Sermons on Paused:

The Agony Of Defeat

Contributed by Matthew Sickling on Mar 31, 2007

This sermon deals with temptation and the fact that God doesn’t want us to experience the agony of defeat, but wants us to enjoy the thrill of victory.

Introduction: You may not recognize the name but Vinko Bogataj, but in a few minutes those of you over the age of 35 will remember him, and those of you who are younger than that will be able to identify with him more than you might think. On March 21st, 1970, Bogataj was competing at the World ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Visitor From A Strange Planet Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 5, 2002

Why was Samson the only Nazirite to be born with superhuman strength. The answer may surprise you.

OPEN: (We played the opening to the original Superman series, as well as displaying a picture of George Reeves - which stayed on the overhead thru the first illustration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2l4bz1FT8U) "Faster than a locomotive. More powerful than a speeding bullet. Able to ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The God Of The Box - "More Than Enough” God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 2, 2005

Pagans doubt God because they try to put Him in a box. But Christians sometimes doubt because they forget that He was in the box to begin with.

OPEN: (I had brought a large cardboard box on stage that my children had turned into a house) I suppose some of you have wondered what this is. Does anybody know what I have on stage with me? That’s right - it’s a box. But, it’s not just any box. This is a marvelous box. This is the creation of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No Other Gods Before Me! Series

Contributed by Eric Bain on Oct 14, 2007

This sermon looks very practically at what it means to have no other gods BEFORE God. It may just surprise you!

No Other gods Before Me! Exodus 20:1-3 © 2007 Eric Bain NOTE: This sermon is available in audio format @ www.sanctuary-church.com HOOK – You know over in West Sac there’s a new Wal-Mart Super Center… • And I know that some of you may be very much against Wal-Mart… you want to rage against the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

The Faces Of Christmas - The Face Of Awe Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Dec 5, 2010

Recapturing the Awe of Christmas through looking at the shepherds and how great of news the message of the Angels is

The Faces of Christmas The Face of Awe – The Shepherds Luke 2:8-20 Video - Charlie Brown Christmas – Linus Explains Christmas Slide after video Do you ever feel like Charlie Brown and forget about what Christmas is all about? It isn’t all that hard to do, even for Christians. I mean, there are so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

The Significance Of Spiritual Wells

Contributed by Bode Ayodele on Sep 5, 2007

Wells represent life, prosperity and abundance. No wonder numerous biblical characters from Abraham to Isaac, Jacob and Moses -even our Lord Jesus Christ had a story to tell besides a well. What is the significance of wells? What kind of wells do we have

By Bode Ayodele Wells play a very vital role in the bible. Many important bible characters located their blessings besides - or had something to do with wells. Why are wells so important? What are the different kinds of spiritual wells in existence and what roles do they play in our lives today? ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:15-19, Genesis 24:13-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

At The Center Of The Season: It's Not You!

Contributed by Daniel Richter on May 15, 2008

The attitudes that we see in Mary’s life that keep her focused during the first Christmas season...

At the Center of the Season: It’s Not You! Sunday, December 3rd, 2006 All of you probably know someone who loves to be the center of attention. Wherever they are or wherever they go, they are the ones that people are watching and paying attention to. There are some who crave and create the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:38

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

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

Agony Anonymous

Contributed by Dwayne Brown, Phd on Sep 26, 2022

It is a blessed privilege when we as fellow humans beings are able, in the mist of family and friends who are hurting, when we are able to put our arms around them to be a source of strength and comfort.

How blessed we are that the Lord has allowed us to make our way into His house, once again. That is why we ought to take advantage of ever opportunity we have to be a part of worship. Amen. Because there may come a day when you want to get here and not be able to. Then you won’t have to sit at home ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Baptist

Rolling Stone Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 23, 2022

There are lots and lots of ways that we can put Jesus in a tomb and roll a stone over it, but there is no tomb strong enough, my friend, no stone too heavy that Jesus can’t smash it to pieces.

[Remember ... the members have been placing stones at the foot of the cross for the past seven weeks of Lent and the pile of stones around the bases has gotten pretty impressive ... powerful visual. But when they come in on Easter morning, the stones are all gone.] [Read Luke 15:11-24.] You’ve ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-16, Luke 15:11-24, John 19:41, Matthew 27:51, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

How To Destroy Our Enemies

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 26, 2022

Today as we are watching television sometime during the program that we are watching the program is interrupted with “Breaking News”.

Many times the BREAKING NEWS is about: • Some deranged person who came into a building and started shooting innocent people. • The news of a flood, hurricane or an earthquake is often breaking news. • The breaking news about an explosion that has taken place. If we had been living in the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist