Sermons on Paul Encourages:

Imitators Not Pretenders Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Oct 14, 2020

Paul wanted to ensure the Thessalonians imitated the example he had lived before them, and most importantly, the example of Christ. Rather than pretending to emulate their faith, they were to actively live out their faith.

Imitators not Pretenders 1 Thessalonians 2: 10-13 As I studied this passage I was reminded of the need for sincerity and genuineness among the church. We live in a day plagued with hypocrisy. One of the most offered arguments against attending church in our generation is the presence of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Testimony Of A Lame Man

Contributed by Peter Fisher on Nov 16, 2014

An imaginary testimony from the lame man Paul healed in Acts 14, giving the context of the events through the story

Story This all happened a very long time ago. Location We live in the middle of nowhere, well just outside the middle of nowhere actually. We live here because it's a retirement home for old generals. My dad was a general – legatei is our word, and we moved around the empire when I was a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:8-20

Denomination: Anglican

Witness: Connects #7 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 24, 2019

A great witness demands unity of the body and acceptance of one another as Christ's heirs.

We began a conversation 5 weeks ago about what gives us meaning in this life and I suggested that the question is actually a mute point for those who call themselves Christian because if we believe that Christ came, died and rose again then we must also live out this reality. To live out this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Devastating Power Of Venomous Speech Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jul 12, 2025

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 - "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." We have all been blessed with relationships that have brought joy, comfort, and support to our lives. There are those who have stood by us through thick and thin, offering a listening ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:36-37, James 3:9-10, Psalm 103:6

Take Pleasure In Pleasing God

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Mar 15, 2009

Seeking personal pleasure is seen as the highest priority of modern culture. In our passage today Paul affirms the opposite to be true: humanity’s chief goal ought to be to take pleasure in pleasing God. The question we are going to address today is ho

TITLE : TAKE PLEASURE IN PLEASING GOD TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 INTRODUCTION: Background to the Letter: Chapters 1-3 o The oldest letter in the NT (50 AD) o Written to a Church Paul established himself o The Church was heavily persecuted and many were martyred. First by the Jews and then the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Orthodox

Hanging On When You Feel Like Letting Go

Contributed by John Knight on Jul 25, 2003

A holiday word of encouragement to the distressed.

Hanging On When You Feel Like Letting Go December 1, 2002 Isaiah 64:1-9 1. Excitement Holidays-family, friends, shopping, vacation, TV specials, parades, lights A. Can be fun, but also fearful -Reunion of contentious family -drunk relative who embarrasses themselves, everyone ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:4-9

Denomination: Holiness

Good News For All

Contributed by John Newton on Feb 3, 2025

The Galatians wanted to put restrictions on the new Gentile converts in their church. But Paul put his foot down...

The little churches in Galatia were facing a serious issue—and they didn’t know what to do about it. It may seem surprising, but their problem revolved around the fact that they were growing. And the new people (there seemed to be more and more of them all the time!) just weren’t fitting in. It ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal

What To Pray For This Year

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 6, 2013

Paul’s prayer for the Colossians teaches us how to pray for ourselves and others this year.

“What To Pray For This Year” Colossians 1:9-14 Today is the first Sunday of a New Year! Perhaps you made a New Years resolution. Many of us do. Here is some interesting information about New Years resolutions from thee University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology, (Published: ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14, Philippians 3:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called By God Series

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Jul 15, 2003

Some at Galatia were attempting to descredit Paul’s ministry. Paul emphasizes that he was not called by men but by God.

CALLED BY GOD TEXT: Galatians 1:11-24 (NIV) 11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my previous way ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Faith - It's All About Faith

Contributed by Jeff Steele on Oct 18, 2000

To this point in Paul’s letter to the Roman Church, Paul has stressed faith as the way -- the only way -- to salvation.

To this point in Paul’s letter to the Roman Church, Paul has stressed faith as the way -- the only way -- to salvation. To counter any arguments from Jewish Christians in the congregation, Paul used the example of Abraham as one who was made right with God -- justified -- by faith. In our study ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:16-25

We Shall Overcome

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jul 17, 2002

This sermon is the 4th in a series on Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul explores the Christian response in light of suffering.

Bibliography: Willie Wonka, When God Interrupts - Craig Barnes, All You Really Need To Know About Prayer...-Louise Perrotta, Martin Luther King, William Barclay The other night as we were channel surfing, we came across one of my favorite movies from my childhood, and the boys and I sat down to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-39

Denomination: Methodist

You Belong To Someone Else

Contributed by Bernard Dawson on Oct 13, 2002

An encouragement to full surrender to the will of God.

YOU BELONG TO SOMEONE ELSE Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 As you read this chapter it seems to fall into five divisions. 1. Conflict in the church. 2. Judging others. 3. Diet considerations. 4. Sex appetite and control. 5.Ownership of self. Our specific consideration today will deal with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Holiness

I'm Sending Him Back! Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jan 23, 2026

To discuss Onesimus, who was a ”runaway servant,” whom Paul converted in Rome, and returned to his master, as a Christian and now “a faithful and beloved brother” in the Lord.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Paul’s Confidence in Philemon 2. Paul’s Conversion of Onesimus 3. Paul’s Consensus of Philemon Introductory Remarks. 1. This Letter, though only one chapter, has a tremendous lesson for all Christians, especially for those who consider themselves “in authority.” This will ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-9, Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Have Victory Over Persistent Temptations Series

Contributed by Randy Hamel on May 26, 2008

This message looks at the Apostle Paul’s dilemma in Romans 7:14-25. Paul evaluates why he does not have victory in his spiritual life.

BREAKING FREE FROM PERSISTENT TEMPTATIONS (Acknowledgment - Rick Warrens Series Breaking Free)- Breaking Free Part 1 (Romans 7:15-24) o Were calling this series “Breaking Free, breaking free areas in our lives that block us from fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. o God wants to heal our inner ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25

Good Words For Bad Days Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 18, 2009

Bad words may be the first to come to mind when times are hard. But our text has some encouraging good words, particularly right now. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Good Words for Bad Days II Thessalonians 1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BadDays.html Bad words may be the first to come to mind when times are hard and things come crashing down on you. But our text has some encouragingly good words God wants to remind us of, particularly right now. Have you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist