Sermons on Practiced Prayer:

Blessings & Ingratitude

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 1, 2007

A lesson from the life of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda.

The movie Fourth Of July tells the true story of Ron Kovic played by Tom Cruise. Kovic is a patriotic, All-American small town athlete who surprises his family by enlisting with the Marines to fight in the Vietnam War. However, once he is in Viet Nam the glory of war and heroism fades quickly. ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

Time Of Testing Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 2, 2007

Some scholars have said that Hezekiah started out good and then went bad. I think that’s a short sighted description of a man who was not that much different than we are.

OPEN: A man spoke of one of the most challenging courses he’d had at his college as being a business law class in which the professor gave difficult true/false tests. "During one of the more exasperating exams, I noticed another student flipping a coin. The professor approached him. ’Son are you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:24-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Am I Here?

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Feb 3, 2007

Looking at the world around us it would be so easy to give up. The cycles of problems and the ever declining situations we wittness. Persons of faith look through the problems and find God in the mists of trouble and pain and we can keep going.

Why am I here? Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 This week we are looking at the first chapter of Ecclesiastes and it sounds like the most depressing scripture you could ever find. Reading the Book of Job is pretty bad, but today’s reading is so much worse. I think it is because in many ways it sounds so ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Congregational

When Jesus Returns Will He Find Us Faithful

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 6, 2007

We may do many great things in our life-time according to the standards of this world. But the paramount question we all must face is this, “When Jesus returns will he find us faithful?”

When Jesus returns will He find us faithful? (The Command of Jesus – “Teaching to Obey”) Matthew 28:19 Luke 17:22-30 Here are some announcements that appeared in church bulletins. Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:22-30

Denomination: Free Methodist

Growing In Faith Series

Contributed by Ron Murphy on Feb 13, 2007

One of the important steps in growing in our faith is to "Do What He Says."

Introduction I. John chapter 20, verses 30 and 31 state - 30 Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

The Divine Fire Of The Holy Lord

Contributed by David Heflin on Feb 13, 2007

In this sermon, we look to one of the greatest texts in the Scripture and discover how Isaiah’s encounter with a holy God must become ours.

The Divine Fire of the Holy Lord Is. 6:1-8 PSCOC 2/11/07 Introduction: The perils of idealistic youth. When I was a young preaching student I was full of zeal for serving the Lord. The problem was is that I was also full of pride. I remember a particular song that I really identified with by ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

#2 - What Can We Learn From Mary & Joseph? Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Feb 14, 2007

The lesson of obedience that we learn from Joseph and Mary is something we can all benefit from.

Lessons of the Christmas Story #2 – What We Can Learn from Mary & Joseph? Matthew 1:18-25 December 17, 2006 (Idea for this message from AboutSunday.com) Opening comments: Rules of chocolate: If you’ve got melted chocolate all over your hands, you’re eating it too slowly. Chocolate covered ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

#3 - What We Can Learn From The Shepherds Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Feb 14, 2007

No one is too insignificant to have a personal experience of God.

Lessons of the Christmas Story #3 – What We Can Learn from the Shepherds Luke 2:8-20 December 24, 2006 (Idea for this message from AboutSunday.com) The most overheard comments regarding bad Christmas gifts. So here they are, the top five most overheard comments regarding bad Christmas gifts… 5. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Persevere To Victory

Contributed by Virgil Hurley on Feb 15, 2007

To help people persevere through the difficulties of discipleship to the victories it provides.

PERSEVERE TO VICTORY Exodus 5:1-10, 20-21 As if by enchantment Moses materialized from Egypt’s shimmering sands: from a forty year exile; resolute in a God-given commission to liberate Israel; performing signs that convinced their elders and the people. Eye-blinding lightning and ear-splitting ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Blessed Reflection

Contributed by Jay Mcphearson on Feb 17, 2007

Our response to God’s love is a reflection of our understanding of the redemption he has provided.

“A Blessed Reflection” Matthew 26:6-13 Our response to God’s love is a reflection of our understanding of the redemption he has provided. Sunday Morning Sermon 02.11.07 Intro: (Start with title and text) Sometimes life draws up pictures – The astronaut driving 900 miles to end the life of another ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith's Review And Expectations

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Feb 17, 2007

A sermon for "Amazing Grace" Sunday [February 25, 2007] based upon the Life of John Newton and his great hymn "Amazing Grace."

Faith’s Review and Expectations 1 Peter 4:1-11 I used to think America’s favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, was a bit overdone: "... that saved a wretch like me." Really now! But the author was a wretch, a moral recluse. Its author, John Newton, had commanded an English slave ship for a portion of his ...read more

Denomination: *other

Blessed Are The Persecuted

Contributed by Kiley Garrison on Feb 19, 2007

The Bible promises that everyone who follows Jesus will face persecution. If we aren’t facing any opposition for our faith, maybe we should ask ourselves why.

Small Group Discussion Questions When you hear the word "persecution," what do you think of? What images come to mind? What are some ways Christians are persecuted today? Do you think persecution is worse for Christians in other countries than in the United States? Why or why not? Can you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Permission Not To Love Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 23, 2007

God gives us permission not to love the world because who ever loves the world cannot love God.

God’s Permission Not to Love Text: 1 Jn. 2:15-17 Introduction 1. Illustration: There’s a story about a wealthy Christian who somehow got obsessed with the idea of taking some of his wealth to heaven. Now he knew the Bible clearly teaches that you can’t take it with you. But so obsessed was he ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Methodist

The Humility Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 25, 2007

1. His focus was on the will of God, not his own. 2. His focus was away from himself, not on himself. 3. His focus was on serving, not being served.

It was January 30, 1994 and Super Bowl XXVIII was being played out at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The NFC champion Dallas Cowboys had just defeated the AFC champion Buffalo Bills, 30–13. Dallas scored 24 unanswered points in the second half, and Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith was named the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 11:16-19

Denomination: Methodist

The Mystery Of The Future Of Life Series

Contributed by Chadrick Forrester on Feb 25, 2007

This sermon deals with the urgency of living life today by taking advantage of our window of opportunity.

What does the future hold for us? One day many years ago, when I was in one of my philosophical modes, I pondered the thought of time. I realized that the past was gone and the future was waiting and that I was trapped in this moment of time! I can’t speed it up and I can’t slow it down. I ...read more

Denomination: Baptist