Sermons on parlor tricks:

Counting The Cost (Part 1)

Contributed by David Derry on Jan 20, 2003

Have we really counted the cost of following Christ? He requires us to surrender everything to be His follower.

Counting the Cost – Part 1 January 12, 2003 Today we will be talking about being a disciple or follower of Christ. Do we fully understand what that means? The following are actual responses from comment cards given to staff members of a wilderness recreation area… 1. trails need to be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-30

Denomination: Baptist

An Enemy Hath Done This

Contributed by Michael Martin on Feb 3, 2007

Message preached the Sunday following the attack on the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon - Sep. 11, 2001 (9-11)

(Matt. 13:24-29) "An enemy hath done this..." We have lived in one of the most extraordinary weeks of our lives. Our nation has experienced things that I have never seen the like of, in my lifetime. Those that went through Pearl Harbor, and Vietnam may feel somewhat different; but it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

Our Surprising God Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 26, 2008

Isn’t life based solely upon the laws of nature and cause and effect? Most of the time, yes -- but sometimes God surprises us.

Our Surprising God (Acts 3:1-10) 1. This week has been a rough, depressing week for many people. 2. Keith & Aimey Williams were through an awful ordeal… 3. Last week, a teenager in our community committed suicide after losing a brother a year ago in an accident… 4. Hundreds of Engineers and White ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Grace Of God In The Face Of Death

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Jun 6, 2007

A sermon for the 2nd Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 5, Series C.

2nd Sunday after Pentecost (Pr. 5) June 10, 2007, “Series C” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, in your boundless compassion, you sent your Son, Jesus the Christ, into our world that he might reveal to us ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Do We Look Like We Have Been With Jesus?

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Aug 18, 2014

This message tells us that we can change our lives and be better people by embracing the creeds and deeds of Christ.

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, 2much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3So they arrested them and put them in custody until the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

God's Ten Commands For Peaceful Living Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 3, 2014

James 4:7-10 is a series of ten rapid-fire instructions that provide God’s Ten Commandments for restoring peace in your relationships.

Our study of James 4 has focused on the results of following worldly wisdom as opposed to godly wisdom. This theme of two kinds of wisdom was introduced in chapter 3. “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.” (James ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Err Is Human, To Forgive Is Divine

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Sep 2, 2009

Why is forgiving so hard? How we can deal with it!

Colossians 3:13 Eph. 6:11-Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. WILES: 1-Cunning behavior: cunning behavior intended to persuade somebody to do something, especially in the form of insincere charm or flattery. He whisper in your ear, “You ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:13

Denomination: Baptist

Beware Of Halloween Alternatives! Series

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Oct 16, 2021

Ultimately, Christian participation in Halloween is a matter of conscience before God. Whatever level of Halloween participation you choose, you must honor God by keeping yourself separate from the world and by showing mercy to those who are perishing.

Halloween Evangelism There are several different ways Christians will engage in Halloween evangelism. Some will adopt a "No Participation" policy. As Christian parents, they don't want their kids participating in spiritually compromising activities—listening to ghost stories and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Isaiah 5:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Amazed?

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Feb 26, 2005

Use several scriptures where the word amazed is used to describe peoples response to Jesus.

Are You amazed? Sometimes I think it is hard to amaze me any more. As a kid, I always watched the magician’s hands. Occasionally, I cause them reaching in a pocket or flipping the platter over before the Audience could see the bowl was glued to the surface or the levitating lady was on a firm ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:47-48

Denomination: Congregational

The Gibeonite’s Scam - Scam Alert!

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Oct 5, 2021

The success of Joshua's army hit a speed bump in the road after meeting their tricky neighbors. After this incident the rest of the way was smooth sailing. This is a scam alert!

Joshua 9:3-14 Jos 9:3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, 4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; 5 And old shoes and clouted ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:1-27, Numbers 32:23, Romans 6:23

Denomination: Methodist

Nowhere Else To Go Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 30, 2018

Just like Peter learned, there really isn't anywhere else to go and no one else to go to, other than Jesus.

A. As you are well aware, we live in a day that can be described as an age of pluralism. 1. Pluralism has many meanings, but one meaning has to do with there being many different options from which we can choose. 2. Just like there are many channel choices in cable television (200 or 300 or more ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-69

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Without A Trace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 18, 2004

Funeral sermon for Paul Quick, member of the cleaning crew. A gentle spirit without a trace of negatives help others, labors in the house of God, and has received gentle treatment from a Christ who understands our weaknesses.

Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom ... the wisdom from above is ... gentle ... without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. He is able to deal gently with the ... wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness. In this noisy world, it is easy to miss ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18, Hebrews 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

How Obedient Are You Series

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Jan 15, 2003

Obedience, a lacking need in our society today

How Obedient Are You? Obedience, here is a word that is more commonly associated with the lifestyle training of dogs than it is of people. The dictionary defines obedience as 1. act of obeying: the action or condition of obeying authority 2. CHRISTIANITY church’s rule: the religious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Foundations - Going Beyond Repentance Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 18, 2002

The writer of Hebrews tells us we must mature in Christ to the point where we go beyond the "elementary truth" of things like repentance. But how can we do that?

OPENING: A fellow named Louie, deep in debt, was thinking of ending it all. "That’s ridiculous," says his neighbor, who was a chemist. "Look, I can give you a pill that will put you in a state of suspended animation. I’ll say you died - but then I’ll ship your body to another state, where you ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wedding Ceremony

Contributed by Antonio Silveira on Apr 14, 2001

Description of a Wedding Ceremony held at The Carisma Church, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada http://www.carismachurch.com (Note: This Ceremony was prepared for a small wedding without Musicians or singers. All the musical tracks where previously recorded on a special CD and are in Order)

WEDDING CEREMONY (Note: This Ceremony was prepared for a small wedding without Musicians or singers. All the musical tracks where previously recorded on a special CD and are in Order) PROCESSION OF USHERS AND BRIDAL PARTY MUSICAL PROCESSION —TRACK 1 PROCESSION OF FLOWER GIRLS, RING BOY, BRIDE ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Denomination: Baptist