Sermons on Pause:

Miracle On 42nd St - Christmas At The Movies Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 6, 2004

The miracle in the movie: "Miracle on 34th St" depended upon letters from the US Post Office. But the miracle on "42nd" St depended upon a different paper trail.

(Suggest playing a clip from Miracle On 34th St. – Where the Post office delivers mail for Santa Claus to the Court Room proving Kris Kringle to be Santa Claus) OPEN: Is there a Santa Claus? Nearly a century ago or more, there was a newspaper article written to a little girl named Virginia. Do you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The People Who Missed Christmas

Contributed by Greg Warren on Dec 13, 2003

Discusses the Biblical people who missed the miracle of the first Christmas and applies these principles to how people miss Christmas’ true maning today. Illustrations from Sermon Central contributers are incorporated.

Have you ever missed a great opportunity? The story is told of a small resort area along the east coast that was having an open town meeting concerning some financial problems they were facing. Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was apparently visiting the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-12, Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rocky Ii - The Real Mccoy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 12, 2003

Why did Jesus take Peter, James and John up to the Mount of Transfiguration? Because there was something that He could only teach in that place and in that way. Find out what that means to us.

OPEN: The real McCoy really wasn’t... That is, the real McCoy wasn’t really a McCoy. His real name was Norman Selby. Raised on a farm in Indiana he left home around 1890, and after year in training, emerged as a boxer with the name "Kid McCoy." In a day of bare fisted boxing, the Kid was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of Persistent Prayer

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 12, 2002

Jesus taught that we should "always pray and not give up." But why? Is God hard of hearing? Is it difficult to get His attention? Or is there something else we don’t understand?

OPEN: The organ in a large church broke down one Sunday morning just before services were to begin. A member of the congregation happened to be a organ repairman and he immediately went to work on the instrument – finding it was a simple electrical problem. When he finally got it fixed it ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 10:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What You Need, God Has

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Sep 13, 2002

Jesus knew the disciples would face trials, persecution, and death. He knew they would have grief. So he comforted them. And Jesus comforts us as well when we are having problems and face grief.

Series: “What To Do” See also I Don’t Know What To Do; But I’m Disappointed; But I Just Can’t Win; But Life is Too Hard; What You Need, God Has) As I choose this passage to preach, I knew that these three verses were the three from the entire 16th chapter of John that I would concentrate on. In ...read more

Scripture: John 16:32-33

Denomination: Methodist

The Sinner's Prayer Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jul 29, 2003

Jesus: Friend of Sinners, Part 6 of 7

THE SINNER’S PRAYER (LUKE 18:9-14) Famed Holocaust novelist Elie Wiesel tells the story of the great rabbi Haim-Gedalia of Upshpitzin, who interceded fervently with God for an innkeeper who was notorious for his many sins. “Very well, I forgive him,” said the Almighty. The rabbi was pleased with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Not A Sigh But A Song"

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Jan 13, 2003

How to survive disappointment

I. Introduction A. In Paul Harvey’s “For What It’s Worth Department” there was a story about a man named Speedy Morris. Speedy was a basketball coach for LaSalle University. He was shaving one day when his wife called out to tell him he was wanted on the phone by Sports Illustrated. Speedy ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, Psalm 62:5-8

Denomination: United Methodist

Mystery Revealed Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Feb 7, 2003

Focus: Paul’s mission was to reveal the fact that God has broken down the walls which divide and made all one in Christ; a mission which he also gives to the church.

Mystery Revealed Ephesians 3:1-3 Focus: Paul’s mission was to reveal the fact that God has broken down the walls which divide and made all one in Christ; a mission which he also gives to the church. Function: To challenge the church to take up Paul’s challenge to reveal the manifold wisdom ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Believing God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 21, 2002

Abraham is such a great man of faith that at times its hard to relate to him. God knew that, so He told us few things about this super-hero of the faith that help us understand how powerful his faith really was.

OPEN: A man once told a story about his 84 year old grandmother. Apparently, she fiercely maintained her independence and lived alone in the old family home. Her 4 children lived in the same town, but she rarely called them except in emergencies. It was with some apprehension, therefore, that he ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Leave Jesus Behind Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 13, 2006

The "Good Confession" is the foundation of our faith. If we don’t understand what it means, it could have a serious effect on our relationship with Jesus. Do you understand it as you should?

OPEN: The warship had just returned from a tour oversees and the young ensign shown himself to be responsible and efficient. Because of that he was given the opportunity to take command of the ship as it made its out to sea again. As the ship was to pull away from the dock, the ensign gave a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Tree Of Goodness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 12, 2006

The Bible tells us that we should strive for goodness in our lives... but Jesus said no one was good except God. How can we be asked to do something that only God can accomplish?

Open with audience reciting the following verse: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...” Galatians 5:22-23a OPEN: A preacher once spoke of the fact that some of the people in his congregation had gotten in the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Thing Leads To Another

Contributed by Ish Engle on Sep 19, 2006

For every action, there is a reaction and a series of events unfold. When we act toward God, we move unfold events to God’s glory. When we allow sin to move us, we move toward more sin.

Once again the Pharisees thought they had the perfect situation. They had a woman who had been caught in an adulterous act. Hebrew law said that she should be stoned, though divorce was the more common solution of the day. Still, if Jesus didn’t say, “Stone her,” they could show people that He ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Being Filled With The Spirit Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 20, 2001

Corinth was a congregation blessed with a multitude of gifts from the Spirit of God... and yet Paul told them they were unspiritual.

OPEN: I suspect that almost everyone knows who Bert and Ernie, the Cookie Monster and Big Bird are. They were among the muppet stars on a popular children’s show: Sesame Street. During the filming of each show, some lucky parents were allowed to bring their children on stage and be part of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Home Baked Happiness- Giving Christmas To Your Family Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Sep 13, 2001

Part of the Christmas Wonder PowerPak.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK ILL. It’s Christmas time, & Lucy comes in where Charlie Brown is standing & says, "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown. `Tis the season of peace on earth & good will toward men. Therefore, I suggest we forget all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, Luke 2:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Selfless Christianity In Action - A Servant Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Nov 10, 2002

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” --John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address Washingt

SERMONIC / WORSHIP THEME Opening Statement: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” --John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:25-30