Sermons on Optimize:

A Baker's Dozen Of The Commands Of Jesus

Contributed by Gerald Manning on Mar 20, 2017

A Lenten service featuring our opportunities for obedience!

THE BAKER'S DOZEN OF THE COMMANDS OF JESUS Last week, we began with the 10 saddest words in the English language, and then talked about the BAKER'S DIRTY DOZEN of things for which we need to repent. Today, let's consider 10 of the happiest words in our language as our springboard to the commands ...read more

Scripture: John 14:23

Denomination: Nazarene

The Melancholy Psalm

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 19, 2015

What can we learn from a psalm without a happy ending? (Material adapted from Shawn McMullen in an article in Lookout Magazine and from Peter Slofstra at: http://www.crcna.org/resources/church-resources/reading-sermons/dark-ending-bright-beginning)

HoHum: Gloom, despair, and agony on me; Deep, dark depression, excessive misery; If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all; Gloom, despair, and agony on me WBTU: Started studying on depression and went to Psalm 88. Psalm 88 has been called the most melancholy of all the psalms. One ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 88:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Am I? Series

Contributed by Robert Fa’atoia-Collins on Jan 20, 2012

Do you know who you are when your face with hardship and uncertainty?

Who Am I? Who are we? What makes you, you and me, me? About 2,617 years ago, the President of Iraq led his troops into Israel and smashed his way into the city of Jerusalem. Some of the locals were able to escape, but thousands of old men and women were slaughtered. Many more women were raped and ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Have No Fear Series

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jul 3, 2021

As we demonstrate Christ to people by making sure He is Lord of our lives, as we defend the reason for the hope that we have, and as we disarm people by our attitude of gentleness and respect, God will use us to clear the way for people to see the central message of the Cross of Christ.

It was reported on Friday that the track and field star Sha’Carri Richardson, who was set for a once in a lifetime opportunity at the Tokyo Olympics, could miss the Games after testing positive for marijuana. Sha’Carri, 21, won the women’s 100-meter race at the U.S. track and field trials in Oregon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Down In The Dumps Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

The best of men and women, and the wisest, and most gifted, and most used of God, find themselves going to the dumps.

A midwestern pastor was cleaning out his garage. He was planning to haul the rubbish to the dump. His two sons were excited about this, because they considered the dump the happy hunting ground. Only those who have ever found an exciting piece of junk there can fully appreciate their feelings. ...read more

The Voice Of Wisdom Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

This is God's method. He makes the truth that people need to know available to all the people, and not just to the great and mighty. The voice of wisdom is shouting for all to hear. Whatever is wise is the voice of God.

"Integrity and wisdom are essential to success in this business," said the boss to the new employee. He said, "Integrity means that when you promise a customer something, you keep that promise, even if we loose money." "And what is wisdom," asked the employee? ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-29

When Withdrawal Is Wise Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

Paul’s command is in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no question as to the source of Paul’s authority. Paul commands them to withdraw from fellowship those believers who live disorderly, and not in harmony with the Christian values that he taught when he was with them.

The Thessalonian Christian had been foolish enough to give heed to false teaching concerning the second coming. As a result some of them were acting in a way contrary to the will of God. Their basic problem was a lack of certain authority. They had been pagans all their lives, and they had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-10

To Be Or Not To Be

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 13, 2021

To succeed, to live, to love, and to serve we must... (Material adapted from LeRoy Lawson in his book, The Lord of Love, Chapter 9 with same title as sermon)

HoHum: To be, or not to be; that is the question- whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them? Few lines of Shakespeare are better known that these. If I had understood Shakespeare, I’d ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-33, Mark 8:35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Journey Of Joy

Contributed by John Newton on Dec 17, 2023

Three perspectives on joy from Isaiah

As I was preparing to preach this week, I considered giving my sermon the title “Getting Serious About Joy”. Then I thought better of it and came up with “Joy Is No Laughing Matter”. All joking aside, were you aware that joy is currently the subject of a high-level academic examination? Nine years ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal

Becoming An Open Vessel. -That’s God!

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 8, 2024

Peter Marshall, in a sermon entitled, "Disciples in Clay," pictured the apostles before an examining board which was appointed to choose Jesus' close associates. Peter stood there smelling of fish -- unrefined, uncultured, impulsive, and passionate....

Becoming An Open Vessel. -That’s God! -2 Corinthians 4:7 Illustration. Hold a clay jar. Can that which is little contain that which is big? Can that which is finite encompass that which is infinite? Yes. How? Left the jar and remove the cap from its top.) It can. -It can, if it’s an open ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7, Isaiah 55:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Beyond Fullness

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Aug 9, 2014

This is a message based on the miracle of Jesus changing water into wine. It speaks to the fact that we should not be satisfied with God maximizing our capacity, but rather seek that He turn our water into wine.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Plans

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Which plan are you now on? Plan B, C, D, L, Q, Z? The pandemic caused us to scrap plans and revise them. So what's the Lord's plan on in all of this? Does he have one? What's it look like?

Which plan are you now on? Plan B, C, D, L, Q, Z? It feels like whenever I’ve made a plan during the last week, it needs to be changed every couple of hours. Last weekend we gathered in this place for worship with some precautionary modifications, and at the end of the service I said, “We’ll ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Lutheran

Go! And Find Your Strength In God Alone - Psalm 73:25-26 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 1, 2025

Asaph was a man who struggled with doubts when he saw the prosperity of the wicked. Yet, through his struggle, he reached a place of profound trust in God alone

Go! And Find Your Strength in God Alone - Psalm 73:25-26 Introduction: Today we gather to reflect on a powerful declaration of trust and faith in God, found in Psalm 73:25-26 (NLT): "Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:25-26, Deuteronomy 31:6, Isaiah 40:29-31, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Philippians 4:13, Matthew 6:19-21, Hebrews 13:5-6, Romans 8:38-39, Romans 10:9, John 15:5, Revelation 22:20-21, Romans 8:28, John 16:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Break The Chains. A Good Life With A Bad Taste.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 17, 2025

We love clean barns, but work increases when we own oxen. What are we sowing? Are we waiting for perfect conditions?

BREAK THE CHAINS: A GOOD LIFE WITH A BAD TASTE. WEARY IN WAITING? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) This is 2 part lesson. STEALING TIME? I WILL DO IT LATER? WHEN I HAVE THE TIME? MANY LATERS, DAYS PASS. HOURS PASS, NOW? WHEN IS NOW? HOW SMART IS ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:18, Luke 18:27, Proverbs 14:4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No Limits With God On Your Side PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 26, 2023

This sermon explores the transformative power of a Christ-centered life, enabling believers to overcome challenges and reach greater heights through divine strength.

Welcome, beloved friends and family, to another blessed gathering in the house of the Lord. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment, drawn together by the bonds of faith and the common pursuit of understanding God's Word. As we gather in fellowship, let us remember the words of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13

Topics: Work, 2024