Sermons on Preparation Process:

I Didn't Intend To...

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Sep 2, 2012

The bridegroom is coming. No one means to get left outside of the wedding feast, but by their actions and priorities, some will not gain entry.

When I was a kid, I had an excuse for everything. My dad fell for none of them. I’ll spare you most of them and give you just one. My brother, sister and I were playing the basement…with a broom handle…and we broke the light. My dad asked what happened. Did we own up to it? Nope. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

The Trouble With Trials

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Jan 11, 2016

In this message we are seeking to correct some misinformation concerning the true nature of trials.

"The Trouble with Trials" 1 Peter 4:12-13 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

"christ Is Coming!" The Call Continues! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Jan 3, 2019

How is the first coming of Christ at Christmas connected to the coming of Christ at the end of time? See the connections and how the same preparation makes us ready to celebrate and anticipate the coming of Christ.

When you look at that picture of a mountain range, can you tell me which mountain is closest or where one begins and the other ends? It’s kind of hard to tell from a distance, isn’t it? Only when you get closer, into the mountain range itself will you be able to tell which comes first and where ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Birth, Infancy And Future Purpose Of John The Baptist Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 8, 2017

Zechariah has been dumb for almost nine months, but now he can speak and his first words are a song of praise. Everyone recognized that John was going to be an exceptional child. It is clear that Zechariah understands that his son will be the for-runner

Harmony of the Gospels -3 BC- Judea (Birth, Infancy and Future Purpose of John the Baptist (Malachi 3:11) Luke 1:57-80 One of the most interesting prophesies concerning John the Baptist is Malachi 3:11, “See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Denomination: Baptist

I Know Just The Right Person For The Job!

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 13, 2017

We often can feel inadequate and ill-prepared to witness our faith, and to share God's Word with others. However, like the prophet Isaiah, God has prepared us through our life experiences and His Word. He has forgiven us, and He has sent us.

“I know just the right person for the job!” This is a phrase that we can be very familiar with in our lives. It is one that we heard with the elections, as people told us whom they taught were the best candidates. It is a phrase we may hear at work as we suggest people for vacant positions. It ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Respond To Jesus’ End Times’ Teaching Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 12, 2020

After sharing His teaching about the end times in chapter 24, Jesus shares what we should do with that knowledge. What does He say?

WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS END TIMES' KNOWLEDGE JESUS JUST GAVE? Guess when? Study endlessly? Or be ready? - Matthew 24:36; Matthew 25:1-13. - Most of chapter 24 was Jesus answering His disciples’ question about the end times. We will go back and discuss the specifics of that in upcoming ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 24:42-44, Matthew 24:37-39, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 7:24-26, Matthew 24:45-51  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

In These Days...

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Sep 2, 2020

The days for Zechariah and Elizabeth were difficult. Their difficulty was not without purpose. What kind of days are you living in today

Grace Community Church Winchester, VA www.gracecommunity.com View this sermon at: https://youtu.be/qIRi0KRSIWA Introduction After a short prelude and salutation to his intended recipient, Theophilus, Luke moves to right into the annunciation of John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah. We’ll spend ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-7, Philippians 2:14, Romans 8:26, Psalm 34:17, Philippians 4:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

I Ascended Back To Heaven Lesson 11 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 5, 2018

What Jesus did after ascending back to Heaven

Note: The Bible by Jesus will be used throughout this lesson unless otherwise noted after each Bible reference. A. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE ASCENSION? 1. The forces took Me to heaven. a. I was passive. “I was received up” (Acts 1:2). “I was taken up” (Acts 1:9). “Heaven received Me” (Acts 3:21). ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9, Acts 3:21, Ephesians 4:8

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Preparedn Ess Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 17, 2015

Jesus never seems to come as fast as we want him to. We must be prepared to wait

Matthew 25:1-13 “Kingdom Preparedness” INTRODUCTION “Get ready, we’re going to leave soon!” I suspect more than a few young people heard those words this morning as the family prepared to climb into the car and drive to morning worship. We hear the call to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Flasks Of Oil!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Mar 18, 2015

Alas, at the last minute the foolish ones ran out of stock and thus they missed the bridegroom and the marriage feast, and the door was shut!

Flasks of oil! Mathew 25:4” the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” Christian faith is disconcertingly shallow, as shallow as a puddle of water on a sidewalk these days! People daringly confess, “ I have no time for prayer, fasting or Bible reading! I’m just busy, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Winning Big Victories: The Fall Of Jericho Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 12, 2022

The battle of Jericho is not a model of military genius. It was a miracle. God called his people to foolishness to demonstrate His great power. What happened in Jericho was unique. Be ready to move ahead by faith when hearing the voice of God.

Winning Big Victories: The Fall of Jericho Joshua 5-6 I wrote a Wikipedia article on Edwin Winter Clark: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Winter_Clark. I had some significant help on this as there have been 500 follow up edits since I first wrote the original article. Edwin Clark is credited ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

To Be Blameless At The Advent

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 25, 2021

Advent is a time in which we reflect upon the return of Christ and prepare for that Day.

To Be Blameless at the Advent 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Advent is a time of reflection. Most people spend the season of Advent contemplating the birth of Jesus Christ. We tend to concentrate on the Baby Jesus in the manger. We wonder why He came to such an awful place as earth, a world filled with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Holy Insomnia

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 4, 2023

God wants our major priority to be his kind of people even when he’s not looking.

This is a hard week for many of us here. I think all of you must have read of the murder-suicide that took place in our town just a week ago. By itself, it is one of the most tragic incidents to occur among our midst in quite a long time - certainly since I arrived. Two young men in their prime, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith That Follows Series

Contributed by Kory Labbe on Nov 8, 2025

Faith That Follows reminds us that real faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. Like John the Baptist, we’re called to embrace our role in God’s mission. When we follow where the Holy Spirit leads, even ordinary moments can become divine appointments that change lives.

Live Volume 3: Get Going — Week 2: Faith That Follows Text: John 1:19–34 (NLT) Theme: Faith That Follows reminds us that real faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. Like John the Baptist, we’re called to embrace our role in God’s mission: to prepare the way, stay the course, and point people to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Will Heaven Be Like?

Contributed by Randy Croft on Nov 15, 2002

Secrets of the New World God is Preparing for You.

What will Heaven be Like? by Randy A. Croft For several years, I taught a group of high school students some of the basics of Egyptian life. We studied the Egyptian worldview concerning their gods, about the afterlife, and why they took such great detail with the pyramid design and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational