Sermons on Paradox:

God Works In Before He Works Through

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 1, 2013

Salvation is not the end of God’s plans for you, it is just the beginning.

God Works IN Before He Works THROUGH Ephesians 2:8-10 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/130303.mp3 Salvation is not the end of God’s plans for you, it is just the beginning. Our past guilt led to present grace and by that grace we are saved...and yet a future glory awaits, and not just in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

Glorifying God, Even Into Eternity

Contributed by Richard Futrell on Nov 16, 2010

We exist to glorify God. But what does it mean to glorify God?

Intro Creation exists to glorify God. We exist to glorify God. The purpose of our life is to glorify God. The purpose of all you do is to glorify God. And the purpose of the Church is to glorify God. But what does it mean to glorify God? First, God wants to be glorified by your salvation. ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:13-18

Denomination: Lutheran

The Will To Win Series

Contributed by Rob Yanok on Sep 10, 2008

Success and Winning is a product of effort and never occurs by chance, therefore we must be Intentional, we must WILL IT!

“The Will To Win” – Pastor Rob Yanok Text: Joshua 1:8, John 15:16, I Cor. 9:24 Proverbs 21:5 – Says “The Thoughts of the diligent tend only to the plenteous...” I. Thoughts on Winning 1. Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing – Vince Lombardi 2. Winners spend time building ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Donkey Who Thought He Was A Horse"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 24, 2010

In Luke, when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, the crowds cheer Him--though they have no idea what the next few days will bring. Tne King has come to pay a ransom: the ransom for human sin. So, let us cheer His triumphal entry, but be a

Luke 19:28-40 Luke 23:1-49 “The Donkey who Thought He was a Horse” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN There is nothing dignified about a donkey! We can look at him from any angle and we will fail to find what we might call a sense of ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

When God Says 'no'

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jul 22, 2018

Sometimes God says no. When you are weakened by His answer, He will strengthen you by His grace.

The late Chuck Colson of Watergate fame shared his experience when God said NO. The great paradox [of my life] is that every time I walk into a prison and see the faces of men or women who have been transformed by the power of the living God, I realize that the thing God has chosen to use in my ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: Other

Jesus Gets The Last Word: An Exposition Of Matthew 22:34-46

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Oct 17, 2020

Jesus has the last word with the Pharisees just as He did with the Sadducees. And He will have the last word on everything just as He had the first. Sermon for Proper 25 After Pentecost Year A

Jesus Gets the Last Word: An Exposition of Matthew 22:34-46 The passage we are studying this morning occurred at the Temple just a few days before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The Pharisees and Sadducees had taken turns trying to trap Jesus in His words. The Sadducees had just tried to trap ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Focus On Jesus Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 29, 2015

We easily get sidetracked from our walk with God in our traditions or preferences. The key to worship and a walk of faith is to focus on Jesus above ourselves.

1. Pulpits A preacher described a special interest he had as a guest speaker to various congregations. "Whenever I preach in a church I haven't been to before, I am always anxious to stand behind the pulpit to get a feel for it. I want to stand there and look out at the still empty pews and imagine ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Exemplary Church

Contributed by John D Jones on Jun 6, 2010

When we evaluate any church, we are actually evaluating the individuals who make up that church. We have heard it said numerous times, the local church is only as strong as its members. It is only as faithful as its members. The most revealing question fo

The Exemplary Church 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Text: verse 10 “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Of Fathers And Baptism

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 19, 2010

How does Matthew 3 relate to Father’s day? You might be surprised.

Matthew 3 Happy Father’s day! How many fathers are here today? Matthew 3 has a good Father’s day message in it. John scolded the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees when they came to where he was baptizing. He said (vs. 9), “Do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Turning Hearts Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 1, 2015

The idea of the sermon is the see the contrast between our tendencies to be self-serving or self-promoting versus having the humble spirit that promotes God. The Pharisee and Tax Collector in the parable of Luke 18.9-14 are the examples we will consider.

1. Self Esteem and Funeral Director A mild mannered young man came into a counselor's office ready for a divorce. He complained that his wife was so bossy that she was driving him off the wall. He wanted things to change, immediately. The counselor gave him a book on assertiveness. He was so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus' Power Over Disease

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 11, 2015

Jesus' Power over Disease

Matthew 8:5-13 Jesus' Power over Disease John 5:43 I am come in my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13

Denomination: Holiness

Foolishness Or Faith

Contributed by David Radcliff on Mar 14, 2016

I would like for us to look at one of the most fascinating and central themes of the word of God. The Lamb. And I hope as we go through this that we will see how God's ways and thoughts are higher than our own.

Foolishness or Faith Isaiah 55:8-9 I Corinthians 1: 18 I would like for us to look at one of the most fascinating and central themes of the word of God. The Lamb. And I hope as we go through this that we will see how God's ways and thoughts are higher than our own. Events which take place in our ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Treasure In Heaven Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Apr 26, 2021

Greed and generosity are opposing spiritual forces. Selfishness and greed have the effect of shriveling our souls by wasting our potential for love, whereas generosity becomes the source of God’s richest blessing and joy.

Luke 12:13-21 In the days of the Wild West there was an armed bank robbery in California involving a large sum of money. The bank hired a bounty hunter to track down the thief, and when the search led to Mexico he realized he’d need to hire an interpreter. One was found, and the bounty hunter ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

God's Christmas Tree

Contributed by David Tack on Jan 8, 2025

This morning, I want to look at God’s tree of provision. Today let’s look at God’s provisional Christmas tree and at the most valuable gift ever allocated to mankind.

This morning, I want to look at God’s tree of provision. Many will gather around the Christmas tree and tear open gifts from their loved ones. Today let’s go back and look at the God’s Christmas tree and look at the most valuable gift ever allocated to mankind: The GIFT OF ETERNAL VALUE- THE ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

What Is This Thing Called Love?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 26, 2023

What is love, that we should know when we have it? Is love a feeling? a right? an instinct? What is love?

Some enchanted evening you will meet a stranger across a crowded room. Neither of you has a clue what the other is like. But your heart rate goes up and your imagination goes into overdrive and, well, you know how it goes, right? Happily ever after is just around the corner. Is this love? On her ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed