Sermons on Optimizing:

God's Game Plan

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Sep 15, 2013

A sermon dealing with the providential work of God in our lives.

"God's Game Plan" Jeremiah 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

In Christ, I Am...confident Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 17, 2018

When we lack confidence, we need the eyes of our hearts to be opened, to comprehend the hope to which God has called us, the riches our inheritance, and the resurrection power in us.

In Christ, I am…Confident—Ephesians 1:15-23 (Series on Ephesians: In Christ, I Am…) We have all known people who struggle with lack of confidence. It is not that they lack opportunity or ability; they just lack the confidence to believe they can succeed. ***I grew up across the street from ten ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Great Dilemma

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 1, 2018

Does our faith permit us to disobey the government or to evade taxes? Are Romans 13 and Acts 5 incompatible? How can we sincerely and creatively live as citizens of two kingdoms? What is the underlying principle that governs our choices?

[Sermon preached on 4 November 2018, 24th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Some years ago, we needed to get a little home renovation done. I asked someone for a quotation. When he had given me the price, he added: “That’s without a receipt. If you want a receipt, I will have to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7, Matthew 17:24-27, Acts 5:29

Denomination: Lutheran

When The Father Said "go" Jesus Went

Contributed by David Nolte on Dec 15, 2019

We are often hesitant about launching out on new ventures even when we are sure God is saying "Go!"

Years ago, on a dangerous sea coast where shipwrecks often occurred prior to advanced navigation aids, there was a little life-saving station. The building was just a hut and they had only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea. When there was word of a ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sow, Grow, Prosper

Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on Dec 16, 2019

One of the principles, given to Noah after the flood, was the principle of seedtime and harvest. Life begins by this principle. Harvest springs from the good or bad seeds we have sown.

SOW, GROW, PROSPER “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22. The first thing Noah did after the Flood, was to build an altar and make a sacrifice to the Lord. God was pleased with him and made promises to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:22, Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

. Happy New Year Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

Jesus knew the importance of being happy, and that is why He begins His greatest sermon with a list of ways to be perfectly happy on earth for those who would follow Him and be citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

Edwin Markham in his poem The Shoes Of Happiness tells the story of a king in Istanbul who was ill. He called his wise men together to find a cure. They studied the situation and announced that only one thing could cure him, and that was for him to wear the shoes of a perfectly happy man. Off ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

A Reality Frozen In Anticipation

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 30, 2021

There are moments in life when the webbing of our delusions lift, and we are able to see the truth unobstructed. Oh so rarely do we get to see things in the fullness of how they really are. Our preconceptions cloud situations. Our minds cloud things.

"I am trying to rip open the inconsolable secret in each one of you—the secret which hurts so much that you take your revenge on it by calling it names like Nostalgia and Romanticism and Adolescence; the secret also which pierces with such sweetness that when, in very intimate conversation, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:5-8, Revelation 22:1-5, Proverbs 11:2, Romans 10:21

Denomination: Salvation Army

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 Independence-6

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Aug 29, 2020

6 of ? The prophet Jeremiah contrasted two major aspects of Independence—Independence from God versus independence from the world. Dependence upon YHWH brings independence from worldly influence. How can I be independent of worldly influence? A Healthy Independence Engages...

HEALTHY INDEPENDENCE-VI—Jeremiah 17:1-14 Jn. 15:18-19—Jesus told His disciples:—“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:8, Jeremiah 17:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Sin? Series

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 12, 2021

Does sin still matter? A USA Today article asked, “Is Sin Dead?” The Pope said the world is losing the notion of sin. We look at the nature of sin, the problems it brings, and the only real solution to it.

THE SUMMER OF SIN, PART 1 “WHAT IS SIN?” Jer. 2:2-13 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE ANSWER IS SIMPLER THAN YOU THINK 1. An engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian were hunting in the wilds of Northern Canada. They came across a isolated cabin, and decided to check it out. Inside was normal except ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:2-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Building Your Life On A Solid Foundation.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Aug 10, 2022

God acknowledges those who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and just as a physical structure requires a solid foundation to withstand storms, our lives and faith need a strong spiritual foundation to endure life’s uncertainties and to grow in our faith.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Isaiah 28:16) "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste." (2 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 61:2, Acts 16:30, Romans 5:20, Romans 8:35-37, Psalm 18:2, Romans 8:24-25, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 8:3, 2 Timothy 2:19, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 15:53-55, Acts 16:33-40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Are Not A Bird

Contributed by Jody Marsh on Sep 10, 2022

“She did what she could.” This affirmation from Jesus gives us a way forward in a world where not everything is possible for us.

You Are Not a Bird Scripture: Mark 14:1-9 Closing Hymn: 572 or 573 Great PowerPoint slides and sermon notes for the congregation to fill in are available. Email jaykaymarsh@yahoo.com to get them. This sermon is from an article The November 2021 Adventist Review. It is condensed from a sermon ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-9

Denomination: Adventist

Promises To Ourself & To God

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 5, 2022

I want to present 4 resolutions, 4 commitments that God, in His Word, encourages us to make – 4 commitments which can make a radical difference in your life if you will just follow through on them.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (This message is my adaptation of a fine sermon, “New Year” by Randy Barker, which he contributed to Sermon ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14, Colossians 3:13, Romans 6:12, Romans 12:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Simeon Had Peace At His Death Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 17, 2021

This sermon focuses on the interesting comment that Simeon makes that, having seen the Messiah, he is now ready to die in peace. What would it take for us to die in peace?

READY TO GO? What would make you say, “Now I can die in peace”? - I ask this question in the half-joking way that we usually use this phrase. Someone meets their sports hero and then says, “Now I can die in peace.” Some teen girls go see Shawn Mendes in concert and leave saying, “Now I can die ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Fearless Faith

Contributed by Matt Skiles on Jul 4, 2023

I submit to you today that regardless of what the future holds Christians are secure in eternity.

Sermon Text: Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 11:13-14, Matthew 10:28-31

Denomination: Pentecostal