Sermons on Platted A Crown Of Thorns:

A Martyr For A Cause – Charlie Kirk Assassinated Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 19, 2025

Tragically in September 2025 a young Christian leader was assassinated in the USA. This message looks into that and uses quotes from Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erica. It is so sick that certain elements of demonic belief are rejoicing that a Christian man was murdered. This world gets worse.

A MARTYR FOR A CAUSE – CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATED I know much has been written about the tragic death of Charles Kirk and I do not want this to be a copycat message. Almost overwhelmingly, there have been expressions of grief and condolences but reprehensively, there have been those who delight in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:20, Psalm 116:15, Luke 2:49, Matthew 19:4-6, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 11:7-10, Luke 23:46, Acts 7:59  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reaping And Sowing In The Ruins Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jul 9, 2020

This sermon looks at the hope and promise of sowing God's Word. It deals with the failures, but also the joys that we can experience with this! It goes through Jesus' parable of the sower. A special thanks to Rev. Bob Holst for the inspiration and idea

Are you an optimist, or are you a pessimist? Are you a glass half-empty person, or are you a glass half-full person? Do you complain that rose bushes have thorns, or do you rejoice because thorns have roses? Do you see the storm clouds, or do you see the silver lining? There are various ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13, Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23, Galatians 5:21-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Profitable Problems Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Aug 30, 2018

James teaches us about problems and faith already in the second verse of his letter. This sermon looks at problems and how we can count them as all joy in Jesus Christ.

Theologian Clinton Armstrong tells this story about a lunch that he had that pertains to the Epistle of James. He once had lunch with an expert in the philosophical field of ethics. Once they were done eating, they talked for a little bit longer and then paid the check. Just before they left, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31, James 1:3-4, 2 Corinthians 12:10, James 1:1-12, Romans 8:28, James 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Victory Through Sorrow’s Deep Sea – Easter Message From A Poem – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 21, 2023

In this 3 Part series we are going to look at Calvary and draw material from Isaiah and the Psalms and the Gospels. The messages are focussed on the Trial and what happened at Calvary. They will all be connected with a poem of mine. This is a serious message because Calvary is so pivotal.

VICTORY THROUGH SORROW’S DEEP SEA – EASTER MESSAGE FROM A POEM – PART 1 The following poem is one I did for Easter 2022 but each stanza comes from one of the following sources:- Psalm 22 Psalm 69 Isaiah 52 and 53 The Gospel accounts of the betrayal night and the crucifixion. This is how I did ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:9, Matthew 27:24, John 19:12, 1 Timothy 4:2, John 19:5, John 19:14, Acts 2:23, John 19:15-16, Matthew 8:12, Matthew 7:23, Luke 23:26, Isaiah 52:14, Isaiah 53:10, Hebrews 12:2, Revelation 19:16, Zechariah 14:9, Isaiah 53:2, Psalm 22:7-8, Matthew 27:29-30, Psalm 22:6-8, Mark 14:34, Hebrews 1:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Strength Training Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 28, 2010

How could my weakness be a good thing? Why would this truth be necessary for me to understand God’s will for my life?

OPEN: A work crew had been working at a construction site for about a week when the company hired a new man to replace a man who’d been hurt the day before. He was a broad-shouldered, powerful young man and was a good worker… but he was also annoying. He was always bragging that he was stronger ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Refining Fire Of Testing And Trials Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Oct 20, 2025

The Bible teaches us that trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of the Christian journey.

The Bible teaches us that trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of the Christian journey. It is through these challenges that our faith is tested, refined, and strengthened. As the Bible says, "God will test you with pain, with problems, with patience, struggles, hard days not when ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14, Daniel 6:1-28

Greatness Through Worship Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 30, 2024

Worship should be done in "Spirit and in Truth"... but what does that mean? How will I know when I've worshipped that way? And what difference would it make if didn't worship that way?

OPEN: A few years ago, Scott (our Family Minister) and I heard that a church building over by High School was for sale and Scott thought it would be a great place for a youth outreach program (Scott’s a genius at lining up grants for things like that). Obviously, we didn’t purchase it … but we did ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

7 Reasons For King Saul’s Downfall Series

Contributed by Sam Jo on Oct 20, 2024

King Saul, the man who started off so well but fell off so hard, it’s like he tripped on his own crown! Saul's story is a classic example of how things can go wrong when we stop listening to God. He had so much potential, yet he ended up as a cautionary tale.

Today, we’re going to talk about King Saul, the man who started off so well but fell off so hard, it’s like he tripped on his own crown! Saul's story is a classic example of how things can go wrong when we stop listening to God. He had so much potential, yet he ended up as a cautionary tale. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:13

Denomination: Lutheran

Insulting The King

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jun 9, 2014

1. Never Insult the King 2. Palm Sunday Acclaim 3. Giving Him A Procession Of Honor 4. His Coronation 5. A New Acclaim 6. His Throne A Cross 7. Banquet In His Honor 8. The Last Insult

1. Never Insult the King > (Lèse-majesté) "Injured Majesty" Laws > Thailand - Thailand's constitution says: "The King shall be enthroned in a position of revered worship and shall not be violated." - A US citizen wrote a biography on the King "The King Never Smiles," - He got a 30 month ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:1-71

Denomination: Baptist

The Ultimate Christian Attainment: Union With God Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 19, 2024

We do not easily submit to all this burning up of dross within us. We do not want to be buried with Christ in his cross and alive with Christ in His resurrection. We naturally resist the death of self. Yet God helps us submit to the refiner's fire.

Many great saints I’ve known, even in the Salvation army, many are retiring now, and they say that when they retire, they are grateful that God did not show them the entire path all the ups and downs because they would not have been able to handle the thought of it. But step by step, along the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:7, John 6:63, 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Salvation Army

Who Am I? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 16, 2021

Moses didn't want to do what God asked. He didn't think he was worthy or capable... and he was right. So what made the difference in his life?

Years ago there was a comedian named Milton Berle who wrote this poem: “I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might have-been has never been, but a has was once ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Symbols Of Semblance Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 3, 2008

Our will and God’s will are as two separate pieces of wood; so long as both lie side by side there is no cross; but put them across one another, and then there is a cross. We must take up the cross Christ lays on us if we would be His disciples. Whenever

Illustration: The deepest demonstration of love is to willingly sacrifice oneself for the benefit of another. There is a story about Pat Thorne who was a sniper atop a tree, saw a platoon of Canadian soldiers walking on a road in the direction of a German contingent. Wanting to warn them and ...read more

Scripture: John 19:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 45 – At Last The People Owned Their Sin But It Had Caused Such Physical Suffering - Lamentations 5:16-17 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 14, 2025

At last the people recognised their sinfulness and why they were suffering. Judah had lost its majesty and spendor. That is what sin does. The survivors were physically affected by their sin. We look briefly at Christian ministry, and then at what the Lord endured on the cross.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 45 – AT LAST THE PEOPLE OWNED THEIR SIN BUT IT HAD CAUSED SUCH PHYSICAL SUFFERING - Lamentations 5:16-17 Lamentations chapter 5 is a whole set of laments from the people and possibly from Jeremiah himself. In the main they are quite unpleasant for most of the ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:16, 1 Kings 10:22-23, 1 Kings 10:26-27, Psalm 51:3-4, Psalm 51:1-2, Psalm 51:7, Psalm 51:10, Lamentations 5:17, Luke 22:44, Psalm 22:11-15, Psalm 69:3, Psalm 69:15, Psalm 69:20, Psalm 69:29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tending Your Garden Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 16, 2012

God created man and planted a garden for him in Eden. What lessons can I learn about what God expects of me from what God did for Adam?

Someone once wrote a poem about their garden: "Our radishes are puny things; Our peas and beans are dying; And as for the potatoes, well, those things aren't even trying And that's the way our garden grows - I tell myself, "Who needs it?" But down inside, it hurts to have it bite the hand... ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Nov 2, 2020

Jesus loved us to death.

MATTHEW 27:27-36 “THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD” A) John 3:16 ....... Say it with me ....... * For a moment, I want our minds to go back in time – Jesus’ earthly ministry is coming to an end. * In Matt. 26, Jesus is preparing to celebrate the Passover with His disciples. B) In the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-36

Denomination: Baptist