Sermons on Prefer:

Why Pray? Series

Contributed by Brad Stone on Jun 29, 2024

Many people question the purpose and effectiveness of prayer. Often, prayers not answer in the method we would prefer, or in the time frame we would like, are mistaken as unanswered prayers. In this message, I attempt to give a biblical response to the question, "Why Pray?".

Biblical Answers to Life’s Tough Questions: Why Pray? Phil 4:6-7 People have asked the question before, “What is the point in prayer?”. Their argument is that, if by praying we can change God’s mind, then He isn’t sovereign. If he doesn’t change His mind, then He is superfluous. Many people ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Milk Or A Thanksgiving Feast Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Nov 16, 2023

On Thanksgiving day which do you prefer? Milk or a Thanksgiving feast? The writer of Hebrews has a candid conversation with those who were spiritually missing out on the best instead of Spiritual meat- they were on Spiritual milk. How do we do the opposite?

When we think of Thanksgiving we often think of food. While we all know that Turkey is the top food for the Thanksgiving meal in America; the favorite side dishes vary. Yet, this week I did a little study to see which side dishes are America’s favorite. Are you ready for this? 1. Stuffing; of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does Belief Sometimes Come The Hard Way?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why do some people only trust God when they experience terrible hardships? In this passage we are given insights into how a governor of Cyprus was brought to Christ the hard way. His path to faith is symbolic of so many people who seem to prefer to learn

1. Why do some people only trust God when they experience terrible hardships? In this passage we are given insights into how a governor of Cyprus was brought to Christ the hard way. His path to faith is symbolic of so many people who seem to prefer to learn the most important lessons in life, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are We Committed? Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 16, 2015

If we have accepted the name of Christ as our own, it means we have repented of our sins, given up our desires and our preferences and submitted fully to Him. Are we submitted to Him or still trying to live fulfilling our own selfish needs?

Are we committed? 1 Peter Sermon Series, Part 12 1 Peter 4:12--19 Introduction - Peter now ties these two chapters (sufferings of Christ and living for Him) -- There is a huge implication here about adopting the same attitude as He did -- He suffered, was broken, and died because of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pain That Produces Peace: God’s Loving Discipline In The Life Of A Disciple Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 19, 2026

We live in a comfort-driven culture. Everything in the 21st century whispers, “Avoid pain. Escape discomfort. Protect your preferences.” Yet Scripture speaks a very different language. The Bible tells us that pain, in the hands of a loving Father, is not pointless—it is productive.

The Pain That Produces Peace: God’s Loving Discipline in the Life of a Disciple Introduction: When It Hurts Let me begin with a simple, honest truth: following Jesus is glorious—but it is not always easy. We live in a comfort-driven culture. Everything in the 21st century whispers, “Avoid pain. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:11, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 12:6, Proverbs 3:11-12, James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5, John 15:1-2, Psalm 119:67, Romans 8:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Genealogy Of God Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 4, 2012

The genealogy of Jesus Christ had interesting sets of names included. They may not be some that we would have personally preferred in our genealogy, yet God had them there through whom His Son would come. Through it we see the character of God -the faithf

My wife was telling me during the sermons, she was distracted because one of the hairs was just sticking straight up. And I said, “Which one?” She said, “I think it was Joe!” I have started to name them because they are so precious. So I put Joe back in place, and it looked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: *other

How Could One Solitary Life Have So Much Impact - Christmas Eve

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

Church members and friends can support St. John's By-the-Sea by visiting our website https://www.stjohnsbythesea.com/donate, where a donation can be made by PayPal or credit card, if you prefer that to mailing your donations to the church.

Good Evening, and welcome again to St. John’s Church. And, as you can tell, I love our Christmas Eve Service. The first one at St. John’s was in 1892, 130 years ago. This is only my 5th Christmas here, and I absolutely love how this service paints a picture. It really has a feel to it. As we close ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

"i Want It To Matter"

Contributed by Dave Nichols on Feb 11, 2021

You may not know the name Tyler Trent. But let me tell you a few things about him: He liked Mahi Mahi: grilled, not blackened. And he liked Starbucks coffee: something with peppermint, preferably. He liked pizza – thin, not thick – and popsicles. And Pepsi Max.

“I want it to matter” Holly Springs 1/6/19 If you have your bibles with you today I want you to turn to Isaiah 44:24, again that is Isaiah 44:24: here is what it says: Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:24

Denomination: Baptist

Big Life Little Life - Mark 15:1-15 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 22, 2024

What is it about the natural human heart that prefers someone like Barabbas to Jesus? If we don’t know the answer to that question, we’ll miss one of the most important messages of the whole book of Mark. And when it comes to a choice, we’ll make the wrong decision too.

Mark 15:1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-15, John 18:28-40, Matthew 27:11-26, Luke 23:1-25

Clear The Way, Part 6 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Sep 7, 2025

The calling of the first disciples is a story of incredible importance because it shows us how ordinary men (and women) - are called by the Messiah of God - to do extraordinary things in His name. Are we willing to also give up everything we prefer to serve and lead a life that glorifies God?

John, Part 6 Series: Clear the Way, Part 6 John 1:35-42 - Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’re here with us; dismiss kids - I never want to assume that we all have the same knowledge … ? A young Jewish man; referred to as youngest Apostle (late teens / early 20s) ? John wrote ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42, 1 Peter 1:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being An Autumn & Winter Christian

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 30, 2007

Too often, we live active and fruitful Spring & Summer seasons and then act like that’s it. We never really adjust to or accept Autumn and/or Winter. In steady of thriving during those seasons, we sometimes prefer to spend our time proverbially locking

BEING AN AUTUMN & WINTER CHRISTIAN Pastor Todd G. Leupold PBC, PM, October 22, 2006 INTRODUCTION A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 92:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Time To Hear Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Jesus is saying, “I, the lamp, have come with the light of the gospel. Don’t cover me and my message over as many of you are doing. Let the lamp shine openly. The reason that you hide my light is that you really prefer something else which is less than

Introduction We are back to the parables this morning. In contrast to our extended metaphor of the sower and his soil conditions, we now come to a collection of short images and sayings. Remember how I said that usually it is the context that makes the parable’s meaning clear? The peculiar ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Are You A Bystander? Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Mar 23, 2020

Some people find the cross … sometimes the cross finds you. Simon of Cyrene had a divine appointment with God that day … and sometimes God makes divine appointments with us. Like Simon, these may involve tasks we would prefer not to do, but these often lead to some of life’s greatest blessings.

His name was “Simon.” It means “God has Heard.” And today it would certainly seem that God had heard his many, many prayers. Today was the day that he and his two boys, Alexander and Rufus, would finally get to see Jerusalem, the mighty and holy city of God, with their own eyes. All of his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21-22, Luke 9:23

Denomination: United Methodist

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Receive And Give Forgiveness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

If somebody killed your child, could you ever forgive him? By God’s grace the raging desire for revenge might eventually die down within our hearts, but most of us would probably prefer never to see that person again nor to help him in any way. Yet th

Let the Holy Spirit Help You Give and Receive Forgiveness (Eph. 1:7-18) Illustration: Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. . --Ephesians 4:32 During the war in Kosovo in 1999, three Americans were captured and held hostage for more than a month. After intense negotiations, a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-18, Ephesians 1:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lukewarm Church Of Laodecia

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Nov 17, 2019

Lukewarmness is like a dud bomb. Accomplishes not a thing. Jesus Christ prefers us to be passionately against God or, much better, passionately for God. And He disciplines us because He loves us so very much. Thanks to William Barclay's insights which are reflected throughout this message.

November 17 Sermon - The Churches of Revelation - Laodicea So we have come to the end of our look at the churches of Revelation, today being the last day. And it’s been a fascinating journey to see some of the challenges that the early church faced, and how Jesus directly, through this ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-20, John 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational