Sermons on Positives From Fasting:

What's So Bad About Pharisees Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 5, 2025

Ask yourself which of the Lenten practices holds the lowest place in your priorities. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving: surely one of these is least attractive to you. Focus your prayer this Lent on that facet,

Ash Wednesday 2025 What was the “leaven of the Pharisees”? What led Jesus, when discussing self-discipline, to call these self-described “separate ones” hypocrites when they prayed, fasted, and gave alms to the poor? They were not hypocrites because they followed the Law, Torah. What they wore on ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 16:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Self-Humbling - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

Fasting is never commanded in the NT, yet all the godliest people in the Bible did it. If it is important, why isn't it discussed in the epistles? If it is not important, why did Jesus do it? And why did he promise reward if we do it?

Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Showtime! Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 14, 2014

How should we practice our faith in a way that honors God?

Showtime! Matthew 6:1-18 In the previous verses of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ emphasis on how the Scribes and Pharisees had failed to teach the whole and intended council of God. They had twisted the Scripture and replaced the righteousness of God with their own standards of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Return To And Stay At Antioch Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 25, 2017

Paul’s journey had been one of missionary enterprise; it was the journey of a pioneer, the going into new territory with the Gospel. He created division wherever he went, dividing cities and men into two camps, believers and blasphemers, men full of...

December 1, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Title: The Return to and Stay at Antioch (Acts 14:20b-28) Scripture (Acts 14:20b-28; KJV) 20b and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:20-28

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Victory Over Temptation

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Mar 10, 2025

This message looks at the three temptations Jesus faced, why they truly were temptations, and how he overcame them, giving us a path to follow.

Good Morning. How long can you play around with temptations without consequences? Kind of like asking how far over edge of the cliff can I safely lean. Sadly, this year has seen stories about church pastors who have fallen off that cliff and not only destroyed their marriages, but their churches, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Into The Wild With Jesus

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 1, 2009

A spiritual wilderness may be a place we fight Satan and face-off with our inner demons.

Title: Into the Wild (with Jesus) Text: Mark 1:9-15 Thesis: A spiritual wilderness may be a place we fight with Satan and face-off with our inner demons. Introduction You may be wondering why this particular story is pertinent to us today. The story is pertinent because it does at least two ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ramadan

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Nov 22, 2011

Article published in The Mountaineer, Fort Carson, CO’s Army post newspaper

Ramadan By Chaplain (Captain) Steve Satterfield 4BSTB, 4IBCT, 4ID As a Christian Chaplain, I realize the importance of being aware of the major holidays in the largest religions of the world. Ramadan is the yearly month of fasting in Islam. This year it starts on 11 August. It changes, based ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:5-11

Denomination: Vineyard

The Discipline Of Secrecy Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 12, 2022

The focus of this sermon is on how Jesus addresses some of the well known spiritual disciplines (e.g., giving, prayer, fasting) along with the right and wrong way to practice them.

If you have your Bibles with you today and you want to follow along, we are going to be looking at the sixth chapter of the book of Matthew starting at verse 1 and going down to verse 18. Matthew 6:1-18. While you are looking for that, I just have a question. I am sure I have asked you before ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18, Psalm 51:6

Denomination: Christian Church

Esther Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 8, 2014

The story of Esther reveals God's plans and purposes for each of us as we live out lives that are directed by God's design and will. Nothing is by accident even if we are unable to figure out what God is up to. Esther gives a good example of this concept.

Esther INTRODUCTION: A well-known theologian was once asked to prove the existence of God. He replied that he could prove God’s existence in two words: “The Jew.” From ancient history to today, many nations have attempted to exterminate God’s chosen people. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Principles Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jun 8, 2001

Do you obtain little or no results fron your prayers? This could be why!

THE PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER In the book of James, we read about a wonderful qualification on prayer: James 5:16: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. The above passage says the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lent, Time Apart

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 18, 2021

Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent?

Prelude Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent? Purpose Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for prayer, fasting, meditation and reflection. Plan Let’s look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning His ministry, in Mark 1:9-15. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Call From Calvary's Cross Series

Contributed by Keith Buice on Jan 13, 2006

The second in a series

The Call from Calvary’s Cross The Gospels Introduction: The last words that a man or woman speaks before their death are important (sometimes). The last words of well known people are often recorded in writing for history. Some of these last words are: The four last words of a blonde? “…Hey, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34-46

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Lent: A Human Touch Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 1, 2024

Holy Lent: A Human Touch

Holy Lent: A Human Touch Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-18 Reflection Forty days before Easter is a holy time called "Holy Lent" that many Christians follow. It is a season of introspection, confession, and spiritual development. The human element of this sorrowful season is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Other

Motive Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 7, 2021

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus.

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus. 1. Motive in Giving to the Poor Christians are to help the poor, but with what motive? This is a complementary passage to Jesus’ instructions to let our light (of good works) shine. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Mercy Of The King Towards His People (Matthew 9:1-38)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Feb 4, 2025

Jesus continues to show His compassion, love, and mercy by restoring sight to the blind, healing a paralyzed man, and giving life back to those who seemed to have lost all hope.

Verses 1-8: The Lord left Gadara and sailed back to Galilee and Capernaum. Upon His return, a group of men bring another man to Him who has been struck by paralysis. They believed, by faith, that Jesus could heal him. We do not know what was going on in the mind of the paralyzed man. It was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-38, Mark 2:1-22, Luke 8:40-56, Luke 10:2-3

Denomination: Baptist