Sermons on Pretensions:

I'm So Hungry

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Oct 10, 2006

Four questions from the Sermon on the Mount regarding the kind of righteousness we should hunger and thirst for.

I’M SO HUNGRY! Sunday, October 8, 2006 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction Start with the story from “The Applause of Heaven” (Lucado, pp. 91-92, copyright, Word Publishing, 1990) where the mother and daughter are trapped in rubble from an earthquake. Stop short of the paragraph where the mother ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Defusing Duplicity Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 17, 2017

This is the first lesson in a series based on James MacDonald's book, Authentic. This lesson battles the problem of hypocrisy.

1. Fake Cars In the 1970’s, Bradley Automotive sold a fiberglass body kit that fit perfectly onto a VW bug chassis. The body was very modern in style and design, giving the impression that it was an expensive GT or GT2 sports car. On the outside it looked expensive, showy, and modern but on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Circle The Wagon Yet Series

Contributed by David Widner on Sep 4, 2016

God did not ask his people to withdraw into their own little group or church and not reach out to the lost

Don't Circle the Wagons Yet Text 2 Corinthians 10:1-7 Introdution: Do you remember the TV show Wagon Train? That show and all the TV shows and movies that showed the western expansion by wagon train always showed the wagons moving into a defensive position that made forward movement impossible. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Loving The Unlovable Series

Contributed by Dan Proctor on Sep 19, 2016

God’s desire is for us to reach out and love the unlovable.

Loving The Unlovable Mark 5:1-20 Introduction: 1. In this text, we have one of the most dramatic conversions in the Bible. Look at how the Bible describes him (vs. 1-5). Read Luke 8:27. 2. So here we have a man full of Satan, homeless, running around in the mountains and graveyards naked, he is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Bible Church

The Work Field

Contributed by John Ong on Nov 5, 2015

For most of us, the easiest way to create a happy life is by simply living according to how we want it to be. There are too many obstacles life and we simply want to choose the shortcuts.

The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. – Mother Teresa For most of us, the easiest way to create a happy life is by simply living according to how we want everything to be. There are way too many obstacles life and we simply want to choose the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Intentional Discipleship

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 15, 2016

Although we find it easy to be distracted by a thousand voices calling in our world, it is crucial that Christians be focused on serving Jesus in intentional ways. Mary of Bethany is a wonderful example of this!

Intentional Discipleship John 12:1-8 Introduction Although we find it easy to be distracted by a thousand voices calling in our world, it is crucial that Christians be focused on serving Jesus in intentional ways. This is a story of celebration and worship that takes place in the home of a ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We On The Road To Castaway Island?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 17, 2023

Many have read and undoubtedly heard this Scripture countless times before. It speaks of someone running a race. But we need to see the spiritual aspect of this road that we are on.

The Apostle Paul concludes Chapter 9 with a plea for self-disciple and self-denial in the Christian life. He compares himself to the athletes in the Isthmian games, which was well known by the Corinthians. In any case, in the Christian race all may run in order to obtain the prize. First ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Keys To Permanent Happiness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 23, 2023

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12.

What are the secrets of happiness? Are they really secrets or just ignored? Let’s understand secrets of true, permanent happiness, found in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Poor in Spirit And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 5: Arresting Intros Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 28, 2018

How to begin a sermon well.

Lesson Intro How often have we heard a preacher start a sermon with a long and complicated story or a boring series of irrelevant jokes that made us wonder where the sermon was going? It happens! How can we avoid making the same mistake and week after week deliver consistently good ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Cheerleaders At Life's Finish Line

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Feb 17, 2021

This world is coming to an end. Our journey with the Lord Jesus is coming to a conclusion and reward. The Scriptures show us that those who have gone on before us are waiting at the Finish Line to welcome us home, where we can all share our stories of how Jesus used us for His glory.

As I write this, two well-known personalities in the area of music and opinion have passed away within the span of a couple of hours. The Christian singer Carman, who was popular in the 1980's through the early 2000's , was known for songs such as "Addicted to Jesus", "The ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, Philippians 3:14, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Galatians 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Fourth Sunday Of Advent, A--Four Advent Annunciations

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 8, 2022

To all the Marys everywhere; to all the Josephs everywhere; to all the Pauls everywhere; and to even all the Ahazes everywhere.

There are four annunciations or announcements in our Gospel this Sunday. 1. To all the Marys everwhere— Mary’s Annunciation— reminds me of an advertising slogan for a shoe company that says, “No great story starts, “it was cold, so I stayed in.” In classical Greek and Roman mythology every ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Catholic

"the Majestic Holiness Of God."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jun 19, 2022

The Holiness of God is the essence of his character and being. It is that part that separates him from all other things in the universe because he is not dependent on what is created to sustain him but beloved; all creation depends on him for their existence.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (1 Peter 1:13-16) (13) "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:6, Matthew 16:18, Psalm 19:14, Acts 2:37, Psalm 24:3-5, Isaiah 6:3-5, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 5:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Breath Out – Breath In! Series

Contributed by Ralf Bergmann on Jun 27, 2002

When we inhale, we take in the fresh oxygen that our bodies require in order to thrive. When we inhale spiritually, it is like taking in the direction the new direction of our Lord Jesus, which we receive, from the Holy Spirit.

Sermon Title: Breath out – Breath in! Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:1-3 Ralf HT Bergmann Bethel Christian Church Date: October 29th 2000 Scripture Introduction: This morning, as we leave the first chapter of 1Peter, we have dealt with the issue of being aliens in our own land. Do we sit still while this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: *other

Were You There? No, But We Are Here

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

To know real and lasting power means admitting that we fail at what we do (repentance), giving over the control of our lives to Christ (faith), and obedience.

The speech choir has asked us a pointed question, "Were you there?" "Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?" They went on, "Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?" And finally, "Were you here when He rose up from the grave?" Were you ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

Tell Me The Story Of Jesus: The Messiah Series

Contributed by Wes Humble on Apr 15, 2010

Tell me the story of Jesus, the Messiah

A bus driver and a pastor were standing in line to get into heaven. The bus driver approached the gate and St. Peter said, "Welcome, I understand you were a bus driver. Since I’m in charge of housing, I believe I have found the perfect place for you. See that mansion over the hilltop? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: *other