Sermons on Pretend:

Conquerors All

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 8, 2009

We are bored. Feelings shut down because we strive for security and for status, and even for spirituality, but nothing works. Only allegiance to the risen Christ provides fulfillment.

Of all the diseases of our time, the most serious one is boredom. Of all the sicknesses this flesh is heir to, the most fatal is boredom. Not AIDS, not homicide, not heart disease nor cancer, but boredom. Oh, I don’t suppose any mortuary ever tagged a cadaver’s toe with "boredom". I don’t suppose ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Road Work Is Finally Finished

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 1, 2009

Neither grief nor guilt are productive, take us anywhere. The Cross is God’s signpost that will put an end to our continuing struggles with both.

Just a few days ago we celebrated, if that’s the right word, the thirtieth anniversary of something we all love to hate. Imagine observing the anniversary of something that has cost us dearly in dollars and also in blood and tears. Something we cannot live without, but sometimes wonder if we can ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Article 16: Faith Alone Justifies, But Not The Faith That Stands Alone. Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Dec 3, 2009

This sermon unpacks good works in the Christian life.

ARTICLE 16. GOOD WORKS • THE BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH 1689. ARTICLE 16. Good Works Good works are only those works which God has commanded in His Holy Word. Works which do not have the warrant of Scripture, and are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intentions are ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-20

Denomination: Baptist

Follow Jesus!

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

As kids we sang: "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back!" But is that the reality of our adult lives? Are we willing to deny and sacrifice ourselves and all we have for Christ's sake?

[Sermon preached on 3 June 2018, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] When I was a kid—I think I was eight years old at the time—I attended a Summer Bible Camp. I will never forget it, for many reasons. In particular, I remember how at the end of the day’s program, we always ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Managing Relationships - Part 3 Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 19, 2018

A final look at being a good steward in our relationships

Managing Relationships - 3 October 21, 2018 For the past few weeks we’ve been looking at Stewardship. We’ve especially been focused on the stewardship of being good at managing the relationships we’re in. Today, we’ll conclude with this part of looking at our relationships, then finish up in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, Proverbs 19:22, Proverbs 18:13

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of A Mighty Church (Part 4) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Nov 8, 2019

A mighty church, according to Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, eagerly awaits the return of Christ, the resurrection of beleivers, the reunions of belivers, and th rewards of heaven.

Marks of a Mighty Church (Part 4) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 9/6/2015 A novice preacher auditioned at a small country church. He was a little nervous, and about ten minutes into his sermon his mind went blank. But he recalled what his homiletics professor taught him to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Christian Church

3. The Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Our modern culture is desperate to feel good about itself. But God has provided a true way to feel good about ourselves, to feel good because we are doing good, and to find God's forgiveness when our own efforts fall short.

We are continuing to look at what the Apostle Paul called the whole armor of God. In his letter to the Ephesian Church, chapter 6, he talked about our world as a battle field. And he wasn't picturing the kind of battle like that occurred when we began our attack on Iraq, where our forces ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Be Excellent Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jan 11, 2016

The church should strive to be excellence in all we do!

Excellence January 10, 2016 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 When I was in seminary I had a professor who taught Pastoral Care and Counseling classes. She was adamant that sporting events for kids should never have a winner, because then there would never be a loser. There were major debates in class, she ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessing Of Embracing The Truth

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jul 8, 2021

Winston Churchill once said, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” But how we respond to truth determines the direction of our lives. It will determine the quality of our lives and the destiny of our eternal soul.

We have experienced the first miracle of Jesus at Cana of Galilee, where water was turned into wine, then we moved to the first ministry of Jesus at Jerusalem. Jesus was interviewed by Nicodemus concerning Who he really was. Nicodemus represented the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-30, John 8:31-32

Denomination: Methodist

Why Do We Need Jesus As Our Shepherd?

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 1, 2021

Shepherds were known for their devotion to the sheep in their care. This parable illustrates Jesus's love for us as the shepherd of our souls who laid down His life for us. His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.

John 10:1 - 10:  “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

The Receptivity Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Vince Miller on May 30, 2018

In this lesson, we discover spiritual growth is not about our spiritual knowledge or spiritual age, but that our increase directly correlates to our spiritual receptivity. Discover four levels of human receptivity.

Men, I don’t know if we are as receptive as we think we are. I guarantee it. I bet you think you’re the most receptive person in the world, to all kinds of truth. I bet you think that. But as you are listening today, I guarantee that you are not as receptive as you think you are. Jesus is going to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

For Jesus' Love 10 Leadership Traits

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Aug 15, 2017

Jesus saves beyond expectations of man and beyond man's ability to love one another as we see in the bible story of Abraham and Jacob.

FOR JESUS’ LOVE 10 Leadership Traits By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (August 13, 2017) “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Friends

It Is Finished

Contributed by David Nolte on Apr 2, 2017

seeks to answer what Jesus meant by, "It is finished!!"

“It Is Finished!” John 19:23-30 David P. Nolte It’s always easier to start something than to finish it. My father-in-law started building a boat. It was about 18 feet long. It was to have an inboard engine. It was to have a small cabin. But he ran out of time before ...read more

Scripture: John 19:23-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Problem Of Sin Is Worse Than We Thought

Contributed by Grant Van Boeschoten on Apr 5, 2017

We underestimate the power and the gravity of sin. This message seeks to show from Romans 7 and Genesis 3 the ways that sin wars against us. Yet God is more than able to overcome sin's power through Jesus Christ.

Introduction - Our Society does not take sin seriously. You don’t often hear people publicly admitting to sin. I’ve made a mistake, I should have done that better When we look at ourselves with honesty, we admit that we don’t take sin seriously We make allowance for it in our lives We think that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-12

Godlessness In The Last Days Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 21, 2022

2 Timothy 3:1-9 shows us how to identify false teachers.

Introduction In the Disney animated classic Alice in Wonderland, Alice wanders through a frustrating world of tardy rabbits, singing flowers, and one curious-talking cat. Her visit with the cat begins as she continues down a mysterious darkened trail and stops at a large tree. The tree is covered ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed