Sermons on Optional: showing 391-405 of 11,397

When Despair Descends Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Aug 16, 2007

The absence of hope is despair.

Many years ago an S-4 submarine went down off the coast of Massachusetts. It sank with a full compliment of sailors aboard. The US Navy did everything possible to rescue the men trapped inside, including sending down deep divers. But time was not on their side and the air supply began to run out. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Power Of Fear

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

Fear is a normal abnormality, something we are very used to in our world. Here is the story of the execution of John, and the fear that was behind it.

Passage: Matthew 14:1-12 Intro: Fear is the negative emotion we are most comfortable with. 1. it is a normal abnormality, something we have gotten very used to in our world. 2. fear is a hugely powerful force; a vast majority of the things we do, or don’t do, are motivated by fear. 3. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Study Of Good And Bad Choices Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 27, 2023

What influence does sin have on choices?

A. WHY PEOPLE MAKE POOR CHOICES “Don’t ask me to leave you and go back to my old ways. Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, there I will be buried” (Ruth 1:16-17). 1. They guess – because they ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 7:7

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Challenge Of Dealing With Conflict: 5 Styles Of Conflict Resolution

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 23, 2021

Conflict in relationships, conflict in family, and conflict in churches are terribly difficult things to deal with. I myself have struggled a great deal in responding to conflicts and disagreements in a healthy manner.

Conflict in relationships, conflict in family, and conflict in churches are terribly difficult things to deal with. I myself have struggled a great deal in responding to conflicts and disagreements in a healthy manner. This is a tough challenge for my generation. We tend to want to flee, and run ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Don't Let My Love Grow Cold

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Jan 23, 2001

It is time to rekindle the flame of passion we have for Christ and allow it to burn brightly within us.

We have an exciting move of God in our life…we climb the mountain and meet with the Lord…then we climb down and things just don’t seem to feel the same…something is missing…our heart is not as hot for the things of God…We can feel a cold breeze blowing in…and we begin to question my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do It Anyway You Can

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 14, 2004

This is about doing the will of God in any way we can.

Have you ever felt so compelled to do something that you didn’t care about the details of the matter? Have you ever wanted a job so bad that you didn’t care what the pay was? Have you ever been so convinced that God wanted you to do something that you did it without weighing the options? Almost ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

Cultivate Patience & Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Chad Garrison on Mar 2, 2009

We are all called to continually "Cultivate" the Fruit of the Spirit. Here we focus on Patience & Faithfulness.

Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit Patience/Faithfulness A Quick Recap: cul·ti·vate vt 4. to improve or develop something, usually by study or education 5. to develop an acquaintance or intimacy with somebody, often for personal advantage Galatians 5:22-25 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-27

Denomination: Foursquare

Who's Number One (And How Do We Know?)

Contributed by Mark Jones on Mar 8, 2009

A look at the question "Is God Number One In My Life" and some indicators that can help us determine to what extent he rules and reigns in our lives.

Who’s Number One (And How Do We Know?) Essence of the Lesson in a Sentence: Christ’s pre-eminence in our lives will order our priorities to receive the life He promised for us. As I tried to make sense of so many thoughts for this sermon, I took a mental break to check my Facebook, hoping to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-33

Denomination: Methodist

We Are Not Home Alone Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jan 18, 2007

3 of 4 on Christmas. This message is on Joseph

Classic Christmas December 24, 2006 Home Alone Christmas Breakfast at Big Boy Home Alone is a movie about a boy named Kevin who wishes that his family would just disappear. And this time his wish comes true as he is accidentally left home as his family travels to France for Christmas. At first he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stumbling Blocks To The Cross Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 9, 2016

On their way to Jerusalem and the cross, Jesus has three encounters that become teaching opportunities on stumbling blocks to following Him and embracing the cross

Stumbling Blocks Luke 9:57-62 According to the UPI news, the Metropolitan Insurance Company received some unusual explanations for accidents from its automobile policyholders. The following are just few: “An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car, and vanished.” “The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus The Servant: Boundless Stores Of Grace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 11, 2010

Christmas Sunday 1987: The way to be free is to give oneself away, as Jesus did. We exalt Him because He became servant of all. That is the way to freedom for us too.

At Christmas time, all the rules change. At Christmas time, the boundaries get opened up and widened. Children who for eleven and a half months of the year are told, “We can't afford that, suddenly are permitted to spring to Santa's knee and express their desires for the latest and most ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Giving God Control

Contributed by Mark Adams on Sep 10, 2011

If properly understood and practiced, Submission is a path to tremendous freedom in Christ.

INTRO: In a world where printed books and media are declining, and more people are opting to do their reading online, you can bet that publishers are doing all that they can to grab your attention with what they believe will actually sell. I could have picked a lot of magazines to use as examples, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:25, Matthew 25:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Going To Our Gaza: Building A Bold Outreach Ministry

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Mar 1, 2005

This message looks at the account of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch being a model of evangelistic outreach.

Going to Our Gaza: Building a Bold Outreach Ministry Acts 8:26-40 I. There is the Commission to Go (v. 26) A. Philip was not given a choice whether to go “…Arise and go….”- v. 26a 1. We as a church are not given an option 2. We as individuals are not given an option B. Philip was given a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Baptist

A Matter Of Interpretation Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 25, 2019

The Bible is the amazing word of God, but it is not always easy to understand or apply the Bible. God wants us to correctly handle His word, and so we must learn how to interpret it and apply it to our lives.

Introduction: A. How many of you used to enjoy Jay Leno’s “Headlines” segment on the Tonight Show? 1. Let’s begin with some actual headlines collected from newspapers that are rather ambiguous. 2. It’s clear what the writer was trying to say, but in each case there is a humorous interpretation of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Along Straight Paths Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 19, 2004

#2 in Proberbs & Parable Series Proverbs 3&4, God gives direction and protection if we acknowledge him.

Proverbs Series #2 CHCC: 01-18-04 Along Straight Paths Proverbs 3-4 SCRIPTURE READING: Proverbs 4:5-11 INTRODUCTION: I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. The city was carefully planned from it’s founding. Because of that the streets are all laid out in a grid. It’s easy to find your way ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ