Sermons on Optimizing:

How New Is New?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2009

We live in a revolutionary time. Can we seize it for Christ. God is doing something new and is calling us to join Him in it, as walls and barriers come down.

If this winter is like most winters, you will wake up one morning, peer out your window, and find the whole scene blanketed in pure white snow. It will seem like a fairyland to you, and for a little while, at least, the whole world will appear to be new. Brand new, clean and fresh, sparkling and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

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

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

What Is The Lord's Plan?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Mar 26, 2020

Plans are upended, dreams are derailed, life is scary and uncertain. How good it is to hear the Lord's still got a plan - a good plan to prosper us, provide hope and point us to the future he has prepared for us.

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

Natural Law And Christian Management Practices

Contributed by Byron Perrine on Jul 9, 2019

With the exception of those sections dealing with “natural law” and its relationship to Christianity, I am indebted to the lectures of Beth Cabrera, The Great Courses Plus.com regarding the contributions of "positive psychology" to the field of management.

(If you have found this sermon helpful, please visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info) In Ephesians 6:5-9, we read that servants are to be obedient to masters. Presumably today this applies to employees and other workers. They are to be obedient to whatever ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9, 1 Timothy 5:8

Denomination: United Methodist

Were These Worse Sinners? An Exposition Of Luke 13:1-9

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 21, 2019

Trying to compare yourself favorably to those who sin more than you is a dangerous endeavor.

Were These Worse Sinners? An Exposition of Luke 13:1-9 The natural tendency of human beings is to justify one’s self by finding someone who sins worse then himself/herself. Psychologists call this “projection.” It is a survival reflex in which one wishes to place their justly deserved punishment ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

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

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

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

Breaking Through Baptism

Contributed by Bruce Lee on May 28, 2025

Imagine with me…, that you are in the crowd of people gathered at the edge of the Jordan River witnessing John the Baptist and others as they wade out into the water to be baptized.

“Breaking Through Baptism” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:4-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational