Sermons on Optimistic:

Give And Take

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 26, 2023

Givers trust in God, rather than in themselves; they are focused outward. Takers have not learned to trust in God and focus on their own needs.

Anybody remember the televangelist scandals of the 80’s? Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Oral Roberts and his highly publicized plea for - what was it, $8 million? - to keep God from striking him dead. Remember the uproar in all the secular news media and the shame felt by so many evangelicals at being ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Gift Of Wisdom Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

The first gift that Paul mentions is that of wisdom, and the second is that of knowledge. These are first because without them all of the other gifts can be used foolishly and in ignorance.

A little Protestant boy came walking into his house with a big black eye. His mother said, "Where on earth did you get that shiner?" He said, "The O'Reilly kids hung it on me." "Why" she asked? He replied, "Well, I was over at their house making some cracks ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:8

The Immortality Of Personality Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

Salvation is not complete unless the whole person is saved. Sin is what made the body a hindrance to the spirit. Sin is what led to the body's decay and death. If Jesus died to restore all that sin has robbed us of, then that has to include the body.

\ F.W. Boreham, the great Australian preacher, made a fascinating discovery in the book of Job. Job, as you recall, was very wealthy, but in the first chapter he is totally wiped out. All of his livestock and all of his children perish is disaster. When we get to the last chapter, and the battle ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

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

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

"healthy Eyes"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 2, 2021

A sermon about giving ourselves for the sake of God and others.

“The Healthy Eye” Matthew 6:22-23 As many of you know, this church has operated a ministry called “Safe House” since the year 2001. It has been a labor…and I mean LABOR of LOVE. It is an incredibly self-less and generous ministry. And one reason for this is that it serves some of the most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:22-23

Denomination: United Methodist

The Contrast Between The Godly And Ungodly

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 3, 2022

In the world of Psychology, the psychologist divides mankind’s personalities into four temperaments. Every one of us falls into one of these four categories.

1. Choleric - easily irritated; inclined to anger; or angry; indicating anger; excited by anger. 2. Phlegmatic - hard to rouse to action; specifically sluggish; dull; apathetic; calm; cool. 3. Melancholic - one affected with a gloomy state of mind; one characterized by excessive gloom, mistrust ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Expectations & Evidence

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 16, 2023

Yeshua was saying, “Don’t be upset because I’m not what you expected. You’ve got my credentials. Now trust me for the rest of it.”

Zach was tired. He had been coming down to Tiberias every week for almost two months, bringing news and food to John in prison, and it looked like he’d probably be doing it for the rest of the year. Nothing had changed. After Herod arrested John for publicly accusing him of incest and adultery, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reading Light, Leading Light Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

People see the world from different angles. I’d like to suggest that the Holy Spirit gives us Christ’s perspective. We need to start seeing the world through Christ-colored glasses, which is not the same as rose-colored glasses. Jesus saw compassionately, but he also saw clearly and realistically.

How many of you own a flashlight? I probably have half a dozen, and most of them have dead batteries in them. I’d be lost without the flashlight app on my smart phone, because it’s always charged. It works. It helps me see where I’m going. It is, to use Jesus’ word, healthy. I think you can all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:22-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Realistic New Year's Resolutions

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jan 1, 2024

Our desire alone cannot always produce change, but with God's guidance we can produce New Year's Resolutions that can be sustained through the New Year and beyond.

“For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? Only take heed to yourself, and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:7-10, Mark 11:22-24, James 1:22-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Regret Smashed. 2023!

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 12, 2023

3 important truths about regret: Smash regret The spirit of offense Live free in Jesus.

Regret Smashed. 2023! Philippians 3:1-3NLT Perpetual New Year's resolution: Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Share a funny story with someone whose ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-3, James 4:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Let's Leave For Town

Contributed by Victor Yap on Apr 15, 2022

Come, walk with me!

LET”S LEAVE FOR TOWN (MARK 8:22-26) https://bible.ryl.hk/web_en Grammar Bible (English) https://bible.ryl.hk/web_Bah Tatabahasa Alkitab (Indonesian) https://bible.ryl.hk/web_Esp Biblia de Gramática (Spanish) https://bible.ryl.hk/web_Tag Gramatika Bibliya (Filipino) https://bible.ryl.hk ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Great Expectations

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 23, 2023

John the Baptist's followers struggle with changing their allegiance to Jesus.

Zach was tired. He had been coming down to Tiberias every week for almost two months, bringing news and food to John in prison, and it looked like he’d probably be doing it for the rest of the year. Nothing had changed. After Herod arrested John for publicly accusing him of incest and adultery, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Heart In The Right Place

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 24, 2024

Most of us are farsighted about sin—we see the sins of others but not our own.

Opening illustration: “Could they not carry their own garbage this far?” I grumbled to Jay as I picked up empty bottles from the beach and tossed them into the trash bin less than 20 feet away. “Did leaving the beach a mess for others make them feel better about themselves? I sure hope these people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

'planning For The Future'

Contributed by Gordon Curley on May 27, 2024

'Planning for the future' (selected Proverbs) - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Good heart - Proverbs chapter 11 verse 3 (2). Bad Rational - Proverbs chapter 14 verse 12 (3). Wise Advice - Proverbs chapter 15verse 22 (4). Divine Guidance - Proverbs chapter 16 verse 9 (5). Upward Profit - Proverbs chapter 21 verse 5 (6). Essential Dependence - Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:3, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 15:22, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 21:31, Proverbs 27:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren