Sermons on Optimist:

Hoping Against Hope Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 20, 2022

In Romans 4:18-25, the Apostle Paul shows us through the life and faith of the patriarch Abraham three realities of Biblical hope: 1) Its Analysis (vv. 18–19), 2) Its Assurance (v20- 22), and 3) Its Application (vv. 23–25).

Romans 4:18-25. [18] In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." [19] He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:18-25

Denomination: Other

Let's Throw Some Seeds!

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jun 7, 2018

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34 (cf. 26 - 29) Title: Let's Throw Some Seeds! Theme: Organic Christianity - Scattering Seeds of Growth I. There are some things that are under our Control II. There are some things that are totally under God's Control "Wisdom i

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34 (cf. 26 - 29) Title: Let's Throw Some Seeds! Scripture: Mark 4:26-34 (cf. 26 - 29) Title: Let's Throw Some Seeds! Theme: Organic Christianity - Scattering Seeds of Growth I. There are some things that are under our Control II. There are some things that are totally ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29, Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Nazarene

Will You Be Left Behind? Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

In this classic passage on the “Rapture,” Paul reminds us that we don’t have to grieve without hope because believers will meet the Lord in the clouds one day. These words provide encouragement to us when we’re trying to deal with the death of a believer

Will You Be Left Behind? This past week we went with another family to an apple orchard. Upon discovering that they had a “Corn Maze,” we decided to check it out. I thought it was going to be a little field with a few paths through the corn. Boy, was I mistaken! We paid our intermission fee and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Attack On Hope Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 27, 2011

Believers can have hope in God through: 1) His Person (Heb. 6:13a,), 2) His Purpose (Heb. 6:14-15), 3) His Pledge (Heb. 6:13b, 16–18), and 4) His Priest (Heb. 6:19–20).

Tributes have pored in all week to the late Jack Layton, former leader of the Canadian federal New Democratic Party. Beyond all his contributions to various causes, a resounding factor that seems to have been recognized in him, was his ability to inspire hope. In a world rife with economic, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20

Denomination: Other

Surviving A Lousy Start In Life

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2010

Jephthah had everything going against him from the beginning of his life, yet he become one of the Judges of Israel. A review of his life offers encouragement to anyone who imagines they have everything against them and nothing going for them.

“Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was the father of Jephthah. And Gilead’s wife also bore him sons. And when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, ‘You shall not have an inheritance in our father’s house, for ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Depression

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 13, 2010

Everyone is subject to depression. When depressed, how shall the child of God respond? Surely, there are answers given in the Word, and we now look to that divine Word.

Dr. Tim LaHaye claims to have asked over one hundred thousand people among his audiences if there were any who have never been depressed. Among one hundred thousand people so questioned not one has ever responded to his query by stating “I have never been depressed.” It would actually appear that ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Give Me This Mountain

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Aug 8, 2006

Do you feel like giving up? Take the example of Caleb. There is no such thing as permament failure.

Give Me This Mountain! A little boy was afraid of the dark. One night his mother told him to go out to the back porch and bring her the broom. The little boy turned to his mother and said, "Mama, I don’t want to go out there. It’s dark." The mother smiled reassuringly at her son. "You don’t have ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian And The Bible.

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 25, 2014

The Christian and the Bible. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (A). What the Bible Is: (1). Water for cleansing (vs 9). (2). Wealth and treasure (vs 14, 72, 127, 162). (3). A companion and friend (vs 24). (4). A song to sing (vs 54). (5). Honey (vs 103). (B). What the Bible Does: (1). It blesses (vs 1-2). (2). It gives life (vs 25, 37, 40, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:1-176

Denomination: Brethren

Pushing Through Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 4, 2018

In this second message of Getting Better at what Jesus said matters most we will look at our need to push through our insecurity so that we can love ourselves. Understand, it is hard to love our neighbor if we don't feel too good about us.

Pushing Through #GettingBetter (2) Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. 3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-13, Matthew 22:36-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cut From The Team

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 29, 2018

A study in the book of Deuteronomy 33: 1 – 29

Deuteronomy 33: 1 – 29 Cut from the team 33 Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 And he said: “The LORD came from Sinai, and dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, nd He came with ten thousands of saints; ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Breakthrough In Relationships Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 15, 2020

With the inner guiding and power of the Holy Spirit we can learn how to get a breakthrough in bad or strained relationships. Breakthrough is possible is most relationships. God designed us all to be in relationship with Him and with each other.

Video Transition: Les and Leslie Parrott - Relationships – Real Relationships clip Story: Les Parrot notes, “In the autumn of 1992, we did something unusual. We offered a course at Seattle Pacific University that promised to answer questions openly and honestly about family, friends, dating, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Philippians 4:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Blessing Of Guidance

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 29, 2019

The Spirit helps us with our weaknesses. It is not the case that He helps at times when we are weak, but since we live in a state of weakness, He is helping us continually.

(28) The Blessing of Guidance Romans 8:26-30 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessing Of Guidance Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 29, 2019

The Spirit helps us with our weaknesses. It is not the case that He helps at times when we are weak, but since we live in a state of weakness, He is helping us continually.

(28) The Blessing of Guidance Romans 8:26-30 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

Finding And Forming Friendships Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Dec 3, 2021

Finding and Forming Friendships Series: Building Better RELATIONSHIPS September 28, 2021

Finding and Forming Friendships Series: Building Better RELATIONSHIPS September 28, 2021 Intro Do you remember when your parents sat you down and taught you how to make friends? Remember the 3 step process every child is given? Neither do I. The truth is... in the earliest years of our lives... ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Failures

Contributed by Dennis King on May 10, 2022

Failure is an important subject to study because many of us suffer a fear of how others see us rather than thinking about what God wants us to do.

Failure is an important subject to study because many of us suffer a fear of how others see us rather than thinking about what God wants us to do. Partly, this is because within our American society, more so than others, we view any failure as a permanent mar against our esteem. For all have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, Numbers 20:12-13, Matthew 14:28

Denomination: Baptist