Sermons on Provoke:

Do We Want To Be Massah (The Place Of Testing), Meribah (The Place Of Arguing)?

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Mar 2, 2024

This sermon explores the difference between testing and arguing with God, and trusting and obeying Him, based on the examples of the Israelites and Jesus.

Do we want to be Massah (The Place of Testing), Meribah (The Place of Arguing)? Introduction Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us today for this worship service. I hope you are all doing well and feeling God's love and grace in your lives. Today, I want to talk to you about a topic that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:7, Exodus 17:3, Exodus 17:1-6, Psalm 95:7-11, Hebrews 3:7-19, Judges 6:36-40, Numbers 20:1-13, Isaiah 59:1-2, 1 John 1:9, Jonah 1:1-3, John 17:20-26, Matthew 26:36-46, John 14:23-24, John 15:9-11, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Philippians 2:9-11, John 10:10, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16-17, John 16:13, Hebrews 11:8-10, Genesis 22:15-18, Psalm 51:17, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Galatians 3:6-9, Galatians 3:16, John 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Revelation Lesson #13 Series

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Apr 3, 2024

As we enter chapter thirteen, we transition to descriptions of the evil nature of the spirit realm. We turn our attention to the beast of Satan, his false prophet and the final wrath of God upon unrighteous mankind.

A thorough study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show his servants things which must shortly come to pass. (Rev. 1:1) Welcome to our study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ given unto Apostle John. I am Phillip Smith, your host and fellow servant of our Lord and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-18, Revelation 17:3, Revelation 17:7-9, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Matthew 13:13-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Pleasure Of Perfection Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Psalm 84 begins with an expression of pleasure in God's dwelling place. "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty." There is a deep longing in this song to experience again the pleasure of being in this lovely environment where the presence of God could be felt.

Christians have always had mixed feelings about pleasure. They know God made us to enjoy many pleasures of life, and yet there are also the forbidden pleasures. These are often just extremes of what is acceptable. Sex is good, but immorality is bad. Food is good, but gluttony is bad. Abundance is ...read more

Maintaining God's Unity

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

When God's church is unified in love, wonderful power flows. But too often the flow is blocked. We need to learn to maintain the unity that God provides for us.

We lived for 7 years up in Winthrop Harbor, the Cornerstone of Illinois. Our house was 6 blocks from the Wisconsin border and about 2 miles from the Lake Michigan shoreline. We were maybe 5 miles from the Zion Nuclear Plant. We had several good friends who worked there. This week I’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, James 5:16, Romans 15:7, Colossians 3:16, Romans 12:10  (view more)  (view less)

We Are Pilgrims

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 18, 2022

In one of the December issues of People Magazine, there was an article about Christina Onassis.

The article stated, “I'm sure we all felt bad over the tragic death of Christina Onassis at the age of 38…” Her stepsister Henrietta Gelber commented: "She lacked a sense of achievement; what she was striving for was just to be a normal human being with normal family relationships, which ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Making A Difference 2 Of 2

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 28, 2022

Tonight we want to look again at HOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH OUR LIFE.

Notice again, these words, “And of some have compassion MAKING A DIFFERENCE…” There are some folks that have deep feelings for the things of God. That word “compassion” here has to do with WORDS and ACTIONS. You can tell some people love the Lord by the way they TALK and LIVE. • The Pastor can ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Let Jesus Pilot Your Boat

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 3, 2022

In our voyage through life, we will encounter both smooth sailing and tempestuous seas brought on by raging storms or trials. We must realize that the Captain, Jesus Christ, is the only One who can pilot our boat safely into harbor.

The first line of a well-known hymn says, “Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly. While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high: Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past. Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.”(1) Charles Wesley ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Does God Ever Withdraw His Favor?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 15, 2022

There is a belief in the church that when a Born-Again Christian sins or walks in disobedience, God withdraws His favor and blessings to punish them.

This belief is rooted in the Old Testament, where a relationship with God was conditionally based upon behavior. The Hebrew words translated as ‘favor’ are ‘ratson’ and ‘ratsah.’ The word ‘ratson’ is translated as favor, goodwill, acceptance, desire, pleasure. It most often represents God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:7-11, Romans 5:3-4, Ephesians 2:4-7, Matthew 7:16-18, James 4:4, 1 Peter 5:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Farsighted Vigilance

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 13, 2021

Well, it was ‘blessing time’ for the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua points out why they deserve the blessings.

Lessons we learn from Joshua 22 …. Meditate JOSHUA 22 :1 - 34 a) BLESSING TIME b) TEACHING & WARNING c) A LARGE ALTAR d) PEACE Blessing time Joshua 22:8” Joshua said to them, "Return to your tents with great riches and with very much livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 22:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Don't Judge Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 5, 2022

God does not give human beings authority to judge the righteousness of others using our preferences as the standard. None of us are perfectly righteous ourselves. We are in no position to pronounce judgment because we can be guilty of sin.

Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 7:1-6 NIV (Don't Judge) 1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Audacious Faith

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 28, 2021

In Joshua's battle with the five kings, God performed 4 extraordinary miracles: supernatural endurance, confused their enemies, sent large hail on them, and stopped the sun. Joshua demonstrated audacious faith so God's will could be done!

AUDACIOUS FAITH Josh. 10:5-13 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE GREAT PHYSICIAN 1. A doctor died and went to heaven, where he found a long line at St. Peter’s gate. As was his custom, the doctor rushed to the front, but St. Peter told him to wait in line like everyone else. Muttering and looking at his ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 10:5-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Wrecking Crew ( Fifth Sunday Of Easter 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on May 11, 2022

Nothing in all the world is more important to the world but the Blood of Jesus! Nothing but the blood of Jesus matters because [our own] “ … flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God” (I Corinthians 15:50 NIV).

WRECKING CREW Text: Acts 11:1 -18 Act 11:1-18  Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God.  (2)  So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him,  (3)  saying, "Why did ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Answers For Assurance

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Jun 5, 2016

Assurance of salvation.

"Answers for Assurance" 1 John 5:13 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. ILL -- The weary evangelist knocked on another door, fully ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13

Denomination: Baptist

Live In Jesus All Your Prayer Requests Are Answered

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 7, 2016

To show that we are nothing without GOD's Presence in our lives, but with GOD'S Presence in our lives all our prayers are answered with Yes.

I. EXORDIUM: Is GOD answering your prayers? Yes. He's the Great YES (AMEN) in my life which is built upon His Promises. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (Amplified Bible) For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) ...read more

Scripture: John 15:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Warning Label Ignored Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jul 28, 2016

Solomon was given more wisdom than anyone who has lived yet he chose not to use it.

There are all kinds of warnings in life. Most products we purchase have labels warning about improper use. Here are a few that I found. - A label on a snow sled which says: "Beware: sled may develop high speed under certain snow conditions." - A fishing lure, with a warning that reads: harmful ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:9-14

Denomination: Foursquare