Sermons on Olive Tree:

Designer Genes Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Jun 29, 2005

There is a Designer who defeats your darkness and He has a design for your life.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 (KJV) Darkness can make us ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Are Miracles Really True? Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jul 12, 2005

God is still a God of miracles.

SERIES: “ANSWERS TO SOME OF LIFE’S DIFFICULT QUESTIONS” TEXT: JUDGES 6:11-13 TITLE: “ARE MIRACLES REALLY TRUE?” INTRODUCTION: A. There’s an old story about a skeptic who continually challenged a local preacher. The skeptic loved to try to ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Marks Of Freedom Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 5, 2005

The legalists wanted to subject the Galatian Christians to circumcision (as a means of earning favor with God), so Paul addresses the issue one last time by relating it to the work of Christ on the cross and his own ministry.

Scripture It was Paul’s custom, after dictating a letter to an amanuensis, which is a secretary, to take a pen and write his own farewell. His standard signature was, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:17-18). But Paul is so concerned ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Are You Paying Attention? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 14, 2005

There are a lot of things that distract us in this life - but if we are not careful we may drift past the most important thing ever.

The Israelites had a problem almost throughout their history - they were easily distracted. It was hard for them to keep on the central and important things. In the wilderness they focused on what they were eating or not eating, rather than focusing on obeying and getting to know this God who had ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

You Were Shaped For God's Service Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 6, 2003

Part of a series on Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life. Worship without service is idolatry; fellowship without service is self-indulgence; discipleship without service is perfectionism. Pay the price of service.

Not long ago an insurance salesman called, wanting to sell me long-term care insurance. I was tempted to tell him I had an unbeatable plan for long-term care, called heaven, but I didn’t. Not this time, anyway, because some aches and pains we had been feeling did remind us that we might actually ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"How To Be The Beatitudes"

Contributed by Quintin Morrow on Sep 8, 2003

A message on the Beatitudes

The Rev’d Quintin Morrow St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Fort Worth, Texas www.st-andrew.com The Text: Matthew 5:1-12 I. The Sermon on the Mount A. Is a revelation of Jesus Christ’s deity. 1. By the location of the sermon (a mountain top). 2. By His words (“Ye have heard it said…but I say to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

You Were Made For A Mission Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 13, 2003

One in a series on Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life book. Our mission is to drive with others toward a destination. But between invitation and destination there is hesitation, born of diversion, dissension, and dissipation.

People who are on a mission move; people who are on a mission let nothing stop them. They are not distracted by side issues, they focus all their energies on getting their mission accomplished. People who are on a mission do whatever it takes to get to their goal. But people who are not on a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

What's Your Walk About?

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Sep 22, 2003

The importance of a lifestyle that reflects Christlikeness of Kingdom people

THE PASTOR’S POINTS sermon ministry of CEDAR LODGE BAPTIST CHURCH Thomasville, NC September 21, 2003 11As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Denomination: United Methodist

In The Footsteps Of Abraham

Contributed by Leo Launio on Oct 15, 2003

In terms of God’s promises to Abraham, we claim that we are indeed hair of Abraham. But the question is—are we heir in the spiritual heritage of Abraham? Are we heir in the call and journey of Abraham?

December 7, 2002 I. Introduction: Within the Christian tradition, one of the truths that we share with our Jewish and Muslim brothers is the understanding that we are heir of Abraham. And we readily apply this understanding to the promise that God gave to Abraham. As God had indeed blessed ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-10

Denomination: Adventist

An Extreme Makeover

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 19, 2003

We must realize the truth that 1. We all begin as ugly people. 2. We have the beauty of God stamped on our souls. 3. God offers to make us new people.

Her nose was pretty big, but I didn’t think it looked all that bad. However, Lori claimed she was so ugly that people called her names and teased her children at school about her looks. To me she was average and even pleasant in appearance, but she decided to have her nose diminished, her chin ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:8-12

Denomination: Methodist

Tigers And Trainers

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 26, 2003

1. Never underestimate the power of sin. 2. Never underestimate the power of God. 3. Determine to live in freedom.

Earlier this month, the Siegfried & Roy show in Las Vegas was brought to a dramatic close when a seven-year-old, white Bengal tiger attacked Roy and drug him off the stage before an audience of 1500 people. It was Roy’s 59th birthday, and shortly after introducing the Tiger, it bit Roy on the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-15

Denomination: Methodist

The Mind That Matters

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 1, 2003

The mind that matters is the mind of Christ, the mind of God, and the mind of man.

INTRO.- ILL.- A man named Al Smith was a presidential candidate in 1928. Surely you remember him? Al Smith was making a speech when a heckler in the audience yelled, “Tell ‘em what’s on your mind, Al. It won’t take long.” Smith grinned, pointed at the man and shouted back, “Stand up, partner, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The End Does Not Justify The Means Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Nov 8, 2003

Jacob: Wrestling with God and Man, Pt. 2

THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS (GENESIS 27:1-46) In Italy, a man went to a priest and confessed. “Forgive me, Father,” he said, sobbing. “During World War II, I hid a refugee in my attic.” “Well,” the priest replied, “That’s not a sin.” “But,” the man admitted, “I made him pay rent.” “That ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:1-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Did Jesus Die? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 24, 2004

Since we need to talk about the Passion film with our friends, we have to be prepared to answer their questions. It’s a mystery to non-believers: Why did Christ have to suffer so? Why did He have to die?

Sarcastic reviews. Late night jokes. Hateful criticism. Promises to ban him from work in Hollywood. Mel Gibson has faced all that and more over the last year. All because of the making of The Passion of the Christ. Why all the controversy? The brutality? R-rated slasher movies come out ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalm 22:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Letting God Work Through You

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Mar 26, 2004

If we have a need God can work a miracle!

LETTING GOD WORK THROUGH YOU The feeding of the 5,000 From the four gospels That evening the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and it is getting late. Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-13

Denomination: Wesleyan