Sermons on Pinnacle:

When You Don't Like Where God Is Leading You

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 19, 2013

A look at struggles we have with the idea that God gets to shape us rather than us being in charge of our lives ourselves. What does it mean to let Him shape us like a potter shapes the clay?

WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO BRING THAT INTO MY LIFE? We want to be shaped in the way we choose. - It can be painful to be shaped. - Like a potter pressing his fingers into the clay to mold it into a different shape would probably not “feel good” to the clay if it were sentient, so the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Modern Day Book Of Acts Church Series

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 20, 2012

We are called to be a powerful church

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. The book of Acts is said to be the centerpiece of the entire Bible. All of the other ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Handling Temptaion Series

Contributed by Mark Jones on Jan 10, 2015

We all face temptation. How we respond to that temptation will determine who we are following. We will discuss Jesus' temptation, Satan's method of operation, God's promise, and our biblical strategy in the face of temptation.

RED LETTERS PT 1 – HANDLING TEMPTATION The Setting: Wilderness. Reflection: Israel and their wilderness “testing”. Illustration: As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West. Wanting to test the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: *other

Healing For The Soul

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 25, 2015

Like Elijah, sometimes we feel utterly defeated (as I did by the shootings in Charleston and Chattanooga) but God remains with us through these times.

When I left on Sabbatical, I had Charleston on my mind. As I drove to North Carolina, it was on my mind. I tried to avoid newspapers and newscasts, but it was still on my mind. Through much of the Wild Goose Festival, we talked openly about violence and “isms.” I wasn’t home ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Dedicating The Wall Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 27, 2016

As Jerusalem's wall is dedicated, four critical points are shown to us: Each person is valuable to God; Everything done for His kingdom is remembered; Spiritual growth requires time to pass, and for people to be led; God should always be praised.

Dedicating the Wall Nehemiah 11:1 - 12:43 Introduction - Nehemiah is a great study of leadership; shows faithful obedience to God - Last week we discussed the pledge that all citizens took -- It was a pledge of faithfulness to God, and to one another -- “We will not neglect the house ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Facing Temptation Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 21, 2011

Jesus' encounter with Satan helps us to understand the power of temptations and ways to overcome it.

Matthew 4:1-11 “Facing Temptation” INTRODUCTION Video: “Temptation—Deep Thoughts By a Shallow Christian This brief video seems to echo the thoughts and actions of many people in our modern society. It is commonly believed that sin has no consequence and the resisting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Through Faith Alone Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 9, 2017

The concept that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone is a solidly Biblical teaching. Last week, we looked at grace, this week we will examine the idea of faith alone. Both grace and faith are exclusive and must stand alone.

Through Faith Alone (Romans 3:23-28) 1. I had a good time visiting Dale and Katie Daniels and Mary Ann Bolinger in Warsaw/Winona Lake area. I went from there to Luke’s house. But the GPS had me go too far south and then took me back north. It got me there, but it was complicated and probably ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Three Root Sins

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Dec 26, 2021

Both Eve and Jesus were tempted just as we are. They were tempted by Satan, who used the three root sins.

There are many sins, but they all come from three “root sins”…three heart problems. All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1John 2:16 Three Root Sins —the lust of the flesh —the lust of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:16, Genesis 3:1-6, Luke 4:1-13, Revelation 12:9

Denomination: Baptist

The City Of The Great King.

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 9, 2018

Who is this great King?

The City of the Great King Psalm 48:1-14 The Book of Psalms was the Hebrew hymn book. Like our songs, they address a variety of topics and situations from simply giving praise, being comforted in times of trouble, of the need to have sin forgiven, and hope in times of war. Like our hymns, they can ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 48:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Genesis Chapter Three Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 21, 2022

These are thoughts on Genesis Chapter Three. In his work, "What does every Bible chapter say..." John Hunt gives an overview of each chapter of the Bible. It is my intention to do the same thing here.

GENESIS CHAPTER THREE OVERVIEW Overall what is happening in this chapter is Adam and Eve sin against God and it has repercussions that have affected the human race ever since. The Cambridge Bible (1921) – Genesis 3 The Temptation – Genesis 3:1-5 The Fall – Genesis 3:6-8 The Enquire – Genesis ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On The Twists & Turns Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 10, 2023

Twists and turns have been defined as complicated dealings or circumstances.

Mandy Ingber, an American yoga instructor and former actress once remarked: “No matter what twists and turns your life offers you, your ability to be adaptable and flexible will help you to stay open to all of the hidden gifts that difficulty may offer.” Matthew 6:34 confirms: “Therefore do not be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 138:3, Romans 8:31, Psalm 23:4

Imago Dei (Sanctity Of Life 2019)

Contributed by Jason Jones on Feb 19, 2019

The Christian worldview regarding life is framed in biblical doctrine

A. Opening illustration: It would be good for us to reflect on our likeness to God more often. It will probably amaze us to realize that when the Creator of the universe wanted to create something “in his image,” something more like himself than all the rest of creation, he made us. This ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Battling Temptation With Scripture Alone

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 22, 2023

Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus was also faced with great tests, but He succeeded. Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won, using scripture. Let’s look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11.

Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus was also faced with great tests, but He succeeded. Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won, using scripture. Let’s look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. Led by the Spirit When Jesus fasted was it a complete ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Begins

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 17, 2023

How did Jesus prepare for and begin His ministry? Let's find out in Matthew 4.

Jesus prepared for His ministry by fasting. He battled temptations and won. Let’s look at Matthew 4:1-11. Was Jesus thirsty or only hungry after fasting? The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. After Jesus had gone without eating for 40 days and nights, he was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Wilderness Of Temptation Series

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Mar 6, 2025

We often find ourselves in spiritual wilderness, a season of testing that shape our faith. Even Jesus, the Son of God, was tempted. His victory in the wilderness over Satan provides us with a model how to resist sin and standing firm in our faith.

The Wilderness of Temptation A Sermon on Matthew 4:1-11 Life is a journey. This journey is filled with trials, challenges, and temptations. Followers of Christ are not exempted. We often find ourselves in spiritual wildernesses—times of testing that shape our faith. Even Jesus, the Son of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal