Sermons on Preoccupied:

Real Change Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 3, 2011

If we were doomed to live the same life over and over again for eternity, would we choose the life we are living now? If not, then how can we make real change? We do it when we submit to God’s discipline. Then with Christ’s help, admit and quit our sin.

William Alexander, in his book The $64 Tomato, asks the question, “If you were doomed to live the same life over and over again for eternity, would you choose the life you are living now?” It’s a thought-provoking question, but not so much as the implied follow-up question: “If the answer is no, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 44:1-34

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Seated With Christ Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 13, 2014

If we want to live the life God designed for us to live, we must remember where we came from, realize where we are today, recognize how we got here - purely by God's grace.

In 1992, a Los Angeles County parking control officer came upon a brown El Dorado Cadillac illegally parked next to the curb on street-sweeping day. The officer dutifully wrote out a ticket. Ignoring the man seated at the driver's wheel, the officer reached inside the open car window and placed ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

An Example Of Genuine Worship Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 14, 2017

In Luke 7 two people are in the presence of Jesus, an unnamed woman and Simon the Pharisee. Message compares their worship experience and draws key concepts for meaningful worship.

01.29.17 Intro We are pursuing a heart of worship. We are desiring to go deeper in our worship experience with God. Last week we saw that achieving this is not so much a matter of methods and techniques, as it is the condition of the heart. In His conversation with the Woman at the Well Jesus said ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Charismatic

The Significance Of The Place Of Jesus’ Birth Series

Contributed by Charl Swart on Dec 20, 2015

What is the significance with regards to the place, Bethlehem and the manger, where Jesus was born. Can we find any significance in it. Does it have any meaning for us today. After all, God did choose where Jesus should be born. The question is why there?

INTRODUCTION I want to start off with a couple of related questions this morning: • Why are you here in this place, in this church, this morning? • Why are you in South Africa and not in America or Europe or Asia? • Why are you at the work you are at? • Why are you in the ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2, Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Persistence In Praise Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 18, 2021

In the literature of success the theme you will confront most often is the theme of persistence. The athlete who didn't have a chance, but who by perseverance and persistence became the best. The Bible is loaded with this theme as well.

Captain Eddy Richenbacker was in an airplane crash in Atlanta and was rushed to the hospital. He was going in and out of consciousness. It was thought that he would not survive. The most famous radio commentator in the U.S. then was the late Walter Winchell. He said in his broadcast, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15-21

Be Ready For The Wedding! Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 29, 2022

Valentine's Day: The relationship between Christ and the church is often expressed in terms of a wedding, from the proposal to the ceremony. While we wait for the bridegroom, we must set our heart on fulfilling His passions.

At Valentine’s Day we often think about love, romantic love that is; and one of the most beautiful images that come to mind is a wedding ceremony. Next to that might be the engagement, where a man gets down on one knee for the proposal, while the woman listens to his expression of undying love and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Coronavirus, What To Do Pt. 3 Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Sep 18, 2021

When pestilence is sent as a chastisement for the disobedience of God’s people and/or because national rulers refuse to surrender to God’s guidance, there are Biblical solutions to be lived out so we may enjoy God’s forgiveness and intervention.

Coronavirus, What to Do Pt. 3 The Church’s Litmus Test and Exhortations God is always dealing with the different heart issues of sinful mankind through afflictions, punishments, trials, conflicts and consequences of wrong choices. Any born-again theologian interpreting the whole of Scripture ...read more

Scripture: John 15:16, 2 Corinthians 13:5-6, Galatians 5:22-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Does God Really Love You?

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

We begin to look at the fruit of love which comes from God by examing His love for us.

Introductory Considerations 1. Couple of Sundays ago we began a study of the gift of the spirit - the attitudes or the characteristics which show that we are indeed believers who have the indwelling if the Holy Spirit within us. That we are no longer controlled by sin but by the Holy Spirit. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:1

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

My Church Or His Church

Contributed by Scott Snyder on Mar 3, 2001

What did Jesus have in mind when He said, "I will build My church"?

My Church or His Church? Pastor Scott D. Snyder Matthew 16:13-18 Introduction: (A person’s possessions are an indication of the quality of that person—expound.) You don’t expect, at least you shouldn’t expect, to find a lottery ticket in the pocket of a true disciple of Christ. Or a bill from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18

Denomination: Church Of God

Why Are We So Angry?

Contributed by Mark Beaird on Nov 13, 2000

Possible causes of anger in people today and what to do about it

WHY ARE WE SO ANGRY? 1999 by Mark Beaird Text: Ecclesiastics 7:9 "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." "Do not become quickly provoked," the scripture tells us. Anger does seem to get out of control easily doesn't it? Sometimes we become angry ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Land Of Narnia Series

Contributed by David Selleck on Nov 17, 2005

Basic introduction to Narnia story and comparison to the Kingdom of God

Nov 27, 2005 Advent 1 Template for planning David Selleck Lakeside United Methodist, Muskegon, Michigan Felt Need: What does Narnia have to do with my Christian Walk? Hoped for results: To demonstrate how CS Lewis wrote about Narnia and how we can use the parallel of the Kingdom of God to help ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:21-22

Denomination: Methodist

New Clothes/New Image

Contributed by Michael Trask on Dec 12, 2005

We sense that we’ve got an image problem. Like Adam and Eve before us, we try to fix it with clothing. But it can only be truly fixed with the garments of Salvation which our Lord provides through his Son Jesus

“I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.” Does this look all right? Do these go together or do they clash? Does this make me look fat? These are the kinds of questions we impose upon ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:10

Denomination: Lutheran

Isaiah's Woes

Contributed by Ian Lyall on Sep 28, 2005

In Isaiah 5, the prophet pronounces God’s coming judgment on a sinful society. Much of what Isaiah taught applies to the West today. We need to pray for forgiveness

Isaiah 5:8-30 I think we might well call Isaiah’s fifth chapter the chapter of ’woes’! And for that reason we tend to skip it by. It’s all too judgmental and too depressing. We say we want something to cheer us on our way; we want something to lift our spirits. We don’t want all this judgemental ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:8-30

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Harvest Is Plentiful

Contributed by Kerry Bauman on Aug 9, 2005

Harassed and helpless people in this world are waiting for someone to point the way to Christ.

The Harvest is Plentiful Text: Matthew 9:35-38 Introduction: A New York ophthalmologist said that there were more nearsighted people in the city of New York City than in any other. His reasoning was that people routinely operate down among the skyscrapers, hemmed in by the walls of high ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

0809 Trinity Ix: Prodigal Son: The Missing Ingredient Series

Contributed by Mark Woolsey on Aug 15, 2005

If you miss a key ingredient of this story, you end up turning its meaning on its head.

Sermon: Prodigal son: The Missing Ingredient Text: Luke 15:11-32 Occasion: Trinity IX Who: Mark Woolsey Where: Arbor House When: Sunday, July 24, 2005 Where: TI Morning Prayer When: Friday, August 12, 2005 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican