Sermons on Optimize:

The Things That Are To Come

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on May 24, 2012

Pentecost Sunday, Year B 2012

The Things That Are To Come / John 16: 4b – 15 Intro: Sharon and Joan had been best friends ever since Sharon moved in next door with her husband and three kids. Joan baked a cake and took it next door to her new neighbors. That was 20 years ago. Their kids had grown up together. The 2 ...read more

Scripture: John 16:4-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Future Of The Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 11, 2018

What is the future of the Church? Should we worry about it? Who is responsible for church growth?

Prelude What is the future of the Church? Should we worry about it? Who is responsible for church growth? Purpose: Let’s understand the unstoppable growth of God’s kingdom. Plan: We will look at Mark 4:26-34 and why optimism over the church’s future is valid, why the church will continue to grow ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From Paddington Bear: Discovering God’s Love And Care Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 1, 2024

Paddington Bear is more than just a friendly bear with a fondness for marmalade; he is a symbol of kindness, love, and the beauty of unexpected blessings.

Lessons from Paddington Bear: Discovering God’s Love and Care Introduction Today, I want to talk about a beloved character who has captured the hearts of children and adults alike—Paddington Bear. Paddington is more than just a friendly bear with a fondness for marmalade; he is a symbol of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7, Hebrews 13:2, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Not Just Another Sunday Part 3: My Offering Series

Contributed by Rev. Saeed Richardson on Oct 7, 2007

Continuing in our series we look at how our offering is so much more than what we put in the plate - it is how we live.

Intro: What-chu-gaht! The dangerous life of comparisons. How do you shop? For me I’d rather go to the appropriate store for the appropriate item - I prefer BJ’s or Sam’s Club for meat because I can get it cheaper in bulk have the butchers cut it up and package it so that I can freeze it when I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:2-16

Denomination: Baptist

Faith: Life's Foundation Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Apr 29, 2002

Are your beliefs real Faith?

Faith- The Foundation for Life A young woman was speaking with one of my sons last week about prayer. “Who are you talking to?” she asked in all sincerity. She did not grasp the personal Presence of God. They talked on of his daily reading of the Scripture, an exercise that caused her ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Overcoming Pessimistic And Complacent Opinions

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 5, 2006

A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I’m just wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can’t read, I can’t write and they won’t let me talk!"

Overcoming Pessimistic and Complacent Opinions (Zeph. 3:16,17) "The Lord your God in the midst of you is mighty. He will save. He will rejoice over you with love. He will rest in His love. He will shout over you with singing." OPINIONS On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comfortable Christians Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Oct 6, 2005

Challenging the false thinking of comfortable Christians

SERIES: “EXCERPTS FROM EZEKIEL” TEXT: EZEKIEL 12, 13, & 14 TITLE: “COMFORTABLE CHRISTIANS” INTRODUCTION: A. Many of you have probably heard the old story about an ancient village where all the people who lived there were blind. One day, while ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Life In Tune

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jul 30, 2002

The best score for life is God’s commands.

Last week I commented that you sounded wonderful as you sang and how I wish that all of us present this morning could have heard the children sing this past week at VBS. One of the songs we sang last week however gave us a bit of a challenge. It was pitched a bit high. With our digital keyboard we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:54

Denomination: Church Of God

Wish Vs Hope Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 26, 2010

In your life do you make wishes or do you place your hope in someone else? One leads to fairytales the other leads to Jesus Christ.

Wish verse Hope! Series: 4 letter words Opening Video Illustration: Bluefishtv.com - “Making a wish for an orphanage.” The girl in the story shares how he she came down with cancer twice and the second time she got cancer “Make a Wish Foundation” asked her what she wanted ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Pours Out His Spirit

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

On Pentecost, God reversed the process of division and confusion around the tower of Babel, as he poured out his Spirit. The Spirit gave the disciples words of praise and proclamation to speak in languages that all could understand. How does that Spirit work today in our lives and churches?

[Sermon preached on Pentecost (Whit Sunday) / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Last Tuesday in our Bible study group, we studied the story about the first Christian Pentecost from Acts 2. It was a refreshing experience to hear someone read some verses in Chinese. Most of us could not understand them, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

He Never Said A Mumbling Word

Contributed by Antonio Torrence on Sep 15, 2006

This was a sermonette for a well established church member.

James 5:9 "He never said a mumbling word."-By Reverend A. Lamar Torrence. There is a old negro spiritual usually sung during this season of Lent, call “Calvary” One of the classic lines read, “They crucified my Lord but he never said a mumbling word. “ Such can be said of our friend and ...read more

Scripture: James 5:9

Denomination: Lutheran

Smart Stuff

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Sep 18, 2006

Stepping Into A Life of Praise

> HP’s Memory Spot is a self-contained storage device with a radio and processor that sticks to photos, documents or cards. It can hold 100 pages of text or a 15 second video. Cost between 10 to 50 cents each + > It’s one of life’s little pleasures--a reward for all of the time and energy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Three Strikes - And Out!

Contributed by Maurice Brown on Jun 19, 2001

There is no room for half-heartedness in God’s Kingdom!

INTRODUCTION A. Meet another great hero of the Old Testament - Elisha 1. This faithful man of God is about to die 2. He has fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith 3. As he lies dying, he thinks of the future of God’s people B. He receives a surprise ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:14-21, Hebrews 10:39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Value Of Vision Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 17, 2000

Vision adds distinct and measured value to the church

The Value of Vision Selected Passages January 9, 2000 Introduction I. The loss of dreams A. The dream fragment B. Sometimes our dreams just get lost  Lost in the shuffle of life  Lost in the day to day routines  Lost in the failed attempt to make them a reality  ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Church Of God

Caleb: The Gray Haired Conqueror Series

Contributed by William Morris on Feb 22, 2004

The 9th in a series of messages from Joshua concerning victorious living

Sermon by: Dr. Todd Morris Text: Joshua 14:6-15 Title: Caleb: The Gray-Haired Conqueror Date: February 25, 2004 Introduction: This passage centers of the man called Caleb. Caleb was a part of Israel when they left Egypt. He was there when God divided the Red Sea, by the way Israel’s passage ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

Denomination: Baptist