Sermons on Plainness:

Challenges To/For Public Worship-6 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 26, 2016

6 of 7. Jesus made it plain that the temple worship had become tainted with improprieties. Public Worship is to be free from impropriety. But What is consonant with public worship? A challenge to (harmonious)public worship is its...

CHALLENGES To/For PUBLIC WORSHIP-VI—John 2:12-25 OR Some Dynamics Of Public Worship Attention: Describe the outward physical ‘trappings’ of worship. What do each of these(& more) say to others? Public worship can & does present definite challenges! The Church can be tempted ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-25

Denomination: Baptist

Challenges To/For Public Worship-7 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 7, 2016

7 of 7. Jesus made it plain that the temple worship had become tainted with improprieties. Public Worship is to be free from impropriety. But What is consonant with public worship? A challenge to (harmonious)public worship is its...

CHALLENGES To/For PUBLIC WORSHIP-VII—John 2:12-25 OR Some Dynamics Of Public Worship Attention: Describe the outward physical ‘trappings’ of worship—types/styles/setting targets/music/chosen frozen/emotionally driven, etc. What do each of these(& more) say to ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Complexity Of Christmas

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

We often see the first Christmas though rose colored glasses tinted by centuries of tradition. But the plain facts are that Mary and Joseph had a very difficult time with all the events surrounding that first Christmas.

Approaching the Christmas season in 1972, Fred Putman decided to have a evening in front of a cozy fire. He used two boxes of matches, one pint of started fluid, and the Sunday addition of the New York Times, and still could not get the fireplace burning. Bent on romance by fire-light, he decided ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:18-45

The Love Of Money Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 30, 2021

It is plain to see that money is an easy god to love, and the worshipper of it can easily win converts to it. It is likely the most popular of all the religions of the world, even though it is never listed among the world religions.

When a Mr. Blodgett won 25 thousand dollars on a TV program the master of ceremonies asked him what he was going to do with the money. He replied, "It will probably all go to charity." The audience broke into a tremendous round of applause while the band played for he's a jolly good ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

The Desire To See Jesus - O I Want To See Him

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 23, 2022

Now, the signs are over, the parables are finish and Jesus begins speaking in plain language. The shouts of the Triumph entry are quiet, and a banquet has been prepared. The setting of the text is a beautiful banquet prepared in Jesus’ honor.

Sermon - The Desire To See Jesus John 12:20-28 Joh 12:20 20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-28

Denomination: Methodist

An Outline Of Acts 15

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 9, 2022

Acts 15 is an important chapter. Once and for all, the Church, under the Holy Spirit's leadership, made it plain that Gentile believers were not to be under the Law of Moses. The chapter closes with a pair of departures.

Introduction: This chapter covers the first Church Council meeting in Jerusalem, and the decisions reached after all sides presented their statements. The result was a request for Gentile believers to stop doing four things which Jewish-background believers, and possibly unbelieving Jews, would ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Challenges To/For Public Worship-5

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 8, 2016

5 of 7. Jesus made it plain that the temple worship had become tainted with improprieties. Public Worship is to be free from impropriety. But What is consonant with public worship? A challenge to (harmonious)public worship is its...

CHALLENGES To/For PUBLIC WORSHIP-V—John 2:12-25 OR Some Dynamics Of Public Worship Attention: During a worship service, the pastor invites the younger children to join him near the altar for a “Children's Sermon.” He tells them about the ingredients required to make up a church, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-25

Denomination: Baptist

Homecoming’s Encouragement

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 16, 2025

The apostle John recorded details surrounding Jesus’ miraculous healing of a man who had been born blind. Holistic healing is found in Jesus alone. A ‘Homecoming’ celebration is a source for personal encouragement(healing) among God’s people. Homecoming encourages...

HOMECOMING’S ENCOURAGEMENT—John 9:1-41 Points 1-3 presented to:Union Grove Baptist Church--‘Homecoming Service’—SEPT. 14, 2025. Points 4-10 UNUSED! Attention: A true brother in Christ, recently went to be with His Savior & Lord Jesus Christ, after spending 80+ years on this earth. He had ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-3, John 9:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

Things Sometimes Get Messy!

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Oct 14, 2003

Life is hard, unfair, and sometimes just plain messy! It requires sacrifice! This is true even of God, who sent His Son as a Sacrifice -- a lamb -- who would pay the price for the injustice, sinful messiness of humanity.

Isa 53:1-12 1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Introduction To 1st Corinthians Chapter 1 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 17, 2018

Paul had been brought up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of. . .

JULY 15, 2012 Commentary on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Introduction to 1st Corinthians Chapter 1 A SALUTATION AND THANKSGIVING. 1:1-9 All Christians experience the new birth and by baptism are dedicated and devoted to Christ, and are under strict obligations to be holy. But in the true ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Challenge To The Church Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Jun 10, 2019

Herein are some great insights regarding the ministry of the individual Christian and the church. Note in v.9, Paul’s words “To make plain” (bring to light, to enlighten). What Paul communicates let us comprehend

A Challenge To The Church Ephesians 3:1-12 Introduction: Herein are some great insights regarding the ministry of the individual Christian and the church. Note in v.9, Paul’s words “To make plain” (bring to light, to enlighten). What Paul communicates let us comprehend. I. Paul’s Sacred ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon – When Following Jesus Gets Hard

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 20, 2024

This simple plain teaching of Jesus was too much to bear. Rather than change their minds, they walk away. This is the fundamental reason people reject Jesus Christ: He doesn't coordinate with their own selfish interests.

Sermon – When Following Jesus Gets Hard Scripture - John 6:66-69 “At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-69, John 1:12, Luke 9:23, 2 Timothy 3:12, Romans 2:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Walks On The Water Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 24, 2023

What’s the deeper message here for us today? It’s the gospel hidden in plain sight. I’ve noticed in the events of Jesus ministry we find the gospel again and again hidden in symbolic images.

Growing up in Wisconsin we would go “up north” twice a year at least, to a town called Minocqua. And we would spend hours boating, we would travel something they called up there the “chain of lakes.” We’d take my dads boat from lake Minocqua down through these thin passages, to lake Tomahawk, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-46, Mark 6:50-52

Denomination: Salvation Army

The First People The Church Sent Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 2, 2023

Jesus sent his disciples out on mission. But Acts 13 is the first time THE CHURCH sent people out on mission. They were Barnabas and Saul. It wasn't all plain sailing. But it was still totally worthwhile.

INTRODUCTION / LEAD IN I wonder if you’ve read The Lord of the Rings. In the first volume, The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo Baggins throws a party. Then, he suddenly vanishes! Gandalf the wizard knows how he’s done it: Bilbo has a ring with very special power, a ring that is gradually gaining ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Refining Your Values

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 27, 2004

Jesus called his disciples (apostles and others) to refine their values so that they may better serve God in the spread of the gospel. In the gospel text of the morning, Luke records the first part of Jesus’ sermon on the plain – the blessings and woes o

The Roman emperor Charlemagne has an interesting story surrounding his burial. This famous king asked to be entombed sitting upright in his throne. He asked that they place the crown on his head and his scepter in his hand. He requested that they drape the royal cape around his shoulders and an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Other