Sermons on Pause:

Sheltering With Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 4, 2025

Isaiah said that "the Branch" (the Messiah) would be our shelter and refuge. What does that mean, and what difference could it make to how we live our lives?

The year was 1777. A British army of 13,000 men marched on Philadelphia, and the American Congress had fled the city. The Continental army fought valiantly to hold back their enemy, but they were outflanked and outfought and eventually the English took the city. But before the Philadelphia was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 4:2-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You A Philippian Church?

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Nov 10, 2007

The Apostle Paul had a special relationship with the church at Philippi. God had blessed them, they realized it and they showed it in their affection for Paul. Is your church a Philippian church? I preached this as a guest preacher for a Thanksgiving e

-Words are important, wouldn’t you agree? -There is a big difference between saying, “That’s looks terrific!” and “That looks interesting.” -The impact of “I love you” is very different than “I hate you.” -The name of one’s church says a lot as well. Bethlehem Lutheran Church is a wonderful name ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-20

Denomination: Lutheran

The Making Of A Disciple Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 21, 2008

If we ever hope to make disciples who love and obey Jesus, then we must become disciples who love and obey Jesus.

The Making of a Disciple Acts 14:19-28 Intro: One of the last things Jesus told His followers is found in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:19-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

From Death To Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 28, 2018

There's a repetitive theme in Scripture: heroes and heroines of the Bible seemingly all go through the process of being given a vision by God, followed by the death of that vision, and ultimately the rebirth of that vision. How did that pattern apply to Jesus and how does it apply to us?

OPEN: (We showed the image of a fallen tree (https://imgur.com/iP32qff) I saw this picture on the internet about a month ago and it took me a while to realize what I was looking at. Obviously the tree has been uprooted and it’s lying on the ground with its dead limbs extending along the ground. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:33-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Communion

Contributed by Adam James on Nov 15, 2016

A communion message reflecting on Jesus' command to share the cup and break the bread in remembrance of Him.

When we come around to a time of communion, our attention can’t help but be drawn to the two elements. We have the bread, and we have the grape juice. But these two symbols represent something bigger, and much more important that bread and juice. We are all familiar with the Last Supper ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:17-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Healing And Change Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on May 6, 2025

This talk opens an 8-week class called "Trauma and Transformation, Level 1". The course takes a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual approach to healing. Both Christians and non-Christians are welcome.

T&T Level 1 - Class 1 - Spiritual Talk - “Healing and Change” (May 2025) I love this quote by C.S. Lewis: There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” Have Scripture on Screen: Romans 12:2a Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do Not Live At The Shallow End Of The Pool / Transfigured Moments

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 22, 2017

This yearning within us is not really about life's circumstances. It is about us! This restlessness this desire for something more generally means we have been living life at the shallow end of the pool. Updated August 2023..

Each year ...we as Anglicans ... set aside a date to hear the glorious story... of the transfiguration. The Scriptures Speak to the transfigured nature of our Lord... in the books of Mathew, Mark, and Luke. Here God's Word (Pick one) ....... BIBLE "And he (Jesus) was transfigured before ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9, Matthew 17:1-9, Luke 9:28-36, Mark 10:14-15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 17:15-16, Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Man From Arimathea Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 19, 2018

How did Joseph become a member of the Sanhedrin and ultimately become a secret follower of Jesus? This first person presentation explores one possible explanation.

(I entered the auditorium from the side entrance to our baptistery – reading a scroll and entranced in thought. Much of the message was presented on floor level with me standing close to the audience and speaking directly to them) (Looking up, a bit surprised) Oh… shalom. I am afraid I am a bit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Can Go To Hell Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 21, 2018

Jesus said He would build His church. What we read in Acts 4 is how He intended to do it. What do we read there that helps us understand our part in Christ's construction crew?

There’s the true story of a southern church that had been stressing the importance of witnessing to people. One particularly slow young man in the congregation took the idea to heart, but he wasn’t quite sure how to do it. Then, that Sunday, a skeptic visited the church one Sunday, and the boy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Increase Our Faith!

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Oct 8, 2007

Jesus gives us some hard saying in this text that need to be understood around Jesus’ disciples asking for their faith to be increased.

-My son likes going to AWANA. He enjoys playing games, hearing bible stories, singing to campfire songs. He doesn’t exactly enjoy memorizing bible passages. He give up several times while I am trying to help him learn the passages. I have to prod him on, telling him he can do it and that we are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus' Insurrection

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Apr 10, 2009

Jesus revolts against the powers of sin and the devil in order to save humankind. His final coup d’etat is His resurrection from the dead.

-I know it’s an older story but how many of y’all have seen the movie or read the novel, The Caine Mutiny? -If you haven’t seen it, it is a great flick. You need to see it. -It stars the late, great Humphrey Bogart -I think it is one of his best performances and they would have cleaned up on the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:19-28

Denomination: Lutheran

We Need A Hero!

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Aug 6, 2008

A sermon message delivered at a memorial service for a military member in the Air Force.

-Who were some of your heroes growing up? -Was it a family member like your mom or dad, uncle or aunt, grandma or grandpa -Was it a sports figure? Someone who played football, basketball, baseball, maybe a NASCAR driver? -Maybe you really looked up to a musician – a rapper, a country music star or ...read more

Scripture: John 11:21-27

Denomination: Lutheran

The Cleansing Of The Temple

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Mar 15, 2009

We’ve come to see Jesus as a touchy, feely love child. In this sermon, He unleashes a fire storm. Will the real Jesus please stand up.

-Have you ever done the right thing in a sticky situation and it ended up costing you dearly? -Maybe it cost you a friend, a loved one, money, a deal, your pride, your reputation but it cost you something that you would have rather not give up. {PAUSE} -We watched a cool animated movie on Friday ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Lutheran

"a Meal To Share Around The World"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 27, 2022

A sermon for World Communion Sunday.

Luke 22:14-20 “A Meal to Share Around the World” On the first Sunday in October, many Christian Churches across the world celebrate what is called “World Communion Sunday.” And so, this year, that is today. World Communion Sunday is set apart to try and demonstrate how all Christian Churches, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Joshua's Conquering & Rahab's Saving Faith - Part 3 Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Oct 20, 2020

Faith crosses barriers that only God can bring down!

_________________________________________________________________________- Topic: Sunday Sermon Series – Living By Faith Text: Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:30-31