Sermons on Prisons:

This Way Out

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 28, 2023

We are imprisoned by sin in exactly the same way that we are imprisoned by gravity. We are prisoners of our own humanity, and it’s a life sentence with no time off for good behavior.

When I was 12, I went on vacation with my family to a place called Iguazu Falls. Not many people in this country have ever heard of it. It’s only the second biggest waterfall in the world, after Niagara. It’s only the second highest waterfall in the world, after Victoria Falls. It’s at the top NE ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-36, Romans 4:18-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Third Sunday Of Advent, Year A: Gaudete Sunday--John The Baptist: Danger And Beauty Of The Barren Places

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 2, 2022

It is just these types of lonely, painful moments that Jesus wants to redeem. John the Baptist got ministered to in prison by Jesus. He answered John’s question and complimented him to others.

A bedraggled little man once walked the streets of an Italian town 100 years ago. Many of the townspeople saw his pallid face, often tearful, as he stumbled along the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys. One day a kind soul, witnessing the man’s misery, came up to him, hoping to lift his sad ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1, Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Catholic

"If The Church Would Just Pray"

Contributed by Bishop William Bryant Wilmore, Jr. on Aug 17, 2003

When Peter was in prison, awaiting what appeared to be a sure execution, the church prayed without ceasing for him and Peter was set free by an angel of the Lord. Powerful things happen the church prays.

In the text, we find something taking place that seems to be missing in many churches today – that is church folk praying for church folk. In this particular case, a church member in trouble. The Apostle Peter is on death roll and all petitions to commute his sentence have been exhausted. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5, Acts 12:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

When The Son Sets You Free

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jun 18, 2001

The Gospel is a message of freedom... It is a message of good news for the poor; freedom for the prisoners; sight for the blind and of release for the oppressed. And it is a message that is still needed today...because far too many are still not free

"When The Son Sets You Free" INTRODUCTION In the movie Brave Heart Mel Gibson plays the role of a man from Scotland whose name was Wallace. It was a great movie - very graphic in the battle scenes but it really gave you a feel of what battles were like back in those days. Wallace was ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36, John 8:30-38, John 8:31-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Freedom To Serve Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 24, 2008

Peter gets throne into prison but God gets him out. It’s in part thanks to earnest prayers of the saints. Just how does prayer work into the will of God in our lives?

Don’t you hate getting blamed for doing a good thing? I’ve shared this story a few times but I remember once when a group of us in ministry used to meet for breakfast on a particular day of the week. One time one of us didn’t show up. The other guys just ignored it but I was troubled. I sought out ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Believers Are Heirs According To God's Promise

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jul 21, 2006

Pentecost 6(C) - Believers are heirs according to God’s promise. We learn that God’s law makes sinners prisoners but it is our Lord that makes sinners his children.

BELIEVERS ARE HEIRS ACCORDING TO GOD’S PROMISE July 16, 2006 - PENTECOST 6 - Galatians 3:22-29 * * * * * * * * * * Dearest Fellow-Redeemed and Friends in Christ: Sometime during our lifetime we probably have received an inheritance. Maybe at this time in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:22-29

Denomination: Lutheran

God Still Has Purpose For You! Pt. 2

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Jun 25, 2005

I believe many today are experiencing the anxiety, the pain, and the excessive burden of a bad decision. You feel like your locked in an invisible prison…recriminating about the mistakes you made.

Elder M. Edmunds Co-Pastor of United Ordained Church June 2002 My foundational scripture will come from verse eight, which says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” This is a companion of Psalm 51:8, which reads, “Then will I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Receive And Give Forgiveness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 18, 2006

During the war in Kosovo in 1999, three Americans were captured and held hostage for more than a month. After intense negotiations, a breakthrough occurred and the prisoners were allowed to go free.

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Receive and Give Forgiveness Ephesians 1:7-1:18 (NIV, NIRV, TNIV, KJV) Let the Holy Spirit Help You Give and Receive Forgiveness (Eph. 1:7-18) Illustration: Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. . --Ephesians 4:32 During the war in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sanctity Of Life

Contributed by Jim Mccutchen on May 8, 2010

The penalty for killing an unborn eagle in this country is a fine of up to $5000 and up to five years in prison But,the killing of an unborn baby is not considered a crime at all, as long as the mother approves.

THE SANCTITY OF LIFE INTRO: A.Vince Lombardi was one of the most outstanding coaches of the Green bay Packers. Due to his success each year the winner of the Super Bowl receives a trophy called the Lombardi Trophy. Each year Vince would start each summer camp the same way. He would get h is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5

Denomination: Christian Church

Choosing The Best Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 27, 2013

Paul penned this letter to the Philippians from a prison. Yet he was overjoyed at how God was his adverse circumstances to advance the Gospel. Paul's joy was completely centered in His realtionship with Jesus.

Intro: An old dog was watching a young dog chase his tail. The young dog stopped to rest, and told the older dog, “I believe happiness is in my tail, and if I catch it, then I will have happiness!” The older, wiser dog said, “I caught mine once. . . and I found out that happiness ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Empty Chair

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Nov 23, 2020

Every thanksgiving there is an tradition of leaving an empty chair for an unexpected guessed. Jesus expects us to do that to the hungry, thirsty, to the prisoned one. We are to help the least, lonely, lost, leper, and the other.

Matthew 25:31-46 The Empty Chair " -- for the least, the lost, the lonely, the leper, the "other"? 1. This week we will celebrate Thanksgiving • Thanksgiving is the day we set aside nationally to remind us to say "thanks" for the bounties God has heaped upon our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Methodist

Barabbas Who Is Substituted Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Apr 4, 2020

Barabbas is a prisoner destined for death by crucifixion. However Jesus is substituted into the place of Barabbas and provides Barabbas with freedom. The “silent witness” of Barabbas calls us to think about our freedom in Christ.

Message Silent Witnesses Mark 15:6-15 Barabbas Who Is Substituted We are only five sleeps away from Good Friday. That came quick … didn’t it. With Easter so close it is really appropriate to look at Scripture passages which are closely connected to that event. The theme I have chosen for these ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline Of Acts 12:18-25

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 18, 2022

Herod had moved from Jerusalem to Caesarea after Simon Peter had escaped from prison. These verses describe some of the last things he did before he died.

An outline of Acts 12:18-25 1 Herod’s reaction to Peter’s disappearance Text, Acts 12:18-19, KJV: 18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Blessings Of The Freedom Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Aug 26, 2022

According to Prophet Isaiah, anointing leads to preaching, anointing helps to bind up the broken-hearted, and anointing motivates to proclaim the good news to the captives. Anointing releases the prisoners from the darkness.

Theme: Blessings of Freedom Text: Isaiah 61:1-11 Introduction: The first and foremost larger prophetic book of Isaiah reveals the Secret of Freedom is the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing is the empowerment of a new life, and new vision. This is the prophecy about the work of Christ ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Baring It All

Contributed by Sean Dees on Apr 30, 2021

On the outside everything looks normal but on the inside you are bound up. You are still having trouble adjusting to being “freed”; you are trying to live the freed life by the “prison code of institutionalization”.

I. Genesis 3 is like cooking an egg you can have it scrambled, poached, steamed, over easy, or the other 100 ways to cook an egg. What I am trying to say is Genesis 3 has been preached just about every way it can be. So to find a new revelation can be difficult. A. The book of Genesis is a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-10