Sermons on Practical Sense:

Stale Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 30, 2013

If you want to keep your relationship with Christ fresh and vital, don't focus on tradition and clean hands; instead, focus on scripture and a clean heart.

Alan Kraft, in his book, Good News for Those Trying Harder, shares a story about a time when his wife borrowed his car and heard a CD he had loaded in the sound system. The song touched her. When she asked him about it, he was able to recite the lyrics, but had never thought much about their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

All People Matter To God Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jul 25, 2010

James speaks abruptly to believers who recognize status. This message teaches that all people matter because the ground is level at the cross.

All People Matter To God James 2:1-12 * Let’s begin tonight by reviewing our “Core Values”. 1) The Bible is our guide book. 2) God loves us and has a plan for us. 3) All People matter to God. 4) We seek to honor God in all we do. 5) The Local church (that’s us) is the hope of the world. We can ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

"Don't Just Send Them To Burger King"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 6, 2011

A sermon about being the hands and feet of Jesus in a needy world.

Matthew 14:13-21 “Don’t Just Send Them to Burger King” by: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN eastridgeumc.org Think back to a time when you were really, really sad. For some of us this will not be a difficult exercise. Perhaps we are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: United Methodist

The Comfortable Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Sep 3, 2011

The church at Sardis had become arrogant and thus comfortable with their ’church.’ The result was compacency, apathy, and death. This should be a warning for churches today.

The Comfortable Church Revelation 3:1-6 * Having read about this church and preached this text many times, I have labored over the proper name for this church. Terms like dead, decaying, or dying, as well as confused, contented, or cozy, were tops on my list. However, comfortable is the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Appointing Those Elders Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 22, 2011

Paul gives directions about appointing elders in churches. 1- An elder is a family man 2- An elder is a trustworthy man 3- An elder is a blameless man 4- An elder is a spiritual man

INTRO.- ILL.- When the Methodist minister falls down the stairs, he picks himself up and says, "That was an experience, how do I learn from it?" When the Catholic priest falls down the stairs, he picks himself up and says, "I must have done something really bad to deserve that." When the ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Too Much On The Plate Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 22, 2009

God’s people aren’t immune from grumbling and murmuring, but those who wish to lead effectively will pray for divine solutions in handling dissension.

In a small, struggling situation like those of many churches, it is tempting to look upon the “growing pains” of the early church with some degree of envy. They were adding to the church daily. They were filling up Jerusalem to overflowing with excitement about Jesus’ resurrection and the presence ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7, Acts 6:1

Denomination: *other

Countercultural Community, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

In this series, we’re talking about being a countercultural community. What does that look like? Last week, we saw that the early church was committed to one another, they had crazy courage and a deep rooted spirit of compassion. Today we find four more

Countercultural Community, Part 2 Acts 2:42-47 After the apostles received the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, it was all about the power of the resurrection and this mindset to go against the grain and do whatever it took to honor God and bless other people. They hadn’t been tainted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Methodist

The Characteristics Of A Spiritual Church

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jun 25, 2009

A Wednesday evening devotion which teaches us from the 1st Century church in Jerusalem, we can discern some of what it means to be a Spiritual Congregation.

The Characteristics of a Spiritual Church Acts 5:12-16 * One of the most sobering passages in all of New Testament scripture (at least for me) is found in Acts 5:1-11. To remind you, this is the story of Ananias and Sapphira. When they lied about their gifts to the church, they were struck down ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Abiding In Christ's Love John 15:9-11 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 12, 2024

In John 15:9-11. Jesus speaks of His love, our call to abide in it, and the joy that comes from such a relationship. These verses invite us to deepen our understanding and practice of living in Christ's love.

Transformed by Truth: "Abiding in Christ's Love" John 15:9-11 John 15:9-11 (NLT): “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-11, John 15:9, 1 John 4:19, John 15:10, 1 John 5:3, John 15:11, Nehemiah 8:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Saved From Shallow Religion Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon introduction emphasizes the importance of private acts of giving, praying, and fasting as taught by Jesus, highlighting the need for a self-giving love that seeks God's approval rather than that of others.

Hello church and welcome. I am glad we are observing Ash Wednesday together. Today is the first day of Lent, a 40-day period of reflection, prayer, confession, and letting go. We join with believers all over the world during Lent. Lent is a time for us to assess ourselves and make adjustments. It’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Topics: Self-Giving Love, Spiritual Practices, Divine Approval

Love Them?

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Feb 24, 2020

Loving God. I can do. Loving your neighbor. I will try, especially if they are fellow Christians. Loving your enemy. I don't if I can do that. How does a person love their enemy?

Love Them? (Matt. 5:43-48) Intro: A. I want to start this lesson with a word found at the end of our reading. It’s the word “perfect.” “You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” That calling seems to be impossible, so how could Jesus call upon us to be at the level ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Praying Church

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 19, 2009

Jesus called the temple a "House of Prayer". Is the church a house of prayer today? Do we believe prayer is still powerful? Nothing is more powerful than a church that prays together.

“A Praying Church” Acts 4:23-31 May 17, 2009 Today I would like to share with you about what is probably the most important activity of each Christian and the church as whole, prayer. I know for a fact that some Christians only pray at meal times and it’s often a repetitive, shallow one. Maybe ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Feel The Burn?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 3, 2001

Does your heart burn in a good sense?

Athletes while training speak of feeling the burn. Those of us who are not athletic and have had a past life of alcohol consumption might think of the warmth that spreads over your body after a shot of whiskey as feeling the burn or the sensation as it passes through your throat. True Disciples ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-36, Mark 16:7, John 21:15-17, Romans 11:29, Matthew 5:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Living In Expectation Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Aug 30, 2007

How does a church with a sense of expectancy act

Living in Expectation Acts 1:9-26 My daughter is reading a book that appears to be a popular book in the homes of mothers who are expecting today. It has a catchy title and I’ll bet some of you have seen it, too. It’s entitled, “What to Expect when You’re Expecting.” Isn’t that a great title? ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:9-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Prodigal Son.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 4, 2022

Coming back to our senses in the far country.

THE PRODIGAL SON. Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32. ‘Horror of horrors!’ proclaimed the scribes and Pharisees. The tax-collectors and ‘sinners’ were drawing near to hear the words of Jesus! The three parables which follow in Luke 15 show the calm response of the Master. The parables have a common ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational