-53 Introduction CHRIST DIED DURING Passover week in Jerusalem. It was the HIGH HOLY WEEK ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-53

Denomination: Baptist

Your Emotion Especially Anger Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 23, 2021

Researchers have concluded that the major cause of diseases that harm mankind are not so much from bacteria or virus, but rather because of the state of one’s mind. The adverse stress and disturbances to the mind leads to break-down in our health.

Psalm 91 - Study 27 - Your emotions especially anger! We read in Psalm 91:9-10, “You, O LORD, are my refuge! You have made the Most High your home. No harm will come to you. No sickness will come near your house.” (GW) As we continue to meditate on Psalm 91, we have realized that the word of God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:9, Psalm 91:10

Denomination: Other

Get Up And Walk!

Contributed by Bola Folakemi Praise on Jun 30, 2018

At a point during the cause of our lives we are faced with situations that are overwhelming. We find ourselves in a place where it seems we are stagnated, we are not making progress. We feel that we need help and assistance which is not forthcoming.

AUTHOR: BOLA FOLAKEMI PRAISE JOHN 5: 1-11 “Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Freed For Joyful Obedience (2003)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 23, 2021

Until we are justified in our actions, we are separated by sin away from God. That separation causes us to feel guilty and it denies us the feeling of joy that comes from being reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ!

FREED FOR JOYFUL OBEDIENCE Text: Hebrews 9:11-14 Charles Colson mentioned that whenever questioned by curious people in the media about which of his Watergate perfidies [sins] (deliberate acts of betrayal of trust) made him feel the most remorseful, he replies honestly and invariably ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-14

Denomination: United Methodist

"a Heavenly Party:" The Parable Of Lost Things

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Aug 6, 2023

In today’s “Parables to Live By,” we’ll be looking at what causes heaven to have a party, and the heavenly party God’s got planned along with His guest list in the parable that Jesus taught on lost things.

Parables to Live By A Heavenly Party: “The Parable of Lost Things” Luke 15 You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI54z3N0B2g&t=1s How many of you have lost something that was precious or important to you? For myself, this seems to be the norm. I’ve lost just about everything, ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare