Sermons on Play:

Esther: A People Redeemed, Hope Revealed.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jul 18, 2025

The story of Esther and her place in the history of the Jewish people is fascinating in that it speaks of God's providence all the while not mentioning God. It deepens our understanding of his care for us and for all people. Hope is revealed, what part do we play now?

Esther: A people redeemed, hope revealed. Read Esther 4:9-14 The book of Esther is an account of the redemption of the Jewish people that were residing in the nation of Persia, a nation of 127 provinces. Persia or now days modern Iran stretched from India to the Mediterranean Sea, including ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:9-14, Ephesians 1:7, Deuteronomy 1:1, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Esther 6:9, 1 Samuel 15:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

"What We Have Here Is…failure To Communicate”

Contributed by Bruce Ferris on Sep 16, 2002

“What We Have Here is…Failure To Communicate.” Perhaps some of you are old enough to remember this famous line from the authoritarian captain played by character actor Strother Martin in the 1967 movie, “Cool Hand Luke.” Paul Newman’s academy award nomi

“What We Have Here is…Failure To Communicate” “What We Have Here is…Failure To Communicate.” Perhaps some of you are old enough to remember this famous line from the authoritarian captain played by character actor Strother Martin in the 1967 movie, “Cool Hand Luke.” Paul Newman’s academy award ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Are You In Or Out?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 11, 2002

In the end we will not be able to say "I don’t want to play this religion game." It won’t be about religion, but about relationship with God. As Jesus prepares to go to the cross, He shares His very last teaching, about our lives, and about the end times.

A professor of a graduate-school class of gifted students included a HUGE amount of material on the midterm exam. Tension in the room built, people were sighing and gasping aloud as they realized how much material they had covered and were expected to recall. The following week, the professor ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-46

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Contentment Or Sour Grapes

Contributed by Monte Brown on Jan 25, 2007

You can hang figs on a thorn bush and grapes on briers and pick from them, but you can’t make them a natural product of these plants. You can play the part of a Christian and go through the motions, but you’re not a Christian unless you’re connected to

Luke 6:43-45 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:43-45

Denomination: Baptist

Enochville: The Story Of Alleination" Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 16, 2008

Adam and Eve and their children, like us now live outside the Garden of Eden. Did Adam and Eve ever beleive their little boys who played together, would find themselves grieving parents at the murder of one son by the other? God tried to warn Cain. God

In Jesus Holy Name March 9,2008 Lent IV Series: O.T. Challenges Redeemer Genesis 4;1-12 “Cain: the Story of Alienation” This is the third message in our series: O.T. Challenges. In Genesis chapters 1-3 we saw Adam and Eve sharing a life of perfect love ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Game Over: When It All Goes Back In The Box Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 19, 2009

Sometimes we get so intent on winning the game that we forget what the point is anyway. You see the point of the board game, The Game of Life, is not to have more paper money at the end but to have fun with the people you’re playing with. And that’s the w

Game Over: When It All Goes Back in the Box Seven Simple Truths About LIFE Ecclesiastes 2:9-11, Matthew 16: 24-27, Matthew 5:3 In December 1994 syndicated columnist Bob Greene told the inspiring story of Rob Mouw. Rob played on the soccer team in his senior year at Wheaton Christian High School. In ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:9-11

Denomination: Methodist

Godly Ambition Series

Contributed by Bob Myers on Sep 8, 2020

Ambition is a common human motivation. We see it played out in the lives of countless men and women throughout history. In our text today, we observe two kinds of burning ambition. While the passion to achieve desired ends is similar, the motivation sets them worlds apart.

Who Is This Man? Godly Ambition Mark 10:32-45 Ambition We often talk about people going through “phases.” That’s especially true for those who are growing through adolescence or some other dynamic season of life. “Oh, don’t worry about it,” we tell ourselves, “it’s just a phase.” Grown adults ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Baptist

God Doesn’t Need Our Worship

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 22, 2016

God doesn't need our worship, rather it's more important for US. However, God is benefited by our worship 3 ways. It's as logical to worship God as to clap for a baseball/ football player who makes a great play. It's fitting to praise Him!

GOD DOESN’T NEED OUR WORSHIP Ps. 33:1 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: DETERRENT 1. A lady named Beverly Ford told Reader’s Digest that her son always insists on listening to heavy-metal music when he's chauffeuring her around. 2. Knowing that he has very diverse tastes in music, she asked ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Planting Tomorrows Harvest

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jul 6, 2007

We see the principal of reaping and sowing played out in our lives every day. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are today eating from the harvest of the seeds we planted in the past. And while we can not change the past, we can choose to plant good

Planting Tomorrows Harvest, Galatians 6:7-10 Introduction I read a story recently about a little four year old girl named Deborah, who was helping her father in plant seeds in the garden one sunny afternoon. As the little girl worked alongside her father in the garden, he explained to her about ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Christian Church

The Arrest, Trial And Death Of Jesus, Part 2 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 14, 2014

The bible only records Pilate's actions as, “He had Jesus flogged …” Today, Christians need to stop playing games with the love Jesus has for us. We need to be reminded that we deserve what He took, and because of that He is Lord!

The Arrest, Trial and Death of Jesus, Part 2 Mark 14:66 – Mark 15:20 - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” -- Today we continue the final week of Jesus’ life and ministry - On Wednesday night we saw several things take shape in this story: - 1) Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Unmerited Favor

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 11, 2019

What role did you play in God’s plan last year? Is Christ happy with your commitment to his church; did you strive to reach your potential in him or did you coast along doing as little as possible, hoping something good will happen?

One of the three ships that bring the colonists to Jamestown is Godspeed, a three-mast square-rigger that sails the Atlantic nearly five months to get to Virginia. The ship is just 88 feet long—about the length of a double tractor-trailer—and has a top speed of +/- 4 miles per hour. Colonists ...read more

Denomination: Other

"how To Giveaway Your Faith"

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 3, 2020

So our scripture this morning focuses on 3 characters, a deacon named Philip, a man driving a chariot from Ethiopia and an angel. And all 3 of them play a very important role in the story. One more thing and that is the scripture. All four of these are necessary for this story to take place.

"How to Giveaway Your Faith" Acts 8:26-40 So our scripture this morning focuses on 3 characters, a deacon named Philip, a man driving a chariot from Ethiopia and an angel. And all 3 of them play a very important role in the story. One more thing and that is the scripture. All four of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Baptist

Disciples Of Jesus Are Guided By God's Word Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 7, 2020

It is not possible for us to be faithful disciples of Jesus who make disciples with the Bible playing a proper role in our lives. The lordship of Jesus is exercised when we carefully follow the teachings of the Bible, and we can't follow what we don't know.

A. One day many years ago, a boy walked down the beach, and as he did, he spotted a woman sitting under a beach umbrella. 1. The boy walked up to her and asked, “Are you a Christian?” “Yes,” she replied. 2. Then the boy asked, “Do you read your Bible every day?” She nodded her head, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-4, Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 2:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

4 Unexpected Truths To Understand Why God Allows Suffering Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Lots of people turn to this book in crisis. Recently, Vanderbilt basketball coach, Scott Drew, was asked how he is weathering such a terrible season – his team is winless in league play. The coach said that his father, also a coach, told his son to read the book of Job

Job is one of the most unique stories you’ll hear – not just inside the Bible but anywhere. It’s the story of man named Job, a man whose character was tremendously strong but suffered exceedingly. But one day Satan says to God, “The reason Job follows you is because you’re so good to him. Stop ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"roadblocks To Revival."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jul 3, 2022

Some church services today resemble a Broadway play where the pastor is the playwright, with people leaving more entertained than elevated, for a church can only be as spiritual as their leaders and you cannot give what you do not have, especially when Hollywood has infiltrated the church.

SCRIPTIURAL REFERENCES (2 Chronicles 7:14) "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2-3, Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 5:3-5, Psalm 68:13, Luke 3:22, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 85:6, Isaiah 44:3, Joel 2:28, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal