Sermons on Paradox:

Breaking Out Of Our Comfort Zones Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

When Jesus said to deny yourself and take up the cross and follow Him He was saying in essence that we need to break out of our comfort zone to be useful for the kingdom of God.

It was 1847, and St. Paul, Minnesota was a town filled with ignorance and drunkenness. Liquor was sold in every store. Half the parents could not read, and so drinking was about their only form of entertainment. It was typical of frontier towns, and no one even dreamed of trying to make ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

From Despair To Hope Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 30, 2021

Paul comes to the end of his rope, but he does not come to the end of his hope. He had no resource in himself, and all he could do was to surrender his life and future to the providence of God.

Paul Aurandt tells the story of one of the fastest rising young singers back in the early 50's. He was called the Romantic Voice Of America. Teenage girls would give anything to see him, but he never appeared anywhere. He was not even seen in photographs. He was strictly a radio voice. Soon ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Why? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Job does not offend God with his whys. Instead, he makes God proud of him, because of his patience and persistence in spite of having no answer to his whys.

Paul Aurandt shares this true story of James Macie. He was an illegitimate child, which is really a foolish idea, for it is the parents that are illegitimate, and not the child, but as is so often the case, the stigma of this followed him for life. The laws of England, in the 18th century, denied ...read more

Courageous For Christ Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

It is the awareness that we are in warfare that will bring out the courage of the Christian. It is because we sense no urgency, as those in battle, that we get complacent and indifferent, and feel no call to be bold for Christ.

Max Lucado in his book In The Eye Of The Storm tells the true story of poor Chippie. Chippie was a pet bird just peacefully perched in his cage when all of the sudden life was changed into a living nightmare. It all began when Chippie's owner decided to clean his cage with a vacuum cleaner. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26

The Reversal Of Revenge Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 3, 2021

Paul's message is that the Christian can shift the balance of power to the side of righteousness by leaving vengeance to God and concentrating on doing good. Never is doing good more needed than when you feel like revenge.

The Revolutionary War was complicated by the fact that it was often also a Civil War. Families were on both sides of the conflict. William, for example became the governor of New Jersey because of the influence of his famous father. The shocking thing was that William wanted to be loyal to the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19

Ordinary People Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 3, 2021

Everybody in this book is ordinary. Obed, the baby who gives the book a happy ending, does not grow up to do anything of significance that we know of. There are no great battles, no miracles, and no profound theological statements in this book. Not one person in this book was above ordinary.

What woman do you know who has had a thousand men propose to her from fisherman to millionaires; from the penniless on the bowry to the prince of a royal European family? And who was still getting regular proposals after she was 70 years old? There was such a woman, and her name was Evangeline ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18

Becoming Backyard Christians Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Sep 8, 2020

The front yard is where we try to keep up appearances. The backyard is where we live. If we want people to get to know us, we have to open up the backyard.

*Note: This is an adaptation of the second sermon in the "I Love My Church" Sermon Prep Kit on Sermon Central. Thanks to whoever created the original outlines. This is a great kit. I Love My Church #2: Becoming Backyard Christians Hebrews 10:19-25 [Lots of different fences on ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Baptist

James 1:1-18 Series

Contributed by Michael Larsen on Oct 20, 2020

Today we are going to learn the purpose of our trials how to respond.

Open your bibles to James Chapter 1. As we continue our new series from the Book of James entitled Faith That Works. Last week we introduced you to James. R. Kent Hughes says “one thing is clear about the book of James—the dominant theme is; “Faith that is real works practically in one's ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith-Based Initiative

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 19, 2023

Is God pleased with our work if we run out of money in the middle of it? Is God pleased with our ministry if it doesn't seem to be successful? How can we know if we are investing our time and talents in ways that God will approve of?

I don’t know if the tough decisions our leadership has been wrestling with have trickled all the way down through the congregation yet - though it would surprise me if you haven’t noticed that attendance at worship is down. Well, one of the challenges that goes along with a drop in attendance is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Samuel 23:7-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Embracing Uncertainty Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 7, 2023

To embrace the uncertainties of life, enjoy the good days, grow in the bad days, but trust God every day.

In his book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Mark Batterson writes about a vacation he took with his family to Orlando, Florida: One morning they were sitting at a stoplight in their rental van. The light turned green, and the car in front of us didn't go, so Mark decided to give them a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 6:1-12, Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Does The Lord Need Anything

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Jul 18, 2023

Jesus enters Jerusalem

Does the Lord Need Anything? Mark 11:1-14 The Gospel of Mark dedicated only ten chapters to the life and ministry of Jesus, but there are six chapters written about the events leading to Jesus’ Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension. The King of the Kingdom solidified His Kingdom on the Cross at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Confrontational Jesus

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Jul 25, 2023

Jesus cleanses the Temple for the second time

The Confrontational Jesus Mark 11:15-24 Good morning. Charles Wesley wrote a Hymn titled, “Gentle Jesus.” Part of the lyrics read, “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, look upon a little child; pity my simplicity, suffer me to come to Thee. Lamb of God, I look to Thee; thou shalt my example be: thou art ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:15-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Uplifting Worship Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 28, 2022

If you want to edify people in a chaotic world, then be disciplined, decent, and deferential to God's Word in your worship.

Pastor Stephen Trail, from Sage, Arkansas, describes a family, which enjoyed an annual vacation. However, at the start of each vacation, when they were only a few miles from home, mom would wail, “Oh my goodness! I think I left the iron on.” And every year they would turn around and go back, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God's Message To Pharaoh Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 18, 2022

The honor of being admitted into communion with God and being employed by/for him does not exempt us from the duties due to our families and callings in this world.

Exodus 4:21-23 21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. 22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:19

Denomination: Baptist

Act Like Men Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 17, 2022

To act like men, who are part of the cure, stay awake, stand in the faith, be strong, and do everything with love.

Just a few years ago (January 15, 2019), Gillette launched an ad as part of a campaign to address a range of male misbehaviors. The two-minute spot, entitled “We Believe,” addresses bullying and sexual harassment, leveraging Gillette’s longtime slogan in encouraging men to be the best they can be. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free