Sermons on Optimist:

Being A Team Player

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jan 27, 2017

A look at the need for community within the church. Part 4 of 4.

Being a Team Player Ephesians 4:2-6 January 29, 2017 I love this picture! Look closely at the picture, each boat is rowing at the same speed, at the same rate. It’s a great example of teamwork. We don’t go canoeing very often. I do remember canoeing with my family and we had to remind one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Holding The Ropes For The Next Generation

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 13, 2018

Acts records the breathtaking story of Paul's escape from Damascus, being lowered down the city wall in a basket. This aid to a new bold believer by fellow Christians is a symbol of how the church must disciple and aid new believers, missionaries, etc.

HOLDING THE ROPES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION ACTS 9:23-31 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: IDEAS OF RELIEF 1. When their car broke down in the desert, John, Paul, and Tim the Aggie decided to go their separate ways. 2. John took the radiator out of the car so he would have some water for the way. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:23-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Not Of This World

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jul 9, 2015

Daniel 1

NOT OF THIS WORLD (DANIEL 1) Avram Grant is known as the manager who succeeded Jose Mourinho at Chelsea Football Club when the latter left in 2007. Grant was unaware of his father’s full story as a Holocaust survivor until he was a teenager when he heard his father screaming in his sleep. His ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Let God Change You

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 7, 2013

Practical ways to let God's transformation and change take place in your life.

How to Let God Change You “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 Intro: Do you know ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Snakes On The Plain

Contributed by John Stackhouse on Feb 26, 2016

Propitiation is the main focus. The symbolism of the connection between the bronze snake made by Moses and the crucifixion of Christ.

A while back, Paula asked me what ‘propitiation’ meant. There may be some of you that don’t know what propitiation is either, but it’s very important to each and every one of us. To find out what this word really means, we are going to go to the scriptures, and we’ll ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Nazarene

When There Ain't Enough Coming In Series

Contributed by Doug Mccoy on Feb 21, 2019

We may think we will never have enough coming in, but the One who wants us to return to Him is promising us prosperity.

Text: Zechariah 2:1-13 Title: Where There Ain’t Enough Coming In Type: Expository Purpose: Encourage hearer to see that they will live/are living in God’s great prosperity. Main Idea: We live/will live in a city without walls. Opening: Ain’t Enough Coming In. One of my best friends ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 2:1-13

Devoted Or Distracted

Contributed by Katherine Gilstrap on Sep 7, 2024

AN UNEXPECTED PROBLEM BECOMES A UNEXPECTED BLESSING

Every day I drive the same highway to and from the office, and every day I see an alarming number of distracted drivers. Usually they’re talking on the phone or texting, but I have also seen people reading the newspaper, putting on makeup, and eating a bowl of cereal while trying to maneuver a ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:18-25, John 14:6, Deuteronomy 8:2-3

Denomination: Other

An Essay On The Fall Of Man In Today's America

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 26, 2021

All of information and man conspire to keep us from the truth about life. They've labored quite thoroughly to keep us from the spiritual, to keep us from the truth about God.

All of information and man conspire to keep us from the truth about life. They've labored quite thoroughly to keep us from the spiritual, to keep us from the truth about God. But we see it. Beyond all the noise, technology, false philosophies, and half-baked theories, we see the truth. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Humor Of History Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

One of the greatest paradoxes of history is that the Jews, who have suffered so incredibly, have also been the source of incredible laughter.

It was one of the greatest celebrations in the history of the American people. The bells rang in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. There was a hundred gun salute in City Hall Park of New York. In Chicago there was a volunteer possession of people seven miles long. In California they celebrated ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:20-28

Heart-Eye Coordination Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

"To an impure heart, God cannot be seen anywhere; but to a pure heart God is to be seen everywhere.” -- Charles Spurgeon

How many of you wear glasses? I’ve worn mine since I was seven years old. I was able to wear contact lenses for about 20 years but after about 40 they don’t work so well. And since I got cataract surgery and don’t need glasses for distance, I’m using reading glasses – so I have to take them on and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hope

Contributed by Steve Woods (Pastor Woody) on Dec 7, 2020

In these times, many of us are losing hope. As children of God and brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, it is important to remember who we are and who loves us. All that we "need" will one day be given to us at the time we need it most.

How many of you are losing hope? I suspect, with all that is happening in our world, probably quite a few. I must admit, there are times I feel the same way as you might today. I am only human and I do have my doubts about certain things. You’ve seen all the posts on Facebook and other social ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:5, Romans 8:35-39, Isaiah 43:18-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Harmless As Doves

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 5, 2021

Jesus can find some good for illustration in every creature He has made. This would be an interesting study, but for now we are limiting our attention to the last of these creatures--the dove.

A small boy sat by the side of a pool fishing. "What are you fishing for," asked a man who passed by. "Sharks," replied the boy. "But there are no sharks in that pool my little man," said the stranger. "There ain't any fish in this pool at all," ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16

Harmless As Doves Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 9, 2021

The wings of the dove came to mean detachment from the world, and from the weight of flesh. To be sanctified and separated from the world was to rise with the wings of the dove.

A small boy sat by the side of a pool fishing. "What are you fishing for," asked a man who passed by. "Sharks," replied the boy. "But there are no sharks in that pool my little man," said the stranger. "There ain't any fish in this pool at all," ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16

God Has Not Failed Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 3, 2021

God has not failed, nor has His Word been unfulfilled, for God's process of selection has narrowed down His elect to those of like faith with Abraham. All who had this faith among the Jews were the remnant, and they were the true Israel of God.

A story told among Jews in Yeman, Afghanistan, Iraq and Russia concerns two beggars who use to wonder in the streets collecting alms. They use to pass the king's palace, and he always gave them charity. One of the beggars always praised the king for his goodness and generosity, while the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:6

Three Ridiculous Excuses

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 13, 2022

There are times we hear when someone is in prison for life but because of forensics they are released.

The development of DNA testing and the ability to use the science of the body’s cells to solve crimes has made significant changes in the criminal justice field. Forensic is a wonderful thing, only God knows how many ennocent men who have died for something they did not do. But I want to show you ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist