Sermons on Pretense:

Pillows Into Pillars

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Jun 29, 2025

Filled with awe and wonder when he awoke, Jacob took the rock pillow and turned it into a pillar, a monument to the Lord God who met with him in this place.

Pillows Into Pillars Genesis 28 Our SS lesson today is found in Genesis chapter 28, which tells us of a transformative moment in Jacob’s life where he is on a journey back to his distant family in Padanaram, and when he stopped for the night along the way he dreamed of a stairway to heaven. But ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

You Shall Not Take The Name Of The Lord In Vain Series

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Nov 23, 2022

There are serious consequences for breaking the third commandment and taking God’s name in vain. Why are we held guilty if we take His name in vain? What acts do we commit that amount to taking His name in vain?

Exodus 20:1–2 says, “And God spoke all these words, saying:” We need to take note that what follows is the beginning of the Ten Commandments spoken by the voice of the Lord. This is His preamble to the constitution of grace. “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3, Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ode To Joy Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 2, 2018

Last message (33) from Philippians. This message is an overview of the lessons learned from Paul's letter demonstrating the true source of joy in life.

Chico Alliance Church “Ode to Joy” An “ode” is a lyrical poem meant to be sung. Paul didn’t intend his letter to be sung but the music of the letter is clear. Certain pieces of music weave carefully crafted repeated musical themes or melodic phrases thorough the entire piece. Paul wove several ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

God Is In Control Series

Contributed by Bobby Oliver on Feb 26, 2018

God was in control of the situation the Israelite's were in, and He is in control of our situation as well.

God Is in Control Exodus 1:15-22 - Last week, we began our study in the book of Exodus. - It’s a study that I’m excited about because we’re going to be focusing on God’s honor all through this series. - Honoring God as a church and individually is our focus for this year. - Today, we’re going ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Touching The Heart Of God - The Power Of Anointed Prayer - Lesson 3. Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 27, 2021

Intercessory Prayer

Isaiah 66:2b But on one will I look on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word. Isaiah 57:15a For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in a high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On The Mount - Part 9 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jun 26, 2019

This is Part 9 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus in what is familiarly known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” In this part Jesus speaks of righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees; murder, divorce, and oaths - and a better way.

Part 9 - Righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees; divorce, oaths Sermon on the Mount The Christian Character Matthew 5:3 - 7:27 (Cf. Luke 6:20-49) This is Part 9 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus to a crowd of people on a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:19-20, Matthew 5:21-48, Matthew 5:23-26, Matthew 5:27, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Matthew 5:33-37, Deuteronomy 23:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Modestly Declines The Government Of Israel Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 30, 2019

They wanted a king so that they might be like their neighbors, and this was what they tempted Gideon with.

Chapter 32 He Modestly Declines the Government of Israel [Judges 8.22-8.23] Scripture 22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. 23 And Gideon said unto them, I will ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

How To Test The Reality Of Your Religion Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

A Christianity that is not practical is not a real Christianity. If it does not control your conduct, and change your character, and make you more sensitive to the will of God and the world's need, then you better stop and ask some questions about the reality of your religion.

An anthropologist once visited a Bantu village in South Africa to study the customs of the very primitive people who lived there. When he returned to the U.S. he sent back a sun dial to those people to express his thanks for their cooperation. The natives were delighted with their gift, and they ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

How To Be A Successful Nobody Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

Jesus did not expect the lad to feed the five thousand. All He needed was for the boy to give what he had. It is up to us to do our best, and up to Christ to do the rest.

Years ago a very famous organist was giving a recital on a new organ. The wind was pumped by a small boy behind a screen. The boy pumped his heart out at this recital, and he was glad for the intermission half way through the program. Out in the vestry of the church the boy looked up at the great ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-13

Jael The Assassin Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021

Jael has a plan to kill Sisera , and the best and safest way to do that is to lure him into a sense of security where he will take a nap.

Assassins are never heroes in the history of Americans, for they are always those who seek to kill our presidents whom we admire. This is not always the case in other nations. The Jews, for example, have some assassins who are heroes in their history. Two of them are Hakim and Bet Zuri. They were ...read more

Can A Born-Again Christian "Bind" And "rebuke” The Devil?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Aug 25, 2020

A look at what the Bible says about effective spiritual warfare

The terms "binding" and "rebuking" have risen to the forefront in spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry teaching. The words are most often used to teach that the devil can be "bound" or that angels can be "loosed." This study today is about what the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:9, 2 Peter 3:11-12, 1 Peter 5:6-9, James 4:7, Revelation 20:1-3, Matthew 12:22-32, Matthew 23:2-3, 1 John 3:8-10, Matthew 18:15-20, Ephesians 6:10, Matthew 16:13-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faithful Servants Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 22, 2018

Message 26 in our study of Colossians addressing the characteristics of a faithful servant.

Chico Alliance Church “Faithful Servants” This week we shift to Paul’s admonition concerning slaves and masters. Lest we dismiss the principles here because we are not slaves or masters or employees or employers we should step back and look more carefully at the principle. Yes these verses were ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Philippians (Nasb)

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Sep 26, 2021

The Epistle of Joy

(notes c/o Marilyn Hickey Ministries and biblegateway.com) Thanksgiving / The Epistle of Joy / Attitude / Believer’s life / Paul under house arrest in Rome in 62 AD. The power of Christ within Paul gave him contentment; SINGLE MIND 1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants (SLAVES?) of Christ Jesus, To ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Religious Play-Acting

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 9, 2025

Jesus frees us from religion’s stage—calling us from performance to presence, from spotlight to sunlight, to live unmasked before the Father.

Religious Play-Acting The Sermon on the Mount opens with blessing and ends with a choice: sand or rock, appearance or obedience. Between those two poles, Matthew 6 sits like a quiet heart—Jesus’ exposition of motive. Here the Lord shifts from what disciples do to why they do it. He moves from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18, Luke 18:9-14, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 23:27, John 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Peculiar People: Distinctiveness That Reflects Christ

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 26, 2026

Scripture describes a peculiar people, not withdrawn but faithful, following the Lamb, recognizable by reflecting Christ’s character, carrying truth that always walks alongside mercy together.

There are moments in the life of the church when the conversation feels heavier than usual. Not louder. Not angrier. Just heavier. You hear it in the way we talk about the times we’re living in. In phrases that surface again and again: “Things are accelerating.” “Prophecy is lining up.” “We’re ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16, Mark 2:27, Philippians 2:5-8, John 1:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist