Sermons on Opportunity Cost:

The Cost Of True Discipleship. Is It Worth It? Do We Want It?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Dec 4, 2016

We all know the cost of discipleship is high, but what is discipleship, and more importantly, do we, as a Christians have a choice but to be disciples? True discipleship is to embrace it, to enjoy it, and live for it because we want to.

This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s, Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 5th September 2010; St Oswald’s is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. The readings for today are: Jeremiah 18:1-11 Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17 Philemon 1-21 Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Episcopal

Are You Nailed To The Cross? Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 18, 2014

God calls us to surrender four central things in our life because of who He is. We must be willing to give up our self, our security, our success, and our status in order to fully submit and follow Him. So, which are you willing to commit to Him?

Are you nailed to the cross? Mark 8:34-8:38 - Our lives ought to be a living worship of Jesus Christ’s example -- Honestly, I am more and more convinced that we (all) are just not there yet - Jesus warned that not all that called upon Him will enter into the Kingdom -- If you are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Acceptable Temptations Jesus Rejects Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Feb 20, 2014

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: Two Acceptable Temptations Jesus Rejects

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: Two Acceptable Temptations Jesus Rejects Luke 14:25-35 In this passage Jesus warns us about two temptations that are often accepted and endorsed by the church today. They are valuing the family more than God and valuing happiness more than God. 1. First ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Walk Faithfully In The Lord

Contributed by William Baeta on Jun 28, 2013

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other” Gal. 5:16-17.

Walk faithfully in the Lord Text: 2 Kings 2:6-14; Gal. 5:13-25; Luke 9:51-62 Man is a spirit, he possesses a soul and he lives in a body. The body can be likened to the clothes we wear. You get into them that is put them on and they move with you. You get out of them, that is take them off and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

No Ifs, Ands, Or Buts!

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 6, 2013

Real discipleship is demanding. It takes a lot for a spur-of-the-moment impulse to become a lifetime commitment to following Christ.

Title: No Ifs, Ands or Buts! Text: Luke 9:59-62 Thesis: Real discipleship is demanding… it takes a lot for a spur-of-the-moment impulse to become a lifetime commitment. Introduction I mentioned last week that author, Eric Weiner, described himself as a “Confusionist” when it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:59-62

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Potter's Hands

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Jul 27, 2013

Being in God's hands is, or course, a place of comfort and safety, but it's also a place in which we find ourselves to be acountable for our faithfulness. Also, since God's Hands are the Potter's Hands, being in His hands is a place of utter surrender.

Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, help me stand... He's got little bitty baby in his hands; he's got you and me, brother, in his hands; He's got the whole world in His hands... Why should I feel discouraged; why should the shadows come; His eye is on the sparrow and I know He cares for ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Are You Just A Fan Or A Follower?

Contributed by George Durham on Jul 8, 2014

Are you just a fan of Jesus, as a good teacher? Or are you a committed disciple of Christ.

Are you Just a Fan or a Follower? Matt.4:18-22 Most common answer when I ask people, “How do you know you are a Christian? “Because I believe in Jesus!” • Hindu’s believe in Jesus + 330 million other gods! • Muslims believe Jesus was a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: United Methodist

"Defeat Evil With Good"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 31, 2014

A sermon about being the Church.

Romans 12:1-21 "Defeat Evil with Good" We would be in denial if we were to say that there is not something terribly wrong with our world. We would be delusional if we were to deny the existence of evil. This past week, the world watched in horror the desperation of children and civilians who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

Denomination: United Methodist

We Must Pay The Price Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 4, 2019

we must discern as families how to respond to the attacks of secular culture, and use our assets, out time, talent and treasure, to restore beauty to our worship, teach religious and moral truths to our communities, and do everything we can to show goodness to the world–to become saints.

Epiphany 2018 The Cost of Discipleship When we compare the stories we have been reading in St. Luke’s Gospel with the reading today from St. Matthew, we are tempted to wonder if this is a story about two different families. On Christmas day we see Mary and Joseph being turned away from every inn ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Think About It Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 22, 2015

Delayed gratification is the norm for God's choice servants. Ponder how He works leads to a precious gift of understanding.

“Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” [1] Anticipate opposition and hostility if you are a Christian. Don’t seek conflict; but don’t be surprised when opposition arises. We Christians seek peace with all people and we will do all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:7

Denomination: Baptist

The Question We Should Ask Every Day

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 27, 2022

The question is the one St. Paul asked. Did my actions today proclaim the presence of Christ, and His desire that all men be saved? Or did it not?

Saturday of the 30th Week in Course 2022 “To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” St. Paul had a blinding revelation on the road to Damascus, an encounter with the risen Lord Jesus that turned his life completely topsy-turvy and started him on a perilous road that would take him all over ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:18-26, Psalm 42:2-5, Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

If You Would Be Perfect

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 31, 2015

Stewardship begins with stewardship of life--receiving the life that Jesus offers. All that we consider "stewardship" flows from this first great decision.

“Behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

True Freedom

Contributed by Anthony Seel on Mar 21, 2015

A sermon on the importance of truth, faith, and virtue for personal and national freedom.

The Fourth Sunday in Lent March 15, 2015 St. Andrew’s Church The Rev. M. Anthony Seel, Jr. 2 Chronicles 36:14-23 “True Freedom” As I began to think about today’s sermon, I was a bit perplexed. Some weeks, I get a clear sense of direction and I pray that God will guide my ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 36:14-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Man’s Way Or God’s Way

Contributed by Chris Beam on Apr 26, 2015

Jesus challenges his disciples, the crowd and us to surrender ourselves to what God has planned for us, rather than holding on to worldly things for our own comfort.

Series: The Book of Mark Man’s Way or God’s Way Text: Mark 8:31-9:1 What does it mean to be a Christian? Some people think that just because members of their family are Christians, then that automatically makes them Christians. Others think that just because they were baptized then ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Unavoidable Consequences When Following Christ Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jun 26, 2015

S WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES IN THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS, WE APPROACH THE END OF CHAPTER 1, AND IT IS HERE, THAT PAUL REVEALS TO US THAT THERE IS AN INEVITABLE PROCESS FOR FOLLOWING CHRIST. THOSE WHO SEEK TO SERVE THE LORD WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART CANNOT AVOID

THE UNAVOIDABLE CONSEQUENCES WHEN FOLLOWING CHRIST PHILIPPIANS 1:28-30 IN NO WAY ALARMED BY YOUR OPPONENTS—WHICH IS A SIGN OF DESTRUCTION FOR THEM, BUT OF SALVATION FOR YOU, AND THAT TOO, FROM GOD. 29 FOR TO YOU IT HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE IN HIM, BUT ALSO TO ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:28-30

Denomination: Baptist