Sermons on Pause:

Calling God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 7, 2008

Uses a cell phone to illustrate the basics of effective prayer. Addresses the tendency of people to rely on repetition and ritual to get God’s attention.

OPEN: (a deep voiced man was positioned in a side room with microphone and monitor. This opening illustration goes on for a couple of pages but worked well to set up the rest of the sermon) "Our Father who art in heaven..." "YES?" (look up and around suspiciously then bow and say) "Our Father ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Getting Through Customs Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 23, 2014

The Bible tells me I can't get into Heaven if I have sin in my life. But how do get rid my sin? How can I make myself acceptable enough to God so that God will let my through Customs at the Pearly Gate?

How many of you have ever traveled to a foreign country? For those of you have not, there’s an arm of the government that you’ll encounter on the way back in to the states. Does anybody know what government agency we’re talking about? It’s called the U.S. Customs and ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Wonder Of Jesus’ Crucifixion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 24, 2013

Jesus shed His blood several times during the last 24 hours of His life. And there is a powerful story to be found in blood and water that came from Jesus’ side. Do you know what that story is? And do you know what it can mean to your life?

In Oklahoma, someone saw this poster promoting a Red Cross blood drive: "I gave my blood. Christ gave his. I give a pint. He gave all. The needle is small, sharp. The nails were large, dull. The table soft, restful. The cross rough, painful. The nurses ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Want Me To Do What For My Enemy? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 12, 2018

Jesus said we should love our enemies. But I don't even like them, why should I even want to show them love?

OPEN: I’ve always loved limericks, and years ago I ran across this one: “There once were 2 cats from Kilkenny Each thought there was one cat too many They fought and they spit, and they clawed and they bit. Till instead of two cats (pause) there weren't any.” (Pulpit Helps 3/97 p. 8) Now that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Learning To Be A Neighbour Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Sep 9, 2018

The Good Samaritan - Luke chapter 10 verses 25 to 37 – Sermon by Gordon Curley. PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Compassion Is Based On Need Not Worth. (vs 30) (2). Compassion Feels Something (vs 33) (3). Compassion Does Something. (vs 34) (4). Compassion Cost Something. (vs 35) (5). Compassion Demonstrates Real Faith. (vs 36-37) SERMON BODY Ill: • Let me give you some advertising ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Brethren

How Sorry Is Sorry? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 25, 2015

The Bible never teaches us to say "I'm sorry". Why not? What is so wrong with saying that simply phrase when you've hurt someone?

OPEN: (We put a picture of a “Sorry” game board on the screen) How many of you recognize this game board? And how many of you have ever played it? Amazon.com says the game of Sorry is the #5 best-selling board game on their site. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Standing In The Gap Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 4, 2016

The first 3 chapters of Revelation have often been seen as separate from the rest of the book. But that doesn't make any sense. Why would Jesus spend 3 chapters on local churches who were not part of the rest of the story?

OPEN: This morning I’m going to teach you a little about something that’s called “Hermeneutics”. Hermeneutics is the description of how to read and understand your Bible. When I was in Bible College I had a professor who told us that whenever the Bible had a lot to say on a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Wrath Of The Lamb Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 25, 2016

Revelation 6 talks of God's vengeance upon the evil of this world. But it also speaks as if there's no hope of repentance for those who are mentioned here. Can that really be true? Can man reach a point where he can't repent?

OPEN: O, Sinner Man, Where You Gonna Run To? (sung by Leon Bibb - https://youtu.be/uTuy101LcPs) How many of you have ever heard this song? What you just heard was an old Negro Spiritual and I heard it way back when I was a teenager. It has been so popular over the years that it’s been sung ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Den Of Iniquity Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 19, 2016

Iniquity is sin at its worst. It is the a state where a person is so depraved that evil is normal. How do people get into that way of living and thinking? And how can they escape it?

Open: Our sermon series over the next few weeks is called “Christianeze” – Christian words that the world around us may not understand. And today’s sermon is on Biblical word: “INIQUITY”. As I was preparing this sermon, one of the questions that came to mind ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Taking It To The Mat Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 23, 2015

How do we defeat Satan? It appears we do it by (as a Church) beating down the gates of Hell. But how exactly do that, and what is the objective in beating down those gates?

When Joe Louis was in his prime he fought "Two-Ton" Tony Galento. Louis was favored to win because 2 Ton Tony loved to fight… but he hated to train. At the first part of the fight, Galento threw his Sunday punch and sent Louis sprawling to the mat. Louis was more surprised than hurt and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Time To Grow Up Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 2, 2017

Part 3 of this series focuses on why we need to be able to share our faith with others and why it's a sign of our growth in Christ.

It’s Time To Grow Up Part 3 Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 3:15 I want to tell you a story. A man was at home one day and realized that he was hungry. He got in his car and went to a restaurant for dinner. Once he had eaten his food he asked his waiter to box up his leftovers ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Balancing The Books - An Easter Sermon Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 16, 2017

Easter is all about "accounting". When most people think about going to heaven, they count their good deeds... but God doesn't do it that way. How do we prepare ourselves for standing before the one to Whom we must give an accounting?

OPEN: There’s been a story in the news recently about the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, otherwise known as HUD. Apparently HUD has had a problem balancing their books. It seems their books were off about (PAUSE) $516 BILLION dollars. Now that’s not an error of a few 100,000 dollars… or ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-11, Hebrews 4:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sign Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 12, 2017

Why would Jesus heal a man on the Sabbath and then tell the man (in violation of the Sabbath rules of the Pharisees) to pick up his mat and walk?

OPEN: There’s a story I read once of 3 umpires who were talking about the feeling of power they had on the baseball field. As they talked about what gave them this sense of empowerment, the 1st umpire said – “I call ‘em as I see ‘em.” The 2nd smiled and said, “That ain’t nothing. I call ‘em as ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"resurrection - Morning Glory"

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Nov 11, 2021

A sermon about resurrection and eternal life from 1 Cor 15

Text: 1 cor 15 Subject: what are the implications of Jesus resurrection? Complement: Jesus resurrection is the first-fruit of our resurrection Idea: “Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.” Purpose; comfort…celebrate… proclaim gospel. Introduction: When I was a kid, the summer camp of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Gift To Us: A Christmas Message Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Dec 22, 2021

No one lobbied Him as you would a senator. No one petitioned Him, as might your boss or your teacher. And no one solicited Him to do this as you might barter with someone in the marketplace. None of that was necessary for God, for the Father willingly offered up His one and only Son as a gift.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! It’s at Christmastime that we give gifts, and we receive gifts. This is why retailers are so happy with Christmas in a way they’re not happy with the Fourth of July, for example or Easter. At the other holidays, we don’t give gifts like we do at Christmas. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:32

Denomination: Baptist