Sermons on Optimism:

Faith & Works

Contributed by John Stevenson on Oct 18, 2000

I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.

I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. So go the words of W. E. Henley in his well-known Invictus. There is something intensely individualistic and ego-affirming in the idea that you make your own way. We would all like to think that we can pull ourselves up by our own ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10, Mark 10:17-27

Lay Down Your Burdens

Contributed by Kent Hawkins on Jan 22, 2001

Jesus will help ease the burdens you are carrying.

Lay Down Your Burdens The first time I took a group of youth into the Smokey Mountains, we hiked to Abrams Falls. 2.5 mile hike each way 40 ft. big waterfall. During our time there, one of the youth hurt leg and couldn’t walk. No vehicles, bikes, - arm over my & other adult shoulder, carried out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Peter 5:6-7

Even When We Are Downcast He Lifts Our Head

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Feb 20, 2004

We can praise God that He is the lifter of our head even when we are downcast. At a time of great despair, distress, discouragement and danger, David praised God with the words, "But You, O Lord, art a shield for me. My glory and the lifter of my head."

Even When We Are Downcast He Lifts Our Head (Psa 3:3-5) We can praise God that He is the lifter of our head even when we are downcast. At a time of great despair, distress, discouragement and danger, David praised God with the words, "But You, O Lord, art a shield for me. My glory and the lifter ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is A Disciple And Why Be One? Series

Contributed by Daniel Dennison on Jun 25, 2003

This is the first sermon in a series of 8 on the biblical characteristics of a disciple.

Discipleship Series, Sermon #1 (6-3-03) There was a man by the name of John Harper who was born into a Christian family on May 29, 1872. He became a Christian 13 years later and had already started preaching by age 17. He received training at the Baptist Pioneer Mission in London, and in 1896 he ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Methodist

The Tower Of Babel

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Aug 25, 2003

The Tower of Babel is a life parable telling of the dangers of the Spirit of the Age - Poverty of Spirituality and Pride of Life - and the chaos it brings which only Christ’s redemption can right.

The story of the Tower of Babel is a sad description of breakdown of fellowship, growing isolation and confusion. It all results from human beings’ failing to live in dependence on God, becoming proud of their achievements and determined to be the source of their own security. That was the root ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

It's All In How You Look At It Series

Contributed by John Hamby on May 25, 2004

Attitude that determines whether we have joy in our circumstances.

Restoring the Joy Sermon # 2 It’s All In How You Look At It Philippians 1:12-20 In today’s message we note that it is attitude that determines whether we have joy in our circumstances. But by attitude we do not mean a foolish ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

This Is Great! Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Dec 9, 2003

There is joy to be had!

THIS IS GREAT! Luke 1:26-38 S: Mary Th: Courage at Christmas Pr: THERE IS JOY TO BE HAD! ?: How? How does it come to Mary? KW: Inductive TS: We will find in our study of Luke 1:26-38 how Mary discovers the joy that is available to those that accept God’s will. The _____ aspect of Mary’s story ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Our Blessed Hope

Contributed by David Swensen on Nov 11, 2001

Hope. We cannot live adequately without it. Dr. Emil Brunner said,"What oxygen is for the living, such is hope for the meaning of human life." Learn more about "Our Blessed Hope", in this weeks message.

OUR BLESSED HOPE INTRODUCTION Malcolm Muggeridge was a very famous and highly respected British journalist who for many years was an ardent atheist.His opinions and thoughts were coveted by American publishers and he occasionally wrote the editorial page for Time magazine.Toward the end of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Spiraling Upwards - Faith

Contributed by John Gullick on May 6, 2002

A sermon that explores the vital componants to our faith and how those componants should be evidenced in our lives.

Spiraling upwards. a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, Recently I have been reading a book called Spy Catcher - It is a fascinating story about a man who basically helps clean up the British secret service. It seems that MI5 and MI6 were continually hampered by agents who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How God Uses Circumstances For Our Growth

Contributed by Bill Burnett on Feb 27, 2003

How does God use circumstances to help us fulfill and release God’s dreams for our lives

HOW GOD USES CIRCUMSTANCES TO HELP US REACH OUR DREAMS Going To The Next Level Series We’ve been talking about dreams for the last four weeks. I believe that every person in this room has a dream hidden in you somewhere. It is our desire that we help you find and release God’s dreams for your ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:8-28

Denomination: Foursquare

In This You Greatly Rejoice

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 19, 2009

1- We rejoice in spite of trials 2- We rejoice in honor of Christ 3- We rejoice in hope of salvation

INTRO.- ILL.- Bobby McFerrin sang the song, "Don’t Worry, Be Happy," which came out in 1988. Here is a little song I wrote You might want to sing it note for note Don’t worry be happy In every life we have some trouble When you worry you make it double Don’t worry, be happy...... Ain’t got no ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Three Things That We Cannot Live Without.

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 27, 2008

Communion Meditation for September 7, 2008

(Slide 1)When you go on a trip what are the three things that you don’t leave home without? (Allow for feedback.) (Slide 1a) What are three things we physically cannot live without? (No not chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate!) Water, air, and food. (Slide 1b) What are three things we spiritually ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-31

Denomination: Church Of God

Restoring The Hope Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 22, 2009

The hope of Christmas is not a sentimental hope… it’s filled with sentiments of a child born in a manger… of becoming one with us… of making the world a better place… but we must shake off the sentimental hope to take hold of the substance… the prophe

Intro It’s especially wonderful to gather together tonight. As a teenager… one of the most significant spiritual senses I had came on Christmas Eve… I can still remember at around 16… driving to a late night candlelight services. I was drawn into the wonder… God incarnate. It’s never left me. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Praise Of Wisdom

Contributed by Cindy Breadner on Jul 18, 2007

Proverbs is a book of wonder ... use it to its fullest

What is wisdom? In the dictionary it is defined as “knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight, the quality or state of being wise;” So I go further what is wise? Having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Just In Time

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Nov 25, 2007

Hope in God is know like hope in any other person or thing. Hope in God is directly connected to the faith that we should have.

Just in time Romans 5:1-8 Folks I need to just say that this has been some week. Now don’t get the wrong idea. I just mean busy. Really busy and full to the hilt. I know you have had weeks like it. Of all the things God has blessed me with, I believe that time is the most precious. It is the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-8

Denomination: Congregational