Sermons on Positive Habits:

Thanks, Dad!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jun 15, 2003

Let’s talk about the positive aspects of fatherhood. And to do that, I call your attention to the familiar story of the prodigal son, & especially to the father of the prodigal son.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2017) (This sermon is largely my adaptation of an excellent sermon by Dennis Slaughter, former Minister of Valley View Christian Church, Dallas, TX.) TEXT: Luke 15:11-31 Well, today is Father’s Day, as you have been reminded ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:8, Luke 15:11-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Swollen Heads Vs. Smelly Feet

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Nov 4, 2001

Maybe our problem is that our egos have been inflated by the position that we hold that we have become not servants but members of a serve-me-please pharisaical class of clergy.

After a minister had preached a searching sermon on pride, a woman who had heard the sermon waited upon him and told him that she was in much distress of mind, and that she would like to confess to a great sin. The minister asked her what the sin was. She answered, “The sin of pride, for I sat ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

God Don't Have No Cataracts

Contributed by Charles Holt on Jul 17, 2001

This sermon is all about how God sees us at all times in all places. It offers a positive word of encouragement and hope of our all-seeing and all-caring Father.

Charles W. Holt, PhD email: cholt@gt.rr.com GOD DON’T HAVE NO CATARACTS Genesis 16:13; Psalm 33:18,19; (See also 1 Sam. 16:7) Excuse me. I know the title has fried the syntax of all good rules of English. Fearing a total meltdown the syntax sensitive among us are ready to bail out. Please stand ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Second Chance In Christ Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 21, 2007

Deepening "whiles" become heightened "boasts". Weakness, sin, and enmity are our problems toward God. But in Christ there is help at the right time, conversion of consequences into positives, and sacrifical love for reconciliation.

“We have a problem here.” That phrase, in one form or another, runs through much of human history. We have a problem here. You know it, if you remember 1995, as almost what astronaut John Swigert said from Apollo 13. “Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” Changed a little and immortalized by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Faithful Servants (A Sermon On Luke 12:35-40)

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 24, 2007

Following Jesus: It’s long hours, hard work, costly, and a little bit crazy, but would we ever consider changing positions and serving someone else? Not a chance!

I thought that I finally had a totally positive sermon for you today! I’ve been under rather trenchant criticism of late for repeatedly giving sermons focused on the theme of judgement and on the hard path of discipleship, and I admit that I have been looking for that text, "Come to me, all ye who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-40

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Manna - Waking Up To Reality Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Apr 5, 2008

Getting through dry times, is not done by the use of your wits, your education, your determination, or the power of positive thinking. Getting through dry times requires a supernatural solution.

So, I get a call late one night, it is the sister of a good friend of mine – she never calls. There is a long pause after I answer. Then a little chit chat, then quickly comes the news: A childhood friend of mine, her sister, has just died of lung failure, she was only 38. I’m floored. I’m not sure ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faithful Servants (A Sermon On Luke 12:35-40)

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 26, 2008

Following Jesus: It’s long hours, hard work, costly, and a little bit crazy, but would we ever consider changing positions and serving someone else? Not a chance! ...

I thought that I finally had a totally positive sermon for you today! I’ve been under rather trenchant criticism of late for repeatedly giving sermons focused on the theme of judgement and on the hard path of discipleship, and I admit that I have been looking for that text, "Come to me, all ye who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-40

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Forgiveness - Take A Deep Breath And Enjoy Clean Air Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 19, 2007

If you have ever been in the position of the father in the story, you know the heartbreak, the sleepless nights, the wondering, and the self-reproach. "Where did I fail?" It is agony to await the outcome.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Looking For Work?

Contributed by Ron Hicks on Sep 8, 2005

Unemployment isn’t only high in the secular world, the harvest fields are suffering from lack of laborers. Need a job? Name your position. Opportunities couldn’t be better.

LOOKING FOR WORK? James 2:14-18 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Mutiny In The Desert

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on May 2, 2008

Why is it that we are never satisfied with what we have? Why is it that we covet the things others have like possessions, position or power (authority)? We seem to be like the monkey.

Mutiny in the Desert Childrens Story Comment: There is a story that says in Africa and India the natives use a technique to catch monkeys. They hollow out one end of a coconut and they put peanuts in there Ive also heard bananas but same concept. The monkey puts his hand in the coconut and when he ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 16:1-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Glimpse Of The Future Distress

Contributed by Jose Cabajar on Dec 29, 2004

Periodic catastrophes are now gaining an inevitable position and authority in touching man’s conscience and awareness concerning the uncertain future of mankind and its abused habitat which is the planet earth.

Periodic catastrophes are now gaining an inevitable position and authority in touching man’s conscience and awareness concerning the uncertain future of mankind and its abused habitat which is the planet earth. The unpleasant and heart-moving sights we see around us today undeniably trouble ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-28

Denomination: Baptist

Moving Out Of Your Comfort Zone Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 3, 2005

Joseph had it all - favored by his father, in a position of power - yet God moved him out of the place of having it all to having nothing. What does that teach us?

Genesis 37-38 Sometimes when we think about the patriarchs and the leaders of the tribes of Israel they take on sort of a patina glow – a sort of holiness – like they were not quite human. But here in chapters 37 and 38 we see the very human nature of Jacob’s twelve sons. We see the dirt swept ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Counting The Cost Luck And Providence Luke 14__25-33 Philemon 1—25

Contributed by Charles Scott on Dec 16, 2007

From our position as disciples of Christ, we are not able to determine Good from Evil in the events that overtake us; we trust in God to make everything work together for good.

COUNTING THE COST Luck AND PROVIDENCE Luke 14__25- 33 PHILEMON 1—25 Luke 14:25-33 A poor aged Chinese farmer had a single horse on which he depended for everything. The horse pulled the plough, drew the wagon, and was the old farmer’s sole means of transportation. One day a bee stung the ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Anglican

Evangelization Of An Ethiopian

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Dec 10, 2007

Forgiveness and salvation are universal needs. Those needs are not met in one’s personal moral properties or position in life, but only through faith in the person and work of Christ Jesus the Lord.

Evangelization Of An Ethiopian Text: Acts 8: 35-38 Intro: Prior to the story that we have just read, we are told of the death of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the church of Jerusalem. Before his death, Stephen preached a scorching sermon to the religious leaders of his day, concerning ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:35-38

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Success Comes In "Cans”

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 26, 2017

God wants us to be able to say with Paul, positively, "I CAN do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!" Let's consider Paul's revelation for a moment.

SPIRITUAL SUCCESS COMES IN “CANS” Phil. 4:13 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: 1. JOKE #1: LAWYER’S REVENGE a. A lawyer's dog, running about unleashed, beelines for the local butcher shop and steals a roast off the counter. b. The butcher went to the lawyer's office and asks, "if a dog, running ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God