Sermons on Paying Forward:

Retaliation Versus Going The Extra Mile

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 26, 2015

When people wrong us, insult us or take our property, we want to see them pay for what they did to us. The question we all need to ask ourselves today is, “Are we willing to go the extra mile for Jesus?”

One winter day a man went shopping at the local neighborhood mall. When he returned to his car he noticed a rather foul odor coming from under the hood and so he checked the engine. In the compartment he discovered a dead cat rather mutilated from being caught in the fan belt. The poor cat had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Conquered His Critics Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 3, 2021

In His final week of public ministry, Jesus confronted a series of challenging questions His enemies attempted to use as traps. One question dealt with the issue of paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus' surprising answer would settle the issues of loyalty and obligation to both God and Caesar.

Jesus had spent the first days of His final week shaking up the status quo concerning the worship of the LORD, the reverence due to the House of God, and to recall its purpose. He exposed the moneymaking schemes of the religious leaders, rebuked their practices, and drove out the merchants who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Least Of These

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 7, 2022

Modern Christians are going to be horrified when they stand in Judgment. Attending church, praising the Lord, living faithfully, and paying tithes aren't even on the radar of what Jesus is expecting of us. We're supposed to be serving 'the least of these!'

THE LEAST OF THESE Matt. 25:31-40 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE SPHINX’S RIDDLE 1. There’s an ancient Greek story about a Sphinx that troubled the city of Thebes. He would ask passers-by a riddle. If they got the answer wrong, he would devour them. 2. The riddle was: “What walks on four legs in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Come To The Living Stone

Contributed by Bruce Lee on May 28, 2025

A brick and a block were walking down a road when a piece of concrete jumped up and made a funny face, screamed and ran off. The brick asked the block, “what’s up with him?” The block replied, don’t pay him no mind, he is a “cycle path.”

Come to the Living Stone “2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. The Living Stone and a Chosen People 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Could One Solitary Life Have So Much Impact - Christmas Eve

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

Church members and friends can support St. John's By-the-Sea by visiting our website https://www.stjohnsbythesea.com/donate, where a donation can be made by PayPal or credit card, if you prefer that to mailing your donations to the church.

Good Evening, and welcome again to St. John’s Church. And, as you can tell, I love our Christmas Eve Service. The first one at St. John’s was in 1892, 130 years ago. This is only my 5th Christmas here, and I absolutely love how this service paints a picture. It really has a feel to it. As we close ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Happy Churchgoers

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 1, 2005

Most people attend church with about as much enthusiasm as going to the dentist to have a tooth pulled. David said he looked forward with eager anticipation to being in God’s house. We need that same attitude that of being happy churchgoers.

HAPPY CHURCHGOERS PSALM 122:1 Disclaimer: Source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledge these sources whenever possible. Introduction: Most people attend church with about as much enthusiasm as going to the dentist to have a tooth ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Baptist

Reward

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 23, 2005

Though we look forward to glad heavenly reunion with Christ Jesus and with God at the end of our lives, we need not wait for that time. We can experience that nearness and relationship in the here and now. That is our reward for "receiving" God’s messen

Reward - Matthew 10: 40 - 42 Intro: Crime stoppers – reward for information leading to an arrest – getting a reward for returning something that was lost. The reward is usually tied to some thing or someone. Like links in a chain. I. William Barclay in his commentary on this passage points ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Turning Tests Into Testimonies

Contributed by Noah Martinez on May 15, 2008

To advance through the predetermined goals that God ordains in each of us, He sends tests. Sometimes we cannot go on to the next exam until we finish the one we are in. With this perspective, we march forward with the help and grace of God.

Turning Tests into Testimonies James 1:12-16 When James tells us do not err, I believe it means not to misunderstand what his point is in vs. 12, 13. There is an explanation why in one verse James relates temptation with God, and in the next says it isn’t God who tempts. In the original wording ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-16

Denomination: Holiness

Treasure This

Contributed by John Barr on Feb 26, 2003

People are seeking. Many think they must abandon the past to move forward. Others think they must idol worship the past to have honor for the future. The truth is neither. Mary pondered and treasured the things concerning Jesus. Maybe we can learn a

Treasure’s Abounding Luke 2:19;51 This week has been filled with many activities moving toward closure. As I packed boxes, officiated at a funeral, planned a baby dedication sermon and service I was thinking, reflecting and rejoicing. Today we do 3 things that call for celebration. 1) ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:19, Luke 2:51

Denomination: Church Of God

Take Up The Full Armor Of God

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 2, 2003

Paul teaches us how to be strong in Lord in this lesson on taking up the full armor of God. Too many Christians are defensive minded when Paul lists armor that is completely used for soldiers who are in forward motion in the good fight of faith. There is

The Armor of God, My Protection from Satan and His Demons – Eph. 6:10-18 Illustration: Today I learned that my Mother has a deadly form of c-121 ovarian cancer. More than ever I need to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. But I need something more. I need to continue to march forward ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Present Suffering Series

Contributed by Gary Moore on Feb 6, 2008

The believer’s future is connected with Christ’s. Christ is the faithful Son and is the Father’s rightful heir. The Christian by means of his adoption is a joint heir with Christ and may look forward to eternal glory in the presence of the Son (cp. John 1

For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too (2 Corinthians 1.5). Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God; they have received the Spirit of adoption whereby they approach God as “Abba! Father!” Their adoption is sealed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Congregational

When The Church Prays

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Oct 1, 2011

If you understand what scripture and church history says about the primacy of praying together, you will never again view prayer time the same. We must prayerfully step forward in our participation and confidence in prayer, not just as an individual, bu

When the Church Prays Main Passage: Acts 6:1-5 If you understand what scripture and church history says about the primacy of praying together, you will never again view prayer time the same. We must prayerfully step forward in our participation and confidence in prayer, not just as an individual, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Walking With God Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Feb 4, 2013

Once you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior - what next? How do you actually move forward in your life with God? There are forces that want to keep you from doing well, and we explore them in these two psalms.

In your desire to serve and walk with the Lord did you know there are those who do not want you to succeed? There are forces arrayed against you to keep you from loving, mirroring, and serving the Lord. These forces are not friendly, they don’t mean well and cannot be reasoned ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Remember Your Creator

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 11, 2018

Two men think about life as they face the end of their journey on earth. Has life been meaningless or relevant? Do they look forward to a joyless process of degradation, a painful descent towards the valley of death, or to something more glorious beyond the horizon?

[Sermon preached on 11 November 2018, 25th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] A man of about my age—sixty, give or take a few years—sits down, takes up pen and parchment, and starts to write. Or perhaps he calls his secretary and starts to dictate. He senses that his life is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

The God Of Success Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 19, 2018

The god of success does not offer lasting meaning and purpose, but when we give our lives to God and are saved by grace, we have peace as we look forward to hearing Jesus' words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

A. Welcome to Friend Day, if you are visiting with us, we consider you an honored guest and hope that your experience here with us today is encouraging, inspiring, and helpful. 1. Today’s sermon is the sixth sermon in our series called “Counterfeit Gods – Defeating the Idols that Battle for Our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ