Sermons on Optimism:

Romans--The Credits

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Oct 26, 2009

In closing out a series on the last part of the Letter to the Church at Rome, this sermon examines Paul’s use of personal names and how they tie to some of the themes of the book.

The Name Game Text: Romans 16:1-27 How many of you like to watch the credits at the end of a movie? Wailam gets disgusted with me because I have a tendency to want to stay to the end of the credits in order to find out who performed a particular song used in the soundtrack, to ascertain the general ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-27

Denomination: *other

The Curious Case Of A Man Named Philip

Contributed by Shane Hargrave on Aug 4, 2009

A look at the story of Philip in Acts 8. This message is one that focuses on God’s timing and takes a look at how God can bring something good from something bad.

The Curious Case of a Man Named Philip Acts 8 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Story of a man who was born old and grew young. That’s not such a new concept. Have you ever heard the statement… Youth is wasted on the young? I never really understood that until I got a little bit older. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nothing Just Happens

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Aug 28, 2009

There is a secret fraternity that exists amongst those who have been in pain that,,,that is mind-boggling,,, It transcends the color of your skin.... It transcends your background.... When you have been through certain things, you feel for other people w

Nothing Just Happens Ruth 1; 6,18 6: Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. 7: Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18

Denomination: Apostolic

Freedom From Anger Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jan 31, 2010

In this first message in the new series Freedom From…, Dave deals with the topic of anger, introducing the most critical thing we need to do in order to stop being angry people.

Freedom From Anger Freedom From... prt. 1 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers August 30, 2009 Colossians 3:1-8 (MSG) 1 So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. 2 Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

Be Holy?

Contributed by Richard Francis on Jan 31, 2009

How do you feel to "Be Holy as I am holy" up to the task, impossible? Take heart and lets explore holiness and living like Jesus and find hope in loving like Jesus

Eyes fixed on Jesus If we are honest it is difficult to live to a set of values and ideals isn’t it. Its difficult to proclaim on a Sunday morning that we want to be like Jesus yet lose it in the office on a Monday or with the family on the way back from Church. Is it just me or do you have those ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Blessed Life Now Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Mar 27, 2009

This sermon answers the question, "How did I get here?"

Have you ever had one of those moments where you stopped, looked at your life, and asked, “How did I get here?” This usually occurs when life doesn’t turn out as we expected. Divorce, bankruptcy, job loss, mid-life crisis, broken relationships, failure to obtain a goal or dream, health problems, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Faith: What It Ain't—what It Is

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Sep 14, 2007

This passage in Hebrews gives us the ingredients, implications and illustrations of faith. By defining what faith isn’t, we can learn what true faith is.

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is one of the best known of the great chapters of the Bible. It has been called the “Westminster Abby of Scripture” because the heroes of faith are enshrined here. Perhaps that is a misnomer, for some people who have been to Westminster Abby and have said it seemed ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Knowledge Of God's Will

Contributed by Amanda Wilson on Oct 20, 2007

An exploration of how we can know and live God’s will based on Colossians 1:4-14 and Psalm 73.

Have you ever found yourself wondering what God wanted you to do in a particular situation? Have you ever found yourself doing what you thought was right only to see it apparrently go all wrong? Are you growing and learning what it means to do God’s will or do you find it all to confusing? When ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Not To Love God

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Aug 19, 2007

Don’t let the mystery and the power of the cross ever be substituted for anything less. Not the law, not wisdom - just the power of the cross.

Title: How to not love God Text: 1 Cor 1:17 – 31 MP: As unreasonable as it is, the cross is still more powerful than any sign or logic It’s always dangerous to use a Monty Python sketch to bring out the truth of a Scripture, but in this case, you’ll see, the shoe fits. But, seeing as this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

Paving The Way To A Life Of Faith Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Mar 27, 2011

What is faith and what does a life of faith look like? Faith is something that is easy to talk about and easy to say that you have, but how is faith actually lived out? What will it look like when a person is living by faith? This morning we will take

Paving the Way…to a Life of Faith Hebrews 11:1-27 Faith Believes even when we don’t See it Faith Sacrifices even when we don’t Have to Faith Obeys even when we don’t Understand it Faith Perseveres even when we don’t Want to Slide - Intro Last week we began a new series entitled “Paving the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Comforter Has Come Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 14, 2011

The setting and symbols of Pentecost

The Comforter Has Come Chuck Sligh TEXT: Acts 2:1-13 I. THE SETTING OF THE COMING THE HOLY SPIRIT In literature, it is important to understand the SETTING of a story. The setting has to do with three questions— WHO the main characters are WHERE the story takes place, and WHEN the story ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

To Us, A Child Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 17, 2013

An Examination of the "names" prophesied by Isaiah, to help the audience consider what a blessing it is that Jesus came and to live life in light of that great help

Congratulations! It’s a boy! You have a baby boy! Mazzletov! I know, I know, you have all kinds of reasons that you shouldn’t have Him. You’re not ready yet, or you’re too old. You can’t afford it. Everybody has their list of reasons that they shouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Wise And The Foolish

Contributed by John Gullick on Nov 5, 2011

A sermon that tries to connect being a disciple to the famous parable.

True and False Disciples 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Witnessing The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Merv Budd on Jul 12, 2011

Life never seems to be easy, there are always times that are harder than others. Today we examine what those “wilderness” times look like

In the summer of 1989 all across London England signs on billboards and bus shelters began to appear like this (This poster can be seen and used as a slide here: http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/exhibits/Posters/04item08.html ) asking the question “Can anyone make sense of ot?” for ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Conviction Factor Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jul 12, 2011

The conviction factor of church health is faith.

SERIES: HEALTHY CHURCH! “THE CONVICTION FACTOR” HEBREWS 11:1-12 OPEN This morning, I want us to examine the conviction factor of church health. A conviction is a strong and unshakeable belief. The word conviction come from the word convince. Convince means to persuade ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ