Sermons on Paradox:

Did You Pull Back? Sermon By Joseph Ondu

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Nov 23, 2023

Uriah did not die because he could not handle the intensity of the battle, but he died because of the negligence of those who were supposed to support him in the battle zone.

Did you pull back? In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In the letter he wrote, “Put Uriah in the front lines where the fighting is the fiercest._Then pull back and leave him exposed so that he’s sure to be killed." 2 Samuel 11:14-15 The word here is "Then ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:14-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Judging And Navigating The Complexities Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 20, 2025

The Bible warns against judging others while ignoring one's own flaws.

The Bible presents a nuanced view of judging, with various scriptures addressing the topic. On one hand, we are instructed to judge righteously (John 7:24), while on the other, we are cautioned against judging others (Matthew 7:1-5). This apparent paradox requires careful examination. The Right to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:9-10, Romans 14:4

Cultivating A Grateful Heart

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 21, 2004

If I am going to cultivate a grateful heart, I need to change my focus: 1. From what I don’t have to what I do have. 2. From getting a blessing to being a blessing. 3. From earth to eternity.

One of the great mysteries of our culture is that we are the most privileged and prosperous people who have ever lived on the face of the earth — past and present — and yet many Americans are not happy. We have more of everything, and yet we are not content. Even when good things happen we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:15-17

Denomination: Methodist

Dying To Live Series

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Apr 25, 2006

Easter Sermon

A Preacher found a shoe box in a closet. He opened it and found strange contents. Inside was an egg carton with 5 eggs inside. Next to the eggs was a stack of bills that totaled over a thousand dollars in small bills. As soon as his wife walked through the door he stopped her to ask if she knew ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Expectations Of Ambassadors Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Jan 15, 2014

We are called to be ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors of Christ; what can we expect as ambassadors?

Expectations of Ambassadors 2 Cor. 6:1-13 The US presently has appointed around 225 ambassadors throughout the World to represent the interests of our country in those places. Throughout the history of the US, only 8 ambassadors have died while serving, the latest we are all very aware: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Be Blessed Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Apr 17, 2009

Jesus gives us the path to being blessed, are we willing to walk the path?

INTRODUCTION SLIDE #1 How many of you want to live a blessed or happy life? How do you live a life that is blessed or happy? What is the secret formula for living a blessed and happy life? What if I could share with you a formula for having the blessed life that you have been looking for? What ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our God Is An Awesome God Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2021

This Psalm we are looking at doesn't even soar into space. It stops earth bound, and still it deals with a God who is truly awesome. He is awesome, not because of His creation and what He has done, but because of His character, and what He is.

Everett Fullam was in Libera in 1969 when the two Americans, Armstrong and Aldin walked on the moon. He told the Gheo tribe chief this was happening, and the old man looked up to the moon and said, "There's nobody up there." He sounded angry and added, "Besides, that is not big ...read more

"Living In The Middle"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 7, 2002

When we face hardship we need to realize we’re in the middle of a story authored by God

"Living in the Middle" I try to take some time from my professional reading to relax with a good novel. I love to read and to talk about books. When I was a hospital chaplain I found it interesting to see what patients were reading on the wards. I figured if they had a James Mitchener novel, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

Daring To Die Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 26, 2007

As disciples of Christ we have to dare to give up all that we are to become all that Jesus wants us to be

Daring to Die Series: Daring Discipleship John 12:23-26 August 20, 2006 Morning Service Introduction There is a great search going on the spiritual realms. This is a search that Jesus is making. Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t. Jesus is searching for people. Not just any people but a special ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-26

Denomination: Church Of God

Spiritual Servanthood

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Feb 14, 2003

Being a servant of Christ is not to be taken lightly, and with the understanding that it involves more than a casual commitment.

Spiritual Servanthood Text: I Cor.7: 22-23; Deut.15: 17 Intro: Few, if any modern-day Americans, have experiential knowledge of what it means to be a slave—the servant of another, who has total control over one’s person. That’s one of the blessings of American society and culture. We may ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, Deuteronomy 15:17

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Oct 21, 2002

A sermon for Reformation Sunday

Reformation Sunday John 8:31- 36 "Freedom" 31 ¶ Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham, and have never ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Lutheran

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Christmas Joy – Rediscovering It Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 23, 2011

Rediscovering Christmas Joy

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Christmas Joy -- Rediscovering it INTRODUCTION The Paradox of Our Time in History Michael McCartney Wrote in a Message entitled "the Joy of Christmas" The paradox of our time in history is that.... * We have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Service - Pit Stops Along The Way

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jan 19, 2009

Giving without heart is nothing more than dutiful response in an effort to relieve us of guilt or convince ourselves we’re good people.

The American Memorial Day weekend automobile race known as the Indianapolis 500 (a.k.a. Indy 500) attracts 400,000 spectators every year! It is probably the largest single sporting event that draws such a large crowd. The race requires many pit-stops – tire changes, fuel, oil, or repairs when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Mystery Of Death Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

As long as we are in these bodies there will be veils, but it is our responsibility to lift those veils and remove them where God has given knowledge. There is no merit in being ignorant of that which God wants us to see concerning death.

A librarian commented concerning a woman just leaving her desk that she could get more out of a mystery novel than anyone she knew. "How is that?" asked her co-worker. She replied, "She starts in the middle so that she not only wonders how it comes out, but also how it began." ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Easter: Unstoppable Jesus

Contributed by Dj Thomsen on Mar 31, 2021

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Easter shows us the victor.

During the season of lent we’ve been talking about our Unstoppable God and we've been following Jesus on his road to the cross and marveling at all of the ways that he is unstoppable. When Jesus sets off on his path toward the cross no one could stop him, even when they told him he was crazy, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran