Sermons on Pure Ideals:

The Freedom Of Light Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 6, 2014

How did God get a self-sufficient, highly educated pagan and atheist to change his life around? And what do we need to know and do to take part in this miracle of conversion that takes place with men like Phil Robertson?

OPEN: ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP4r4sXmqmo] - from "time marks" 4:48 to 8:45. We opened the sermon with this video cut from a CBN TV interview with Phil and Kay Robertson. After we played the clip, I entered the auditorium dressed in camouflage hunting gear. After reading the text and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:9-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hardened Heart

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 26, 2015

To show that the LORD holds every man's heart in his hands and He can do what He pleases so pray to the LORD so that He will change your heart, and the heart of your enemies. Proverbs 21:1 (Amplified Bible) THE KING’S heart is in the hand of the Lord, a

I. EXORDIUM: Are your heart hardened? Yes before I was born again but now, never ever, again. Romans 12:2 Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible) Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 10:27

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Golden Rule

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

"Love" should be more than just a buzzword for Christians. God showed his love for us when we were still sinners. Likewise, we should love our friends and our enemies alike and show it by treating them the way we want to be treated.

[This sermon was preached on 8 July 2018, 7th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Years ago, a man came to me for help. His life was in a mess. When he looked to the past, he saw many relationships that had shipwrecked. Several of them were still haunting him almost daily. His ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:25-29, Luke 6:27-31

Denomination: Lutheran

A Better Hope Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 19, 2018

If you truly want to become a better person, don’t depend on the law; depend on Christ, your powerful and perfect High Priest.

In his recent book Soul Keeping, John Ortberg talks about being with friends at an open-air street fair when they spotted a mechanical bull that tries to buck people off. They guy operating the bull said, “Watching it isn't nearly as fun as riding.” So John told the bull operator that he wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:18-28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Shepherd Psalm

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Jun 19, 2018

Seeing that God identifies with us

Psalm 23 - The Shepherd Psalm - 1/16/11 Turn with me this morning to Psalm 23. If you open your bible right in the middle, you probably will land somewhere in the Psalms or just a little right of the Psalms. This is one of the most familiar passages in the whole Bible. The only passage I can ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prosperity In Poverty Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021

The poor in spirit are those who, be they rich or poor in this world's goods, are detached from them, and dependent upon God.

After his return from church one Sunday, a small boy said, "You know what mommie? I'm going to be a preacher when I grow up." "That's wonderful," said his mother. What made you decide you want to be a preacher?" The boy said thoughtfully, "Well, I'll ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

How To Be A Good Shepherd.

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 14, 2021

'How to Be a Good Shepherd' 1 Peter chapter 5 verses 1-4 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: • The reason for having elders (vs 1) • The responsibility of elders (vs 2-3) • The reward of the elders (vs 4) SERMON BODY: Ill: • I like the story of the shepherd woke up one afternoon having enjoyed a deep sleep, • Realising the situation, he panicked in case somebody had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Brethren

Making Marriage Marvelous Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

What a wife is and does determines more in a marriage than any other factor. She is the star at the wedding, and must go on being the star, for when she falls the sky is dark indeed.

Some little girls were having a great time playing wedding. They had a couple of bridesmaids, a bride and a maid of honor. The mother of one of the girls observed that the groom was conspicuous by his absence, and she asked, "What about the groom?" One child quickly replied, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

An Act Of Obedience Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 20, 2021

Baptism is an act of obedience to Jesus who said to go into all the world and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It was an act of obedience on Philip's part to baptize the Ethiopian and act of obedience on his part to be baptized.

Some of the best things in life can be so bad. It is somewhat shocking, but Lewis B. Smedes in his book Caring and Commitment points out that even commitment can be a bad thing. The purpose of the book is to get Christians more committed, but he points out the negative side of this very ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

The Voice Of Experience Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

John says we have personal contact with Christ. We knew Him through the avenue of our senses, and we bear witness of Him.

James Thurber tells the fable of the bear that use to go on a spree of drunkenness, and come home at night and break up the furniture, and frightening the children and drive his wife to tears. One day he reformed and decided to never drink again, and from then on he would come home and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-2

Making Marriage Marvelous Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

The wife plays the leading role in marriage even though she is to be submissive to her husband. When the biblical view of marriage properly understood, no woman can ever complain that she is treated unfairly.

Some little girls were having a great time playing wedding. They had a couple of bridesmaids, a bride and a maid of honor. The mother of one of the girls observed that the groom was conspicuous by his absence, and she asked, "What about the groom?" One child quickly replied, "We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Job's Wife Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

No woman in history has been so severely condemned for so few words. She only steps on the stage for a moment, and she utters about ten words. On the basis of those few words she has been psychoanalyzed by preachers and scholars, and they have concluded, she was to Job what Judas was to Jesus.

Because of his great novel, War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy became one of the most famous Russians that ever lived. His fame and fortune did not bring him happiness, however, because of his wife. They were about as compatible as a porcupine and a bubble. She loved luxury, and he hated it. She loved ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-13

Justifiable Complaint Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

There was no escapism with Job. He got no comfort by trying to deny the reality of evil. Many believers often try to pretend that there is no evil. This is not healthy at all. Job is healthy, for he condemns evil for what it is.

Disraeli, as the Prime Minister of England, was once walking with a friend. As they went along the street in London, they met a distinguished looking gentleman. Disraeli greeted him, and asked, "How is your old complaint?" The man responded that it was getting worse, and he was sure it ...read more

A Season To Be Selfless Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Selfishness is that sin we can hardly stand in others, or hardly see in ourselves. It is so hard to forgive in others, and so hard to forsake in ourselves.

On Dec. 7, 1682 the Great Law of Pennsylvania was passed which became the basis for governing the state for 94 years. It represented William Penn's ideal of a Christian state. It provided for religious freedom and the protection of individual rights. It provided for the care of poor and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

The Priority Of Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

The messages to the seven churches are vital to the survival of the church in any part of the world at any time in history. The lights of the church go out all through history and produce dark ages when Jesus is not heard and heeded.

If someone asks you, "What is the modern name of the country where Paul was born?" Would you know? If someone asked you, "What is the modern name of the country where Christians were first called Christians?" Would you know? If someone asked you, "What is the modern ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7