Sermons on Practiced Prayer:

Forgiveness Makes Me Shudder . . . Then I Smile

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Nov 24, 2001

Christians need to realize that they are forgiven to an extent beyond what they can imagine, a realization that is a bit frightening but which also overwhelms us once again with grace.

Forgiveness Makes Me Shudder . . . Then I Smile / Luke 23:33-43 Proper 29, Year C; Downsville Baptist Church; 25 November 2001 November 25th 2001, the last day of the church year. Next Sunday we begin a new year. Once again we begin anticipating the reception of God’s promise of Immanuel, that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-43

Denomination: Baptist

Birth Of A New Era Series

Contributed by William Jewett on Nov 27, 2001

part 3 of 4 of our series on worship as a lifestyle

In a television program I watch there is an episode in which the minister stood up before the congregation. It was a vast sanctuary -- but it was almost empty. The minister looked out upon all of the empty seats and surveyed the 4 lonely people in the congregation -- one young man, and three ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-23

Denomination: *other

Surviving An Imperfect Family Series

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Dec 5, 2001

By looking at the life of a man named Joseph we see that God is still in the business of helping people survive imperfect families.

Life Lessons from Joseph – Part 1 November 25, 2001 INTERACTION: I want you to get in groups of three to five, and grab a yellow prayer request card. Allowing for the possibility that there might be such a thing as a perfect family, complete one of these sentences: “A perfect family would ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas: A Day For Others

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Dec 7, 2001

Christmas is really a day to remind ourselves not to be selfish but to serve others because of Jesus’ incredible love and His example as a servant for us.

Christmas: A Day for Others Dec.16, 2001 Pilgrim Baptist Church, Vancouver Here are the top ten things that you tell u CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST here 10) There are more pine needles on your carpet than on your tree 9) The credit card is smoked along with the turkey and ham. 8) It’s A Wonderful Life ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical Free

How Could I Ask For More?

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Dec 8, 2001

The ability to give thanks is a matter of perspective and attitude. A message for a Thanksgiving holiday service.

11-20-01 Thanksgiving Eve Service Maybe you heard of the identical twins who were really opposites. One had the personality of the eternal optimist. Everything was always working out; it was going to be great. Everything was very hopeful. His brother, however, saw everything in its worst possible ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sin

Contributed by Cedric Portis on Dec 11, 2001

Ignoring the sin present in your life is not recognizing the fact that you have and need a savior. Labeling sin as anything other than sin is calling God a liar and the truth is not in you.

Sin John I 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. John I 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. John I 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:8-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Crossing Over" Series

Contributed by Bob Hunter on Dec 16, 2001

This message details the necessity of crossing over into new spiritual territory.

“Crossing over” Joshua Ch. 3 We’re on this journey through the book of Joshua. Joshua was a great leader at a time in Israel when they really needed leadership. Last week I talked to you about how the people he was leading, the Israelites, overcame fear and faced up to the challenge of ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-17

Denomination: Holiness

A Gift Worth Receiving

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Dec 20, 2001

This sermon illustrates what receiving Christ really is through the Biblical story of Simeon.

A Gift Worth Receiving Luke 2:21-33 December 23, 2001 Intro: A. [Prayer and God’s Sovereignty, Citation: Mark Ashton, A Voice in the Wilderness (OM Publishing); submitted by Owen Bourgaize, Guernsey, United Kingdom A small boy was writing a letter to God about the Christmas presents he badly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Terror, Peace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 23, 2001

Our times of terror are like those into which Jesus was born. Then and now we try to carve out peace with government, wealth, ingenuity. But Jesus is the source of peace because His life was given to service, His dependence on things was nil, and He ope

And on earth, peace. What an ancient longing! What a long-standing frustration! On earth, peace. I don’t know what language angels sing in, and I suppose the shepherds would have known only Aramaic, but we have grown accustomed to choirs singing the angelic words in Latin: “Gloria in excelsis ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of The Warm Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 24, 2001

Christmas can be a very stressful time. But Simeon and Anna hold 3 secrets to getting hold of the peace and tranquility that Christmas is supposed to offer us.

AP story reported in the Indianapolis Star 12/25/99 Dateline LOS ANGELES – A shopping mall Santa Claus had a meltdown after refusing to cuddle a bawling toddler, calling the mother evil and ripping off his beard and costume in front of startled children. Kelly Fornatoro, 33, said she told Santa ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking For Good In All The Wrong Places

Contributed by Stephen Fournier on Jan 3, 2001

Sermon on where not to and where to, look for good.

“LOOKING FOR GOOD IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES” TITUS 1:8 There was once a pastor who had a little five year old daughter. Now the little girl notice that every time her dad stood behind the pulpit, and was getting ready to preach he would bow his head for moment before he began to preach. The ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Denomination: Bible Church

Mother’s Day - Security Or Insecurity?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 3, 2001

Let’s talk about family security, and the lack of it; about the things that cause insecurity and the things that can develop security in the home.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK A. Today is Mother’s Day, a day on which mothers are specially honored. Many receive cards or flowers or candy as husbands & children try to show them just how much they are loved & appreciated. And many restaurants will ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-21, Ephesians 5:25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peace - Fruit Of The Spirit

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 4, 2001

It’s time for us to talk about peace: peace with God, peace within ourselves, & peace with one another.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX ILL. If you have had your TV on late at night during the past year you’re probably aware of the fastest growing businesses of 1996 & 97. They have made millionaires many times over of their owners who have saturated ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Is Building Your Home? Series

Contributed by Jim Mooney on Jan 6, 2001

Allow God to build your home and then it will stand the storms that come against it.

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERIES WHO IS BUILDING YOUR HOME? PSALM 127:1-2 THERE IS A WORD THAT IS USED TO DESCRIBE THE BROKEN AND SHATTERED HOMES OF TODAY. THAT WORD IS DYSFUNCTIONAL. IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY YOU WILL HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT DYSFUNCTIONAL HOMES OR DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES. THIS LEAVE THE ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Don't Sink The Ship Series

Contributed by Bill Prater on Jan 21, 2001

What I hope to convey to you in this message, and what I hope we will all go away from here with, is an understanding of the destructiveness of sin.

NAVIGATING THE NEW YEAR Don’t Sink the Ship When we ended the message last week, we did so with the children of Israel celebrating the Destruction of their Enemy and rejoicing because of the Depth of their Victory. Although they didn’t make much sense to them, the Israelites followed the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-21

Denomination: Baptist