Sermons on Productive Hands:

This Thorny Thicket Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 20, 2008

For Martin Luther King Day. The words we offer fall into the thorny thicket of anxiety, despair, and distraction. Like King with his dream, we the church can give hands and feet to help those so captured.

Our back yard is a thorny thicket. Other people have manicured lawns, with friendly plants laid out in neat rows. But our back yard is a tangled thorny thicket. Along one fence there are blackberries, growing in long canes that have to be tied up lest they wander into the next county. They ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Unbelieving Hearts

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jun 21, 2011

"Once Saved - Always Saved" Is it true? YES! But it is abused too often when people think that everyone who walked down the aisle and shook the pastor’s hand is truly saved. But if they are truly saved, then they are saved forever.

Unbelieving Hearts June 19, 2011 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: "Once Saved - Always Saved" Is it true? YES! But it is abused too often. Focus Passage: Hebrews 3:12-19 Supplemental Passage: "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Scroll And The Lamb

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 9, 2014

God is NOT the author of confusion; therefore the book of Revelation isn't confusing for a Christian to follow! Continuing in Revelation we see Jesus take the scroll from God's hand and ALL of Heaven marvels at Christ's awesome authority!

The Scroll and the Lamb Revelation, Part 5, Revelation 5:1-14 Introduction - Over-arching theme: 2 Tim 4:2 says “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” -- We ought to be able to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Needs A Setting Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 29, 2014

what is communicated in the Church, what is handed down in her living Tradition, is the new light born of an encounter with the true God, a light which touches us at the core of our being and engages our minds, wills and emotions.

Thursday of 4th week of Lent 2014 Lumen Fidei The name “Israel” was given to Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebecca, after an incident in which this patriarch wrestled all night with a divine being. That name means “God-fighter,” and it applied well to his descendants. Our OT ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14

Denomination: Catholic

Revealing Redemption Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 7, 2015

Bethlehem becomes the hometown of Ruth. Because of her faith and character, God brings her into the nation of Israel. She will become the ancestor to David and Jesus. Things of God are revealed in and to Ruth as she experiences redemption by His hand.

1. A Ph.D. candidate at the University of Southern California, was eager for the title of "doctor" - until one newly degreed professor shared his story. He said: A friend had called his home and asked, "Is the doctor in?" The Professor's 10 year old son replied, "Yes, but he's not the kind that can ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Ledger

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 10, 2015

Years ago when I was a young banker in Painesville Ohio, we used large leather bound ledgers in which all the accounts were entered by hand. Those ledgers remind me of God's ledgers in heaven.

There is probably no greater summary of God's love ....than that which is found.... in John 3:16. Martin Luther called it ......the miniature gospel. One Sunday school teacher .... kept a copy of this verse in a walnut shell on his desk .....because he was taught as a child..... that John 3:16 ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Anglican

Discovering Jesus Step By Step

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Sep 2, 2018

Based on their own personal experience, the first disciples discovered who really Jesus is. Step by step, let us learn from their first-hand experiences so that we can also know Him better.

DISCOVERING JESUS STEP BY STEP (Steps to Personal Discipleship) LUKE 9:18-27 Based on their own personal experience, the first disciples discovered who really Jesus is. Step by step, let us learn from their first-hand experiences so that we can also know Him better. I - HE IS OUR SAVIOR THAT ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trial And Torture Of The King Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2014

Before Jesus reached the cross, He faced unspeakable torture at the hands of the Roman soldiers. There are accounts of soldiers flogging prisoners to death. The point of flogging was to bring them close to death so the crucifixion time would be shortened.

INTRODUCTION Easter is three weeks from today. We’re counting down the last 94 hours before the disciples discovered the empty tomb. I’m calling this “94 Hours that Changed the World.” We’ve already walked with Jesus from the last Supper to the Garden of Gethsemane ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Seven "I Am's" Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 1, 2010

There is a big difference in being a mere fan of Jesus and a disciple of Jesus. A disciple enjoys a closer walk and relationship with his Lord and Master. On the other hand, a fan has an impersonal relationship and is often unknown by the person he follow

Intro: As you read the Gospel records, you will easily see the multitudes who followed Jesus. But are these real followers who personally knew Jesus? You see there is a big difference in being a mere fan of Jesus and a disciple of Jesus. A disciple enjoys a closer walk and relationship with his ...read more

Scripture: John 18:4-9

Denomination: *other

The God Of History Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 19, 2008

Israel looked back on their history and sawGod’s hand. We can look back on our lives and se God moving in ways that we did not know at the time. Such hind sight inspires praise and thanksgiving.

Psalm 136:1-26 “The God of History” INTRODUCTION One of the most powerful witnesses that we have, as Christians, is a life lived with thankfulness. I believe this is one of the reasons why the Bible is resplendent with exhortations and invitations to be thankful—Psalm 136 being one such ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 136:1-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Sacrificial Life

Contributed by William Baeta on Jul 2, 2017

“God said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me”.”

Introduction: The best introduction to any book of all the books ever written in the world are found in the simple words “In the beginning God”. Everything begins with God. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. God created everything that man would ever need before He created ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sharing Ministry Together

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 13, 2021

When the volunteer workload is placed on the shoulders of just a handful of people, then these individuals get burnt out; and since they can’t do everything, then a lot of needs go unmet. Ministry is something to be shared among all believers.

I wish to begin our message by sharing a personal account contributed by a pastor who was serving at a church in Washington State during the wake of the Mount St. Hellens eruption. This pastor said, After Mount St. Helens blew up in May 1980, [the] church needed cleaning up. Ash was in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

An Invitation To All Who thirst Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 5, 2022

Only God will satisfy those who thirst spiritually. The time to respond to God’s invitation is now. Barren lands will be transformed and the trees will clap their hands. You should seek the Lord while He may be found.

I have a vivid memory of temperatures of 100 degrees with high humidity. We were spending the hot summer days of high school in full football pads doing wind sprints and all sorts of drills. We took salt tablets to prevent cramps from all the loss of salt through sweating and we would be so thirsty ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Thermometer Or Thermostat: Which Are You?

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 9, 2022

A thermometer tells how hot or cold something or someone is. It doesn’t try to change its environment. A thermostat, on the other hand, alters the temperature. Christians should be thermostats, changing their neighborhoods, families, work, etc.

THERMOMETER OR THERMOSTAT: WHICH ARE YOU? Mt. 5:16 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A Pastor told one of his faithful church members, “Mrs. Smith, I appreciate your devotion. You are present at all the services!” 2. Mrs. Smith: “Yes, it’s such a relief, at the end of a long, hard week, to come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16, Philippians 2:14-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Healing From Depression Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 27, 2021

The words of Psalm 38 have hands and feet. They climb all over you. They work their way into your heart and conscience, and will not be dislodged. In a word, David wrestled with a prominent emotion condition, his depression and his need for healing.

Simon Wiesenthal (1908-2005) was an Austrian-Jewish architectural engineer and a Holocaust survivor. He became famous after WW II for his work to hunt down Nazi war criminals. In his book, The Sunflower, Wiesenthal describes an episode of his life toward the conclusion of WW II. It is 1943 and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist