Sermons on Opportunities Wasted:

The Outward Ripples Of Caring Series

Contributed by Dennis King on Nov 15, 2022

Praying without really caring for others is a waste of words. As we pray, simultaneously we should care for them by doing our best to help them spiritually, emotionally or simply arranging for food and shelter when needed, then we should pray.

Praying without really caring for others is a waste of words. As we pray, simultaneously we should care for them by doing our best to help them spiritually, emotionally or simply arranging for food and shelter when needed, then we should pray. As Christianity charges believers with the obligation ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:20-22, Leviticus 25:35-36, Hebrews 13:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Prodigal Father: A Parable Of Extravagant Love Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Apr 21, 2002

“Prodigal” means extravagant, lavish, unrestrained, and even to the point of being what some would consider being wasteful. Watch the father in this story. It was the father who threw himself into the prodigal land of extravagance and unrestrained love fo

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: In Luke 15, Luke gives a series of three parables in response to the criticism of the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus received unbelieving people and even ate with them. Evidently, His love and vulnerability attracted lost people from all classes and lifestyles. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Did You Experience So Much For Nothing? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2007

Third in revival series at Emmaus Baptist Church, Quinton, VA: Dialogical (sought testimonies from audience at selected intervals). We may feel that our investment in faith is a waste; but it will not be if we can learn to grow in relationships.

I hate waste. I despise it when I find out I have wasted something valuable – time or money or effort. Don’t you? Doesn’t it just frustrate you immensely if all your good work goes down the tubes? When I first learned to use a computer, I didn’t know you could set a word processor on auto-save. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

If I Could Put Time In A Bottle

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 5, 2026

Time is not random or meaningless; it unfolds under God’s sovereign care. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that life is lived in seasons, eternity is placed in the human heart, and meaning is found not in controlling time but in reverently offering it to God. What is given to Him is never wasted.

There are moments in life when time feels generous. Days seem long. Weeks stretch out ahead of us. The future feels wide and open, almost indulgent. And then there are other moments when time suddenly feels thin — compressed, hurried, and slippery. One season we are wondering how to fill the hours, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:12, Psalm 139:16, Matthew 6:34, James 4:13-15

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Hero Or Zero?

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 11, 2014

We have opportunities to be influencers for God or against him. Rehoboam chose his own way over God's and missed out on being a hero to the people of Israel.

1. Lindbergh and Spirit of St. Louis In 1997, Reeve Lindbergh, daughter of aviator Charles Lindbergh, was invited to give the annual Lindbergh Address at the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum to commemorate the 70th anniversary of her father's historic solo flight across the Atlantic. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Balancing Privilege And Responsibility

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 27, 2003

Have you ever wondered to what degree privilege brings responsibility? In this age of great privilege people need to know something about their responsibilities or they will squander great opportunities.

Privilege Brings Responsibility (Rom. 3:1,2) Illustration:When Queen Victoria was a child, she didn’t know she was in line for the throne of England. Her instructors, trying to prepare her for the future, were frustrated because they couldn’t motivate her. She just didn’t take her studies ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Choose To Know The Living God Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 10, 2025

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture assumes and declares that God is real. Whether we believe in Him or not does not change His reality—only our opportunity to know Him.

Go! And Choose to Know the Living God Introduction: The Bible does not waste time trying to prove God’s existence. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture assumes and declares that God is real. Whether we believe in Him or not does not change His reality—only our opportunity to know Him. God does ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Jeremiah 29:13, James 4:8, Psalm 34:18, Deuteronomy 31:6, Exodus 15:26, Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 34:8, Ephesians 3:20, Matthew 7:13-14, John 14:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Psalm 38: Sickness And Suffering Brought On By Sin Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 16, 2019

This psalm is David’s confession and concerns physical sickness. David is very ill. His body is wasting away. We have no record of him having this illness, but as we have seen before he thanked God for his healing.

December 13, 2014 Tom Lowe Title: PSALM 38: Sickness and Suffering Brought on by Sin. A psalm of David. PART 1 DAVID’S SIN (VERSES 1-4) Part 2 David’s Suffering (verses 5-8) Part 3 David’s Sorrow (verses 9-14) Part 4 David’s Supplication (verses 15-22) Psalm 38 (KJV) Part 1: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 38:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

"Commission"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Oct 17, 2003

Jesus had a commission from the Father, which He fulfilled perfectly. We also have a commission, but ministry opportunities aren’t always pretty.

I call the Gospel of Mark the ‘guy’s gospel’. It’s full of action from the very start. It is descriptive. Jesus sleeps in the boat during a storm, we’re told by Matthew Mark and Luke, but only Mark mentions that He’s sleeping on a cushion (4:38). All four Gospel writers tell of His feeding ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Orthodox

Does Satan Have A Better Plan? Series

Contributed by Bud Ross on Jan 29, 2005

The wilderness temptation was about Satan offering Jesus 3 opportunities to reject God’s idea of what the Messiah should be.

The dad was trying to teach his 6-year old son how to shoot a basketball. The boy would push the ball as hard as he could toward the basket but always the ball would fall short. The dad would effortlessly toss the ball toward the basket and say, "Just do it like this, son. It’s easy." The boy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Making Something Of Bad Apples

Contributed by David Simmons on Jan 18, 2001

God has given each of us the opportunity, the freedom to choose for ourselves so he could have a genuine relationship with us.

Well… I have to confess that for some time now, I have been harboring a deep-rooted fear. It began several years ago as a 22 year old Summer Youth Worker. Our pastor had left; we were in an interim period, and it looked as if I might have to step in and preach on Father’s Day. But you know you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-24, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

God's View Of Work Series

Contributed by Daniel Villa on Feb 9, 2003

Work expresses the divine image in us. Our work is an opportunity to worship God, to work with God and to enjoy the fruits of our work.

God’s View of Work Genesis 2:1-15 Big Idea: Work is a holy calling requiring our all in partnership with God. Today let us look at God’s view of work. Genesis 2 tells us work untainted by the Jump to Ruin. Genesis 3 shows ruined work. We will look at several Scripture to see how redeemed work ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-15

Denomination: Church Of God

Ask To Serve Series

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Nov 28, 2000

Ministering to others begins with praying to God for his guidance, power and blessing in opportunities to make his grace known through ministry.

Ever notice how you pick up little habits from people without even noticing it? When I first became a Christian, the preacher at the University Church was a positive, encouraging gentleman named Harold Jones. He would always speak about the ‘wonderful love of Jesus’ and bob up and down on his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:25-28, Matthew 22:39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Search For Significance At Work/School Series

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on May 12, 2002

I talk about how God wants us to see our places of employment (or school) as opportunities to make a difference.

Search for Significance at Work/School Intro: Did you know that in a recent survey it was found that 65% of American workers are unhappy with their jobs? There are a lot of factors leading to unsatisfaction with their jobs. But if you are looking for a little excitement in a new career how many ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9, Colossians 3:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

State Of The Church Address

Contributed by Rick Croffut on Oct 19, 2001

This message deals with the new beginnings that God takes a church through. The message discusses the opportunities that God has in store for each church.

THE STATE OF THE CHURCH ADDRESS Much like the State of the Union Address that we will hear just 2 weeks from now – I want to bring you the State of the Church Address today. I will not be making promises about how to reform the church – because I believe the day we are living in demands that man ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:2, Psalm 33:12

Denomination: Pentecostal