Sermons on Permissible:

I Exist For Others

Contributed by Don Schultz on Jan 3, 2013

Joseph understood that he existed not for himself, but for others. We would do well to understand and live that truth as well.

Genesis 45 I EXIST FOR OTHERS Friday 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:3-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Radical Hospitality

Contributed by Mari Larson on Feb 19, 2017

Launching from Jesus' call to love our enemies and be perfect, this sermon speaks of love and welcoming.

In 1979, Tim Hansel published a book entitled "When I Relax I feel Guilty". Included in the book is this raw and provocative tidbit. "I would like to buy three dollars’ worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Lutheran

What Do I Want Jesus To Do For Me? Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 5, 2020

How would you answer if Jesus asked, “What would you like me to do for you?” In our text two different people are asked that question.

WHAT DO I WANT JESUS TO DO FOR ME? Mark 10:32-52 Introduction How would you answer if Jesus asked, “What would you like me to do for you?” In our text two different people are asked that question. Jesus uses this as a teaching moment, and we must listen! Mark’s gospel is a gospel ‘on the move’ - ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-52

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is God’s Will An Inscrutable Mystery? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 21, 2020

Many complain that God's will is impossible to discern. God proclaims here, though, that He is regularly and clearly speaking through His prophets.

KEEPING US IN THE DARK? Is God’s will an inscrutable mystery? - Amos 3:3-7. - It is a common complaint that God’s will is an inscrutable mystery? Who can discern that hand of God? Who can understand the mind of the Lord? - And so many presume that because it is an impossibility to understand ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Kill The Messenger

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 9, 2021

Are we offended when repentance is preached? Do we want to kill the messenger? Let’s look at the murder of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29.

Prelude Are we offended when repentance is preached? Purpose: Do we want to kill the messenger? Let’s Plan: Let’s look at the murder of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29. Who is Jesus Mark 6:14 Now King Herod heard of Him [Jesus], for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Final Hours Of The Lord Jesus -From Golgotha To The Grave (For Now) Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 19, 2021

The Lord Jesus is in His last moments of agony and pain, both physically and spiritually as He completes His mission of redemption for fallen humanity. It looked on the surface, however, like a victory for his enemies and the devil as He died and was placed in a borrowed tomb, or so it would seem.

(Adapted from an outline by Mark A. Copeland) Following a night and morning of torture, ridicule, and mockery, Jesus was taken away to be crucified (Mark 14:53-15:25). For six long, horrendous, cruel hours He hung on the cross, and to add insult to injury, He heard the continuing mockery ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-47, Luke 23:46, Matthew 27:50, Hebrews 10:19-20, 1 Peter 2:21-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Not Condemned

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 11, 2021

What is the way to life? Why do some reject it? Is their motive logical or emotional? Purpose: Let’s understand the significance of faith in Christ. Plan: Let’s look at condemnation and salvation in John 3:14-21.

Prelude What is the way to life? Why do some reject it? Is their motive logical or emotional? Purpose: Let’s understand the significance of faith in Christ. Plan: Let’s look at condemnation and salvation in John 3:14-21. John 3:14 The Exalted Cross As we read John 3:14 “as Moses lifted up the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Accusing Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 4, 2021

Was Jesus ever falsely accused? Purpose: Did He face vilification? Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus handled unfair criticism in Mark 3:20-35.

Intro Was Jesus ever falsely accused? Purpose: Did He face vilification? Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus handled unfair criticism in Mark 3:20-35. Is our Faith Crazy? Are Christians nuts because of their self-sacrifice? Mark 3:20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Baptist

A Place For You

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 7, 2020

Do we sometimes feel like we don’t belong? We really belong somewhere else, somewhere wonderful. How do we get there? Let’s find the way to the place where we truly belong in John 14:1-14.

Do we sometimes feel like we don’t belong? We really belong somewhere else, somewhere wonderful. How do we get there? Let’s find the way to the place where we truly belong in John 14:1-14. John 14:1-2 (NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Shepherds And Harvests

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 3, 2020

What do tending sheep and harvesting crops have to do with church? Let’s look at some important farm lessons that apply to our local church in Matthew 9:35-10:8.

What do tending sheep and harvesting crops have to do with church? Let’s look at some important farm lessons that apply to our local church in Matthew 9:35-10:8. Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Confessing Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 6, 2020

Do we stand for what is right or do we let the world bully us into silence about our faith? Are we courageous disciples?

Do we stand for what is right or do we let the world bully us into silence about our faith? Are we courageous disciples? Let’s examine confessing Jesus in the midst of opposition in Matthew 10:24-39. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Baptist

Eternal Treasures

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 24, 2020

Is our focus on earthly kingdoms or the kingdom of God? How much do we treasure the things of God? Let’s examine heaven’s treasure in Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.

Is our focus on earthly kingdoms or the kingdom of God? How much do we treasure the things of God? Let’s examine heaven’s treasure in Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. The Kingdom of Heaven is … (Matthew 13:31 NKJV) The kingdom of heaven is like a small seed. It will grow large. Like leaven it affects ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-52

Denomination: Baptist

Walk On Water

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 29, 2020

Who do we look to for help when we seem to be all alone and in total darkness as life tosses us about? Let’s understand that the One who loves us will come to our rescue. Let’s look at the story of a small boat in a stormy sea in Matthew 14:22-33.

Who do we look to for help when we seem to be all alone and in total darkness as life tosses us about? Let’s understand that the One who loves us will come to our rescue. Let’s look at the story of a small boat in a stormy sea in Matthew 14:22-33. Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

Veiled Majesty - 6 Of 14 Series

Contributed by Russell Metcalfe on Jan 28, 2021

This Passover was different from all others before or since! ALL the prophecies of ALL the scriptures would focus on a CROSS just five days hence.

Palm Sunday—April 5, 1998 Luke 19:29,41,45; Revelation 19 Intro: Passover . . . moments of solemnety and sheer awe . . . hours and days of fun and sheer fellowship. People WALKED great distances to be there . . . TALKED together. SANG the "songs of ascents" [Ps 122 "I was glad ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:29-45

Denomination: Nazarene

To Build An Ark

Contributed by Russell Metcalfe on Feb 4, 2021

What does it mean to be saved?

February 16, 1997 Genesis 9:8-17; Mark 1:9-15 I never, ever, put myself into the Bible story of Noah, even as a small child. I could never build a model airplane that would fly, let alone a boat that would float. I could imagine myself as David, or as Paul and Silas, but never Noah. But did you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15, Acts 2:38-41

Denomination: Nazarene