Sermons on preconceived notions:

When Things Go Wrong

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

Although we know we can have joy in trials and God works all together for good…sometimes we don’t see it. Some days faith wanes, and we wonder where God is. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When Things Go Wrong Matthew 11:2-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WhenThingsGoWrong.html It is a blessing to be a Christian, but this world is under a curse. Things go wrong. Plans fail. The outcome of our goals sometimes isn’t what we had hoped. Tragedy strikes. Death takes its toll. Pain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

Too Proud To Duck

Contributed by James May on May 11, 2005

Pride was Naaman’s sin that had to be overcome before he could be healed. All mankind has to learn to Duck - not in Jordan, but in the Blood of Jesus to be healed of the "leprosy of sin".

Too Proud to Duck by Pastor Jim May The story is told of two ducks and a frog that lived together in a farm pond. They were best of friends. All day long you could watch them amuse themselves and play together in their pond. When the hot summer days came, however, the pond began to dry up, and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn Series

Contributed by Scott Carmer on May 16, 2005

Blessed are those who mourn for our present state of values, for they are the ones who are the hope of the world.

Blessed are Those Who Mourn Matthew 23:37-39 May 15, 2005 I read a book a while ago which began with a few very provocative paragraphs. You may not be a Christian and wondering why anyone would want to be. The religion that inspired the Crusades, launched witch trials, perpetuates religious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:37-39

Denomination: Methodist

New Wine Looking For A New Skin

Contributed by Everett Mccoy on Jul 23, 2008

God is going to do a new thing. It won’t fit in our expectations, or in our rules.

36 He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:36-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

Be A Philanthropist! Series

Contributed by Chad Garrison on Mar 29, 2010

God calls each of us to the Adventure of Life He has set before us. Everyone has his or her own path, but we all have the same call. Today we examine the call to generous giving.

Choose Your Own Adventure “Be a Philanthropist!” Last week we began our series on the ways God calls us to the Adventure of Life he has set before us. Everyone has his or her own path, but we all have the same call. Today we look at the “Life of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Denomination: Foursquare

From Inward Seeking To Outward Serving

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 22, 2021

The very best place to be is in a church that is unified and handling well the threats to unity. The very worst is a church that is splintered, full of cliques and getting worse each year.

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Interrupted By God: Embracing Divine Disruptions Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 30, 2024

The concept of divine interruption is deeply rooted in Scripture and challenges us to trust in God's sovereignty over our lives. Are we willing to let God change our plans, redirect our steps, and shape our journey?

Interrupted by God: Embracing Divine Disruptions Introduction: Today, we reflect on a powerful quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.” Bonhoeffer, a theologian who lived during a time of great crisis, understood the importance of yielding to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:9, Luke 10:30-37, Matthew 14:22-33, Acts 10:9-16, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Blessed Are The Pure In Heart

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 15, 2011

When we respond to God

Blessed are the Pure in Heart Matt 5:8 April 10, 2011 Intro: A couple of years ago we went to Ottawa as my wife Joanne had some work to do there, so Thomas and I tagged along to check out our nation’s capital. One of the places we visited was the historic Canadian mint – where money ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

How To Study The Bible Like A Pro - Class #7b - Foundational Rules Of Bible Interpretation - Continued Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Sep 13, 2022

Continuation of Class #7a

A. Eight Rules of Hermeneutics 1. Rule of Context a). The three most important rules of interpretation are context, context, and context! Context is the first and most important principle for accurate interpretation. A word can only mean what the original author meant. A text out of context ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Yahweh - Teh Self Existent One Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Oct 24, 2005

A message on the name YAHWEH - the Self Existent One

Hello I Love You YAHWEH – Exodus 3:1-15 Intro: My full name is Joseph Italo Rodgers. I was named after my German and Italian grandparents. When I was a boy I didn’t appreciate my name b/c some people gave me a hard time about my middle name. Not only was it mispronounced – “I-talo” or ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Wide Gate Or The Narrow Gate

Contributed by Paul George on Jun 9, 2006

Many people today believe that God’s kingdom is governed on the same basis as our nation, democracy, if this was true then the right way to heaven would be that of the majority. Although the nation Israel knew nothing of democracy as we have it, they, t

The Wide Gate or the Narrow Gate Matthew 7:13-27 The Lord Jesus Christ, in this great Sermon on the Mount, has distinguished His kingdom from that of contemporary Judaism, while identifying it with that spoken of in the Old Testament. As He concludes this sermon, we come to the bottom line, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-27

Denomination: Holiness

Just Do It Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jul 11, 2010

Our Lord wants us to be ’doers’, ’hearers’, and obedient!

Just Do It – Pt 1 James 1:19-21 * Nike is a mega-sports company which is known for its slogan, “Just do it.” From God’s word today let’s consider this slogan but let’s add three words, “For the Lord.” We don’t “do” for our salvation, we do from our salvation. We don’t do to ‘gain’ eternal life; ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Pause Before You Act (Part 3b) Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 29, 2011

Sermon 3B in series. Please see previous parts of the study. Often, we regret an action immediately, but too late to undo it. P - Pray before you act. A - Check your attitude before you act. U - Understand fully before you act. Three new Bible illustratio

PAUSE Before You Act Sermon 3B NOTE: This is part B of sermon three in the series, PAUSE Before You Act. While this sermon may be used independently, you may want to see the other sermons to give background and introduction. Handouts and keys for these studies are already prepared. Contact me if ...read more

Scripture: Esther 3:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

The World In The Church Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

The church to whom the Epistles were written were already far from the ideal. The battle with the world in the church began immediately, and it was just this battle that was the cause for much of the New Testament to be written.

Theodore Reik tells of how an Austrian Jew was trying to find a refuge from Hitler. He went to a travel office to select a place to which he could flea, and with the help of the clerk he began to consider the possibilities. But each country had some difficulty connected with it. In one you needed ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-2

What Can Lydia Teach Us

Contributed by David Rogers on Jan 16, 2007

A sermon on how faith guides us if we just let it

What Can Lydia Teach Us Acts 16:14-15 Prayer Introduction Good evening. I know that everyone is full and satisfied, and rested from this day that God has given us to rest. You know as I was thinking about this sermon and preparing it I began to realize that often times we hear God’s word, we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:14-15

Denomination: Baptist