Sermons on Optimism:

The Melancholy Psalm

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 19, 2015

What can we learn from a psalm without a happy ending? (Material adapted from Shawn McMullen in an article in Lookout Magazine and from Peter Slofstra at: http://www.crcna.org/resources/church-resources/reading-sermons/dark-ending-bright-beginning)

HoHum: Gloom, despair, and agony on me; Deep, dark depression, excessive misery; If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all; Gloom, despair, and agony on me WBTU: Started studying on depression and went to Psalm 88. Psalm 88 has been called the most melancholy of all the psalms. One ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 88:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beyond Fullness

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Aug 9, 2014

This is a message based on the miracle of Jesus changing water into wine. It speaks to the fact that we should not be satisfied with God maximizing our capacity, but rather seek that He turn our water into wine.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Reasons To Be An Optimist Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on May 7, 2013

This is the tenth message in a series over the first five chapters of the book of Romans. This message examines the reasons that the Gospel gives us for being optimistic.

By definition an optimist is one that expects the best possible outcome of any given situation. Most of us would have to admit that we have a lot of difficulty remaining optimistic. Paul presented an argument that on the surface seems to leave us very little room for being optimistic. In fact, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Conquering The Past

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Nov 12, 2012

Only as we deal with our past can we move ahead into God’s bright future.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT). I have a past. My journey back to God began with a pack of cigarettes and an offer to teach a Sunday School class. I was saved ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

"A Mismatch Between Our Expectations And God's Answer"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 13, 2011

A sermon for Palm Sunday.

Mark 11:1-11 “A Mismatch between Our Expectations and God’s Answer” By: Ken Suaer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chatt., TN eastridgeumc.org Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem just five days before His bloody Crucifixion is one of the stories that all four Gospel ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

"Fatal Miscalculations"

Contributed by Frankie Melton on May 12, 2017

Many people miscalculate the time they have to live.

“Fatal Miscalculations” James 4:13-16 Introduction: To miscalculate means to misjudge, to make a mistake, to calculate wrongly. History is filled with miscalculations. Some miscalculations can be costly. Some miscalculations can be deadly. Example # 1 The Mars Orbiter was the first ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Isaiah 10 Responding To God's Correction Series

Contributed by Chuck Musselwhite on Feb 29, 2016

Exposition of Isaiah 10

Isaiah 10 Responding to God’s Correction Self Examination vs. 9:8-10:4 God’s Retribution vs. 10:5-19 Restoring What’s Right vs. 10:20-34 Intro: The Hand of God Pray for Matt & Crystal Brown (2nd Service) Introduce Ethan & Angelica Isaiah 1–5 describes the spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 10:1-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Isaiah 34-35 The Way Of Holiness Series

Contributed by Chuck Musselwhite on Feb 29, 2016

Exposition of Isaiah 34-35

Isaiah 34-35 The Way of Holiness A Reckoning Is 34 Restoration vs. 1- Highway of Holiness vs. Intro: Pray for our families: Matt & Mike, Jeri, Robbie & Cara, & Eric & Marina Moore 80's music The final countdown by Europe Read Isaiah 34:1-4 Transition: Isaiah leads us now to the point of ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Were These Worse Sinners? An Exposition Of Luke 13:1-9

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 21, 2019

Trying to compare yourself favorably to those who sin more than you is a dangerous endeavor.

Were These Worse Sinners? An Exposition of Luke 13:1-9 The natural tendency of human beings is to justify one’s self by finding someone who sins worse then himself/herself. Psychologists call this “projection.” It is a survival reflex in which one wishes to place their justly deserved punishment ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Plans

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Which plan are you now on? Plan B, C, D, L, Q, Z? The pandemic caused us to scrap plans and revise them. So what's the Lord's plan on in all of this? Does he have one? What's it look like?

Which plan are you now on? Plan B, C, D, L, Q, Z? It feels like whenever I’ve made a plan during the last week, it needs to be changed every couple of hours. Last weekend we gathered in this place for worship with some precautionary modifications, and at the end of the service I said, “We’ll ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Lutheran

To Be Or Not To Be

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 13, 2021

To succeed, to live, to love, and to serve we must... (Material adapted from LeRoy Lawson in his book, The Lord of Love, Chapter 9 with same title as sermon)

HoHum: To be, or not to be; that is the question- whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them? Few lines of Shakespeare are better known that these. If I had understood Shakespeare, I’d ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-33, Mark 8:35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have No Fear Series

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jul 3, 2021

As we demonstrate Christ to people by making sure He is Lord of our lives, as we defend the reason for the hope that we have, and as we disarm people by our attitude of gentleness and respect, God will use us to clear the way for people to see the central message of the Cross of Christ.

It was reported on Friday that the track and field star Sha’Carri Richardson, who was set for a once in a lifetime opportunity at the Tokyo Olympics, could miss the Games after testing positive for marijuana. Sha’Carri, 21, won the women’s 100-meter race at the U.S. track and field trials in Oregon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

When Withdrawal Is Wise Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

Paul’s command is in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no question as to the source of Paul’s authority. Paul commands them to withdraw from fellowship those believers who live disorderly, and not in harmony with the Christian values that he taught when he was with them.

The Thessalonian Christian had been foolish enough to give heed to false teaching concerning the second coming. As a result some of them were acting in a way contrary to the will of God. Their basic problem was a lack of certain authority. They had been pagans all their lives, and they had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-10

Down In The Dumps Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

The best of men and women, and the wisest, and most gifted, and most used of God, find themselves going to the dumps.

A midwestern pastor was cleaning out his garage. He was planning to haul the rubbish to the dump. His two sons were excited about this, because they considered the dump the happy hunting ground. Only those who have ever found an exciting piece of junk there can fully appreciate their feelings. ...read more

The Voice Of Wisdom Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

This is God's method. He makes the truth that people need to know available to all the people, and not just to the great and mighty. The voice of wisdom is shouting for all to hear. Whatever is wise is the voice of God.

"Integrity and wisdom are essential to success in this business," said the boss to the new employee. He said, "Integrity means that when you promise a customer something, you keep that promise, even if we loose money." "And what is wisdom," asked the employee? ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-29