Sermons on Playing Cards:

Drawn To God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Aug 20, 2024

If you see a bunch of rednecks laughing at the Mona Lisa, where you hear them say, “I’d rather see a painting of dogs playing poker,” you understand what’s going on. Jesus says to these Jews, “The Mona Lisa is in front of you, and you grumble because you want dogs playing poker.”

We continue our series of hearing from our Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ. We continue our series in the gospel of John. I invite you to find your Bibles and find John 6 with me. If you were to pause to consider some of the most important speeches in American history, you might think about Patrick ...read more

Scripture: John 6:41-54, John 6:59, 1 John 4:19

Denomination: Baptist

I Want The Church To Grow But I Don't Want Any More People Series

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Feb 19, 2003

I want the church to grow because it is God’s desire but I really don’t want people I am afraid of to worship here.

This idea came from notes I recieved from my Mentor Jerrie Barber. I Want The Church to Grow But I Don’t Want Any More People Acts 6:1-7 During the summer of 1993 I was working with a missionary congregation in South Georgia. We were having a Men’s meeting to discuss how our summer had gone and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Get Busy--The Boss Is Coming!

Contributed by Larry Wise on Jan 31, 2010

A message about the importance of holy behavior.

Get Busy, the Boss is Coming! I Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore” = he moves from describing our salvation to explaining how we should respond to that salvation. Because we have been saved into such a privileged position… Because of all that Jesus Christ has done for us… We are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Testament Church Planting Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Mar 4, 2008

Exposition of Acts 11:19-30 about the first Gentile church plant, its discipleship, and its mission

Text: Acts 11:19-30, Title: NT Church Planting, Date/Place: NRBC, 3/9/08, AM A. Opening illustration: India--So I wrote in my journal, describing the aftermath of the October 1999 cyclone whose 200 mph winds and 30-foot tidal surge devastated the coastal areas of Orissa , India . Originating in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

Fear Of The Final Call Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Nov 28, 2007

Why do so many show an initial interest in Christ and then turn away? How can we be more effective in giving the Gospel?

Fear of the Final Call II Timothy 4:3-4 Purpose: To describe how many people will react to the gospel. Aim: I want the listener to work at being more aggressive in giving the gospel to others. INTRODUCTION: In my 22 years of ministry I have seen a lot of people who showed interest in spiritual ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christmas In The City

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 4, 2006

A Christmas textual sermon on John 14:27. (Portions adapted from Jonathan Edwards and Alexander MacLaren)

Sermon for 12/3/2006 John 14:27 Christ Came to Bring Peace Not Christmas Stress Introduction: From Children’s Christmas Program- It’s traffic, it’s people, it’s lights and noise. It’s busy moms and dads, it’s cranky girls and boys. It’s hustling and bustling, it’s high priced toys. It’s ...read more

Scripture: John 14:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Serial Killer Saints

Contributed by La Juana Morris on Jul 31, 2008

Be mindful of how we treat others

Armed and Extremely Dangerous Proverbs 11:30 A serial killer is someone who murders three or more people in three or more separate events over a period of time.[1] Many serial killers suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder and usually not psychosis, and thus appear to be quite normal and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:30

Denomination: Methodist

God Cares About You Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on May 4, 2006

God cares about, and makes provision for our every need.

God Cares About You Text: James 5:13-18 Introduction 1. Read James 5:13-18 2. Illustration: A little boy was eagerly looking forward to the birthday party of a friend who lived only a few blocks away. When the day finally arrived, a blizzard made the sidewalks and roads nearly impassable. The ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Methodist

Do We Really Want Forgiveness And Healing? Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Aug 17, 2017

God will hear our prayers, forgive our sins, heal our land, but we must humble ourselves, pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways.

Opening Illustration: During the Revolutionary war, Colonel Rall, A Hessian (German) commander at Trenton, New Jersey, was playing cards when a courier brought a message stating that General George Washington was crossing the Delaware River. It was Christmas Day evening 1776. Rall put the letter ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

What The Bible Teaches About Separation

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 25, 2022

The doctrine that is laid down in this passage of scripture is one you seldom hear preached about in our day.

Look at verse 12, which tells us what Jesus did for His disciples while He was here. We read, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: John 17:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Dance Of Law And Grace

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 30, 2006

There are ditortions and blessings of both law and grace. It is not one or the other, but a dance of the two.

Elizabeth Elliot, in her book The Liberty of Obedience, tells the story of a young man who said to an older Christian, “I am in earnest about forsaking ‘the world’ and following Christ. But I am puzzled about worldly things. What is it I must forsake?” The response he received was this: ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

A Fresh Start

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 4, 2007

Maybe you’d like to have a fresh start in a career? a fresh start with a credit card? a fresh start with a project? a relationship? a diet? What about a fresh start in your relationship with God? God wants you to know: It’s not too late for a fresh start

A FRESH START ~ Isaiah 6:1-8 <INTRO> Has there been any time in the recent past where you have thought you could sure use a fresh start? Ever wish you could push a few buttons and your life would somehow get back on track? Ever ask where are the CONTROL-Z keys in life? I want a do-over. I wish I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Advent 2014 Part 3 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 15, 2014

Did you know that you can purchase a "genuine" college degree online with no validation other than a credit card? Buddha and Muhammad had no prophetic validation. What about Jesus was He genuine of did he purchase a fake Messiah degree? Let's find out!

About 500 before Jesus was born - a man named Buddha came along. He established a religion we know of as Buddhism, and many people gathered around him and tried to live by his teachings. But before he was born, nobody ever said: “Hey somebody is going to come along and he will come from this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:7-18

Denomination: Nazarene

A Slave For Christ Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jan 7, 2012

This is part one of my series focused on slavery and how we should become slaves for Christ. this series was inspired by a book I read by Michael card titled "A Better Freedom." In part one I examine slavery in general and how Christ became a slave to sva

A Slave For Christ Part 1 (Inspired by the book: “A Better Freedom” by Michael Card) Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8; Matthew 20:28; Exodus 21:32 Introduction: As we begin this new year, I want to take you back to a very difficult time in American history – the time of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Could One Solitary Life Have So Much Impact - Christmas Eve

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

Church members and friends can support St. John's By-the-Sea by visiting our website https://www.stjohnsbythesea.com/donate, where a donation can be made by PayPal or credit card, if you prefer that to mailing your donations to the church.

Good Evening, and welcome again to St. John’s Church. And, as you can tell, I love our Christmas Eve Service. The first one at St. John’s was in 1892, 130 years ago. This is only my 5th Christmas here, and I absolutely love how this service paints a picture. It really has a feel to it. As we close ...read more

Denomination: Anglican