Sermons on Pick Up:

Taking Up The Towel

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on May 23, 2008

A talk given at Pontiac Christian School’s 8th grade promotion ceremony

8th Grade Graduation 2008 Pastor Jeff Williams Recently, I’v enjoyed telling this joke, or variations of it, to Mr. Marley’s class: Two penguins are sitting in a bath tub. One says to the other one, “Could you please pass the marmalaide jelly.” The other one replies, “What do I look like, a ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Up To You!

Contributed by Charles Cockroft on Mar 17, 2008

None of us likes to take responsibility. We can always find someone else to blame our problems.

It’s Up To You! None of us likes to take responsibility. We can always find someone else to blame our problems. We all have heard about the woman ordering coffee at a McDonalds drive thru and she spilled it on her and she sued McDonalds for giving her hot coffee. We find a man ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Bottom-Up Leadership

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 22, 2018

Monologue of the elderly apostle John, as he looks back at today's story and considers lessons learned on servant leadership.

Mark 10:35-45 Bottom-up Leadership My name is John. Yes, that John, one of Jesus’ twelve, in fact, the one he loved the most. At least that’s the way I always felt. I’m in my late ’80s now. I know that’s nothing for many of you, but for my time, that’s an extremely long life. All of my battle ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45, Matthew 20:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:11-12, John 13:5, 1 John 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Up The Mantle Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 20, 2021

Elisha had proven himself faithful in being Elijah’s disciple. He was now ready for a new ministry, an expanded ministry, an anointed ministry.

2 KINGS 2: 8-14 TAKING UP THE MANTLE [2 Kings 2:1-7] Elijah has been called the grandest character that Israel ever produced. [Robert Young, Analytical Concordance to the Bible, New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1936, p 295.] But like all of us he needed a friend. Elisha had been Elijah’s servant, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Make Up Your Mind

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 27, 2012

Christmas is a reminder of the decision we need to make for Christ. Make up your mind is a sermon to get your congregation thinking again about the decisions that have to be made.

Make up your mind James chapter 1:5-8 This morning I have a Christmas thought, not necessarily a Christmas message. Next Sunday, we will look at the Christmas story. Looking at Matthew 1 and Luke 2. I want to look for a moment at the earthly parents of the Christ child. I want you to see the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Showing Up At The Gym Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 17, 2010

Discipleship will not happen by accident. It requires meaningful practices. It requires meaningful progress. And it requires a meaningful process.

SHOWING UP AT THE GYM Talking and Listening to God -- Part 4 Isaac Butterworth December 19, 2010 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Son Of Thunder Grows Up

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 24, 2024

The Thunder boys came to Jesus and asked if they could call down fire from heaven

Feast of St. John the Evangelist 2024 No matter what our age as disciples of Jesus may be, we all have some challenges, some questions we need to answer. Let’s take them starting with the one who is questioning: “who am I?” Then “who is God?” and “what does God want of me?” From there we ask ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17, 1 John 1:1-4, Matthew 5:43-48, John 20:1-8, Revelation 21:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Give Up To Go Up Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Jul 31, 2004

Part 1 of 3 in the series "Going For The Gold." The messages is about what it takes to make the sacrifices necessary to become a world-class Christian.

GIVE UP TO GO UP GOING FOR THE GOLD: How to be a World-Class Christian Hebrews 12:1a August 1, 2004 Series Introduction: This month the Olympic games will be returning to their origins in Athens, Greece. Once every four years the best athletes from all around the globe gather for competition. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Pay Up Or Pack Up Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jul 27, 2003

Parables of Eternal Life, Part 7 of 9

PAY UP OR PACK UP (Matt 21:32-46) US News and World Report (3/31/97) polled 1,000 people several years ago on who they thought were people very likely or somewhat likely to go to heaven. The person most likely to go to heaven was none other than Mother Teresa, who garnered 79% of the votes. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:32-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

On The Up And Up: Jesus'ascension Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 7, 2008

esus’ Ascension is connected both to the Resurrection and the Second Coming of Christ. It is an extension of the Gospel and a foundational belief that has important ramifications.

On the Up and UP: Jesus’Ascension (Acts 1:9-11) 1. It can be tough to say “Goodbye.” 2. It was hard when our daughter moved to Washington or our son went away to Bible College. 3. Indeed, if you are like me, you will probably ever see most of the people with whom you graduated high school, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pay Up Or Pack Up Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Parables for Seekers, Pt. 8

PAY UP OR PACK UP (MATTHEW 21:32-46) US News and World Report (3/31/97) polled 1,000 people several years ago on who they thought were people “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to go to heaven. The person most likely to go to heaven was none other than Mother Teresa, who garnered 79% of the votes. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:32-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Giving Up, Filling Up

Contributed by Michael De Rosa on Nov 5, 2006

to look at Ruth’s commitment to go with her mother-in-law that can help us in learning how to better commit to God

Outline: Commitment begins with a Decision Commitment continues with Actions Commitment is complete with Resolve Introduction: Funny Illustration Robert Turner told a story about a hen and a pig who became very good friends. One seldom saw them apart. One day as they strolled about the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-22

Denomination: Free Methodist

Get Up Or Give Up?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 21, 2009

When we articulate our past, we are getting ready for a repeat performance. The choice is ours ~ rehearse the past failures OR the past victories. David chose not to continue living in the past. Will you also take that step?

Opening illustration: A young gentleman walked into the church that we were attending and ministering at in Massachusetts. He had decided to finish his life that night. His life had been in the fast lane, nothing had come out of it. He had been in numerous relations and being a lorry driver he had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:13-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Up Giving Up Series

Contributed by David Roth on Feb 20, 2015

Ash Wednesday (B). Too often we focus on our outward behavior, our sins. But the root of our problem is not sins, but sin, our sinful nature. Joel urges us to "Turn to God and live."

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Give up giving up” What are you giving up for Lent? Anything? Some people give up something for lent. Not with the purpose of earning ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-19, Psalm 51:5-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Wake Up, Wake Up!

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 12, 2012

This sermon describes the difference between awake christians and those that are asleep.

Wake Up, Wake up! Is 51-52 July 8, 2012 Intro: I am not one of those people whose eyes pop open minutes before the alarm goes off, who dive out of bed with a smile eager to embrace the morning sunlight, who are ready to chat and laugh and have a productive breakfast meeting at 6:45am. Nope ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:1-3

Denomination: Baptist