Sermons on Optimism:

Healthy Independence-6

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Aug 29, 2020

6 of ? The prophet Jeremiah contrasted two major aspects of Independence—Independence from God versus independence from the world. Dependence upon YHWH brings independence from worldly influence. How can I be independent of worldly influence? A Healthy Independence Engages...

HEALTHY INDEPENDENCE-VI—Jeremiah 17:1-14 Jn. 15:18-19—Jesus told His disciples:—“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:8, Jeremiah 17:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Our Eternal Home

Contributed by George Van Popta on Dec 28, 2017

This is the text of a sermon I hope to preach on New Year's Eve at Providence Canadian Reformed Church in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

We all have an address, even several addresses. If someone wants to send you a letter, they just need to put your address on an envelope, stick on a stamp, and throw it in a mail box, and no matter where in the world they do that, sooner or later the letter will arrive in your mailbox. Your email ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Game Plan

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Sep 15, 2013

A sermon dealing with the providential work of God in our lives.

"God's Game Plan" Jeremiah 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Are All Who Die In Infancy Saved? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 9, 2021

The Biblical basis for the belief that all infants who die are saved is the atonement of Christ which releases all from the penalty of original sin so that none parish for Adam's sin, but only for their own personal transgressions.

While visiting in the hospital I met a woman who was anxious to talk about the salvation of infants who die without baptism. She had good reason to be searching for information to give her hope. 18 years ago she lost a baby girl who had not been baptized. Her pastor came to call on her, and she ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:11

. Happy New Year Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

Jesus knew the importance of being happy, and that is why He begins His greatest sermon with a list of ways to be perfectly happy on earth for those who would follow Him and be citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

Edwin Markham in his poem The Shoes Of Happiness tells the story of a king in Istanbul who was ill. He called his wise men together to find a cure. They studied the situation and announced that only one thing could cure him, and that was for him to wear the shoes of a perfectly happy man. Off ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

A Reality Frozen In Anticipation

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 30, 2021

There are moments in life when the webbing of our delusions lift, and we are able to see the truth unobstructed. Oh so rarely do we get to see things in the fullness of how they really are. Our preconceptions cloud situations. Our minds cloud things.

"I am trying to rip open the inconsolable secret in each one of you—the secret which hurts so much that you take your revenge on it by calling it names like Nostalgia and Romanticism and Adolescence; the secret also which pierces with such sweetness that when, in very intimate conversation, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:5-8, Revelation 22:1-5, Proverbs 11:2, Romans 10:21

Denomination: Salvation Army

Help Me God, I'm Discouraged Series

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Oct 27, 2022

The Devil has done his work of discouragement for a long time. If you feel discouraged, you are not alone. God's children do get discouraged. But what did Jesus mean when he said that we can have “life more abundantly,” “life to the full?”

Alba 8-18-13 (Revised 10-23-2022) HELP ME GOD, I'M DISCOURAGED John 10:10 I don’t know if this story about Abraham Lincoln is true or not, but the story is told that Lincoln was surprised one day when a rough looking man drew a revolver and pushed it in his face. "Abe" figured ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10, 1 Kings 19:4, Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Sin? Series

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 12, 2021

Does sin still matter? A USA Today article asked, “Is Sin Dead?” The Pope said the world is losing the notion of sin. We look at the nature of sin, the problems it brings, and the only real solution to it.

THE SUMMER OF SIN, PART 1 “WHAT IS SIN?” Jer. 2:2-13 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE ANSWER IS SIMPLER THAN YOU THINK 1. An engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian were hunting in the wilds of Northern Canada. They came across a isolated cabin, and decided to check it out. Inside was normal except ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:2-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Promises To Ourself & To God

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 5, 2022

I want to present 4 resolutions, 4 commitments that God, in His Word, encourages us to make – 4 commitments which can make a radical difference in your life if you will just follow through on them.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (This message is my adaptation of a fine sermon, “New Year” by Randy Barker, which he contributed to Sermon ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14, Colossians 3:13, Romans 6:12, Romans 12:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Simeon Had Peace At His Death Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 17, 2021

This sermon focuses on the interesting comment that Simeon makes that, having seen the Messiah, he is now ready to die in peace. What would it take for us to die in peace?

READY TO GO? What would make you say, “Now I can die in peace”? - I ask this question in the half-joking way that we usually use this phrase. Someone meets their sports hero and then says, “Now I can die in peace.” Some teen girls go see Shawn Mendes in concert and leave saying, “Now I can die ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Who Controls Your World?

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Oct 13, 2024

So many things seem to control our lives. So what, or who, controls your world? Are you at the mercy of something that has a grip on you that keeps you from being who you want to be? Or have you found the answer to what will best give you the peace you are looking for? We all have a choice.

Alba 10-13-2024 WHO CONTROLS YOUR WORLD? I John 5:16-21 Have you ever felt that you were out of control? It seems that is just part of life, doesn't it? A baby will swing its arms and hit its face and not know where it came from. A child wants everything in the store, and the parent ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All Things Work Together For Good

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Feb 14, 2022

This promise is for believers in Jesus Christ. In effect, Paul says that if you don’t LOVE God, you can’t claim this promise. If you don’t LOVE God, everything isn’t someday going to work out for “Good”.

Alba 2-13-2022 ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD Romans 8:28 In Robert J. Morgan’s book, The Promise, he tells the story of John Peterson. When John was a teenager he had a remarkable singing voice and was in high demand as a performer. His greatest ambition was to become a famous vocalist. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Building Your Life On A Solid Foundation.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Aug 10, 2022

God acknowledges those who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and just as a physical structure requires a solid foundation to withstand storms, our lives and faith need a strong spiritual foundation to endure life’s uncertainties and to grow in our faith.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Isaiah 28:16) "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste." (2 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 61:2, Acts 16:30, Romans 5:20, Romans 8:35-37, Psalm 18:2, Romans 8:24-25, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 8:3, 2 Timothy 2:19, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 15:53-55, Acts 16:33-40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Are Not A Bird

Contributed by Jody Marsh on Sep 10, 2022

“She did what she could.” This affirmation from Jesus gives us a way forward in a world where not everything is possible for us.

You Are Not a Bird Scripture: Mark 14:1-9 Closing Hymn: 572 or 573 Great PowerPoint slides and sermon notes for the congregation to fill in are available. Email jaykaymarsh@yahoo.com to get them. This sermon is from an article The November 2021 Adventist Review. It is condensed from a sermon ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-9

Denomination: Adventist

Known Secret Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 2, 2025

Ephesians 3

KNOWN SECRET (EPHESIANS 3) My mother was called home to the Lord last Wednesday (June 5, 2024). A month before, on Tuesday, May 2, 2024, my 88-year old mother, who was paralyzed and lost her memory for one a half years from Covid, was rushed to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with pneumonia. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible