Sermons on preparing for jesus:

The Loneliness Of Self Pity (July 31, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jul 29, 2022

Have you ever wanted to quit because things got tough? ... Elijah was considering dropping out of his role because Queen Jezebel threatened him!

THE LONELINESS OF SELF PITY Text: I Kings 19:1- 4, I Kings 19:10 -18 1 Kings 19:1-4  Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.  (2)  Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-4, 1 Kings 19:10-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Ezekiel And The Storm Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

If you were asked to describe God, how would you? For many people, God is a mystery. Yet, I want to take us back in time to ancient Iraq where Ezekiel’s tells of a vision of a great God. The ancient rabbis of ancient of Israel did not want anyone under the age of 30 reading Ezekiel’s prophecy.

The Aim of This Series Over the course of this fall sermon series, we are witnessing a series of encounters between ordinary people and extraordinary God. These encounters are called visitations and they are almost always following a crisis of some kind. There’s a crisis, an extraordinary time ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Peculiar People

Contributed by Mike Bryant on Jun 8, 2021

Israel's desire for a king is used to illustrate the temptation we face to be more like the rest of the world. But even though the world's view of us often chafes, it is God's plan that we be conspicuously different.

I) After Moses brought the nation of Israel out of Egypt, they did not have a king for many years. A) Unlike the nations around them, they were led by men and women, judges, who were direct intermediaries between God and man. B) Early on, the people tried to make one of those judges, Gideon, into ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:5-8, 1 Samuel 8:5, 1 John 2:15-17, John 15:19, 1 Peter 2:9-12, Romans 6:16-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Here Comes Trouble Again! # 2a

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 6, 2022

When things are going right for MOST of us, folks ask us how we are and we give them a big smile and say that things are GREAT!

Our differences are revealed, not during our GOOD TIMES, but during the BAD TIMES in our lives! One thing we all seem to do during the DIFFICULT TIMES in life is to turn to our friends for sound advice. Most of the time when we do this what we get is not good sound advice, but a lot of RHYMES ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

O, To Be A Swallow Psalm 84 – A Psalm Of The Sons Of Korah Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 7, 2022

This beautiful Psalm written by one of the Sons of Korah and set to music, is a fervent desire to be with the Lord and in His presence. His whole being longs for the Lord, to be in His courts. It is a really edifying Psalm.

O, TO BE A SWALLOW Psalm 84 – A Psalm of the Sons of Korah My Soul Longs for the Courts of the LORD - To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. (Probably a musical or liturgical term) A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. PSALM 84 VERSE 1: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! Verse ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20, 1 John 4:13, John 15:4, Matthew 10:31, Isaiah 40:31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stewardship (2of 4)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 11, 2022

Today we want to look again at the scriptures to see what is required of us if we are to be good stewards.

Our text says, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” EVERYONE here today is a steward. That is, everyone here has been entrusted by God with certain things. We have... • Been entrusted with the gospel. • Been entrusted with talents. (Some more than others.) • Been ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:2

Denomination: Baptist

When Jack Daniels Met John 3:16

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 21, 2022

We look at the disastrous effects of alcohol, at wine use in the early church, and the nine reasons Christians shouldn’t drink.

WHEN JACK DANIELS MET JOHN 3:16 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR A mother was assisting her elementary school son on his project for the science fair. The subject of his project was, "The Harmful Effects Of Alcohol." The mother, who had never taken a drink of alcohol in her life, nervously went ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:29-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Eagle Christians

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 18, 2022

In 1 Samuel we have the very exciting story of David and Goliath. From the human viewpoint, this was the biggest mismatch that has ever occurred.

Illus: If any of you watch professional boxing, you know that the weight of the boxers has to be within a few pounds, or they are not allowed to fight each other. They would not think of putting a "feather" weight, weighing just a little more than a hundred pounds, in the ring with a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:22-29

Denomination: Baptist

God And Creation

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 23, 2022

Someone has said that Genesis 1:1 is read more than any verse in the Bible.

This is especially true in January, since many begin the year with the determination to read the Bible through that year, but often that is as far as they get. However, if they only read this one verse, it will tell them a great deal about the God of the Bible. This one scripture is considered ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Christians Constant Battle With The Devil

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 4, 2022

The story is told of a boxer who was in the fight of his life. From the very first round, he was getting hit from every direction you can imagine.

• After the first round, he returned to his corner with his nose bleeding. But his manager wanted to encourage him so he said, “Good fight champ, he never laid a glove on you!” • After the second round he returned to his corner with his nose still bleeding and now he had a black eye. But again, his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Two Trees

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Mar 15, 2022

Dealing with the tree of knowledge and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. What is the difference?

The Two Trees Theme: To show that there are two trees we chose from: 1) tree of life or 2) tree of the knowledge of good and evil. What is the difference? Text: Genesis 1 - 3 Genesis 2:4-9 This is the history [3] of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-9

Denomination: Church Of God

How Is Your Hearing?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 15, 2022

I guess one of the biggest frustrations that parents have, is when they talk to their children and they either don't hear, or choose not to hear what the parents have to say.

Illus: One woman’s three year old daughter, Beverly, was playing with her toys. Her mother, who was folding laundry across the room, noticed Beverly's shirt was dirty and needed to be changed. After calling two times with no response, her mother gave her the full three name call: "Beverly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Endeavoring To Keep The Unity

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

“The nearest thing to heaven on this earth is a church full of people who love the Lord, and each other.” I believe we all will concur with that statement.

The Psalmist must have also felt this way, because he said in Psalm 133:1, “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” But if it is true that a church full of people who love the Lord and each other is the nearest thing to heaven on this earth, it must also be true ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Life Of Excuses

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

In all areas of our life, we can not help but notice that some folks are better at doing some things than others are.

For example, this is certainly true, when it comes to: • Sports • Academics • Cooking • Building • Teaching • Saving money Sad to say, but this is also true when it comes to lying. Some are much better at telling lies than others are. Some people lie so much, that you know they are lying if their ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

What Will It Take? (1 Of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

The title of this sermon is, “WHAT WILL IT TAKE?” You are probably wondering what direction I plan to take in a sermon with such a title.

I want to show you by asking a question, “WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET YOU TO LOVE GOD AND SERVE HIM AS YOU SHOULD?” Illus: When I think of this question, I think of the atheist school teacher who was thinking, “WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO CONVERT THIS CLASS OF YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS OVER TO ATHEISM?” She ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:21-24

Denomination: Baptist