Sermons on Optimizing:

Is My Work In Vain? A Puzzling Question From The Messiah

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 16, 2020

Jesus seems discouraged in His conversation with the LORD. God's answer shows us the light.

1.19.20 Isaiah 49:1-7 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Our Shining Armor -- Part 2

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 1, 2019

In today's text, Ephesians 6:15-17a, we learn about three more pieces of armor that are part of the whole armor of God.

Scripture A few weeks ago we began a sermon series in Ephesians 6:10-24 that I am calling, “The Whole Armor of God.” So far we have examined our spiritual warfare, our terrible enemy, our only strength, and the first part of our shining armor in this warfare. Today, I want to continue examining ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:15-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Body Of Christ-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 23, 2020

3 of 7. The apostle Paul maintained the significance of the Church's being the Body of Christ. What is exhibited by that entity known as the Body of Christ? The Body of Christ exhibits...

The BODY Of CHRIST-III—1Corinthians 12:12-31 Attention: For the past two weeks we’ve been looking at God’s design for Unity & it’s importance in the Body of Christ, which is the Church. All the local-to-global manifestations of the Body of Christ are built upon a God-sourced Unity of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:21-22, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Body Of Christ-5

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 28, 2020

5 of 7. The apostle Paul maintained the significance of the Church's being the Body of Christ. What is exhibited by that entity known as the Body of Christ? The Body of Christ exhibits...

The BODY Of CHRIST-V—1Corinthians 12:12-31 Attention: The current times in which we live are marked by a continual bombardment by the worldly, by the fleshly, by the man-centered separations that exist in our country.—We have Movements promoting racial division, which ironically encourages racial ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon: God Has Great Plans For You

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jul 30, 2024

When our plans are upended, dreams are derailed, life can be 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.

Sermon: God Has Great Plans For You Scripture Lesson - Jeremiah 29:8-14 “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. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:8-14, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Methodist

Blessed To Bless Others Series

Contributed by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel on Feb 27, 2023

That Jesus could feed such a large crowd from such meager means is a reminder of his power and the possibility of abundance that is available to all who put their faith in him, even in the face of apparent scarcity

Blessed to bless others Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel, February 27, 2023 Matthew 14:19 "And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:19

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Could The Resurrected Life Look Like?

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 26, 2023

A glimpse at the early church gives us visions of what the church could be and should be.

4.30.23 Acts 2:42–47 (EHV) 42 They continued to hold firmly to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers. 43 Awe came over every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Lutheran

Move Into The Light

Contributed by Dennis Fox on May 14, 2023

Many of us were afraid of the dark as children. Should we be afraid of the dark as adults too? Light is good. Light is knowledge. Light is the protection of our Lord.

Move to the light It’s normal to be apprehensive when we feel vulnerable and when we can’t see clearly it contributes to that vulnerability. In other words, being afraid of the dark and yes, when I was little, I was very afraid of the dark. It didn’t help that we lived in a creaky old house ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Philippians 2:14-16, John 8:12, Isaiah 9:2, Luke 2:46-47  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Path To Palm Saunday

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Palm Sunday is a time for us to prepare our hearts for the agony of His Passion and the Joy of His Resurrection.

Opening illustration: Watch a video clip on contemporary ’Palm Sunday.’ Let us read Matthew 21 and pick up the story from verse 1 going down to verse 11. Historical Background: Even today church folks get confused with Palm Sunday. On this Passover day, when Jesus came riding into town, there had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dealing With Tensions And Conflicts In Churches And Church Organisations – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 14, 2024

Every church at one time has tensions in it, but what causes them and importantly, how can we deal with them? I have chosen a number of problem areas gathered from my experience in churches and we examine them. I hope they are of some help.

DEALING WITH TENSIONS AND CONFLICTS IN CHURCHES AND CHURCH ORGANISATIONS – AS I UNDERSTAND IT OVER 65 YEARS – PART 1 [A]. INTRODUCTION This coverage will apply not only to the church fellowship of believers, but also to any committee, business meeting, or ministry operating in or by a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-3, Galatians 5:16-19, James 4:1-3, 1 Timothy 3:1-8, Titus 1:5-9, Titus 2:3-5, Revelation 18:4, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's Your Response To Jesus?

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Apr 30, 2021

Next in series on John. Examines the options we have in responding to Jesus.

John 11 (2) Last week we studied the resurrection of Lazarus. What a fantastic miracle that was. Can you imagine? Can you imagine someone who has been dead for 4 days, being raised from the dead? Can you imagine being one of the mourners at Mary and Martha’s house? Can you imagine being there, ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-57

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven's Hallelujah Chorus Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

What we have here in Rev.19 is the heartiest, happiest, holiest, heavenliest Hallelujah Chorus of all times. The whole universe of beings is roaring with rejoicing, and shouting with a song of supreme satisfaction.

It is a good thing God enjoys laughter because some of life's funniest moments happen in church. Carolyn Crane tells about how her husband Dan stood up for the final hymn one Sunday, and his foot had gone to sleep; it buckled under him, and he fell sideways into the aisle. Two men came ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:1-10

Interpreting Life's Events Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 24, 2021

Jacob saw his life falling apart when in reality God was bringing it all together. The sons saw God punishing them, when in reality God was blessing them more than they had ever been blest.

Myron Maddsen, an outstanding author, speaker, and Christian leader in New Orleans, tells of his experience of interpreting his Bible story book as a young boy. He noted that all the characters had long flowing garments down to their feet, and angels had similar garb. So he concluded that only ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:18-28

I Serve A Savior

Contributed by David Nolte on Feb 25, 2021

We all serve someone or some thing.

We are all servants of something or someone. We are either enslaved to the sin we have committed or we are servants of Jesus to Whom we are committed. Serving either one is a personal choice. No one can force your service to either master. No one can prevent your service. But whom will you ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Remarkable Rainbow Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 9, 2021

There are rainbows everywhere, but the most amazing rainbow on record is the one the Apostle John saw in heaven. Here is the only permanent rainbow that exists. They fade so fast on earth, but this one is part of the furniture of heaven. It is part of the presence of God.

I never realized how many rainbows there are in the world, until our trip to the West Coast. We would get up early to travel before the Sun came up. When it did come up it was at out back, and it was at just the right angle when we went past the irrigation systems. The light of the Sun hit that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11