Sermons on Progressive Theology:

The Day Jesus Wept Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 22, 2012

Odd things about this story: Why does the Bible tells us "Jesus wept"? And why didn’t Jesus "show up" a few days earlier and make sure Lazarus didn’t die? Why allow this close personal friend to die, and allow his friends and family to mourn?

OPEN: Back in March of 2008, the mayor of a city in SW France had a problem. It seems his village was running out of space. Not in housing, nor in the retail district, nor even at City Hall. It seems they were running out of space… in the cemetery. There was no room for any more graves. It was ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God The Gardener

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on May 6, 2012

God wants us to grow. Like plants, if we actually want to grow, we’ve got to be pruned. God’s discipline is always loving. Accepting it is the key to becoming who God means us to be.

In Hampton Court near London (start video-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxzG6C-jrwE), there is a grapevine under glass; it is about 1,000 years old and has but one single root which is at least two feet thick. A formidable root. Some of the branches are 200 feet long. Without careful tending, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Protecting The Boundary Markers Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 10, 2007

Uses a Supreme Court decision to illustrate the critical nature of Scripture in our lives.

OPEN: I have a test for you this morning. I’m going to give you certain common phrases and ask you to tell me whether or not they came from Scripture. If it will make you feel any better, I had lunch with two preachers last Wednesday and they missed about half of the references… so don’t feel too ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Heaven And Hell Investigation: What Series

Contributed by Mike Rexroat on Nov 6, 2007

First in a four part "investigation" into heaven and hell.

Ok, so now you’re probably wondering…Mike…what’s the deal with the hat? Well…there’s two things going on with the hat. Number one….I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and one of my buddies from work got to go to Europe a couple of weeks ago. He was in London and was on Baker Street where Sherlock ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:36-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Christ: Preeminent" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Feb 6, 2008

Sermon 5 in a study in Colossians

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-18

Denomination: Orthodox

How To Make It To The End Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 1, 2008

God provides comfort and encouragement to persevere.

Scripture Introduction We rarely think of Jesus as needing to persevere. Yet he faced greater rejection and more opportunities for discouragement than any of us could imagine—he was forsaken by the whole world, and even by God. It would be wise of us, therefore, to look to him for a theology for ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Forgiveness

Contributed by Michael Mccosker on Sep 20, 2007

Psalm 32 speaks of the Blessedness of Forgiveness

This morning we will be looking at Psalm 32. Psalm 32, a psalm of David was originally written as a song in which many believe was to be sung on the Day of Atonement, (the day in which all Israel would gather for the sacrifice of sin). As David pens this psalm, he is instructing the readers of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Jesus First Place In Your Life? Series

Contributed by Danny Rogers on Jan 16, 2008

Much of the false teaching taking place in Colosse had to do with the minimizing of Jesus. Many people thought He was important but not essential. They had given Him a place in their lives, without recognizing that He demands first place. Jesus was promin

Intro: There was an article in a national news paper a few years ago that featured a denomination that wanted to radically reach those who feel alienated from church. Using market research and focus groups, this denomination has designed weekly services that deliberately de-emphasize Jesus Christ. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

We Are Loved Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 8, 2008

This first sermon in my transforming truth series addresses the most fundamental of truths - God loves us. If we get that one on straight, then we will be well on our way.

A. Let me begin by sharing a few simple, practical truths: 1. “A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.” – unknown 2. “A bulldog can whip a skunk, but sometimes it’s not worth it.” - J. Nowell 3. “A closed mouth gathers no feet.” - Sam Horn 4. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but an onion a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19, Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dead To Sin And Alive To God Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 19, 2008

This sermon explores how we can live obediently in light of God’s grace.

Scripture Let us read Romans 6:1-14: "1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

For The Love Of Labor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 5, 2011

Both Jamestown and Plymouth nearly failed in their early years. But it was the Pilgrims' view of labor that not only saved it's colony, but became the driving force in making our nation great.

OPEN: (Asking the Crowd) What is this weekend? That’s right – it’s Labor Day Weekend. And our sermon today is the beginning of a series on “What Made America Great”. This first sermon deals with the greatness that has been brought to our nation because of how and why ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Reasoning Faith

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 2, 2009

Christian truth stands up to all criticisms from science, philosophy and religions. Either the Bible is the true inspired Word of God or the Bible is a book of fables and fairy tails.

A Reasoning Faith II Timothy 1:8-12 This morning our theme is “A Reasoning Faith” – know what you believe and why you believe. Here are some comments made by children on various teachings of the Bible. - Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. - Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark. - Lot’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-12

Denomination: Free Methodist

By Faith

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Mar 8, 2009

Ask yourself the question, do you have faith? How do you know you have faith? What is faith, so you can know you have it? What hangs on whether you have faith or not?

BY FAITH: Hebrews 11:1-12:2 (Verse 1) gives us a two-fold definition of faith: “Faith is… (1a) …the assurance of things hoped for. (1b) …the conviction of things not seen. It is important to understand that these two words, assurance (substance in KJV) and conviction are two very hard and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Army Or Arena Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Apr 19, 2009

Hosea apparently interrupts a feast (possibly Passover) in order to say that loyalty and faithfulness are vital to authentic living/worship.

Army and Arena Text: Hosea 9:1-9 In The 24-Hour Christian, Pastor Earl Palmer warns that people, in general, flock to any proof of power. “Political tyrants always use the army and the arena, the power of the sword and the circus.” (p. 47) This is as true in the church as it is in the political ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 9:1-9

Denomination: *other

A Friend, Comforter, Helper, Counselor Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 30, 2010

God draws near to those who love him and seek his help.

Scripture Introduction The Apostle John uses the full name, “Holy Spirit” only three times in his book. In chapter one, he quotes another John (the Baptist) as saying that Jesus “baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And at the end of this book, after the resurrection, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed