Sermons on Pilgrims Return:

Waiting For Christ (1 Thessalonians 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 26, 2024

Imagine a church filled with joy and unity. That was true of the church of God in Thessaliniki. Let's look at 1 Thessalonians 1.

Thessaloniki is in today’s northern Greece. It was named after Queen Thessalonike, a half-sister of Alexander the Great. Also known as Thessalonica, it was the capital of Macedonia, a region originally only the size of Greek Macedonia, which grew to overlap parts of several modern countries, North ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Waiting For Jesus

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 1, 2023

Don’t wait for angels while waiting for Jesus to return. Be ready for Jesus by being someone’s angel.

A couple of decades ago there was a really popular television show called Touched by an Angel. How many of you used to watch it? It was pretty good, wasn’t it? It was optimistic and uplifting without being overly sugary or sentimental. So think back. Wouldn’t it be great if, just when you most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Do The Nations Rage?

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jul 5, 2024

The world is in darkness and plots against God, but David, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit gives the people of God hope and strengthens us with the truth.

Why do the Nations Rage? Text: Psalm 2 I hope everyone had a joyful and blessed Independence Day and that you were able to celebrate the freedom that was won for us by our Nation’s Founders. And I know it’s a few days past Independence Day, but I do want to tie in my sermon with that this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12, Acts 4:24-27, Proverbs 1:24-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Culture Changing Community Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Jul 22, 2024

Part 4 of "1 Thessalonians: Standing Firm"

A Culture Changing Community: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 Main Idea: When we joyfully invest in discipling others, the church becomes a culture-changing community. Good morning. Please open your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 2. We live in a culture that has popularized the idea of liking Jesus but not ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Time Is Coming Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jan 17, 2024

There are profound truths around the end times: Jesus will return when we least expect it; there are signs that signal the approaching culmination of time; and, despite uncertainties, we can find comfort that in the end, Jesus will triumph.

Introduction Video Ill.: No One Knows No one knows. But we all need to be ready. Mark Zuckerberg and others building doomsday bunkers ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:3-44, Matthew 25:1-13, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living Ready Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jan 17, 2024

Are we living ready for Jesus’ return? Being ready means: Living with hope - living each day with anticipation for Jesus’ return; living a sanctified life - standing out and reflecting the transformative power of faith; and, having a renewed witness - sharing the love of Jesus with all others!

Introduction Video Ill.: Til Kingdom Come I think that was a pretty good summary of what we discussed last week — Scripture teaches us that Jesus is coming. We do not know when. We can know that it will be soon. Most importantly, we must be ready and waiting. On Firm Ground Source: Will Norton, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 21:34-36, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 5:14-16, Luke 12:32-34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Worst False Prophet Ever Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 2, 2025

False prophets have been around for a long time. After the Rapture, the worst False Prophet ever will come on the scene, assisting the Antichrist (Beast) in his seven-year nightmare. Don't be on Earth when this happens!

The Worst False Prophet Ever (This contribution is based on a message preached Sunday evening, 3-30-2025 at the New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO, but is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Tonight we’re going to wrap up our study of false prophets. I sure hope the Lord has given all ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:11-18, Revelation 16:13-16, Revelation 19:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

How Would We Live Differently If We Knew It Was Tomorrow?

Contributed by Howard Green on Oct 21, 2024

How would we live differently if we knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow? It would radically alter our priorities and what matters.

Illustration: Imagine knowing about October 7th, the Indian Ocean Tsunami, 9-11, Pearl Harbor, or the Titanic on the day before they happened! Consider the importance of knowing what was coming and the chance to heed the warning. Knowing about these events the day before would have changed the way ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Covenant Of Kindness Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Oct 21, 2024

What Tamarisk trees are you planting today - what will your legacy be? What are we doing to prepare and equip the next generation practically and spiritually to face life ... long after you and I are gone?

Last week, we were in the first part of Genesis 21 where Sarah gave birth to Isaac, 25 years after she and Abraham first received this promise from God. Though we sometimes have to wait for what seems like a long time to see a promise from God fulfilled, He is never too late, never too early - He ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:22-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ready Or Not

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 2, 2025

A young lady was very busy getting ready for a blind date.

READY OR NOT “Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Start At Mizpah, End At Ebenezer

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 10, 2025

New Years Sermon. Start at Mizpah with surrender and you will end at Ebenezer with testimony — the God who meets your return will become your help.

A new year always greets us like a doorway — one side opening toward the unknown, the other side framed by everything we’ve lived through to get here. We step into January with a mixture of hope and hesitation, expectation and reflection. It’s human nature to look forward and backward at the same ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:2

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

2 A Full Believer Overcomer Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on May 26, 2025

What kind of life do you want to end with when you leave it? When you leave this life and enter the next one, what do you want to have to show Christ for it? We need to begin with the end in mind. We need to be people who fully believe in Jesus to be an overcomer in this life.

I got pulled over about a week ago. I was pushing it a little too hard through an intersection to try to make it, and it was not even yellow not even orange. It was red the whole way through. I felt really bad about that. But I also wanted to make sure we got to Jonathan‘s band concert in plenty of ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Living Faithfully Even When No One Is Watching

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 21, 2025

Living faithful under the words of Gospel when no one is watching is the way Jesus wants us to live.

Living Faithfully Even When No One Is Watching Luke 12:35–48 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 12:35 “Be prepared, and keep your lamps lit. 36 “You are also to be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

Denomination: United Methodist

The Songs Of Ascent – Part 1 – The Introduction To These Psalms Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 27, 2023

We are going to take up a study of The Psalms of Ascent, the Psalms numbered 120 – 134. They are called by various names but they are a wonderful collection of Psalms sung by the pilgrims three times a year as they ascended to Jerusalem in pilgrimage. This is the Introduction.

THE SONGS OF ASCENT – PART 1 – THE INTRODUCTION TO THESE PSALMS We are going to embark on a journey with the study of 15 Psalms that are called “The Songs of Degrees” in the AV, but “The Songs of Ascent” in most other versions. These Psalms go together and were sung on a pilgrimage as the Jews ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:16, Psalm 9:1-2, Psalm 19:1-2, Hebrews 13:13-14, Hebrews 11:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making Wells In The Valley

Contributed by Dr. Jeremy Simpson on Mar 16, 2007

Jerusalem was situated on a hill. In order to get to Jerusalem, the pilgrim must pass through a hot, dry, and barren valley.

MAKING WELLS IN THE VALLEY PSALM 84:6-- “Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.” Introduction: Jerusalem was situated on a hill. In order to get to Jerusalem, the pilgrim must pass through a hot, dry, and barren valley. 1. Three Names of Valleys ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:6

Denomination: Baptist