Sermons on Optimize:

Ecclesiastes: Wisdom For Postmoderns 3 - Is Wisdom Enough? Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

HOw do gain wisdom? Sometimes we find that what works in one situation backfires in another. But ecclesisastes helps us to see that the only source for wisdom is God himself.

Wisdom is one of those things we all aim for as we go through life. We try to teach it to our children from an early age. We want them to avoid the mistakes that we or others have made. So what do we do? We teach them the same way people have done it for millennia: through the use of proverbs. You ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

The Church's 4g Connection

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 21, 2013

Christians can enjoy a wonderful unity together with one another. Our bond is Christ. Blest be the tie that binds! And yet we are different from one another...and should be.

The Church's 4G Network Ephesians 4:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/4G.html I want to know how rich you are. Do you know why? Is it for tithing purposes? No. It's for your sake. I mean true riches. Add up everything you have that money can't buy and death can't take away, and that's how ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Covenant Service

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 1, 2013

As Christian, we have made a covenant with God. He saves us and as our response we are to live as He would have us live

06-01-13TSJ Methodist Church The Covenant Service 1. Introduction Two young Christians once made a covenant together. They agreed that, come what may, they would each tithe ten percent of their income every year. They were both young and neither of them had much money. But then they both ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Denomination: Anglican

Crossing The Threshold-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 18, 2018

3 of 4. Amos declared God’s strained relationship with His people. Thus a failed relationship with God evokes His wrath. What specifically does a failed relationship with God evoke(bring about/cause)? A failed relationship with God evokes...

CROSSING The THRESHOLD-III—Amos 1:1-2 Attention: Hushers: Six-year-old Angie & her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Mom had gone to the bathroom, so taking advantage of the moment, Joel giggled, sang, & talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had enough. ...read more

Scripture: Amos 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem With ‘what’s Best For Me’

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 19, 2018

A look at God's call to be concerned for the vulnerable.

Our Starting Point: “What’s best for me?” - We usually end up with a self-centered mentality. We look out for ourselves. And that is certainly encouraged within our society. We are a “winner-take-all” place where everyone looks out for themselves. - What responsibility do we have to those ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are You Weeping?! Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jun 27, 2014

Tears of Joy at Easter. The tomb is empty.

Why are you Weeping? April 20, 2014 John 20:1-18 Whether we want to admit to it or not . . . we all have dreams. We set out at a young age, with dreams. Oftentimes they’re little boy and girl fantasies. And sometimes they become realities. We dream about fun and exciting stuff, glamorous ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Living An Abundant Life

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 11, 2014

One might think living an abundant life would be about having a surplus of money, things, power, etc. But the abundant life that Jesus promises in John 10:10 is not about that. Let's see what living an abundant life in Christ is all about.

LIVING AN ABUNDANT LIFE 1) Jesus came to offer us the fullness of life. John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus starts out by talking about the thief-who is Satan. And Jesus reveals what Satan ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Light To A Dark World Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Sep 1, 2014

Jesus, the light of the world, came to give us hope.

Light To A Dark World Text: Jn. 1:6-13 Introduction 1. Illustration: As Craig T. Kocher in his commentary on our text states, "Christian hope is fundamentally different from optimism. Christian hope locks its steely eyes on the devastation of the world around it, and readily acknowledges that ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-13

Denomination: Methodist

"In God We Trust", Really?

Contributed by Christopher Glenn on Aug 22, 2011

Do you really trust God as a normal part of your life? The truth is that faith comes down to one word and that one word is - TRUST. We can know something in our heads but never experience the reality of that thing in our lives because there is a world of

"In God We Trust Really? Pastor Chris Glenn The Community Church 11/7/10 Hebrews 11:1 On the face of our money are the words: "In God We Trust." A few years ago, the use of those words on our currency was challenged in court. The case reached the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 17, 2014

We all deal with fear, and in the time in which we are now living, fear is multiplied over and over. The warning to “fear not” is frequently repeated in Scripture. Fear is described as bondage, torment, and a snare.

Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid Psalm 27 Written 9-11-06 First message in a series called “The Overcoming Life.” Introduction What makes you afraid? Darkness? But the Lord is your light. Danger? He is also your salvation. Lack of a basic need? He is your strength. Then why be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Honor Your Parents Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Jun 28, 2017

A teaching about honoring your parents even if they were not the best examples

Honor Your Parents CCCAG June 25th, 2017 Scripture- Exodus 20:7 When I was in basic training, we mostly were trained by the drill sergeants and other noncommissioned officers. However, we were officially commanded by a 2nd lieutenant that we only saw when there was an inspection or if you got ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Remember Your Creator

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 11, 2018

Two men think about life as they face the end of their journey on earth. Has life been meaningless or relevant? Do they look forward to a joyless process of degradation, a painful descent towards the valley of death, or to something more glorious beyond the horizon?

[Sermon preached on 11 November 2018, 25th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] A man of about my age—sixty, give or take a few years—sits down, takes up pen and parchment, and starts to write. Or perhaps he calls his secretary and starts to dictate. He senses that his life is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Devotion To The Lord Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

Paul is saying it is not wrong for any Christian to get married, but there are circumstances that make it better if they are not married.

Few groups of people in history have fought a more bitter battle than the Pilgrims who came to Plymouth on the Mayflower. So many of them died from sickness, that at one point only four of the original couples still had each other. Edward Winslow and Susanna White had each lost their mates. They ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:32-40

Successful Suffering Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

The difference between tragedy and triumph is all in how you count your trials. James says by an act of the will count it all joy when tried.

Imagine the testing of the body in such a sport as football. To be on your feet and seconds later brought to the ground hard and fast. Then to get up and do it again, and again, and again, but constantly moving forward. All of that falling is not what wins the game, but whether or not you win ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

All I Want Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 21, 2019

When life takes a turn for the worse, appreciate your blessings and be a blessing to those around you.

Laurel Hunsinger, who grew up in Little River, Kansas, flew combat missions in the Korean War. On April 1, 1953, his plane was shot down 15 miles inside North Korea. He was severely injured, but he and his entire crew survived and were rescued, for which Hunsinger received a Purple Heart. He passed ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 13:14, Joshua 13:33, Genesis 49:5-7, Joshua 21:1-41, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 13:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free