Sermons on Practiced Prayer:

But Nails Hurt! Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

Nails were distributed to the congregation, so that they could test: if you wish to endure, you have to endure some pounding. Holes may be punched in you, too. But if you persist, ultimately you will be built up.

If you really want to grow, it’s going to cost you. If you truly expect to be built up, there will be some pain involved. No growth ever takes place without pain. That’s a law of life. That’s not negotiable. No pain, no gain. No hurt, no growth. No rough edges, no building up. If you truly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Dead Man Walking

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 26, 2003

There is a kind of death in family life today. Jesus offers unconditional compassion, used His authority to give life, and gives us as gifts to one another.

One sweltering afternoon, on the dirty streets of a dangerous section of New Orleans, a man approached a woman with some papers in his hand. He asked Helen if she would agree to write letters to a man on death row at Angola prison. Helen agreed, rather absent-mindedly. She was used to people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

God Of Mercy Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 27, 2003

God is so merciful, he draws us back even when we run away.

God Stories – Attributes of God The God of Mercy – Jonah May 25, 2003 Last week – the God of Justice – we are thankful that he is the God of Justice, that he does not let evil deeds go unpunished, but we are also thankful that he is a merciful God because we find it easy to say with the ...read more

Denomination: *other

What Is Christian Joy All About? Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jun 18, 2004

This second of a sermon series on the Fruits of the Spirit covers what makes God happy and what makes Christians happy.

June 20, 2004 What is Christian Joy All About? There are two kinds of people that want to be happy in this world. Christians and unbelievers. There are two forces that want happiness. God and Satan. Within these two realms of good and evil, both experience joy and both experience sorrow. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Lutheran

"How To Receive God's Blessings" - I

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jun 19, 2004

The beginning of a series, which shows "How To Receive God’s Blessings" ... this message is taken from Psalm 1.

“How To Receive God’s Blessings” – I Psalm 1 INTRODUCTION: Tonight, we will begin a new series on “How To Receive God’s Blessings”. Last Sunday we took a look at “Blessings And Curses” from Deuteronomy Chapter 27. I want to expand on the “blessings” part. There are numerous references in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Walk Of Faith

Contributed by Chris Manning on Jun 28, 2004

When most of us think about how we are doing spiritually, we think about surface things. We zero in on behavior patterns, such as have we been gossiping, have we been staying true to our marriage, have we been reading our Bibles, have we been tithing? We

Genesis 12:1-4 KJV Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3) ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4

Denomination: Apostolic

The Legacy Of A Man - Solomon's Father, David Series

Contributed by Keith Manry on Jun 30, 2004

Part 8 of a series on the Life of David - Preached on Father’s Day, 2004

Insights from the Life of David – Part 8: “The Legacy of a Man: Solomon’s Father, David” I Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; 3:3-14 A Michigan high school senior, Kara Hewes, entered a crowded conference room to face cameras and reporters. She was about to make a public appeal to her seventy-three-year-old ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:3-14

Denomination: Methodist

Tired Of Too Much Church Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 4, 2004

It is easy to be tired of church if church does not connect with integrity, compassion, or fundamental life change. But you will not grow weary if you will work for the good of all.

Several years ago I officiated at a wedding at National Cathedral. At the rehearsal an official of the Cathedral explained why the service would be held in just the Great Choir of the Cathedral, and not out on the main floor, and why we would have to be exactly on-time, no exceptions. He said that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Deliverance From The Dungeon

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Jul 9, 2004

WE SEE IN THIS SERMON, THE PREACHING OF JEREMIAH, THE PROTEST OF THE PRINCES, THE PERSECUTION OF JEREMIAH, THE PITY OF EBELMELCH, AND THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KING.

DELIVERANCE FROM THE DUNGEON Jeremiah 38:2-13 Have you ever taken one of those vacations? You planned to arrive at a distant location where you knew you’d have a great time, but on the way you had so many traveling difficulties that you wondered if the journey was worth it. Car problems. Traffic ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 38:2-13

Denomination: Baptist

Able To Accomplish Abundantly Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 13, 2004

God intends for the church to be the instrument of redemption, full-faceted, and intends for us, though we may think we are inadequate, to be its agents. Challenge your imaginations as to what the church might be able to do by letting God do what He is a

If you were to ask the average person, out on the street, what he thinks of the church, what answers might you get? What do people think about churches? I’m sure I don’t know the half of it. But I know some of the things they say: They say that church is all talk. Ceaseless talk. Noisy gongs and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-21

Denomination: Baptist

Safe At Home Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 18, 2004

Interactive message. What do we do about the family? Respect our children; parent with sacrificial love; and give children priority of emphasis in the church’s outreach.

There are times when all of us need to participate, times when no single person can speak all the truths or do all the work. There are times when a community of people must come together, think together, pray together, speak together. This is such a time. The state of family life in our nation is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Only Good Options

Contributed by David Moore on Jul 21, 2004

Knowing Jesus ultimately means having only good options

Phil 1 21-30 To me, and I could be really mistaken, high school is a time to make sure our choices with what we want to do with our lives can happen. We don’t want our options to be narrowed down, but rather, we want to do well enough that we can choose which college to go to, or which armed ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Church Of Irressistable Influence Series

Contributed by David Jenkins on Jul 23, 2004

Here now we turn our attention to a most important event, the beginning of the Church, the Body of Christ. Acts 2 is the most misunderstood Scripture in all of the New Testament and for good reason. Instead of bringing eyes focused on our Lord, we bring o

Here now we turn our attention to a most important event, the beginning of the Church, the Body of Christ. Acts 2 is the most misunderstood Scripture in all of the New Testament and for good reason. Instead of bringing eyes focused on our Lord, we bring our denominational values and beliefs ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Should He Love Us So?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 26, 2004

On the average, we’re really not all that lovable, are we? All around us we see the bitter fruits of hatred, selfishness, & greed. And, no, I don’t know why God loves us. But He does!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (NOTE: The impetus for the development of this sermon came from an excellent sermon, "Why Should They Hate Us," contributed to SC by Jeff Strite.) John 3:16; Psalms 8:4; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 A. There is a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fruit Of Gentleness Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jul 30, 2004

A sermon on what gentleness is and how it is produced in us.

August 1, 2004 Fruits of the Spirit Children are naturally born wrecking machines. After having four of them, I am convinced of it. They love to tear, rip, smash, slap, pull and push anything they can. It is almost a weekly thing where something is broken in our household. This becomes ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Lutheran