Sermons on Olive Tree:

The Necessity Of A Changed Heart Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Aug 21, 2007

Many people in the church have not ungone a change of their heart. So we believe the right things, do the right things, and avoid doing the wrong things...what more does Christ want from us? He wants our Hearts!

The Necessity of a Changed Heart i Introduction: I was always taught that change does not come easily, and I believe it. You’ve heard old ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Running On Empty Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 16, 2003

Following Jesus will cause us to feel overwhemled because we will want to meet other people’s needs, but when we give Jesus what we have, God multiplies its effect far beyond our expectations.

I know what some of you are thinking today. Some of you are thinking, "Only 17 shopping days left before Christmas." Others of you are wondering just how you’re going to get that Christmas letter out in time. You’re thinking, "Perhaps it should be a New Year’s letter instead." Let’s face it: This ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A God Who Gives Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

The Christmas narrative is in danger of being relegated to a sweet story that is just read once a year. Some of us have heard it so much that we’re no longer moved by the magnitude of the Majesty becoming a man. We must never forget that this is holy hi

A God Who Gives As we prepare for Christmas, sometimes I wonder if we have allowed the Savior to be stolen from our celebrations. We’ve sterilized the spiritual and been inoculated by the familiarity of the nativity. “Merry Christmas” has been replaced with “Happy Holidays.” Have you noticed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:26-38, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Praying For The Right Things Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

In the light of the Lord’s impending return, we’re to pray that our faith will grow and that our love will increase. Since those who don’t know God will be punished when Christ appears, we must avoid mediocre spirituality and apathetic prayers.

Praying for the Right Things One of my favorite commercials is for a cell phone company in which cellular static has caused some confusion between a married couple. The wife had just asked her husband to bring home “a movie, something old.” The husband however, thought she said, “Bring home a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Who Leads Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 20, 2003

Since this psalm is so familiar, we’re in danger of missing the depth of its meaning. And, because it’s setting is in the world of sheep and shepherds, many of us city slickers can slide right past its richness.

The Lord Who Leads Most everyone has heard of Psalm 23. It’s a poem with no peer and has been called the sweetest song ever sung. Abraham Lincoln read it to cure his blues, and President Bush proclaimed it publicly to calm our nation’s fears after 9-11. I read these words out loud a week ago ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Hannah: A Model For Motherhood Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 26, 2003

Using What God Has Given A man from out east had always dreamed of owning a cattle ranch and had finally saved enough money to buy his dream spread in Wyoming. His best friend flew out to visit and asked, “So, what’s the name of your ranch?” His buddy

Hannah: A Model for Motherhood In a recent Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, Calvin is standing by his mother’s bed when he says, “Hey, Mom! Wake up. I made you a Mother’s Day card.” His mother was very pleased and started to read it out loud. “I was going to buy a card with hearts of pink and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Pass A Camel Through The Eye Of A Needle? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

Jesus didn’t ask everyone he met to follow him. He asked the original twelve disciples–and He invited the Rich Young Ruler to follow him. The young man refused. Like many people, he was fooling himself about what it takes to have eternal life.

Can You Pass a Camel Through the Eye of a Needle? Luke 18:18-30 By Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION During this Christmas season, there are plenty of Scrooges out there. I heard about one lady who was fumbling in her purse to get her credit card to pay for a purchase. The cashier noticed she had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiving The Unforgivable Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 2, 2003

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” The Cross is the only place we can find forgiveness. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done, or how often we’ve done it, we can be forgiven - not because we deserve it, but because we don’t.

Forgiving the Unforgivable The last words of a dying person are normally never forgotten. A person’s closing comments often reveal their pain and agony. Some enter eternity without saying anything, while others utter sentiments that disclose their values, priorities, and innermost ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Word Of Triumph Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 2, 2003

“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’” This cry from the Cross is a shout of victory! Jesus fully paid the price for our sins, stamping "paid in full" across the ledger sheet of our lives. Since Jesus paid it all, we don’t have to

The Word of Triumph Do you ever feel like your life is littered with half-completed projects? Even though I value being able to complete what I start, my days are often filled with unfinished business. From my childhood tree fort that had only one wall, to receiving an “Incomplete” in my college ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From A Leper Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 3, 2003

We all have a deadly problem only Jesus can fix. When we admit our need and cry out for Jesus, stepping out in faith, we receive the power to accomplish the directions God gives us according to the Bible.

Lessons from a Leper Luke 17:11-19 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Have you ever had a totally lousy day? I read about a man who was sitting in a bar, looking at his drink. He stayed like that for half-an-hour. Then, a big trouble-making truck driver stepped up next to him, grabbed the drink from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

When You Get Bent Out Of Shape Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Whatever is broken in your life, Jesus can fix it. When suffering or religious rules bend you out of shape, let Jesus get you bent on the joy of God’s kingdom.

When You Get Bent Out of Shape Luke 13:10-21 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION I recently read a funny story that illustrates how most of us are never satisfied. Frank and Mabel had been married for 40 years. Frank turned 60 a few months earlier and they were celebrating Mabel’s 60th birthday. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-21, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 13:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

When You Blow It As A Parent Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Apr 18, 2003

As we descend deep into the world of family matters we cross the crevice of “when you blow it as a parent.” I want to help you navigate safely to the base camp of another challenging aspect of the parental climb

David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. David sent the troops out—a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1-9, 2 Samuel 19:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Leading Others Upwards Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 13, 2003

Leaders have an obligation to instruct others and not cause people to stumble. This is only possible when we stand in awe of God’s name.

Leading Others Upward There are some things that only a mom can teach… My mother taught me about anticipation: “Just wait until your father gets home!” My mother taught me about medical science: “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they’re going to stay that way.” My mother taught me about ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Steps To Spiritual Renewal Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

The first myth is that the Bible is too confusing to read. In verses 1-8, we’ll see that the Bible, instead of being confusing, is actually a book that you and I can comprehend ­ You can understand it!

Steps to Spiritual Renewal I received an email this week from Janelle Becker, one of our missionaries serving in the Philippines. She’s been there for about 10 weeks and is learning the language and beginning to understand the culture. In her email, she forwarded what her co-worker wrote about a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 7:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Love Is? Part 1

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 11, 2004

Love needs to be defined in light of what the Bible says love is. Love really is only defined in light of the statement “God is Love!” If you do not start with God then you cannot know or experience love in your life.

Love is …Part one Thesis: Love needs to be defined in light of what the Bible says love is. Love really is only defined in light of the statement “God is Love!” If you do not start with God then you cannot know or experience love in your life. Opening Illustration from: “Forever Young”. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational