Sermons on Presume:

Escaping Your Alcatraz

Contributed by David Edward Ray on Nov 26, 2016

Escaping your Alcatraz is a message of hope for those that are caught in their own prison of addiction, depression or anything that has us bound. All of our efforts cannot set us free. The Spirit of the Lord can.

On June 11, 1962, Clarence Anglin, John Anglin and Frank Morris tucked papier-Mache heads resembling their own likenesses into their beds, broke out of the main prison building via an unused utility corridor and departed Alcatraz Island aboard an improvised inflatable raft to an uncertain fate, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 1:2-4, Revelation 12:11, Psalm 142:7, John 8:36, Zechariah 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fulfilling A Promise Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 5, 2017

Simeon and Anna see the Messiah—a fulfillment of God’s promise to them. They are now able to depart in peace.

Luke 2:21-38. "Fulfillment of a Promise" INTRODUCTION During the Advent and Christmas Seasons, we have had many messengers and models to encourage and direct us on our walk of faith. The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel spoke to us in the Hebrew Scriptures. We have also heard from two angels, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-38

Denomination: Lutheran

A Time For The Lord’s Supper (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Sep 3, 2011

We are proclaiming that the life and death and resurrection of Jesus was and is a actual event, it’s not some fabricated story, not some fairy tale passed down from one generation to another, it is real, with real consequences, if people don’t accept what

1 Cor. 11:24-34 A Time Of Appreciation: 1 Cor. 11:24-and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Attitude Of Gratitude The Lord’s supper is a time not only to remember what He has done for us, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:24-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Bride's Love Song Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 16, 2011

As Mary poured costly nard over the feet of Jesus, so the Church sings its love song to the Bridegroom sacrificed for our sins.

Monday of Holy Week 18 April 2011 Spirit of the Liturgy Mary loved her brother, Lazarus. When he took ill, she and Martha immediately sent word to Jesus, trusting that He would come and cure Lazarus. She waited, and waited, and watched her brother get progressively worse. Worse yet, the rumor ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

The Withered Fig Tree.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 17, 2022

Today’s passage brings together two events which are not unrelated to each other: the cleansing of the Temple, and the withering of the fig tree. Both are figurative of the state and changing status of the old Jewish faith at the dawn of the gospel era.

THE WITHERED FIG TREE. Mark 11:12-33. I. The Barren Fig Tree. Mark 11:12-14; Mark 11:20-26. As we see Jesus approaching the fig tree (Mark 11:12-13), we need to recollect that Jesus is God. The fig tree is a well-known symbol of Israel: ‘every man under his vine and his fig tree’ (cf. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Way We Accidentally Trip Up New Believers Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 14, 2018

The Christian life is challenging and one way we trip up new believers is by giving them false expectations about what the journey will be like. This passage details the difficulties Paul encountered and serves as a good summary of the struggles any believer may encounter.

HOW WOULD THEIR MINISTRY BE DISCREDITED? If their children in the faith didn’t continue the race. - 2 Corinthians 6:3b – “. . . so that our ministry will not be discredited.” - Paul talks elsewhere about his children in the faith being his joy. And certainly they were. Here we see another truth ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Twin Loves And Saint Louis Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 6, 2019

Whatever our state of life, we are called to live and die in love. We are called to follow Jesus and to become saints ourselves.

January 10, 2019 St. Louis of Toulouse Every day we wake up, we wake up to the understanding that our being able to wake up is a divine gift. Every night when we retire saying our night prayers, we make an act of confidence in God, trusting that if we die that night, we are in the care of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Denomination: Catholic

Crowds And Connections

Contributed by Peter Fisher on Apr 18, 2020

In Covid-19 lockdown, life is all about NOT being in crowds, how can we celebrate Palm Sunday

This is the day … “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Well, I don’t know about you, but it feels more like “how shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land”. That’s from Psalm 137:4 and was the Jews response to being exiled to Babylon. WE/US Let US ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:19-24

Denomination: Anglican

Wakeful Watching

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 20, 2020

The day of the Lord and the children of Light.

WAKEFUL WATCHING. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. The Apostle has already spoken concerning the status of the Christian dead at the return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Now he turns his attention to the question of preparedness for the day of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:1. It would be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Withering Religion

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2020

Judgment begins at the house of God.

A WITHERING RELIGION. Matthew 21:12-22. Today’s passage brings together two events which are not unrelated to each other: the cleansing of the Temple, and the withering of the fig tree. Both are figurative of the state and changing status of the old Jewish faith at the dawn of the gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Story Of Slow, Painful Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 16, 2023

The story of Joseph coming to a place of forgiveness with his brothers is a long story (four whole chapters!) but the story is a great illustration of how difficult forgiveness is.

HOW WE THINK YOU FORGIVE: Say “I forgive you” and move on. - Discuss the fact that “forgive and forget” is not in the Bible. PLOT POINTS: - This is a really long story – basically four chapters! But it’s important that we hit the various plot points because they show the back-and-forth, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Easy Way To Love Your Neighbor Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 14, 2020

The story of the Samaritan and his compassion is instructive for us to consider how we treat our neighbors.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR: Loving your neighbor is not difficult as long as you get to define “neighbor.” - Luke 10:29. - We often define “neighbor” as those we like and who like us back. People like us who we are comfortable around. - Further, we define “love” cheaply: liking a post, offering a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Empty Tomb

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 12, 2013

Jesus' bodily Presence is not all: He is with us for ever.

THE EMPTY TOMB. John 20:1-18. While Jesus’ enemies had been busying themselves setting a watch over His tomb, the disciples had been sitting quietly at home, keeping the Sabbath. At first dawn Mary Magdalene - and some other women - came to the sepulchre, and found the stone had been rolled away ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Note Of Praise

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 21, 2019

An apt overture to the crescendo of Praise with which the Psalter ends!

A NOTE OF PRAISE. Psalm 145:1-5; Psalm 145:17-21. A lone voice opens the Psalm: “I” will extol thee; “I” will bless (Psalm 145:1); “I” will bless; “I” will praise (Psalm 145:2). ‘Generations’ shall praise and declare (Psalm 145:4); “I” will speak and declare (Psalm 145:5-6). The word ‘men’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-5, Psalm 145:17-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Real Place We Meet God Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 5, 2018

The Real Place We Meet God Series: Conversations with Jesus March 18, 2018 – Brad Bailey

The Real Place We Meet God Series: Conversations with Jesus March 18, 2018 – Brad Bailey Intro: Sometimes when I have a chance to introduce someone to someone else…I like to note a point of connection. (Last week I introduced Ron who plays drums with Jonathan a worship leader.) Past holidays… we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational