Sermons on Older Son:

The Inherited Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 16, 2018

To accomplish the task of evangelising our world, we must work as though our congregation was new. New churches have a vibrancy that can be lost as we grow older. In time, if we don't take care, we will have an "inherited church" rather than a vibrant, living congregation.

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Perfect Christmas Gift

Contributed by Lew Slade on Feb 15, 2007

What makes any gift perfect - what makes God’s gift,his son, perfect for all of us?

The Perfect Christmas Gift I don’t know about you but I find it almost impossible to buy presents for people, particularly at Christmas. I seem to wander around the shops for hours getting more and more frustrated - then I finish up buying something I saw in the first shop I was in three or four ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Heart Of A Father

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 16, 2008

Although the main focus of the Prodigal Son parable is the ungracious brother, the assumptions made about the Prodigal’s father are enlightening.

The Heart of a Father (Luke 15:11-32) 1. Father’s Day -- what can we say? 2. Sermon Central took a poll, and this would be mostly of pastors. The question and results are as follows: What do you expect for Father’s Day? A big deal 3% Simple card/gift 42% Nothing 35% Surprise ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"The Kind Of Church I Want To Be The Pastor Of"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Sep 16, 2003

It may have been the criticism of the elder brother that drove the prodigal son away from home, but it was the love of the Father who brought him back!

“The Kind of Church I want to be the Pastor of” Introduction: It seems the reason why the prodigal son left home might have been because of the attitude that his elder brother had towards him. What brought him home was the love of the Father. I do not want to frame my Church around the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Unusual & Unstoppable Prayer Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 30, 2010

Martin Luther said, "Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness;" but if we want to lay hold of God’s willingness, we must keep on asking God to keep his word, expecting Him to work in unusual and unstoppable ways.

Mark Ashton, in his book, A Voice in the Wilderness, talks about a small boy who was writing a letter to God. Christmas was approaching and he wanted to ask God for certain Christmas presents he badly wanted. He began his letter with these words: “I’ve been good for six months now.” But then ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

That's Not Fair

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Mar 12, 2006

Even though it seems obvious that life is not fair, most of us get very excited when we get the dirty end of the stick. This one is about what Jesus has to say on the issue.

12, March 2006 Dakota Community Church That’s Not Fair One of the things that we are almost all highly developed in is the awareness of what is fair or unfair about life around us. Those with children will recognize one of the first and loudest whines is, “Hey, that’s not fair!” We try very hard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Mennonite

The Recovery Of Treasured Possessions Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 3, 2012

A study of the Gospel of Luke 15: 8 – 32

Luke 15: 8 – 32 The Recovery Of Treasured Possessions 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-32

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Dead Churches, Visions Of Glory, And Apologetics Blogs

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 26, 2021

The older generation, oi vey, they just don't get it do they? They act like we're on some sort of pleasure cruise to heaven. I really can't understand it myself. These churches will be dead in ten, twenty, thirty, or forty years.

The older generation, oi vey, they just don't get it do they? They act like we're on some sort of pleasure cruise to heaven. I really can't understand it myself. These churches will be dead in ten, twenty, thirty, or forty years. Many are dead today. Why? There is no effort to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:14, 2 Peter 2:7-8

Denomination: Salvation Army

It's About Time Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 7, 2024

How many times in your life do you find yourself saying, “I wish I had more time?” The ironic thing about getting older is the longer you live, the more you find yourself saying that. Remember, life is time, and time is life.

Good morning, church family. Thank you for worshipping with us and for being apart of the 40-Day Challenge. Inside your worship guide is a 40-Day Challenge card. Will you take this out and put me before you in the moments to come? I want to speak to you on a message I’ve entitled, “It’s About ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21, Daniel 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Evangelism 101 - Part 1 - Reaching The Lost Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Dec 14, 2020

God loves sinners. This is what we will be talking about today and for the next several lessons.

God loves sinners. This is what we will be talking about today and for the next several lessons. God loves sinners. The Bible says, “God demonstrated His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He didn’t wait for us to get better before He committed His Son ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Kingdom Keys - Luke Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jan 12, 2024

Joy comes to us when we surrender our will, for the will and power of our Father, His Son and The Holy Spirit

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Genesis 3:1-10, Leviticus 6:1-7, Exodus 22:1, Exodus 22:4, Luke 19:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unusual And Unstoppable Prayer

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 22, 2020

Keep on asking God to keep His Word, counting on Him to work in unusual and unstoppable ways.

Mark Ashton, in his book, A Voice in the Wilderness, talks about a small boy who was writing a letter to God. Christmas was approaching and he wanted to ask God for certain Christmas presents he badly wanted. He began his letter with these words: “I've been good for six months now.” But then ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-26, Luke 18:1-8, Genesis 22:16-17, Romans 9:10-12, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 3:20, Luke 11:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

First Share Of The Crops Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 14, 2015

Rewards come only after we work. The Apostle is encouraging those who are called by the Name of the Son of God to work diligently.

“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” [1] Paul has presented a variety of images to illustrate the strong spiritual life expected of those who will follow the Master. As we saw in a previous message, the emphasis in these verbal pictures the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

Ehud Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Mar 10, 2012

Ehud comes from the tribe of ‘Benjamin.’ He’s left handed Benjamin means, “Son of my right hand.” So God chooses “son of my right hand” who is left handed to bring deliverance!

Dakota Community Church March 11, 2012 Judges – Week Three Ehud In the Book of Judges you will recall there is a repeated cycle throughout the entire book – a cycle of sin, bondage, repentance, and devotion, followed by sin and bondage again. Israel would follow the Lord when there was a leader ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:12-30

Denomination: Mennonite

Ingredients For A Happy Marriage

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 16, 2016

This passage is famous for how God used Elisha to raise the son of the Shunamite couple from the dead than for the great relationship between the couple. If not for this great relationship between man and wife, the devil would have stolen their son.

SOME IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE 2 KINGS 4:8-25 8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-25

Denomination: Charismatic