Sermons on Pure Thoughts:

A Position Of Transition

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 5, 2021

As I thought about what my sermon topic would be on this final Zoom service the word transition came to mind. As I thought about the transitions that were made throughout scripture, a couple stood out to me. Let's take a look.

A POSITION OF TRANSITION As I thought about what my sermon topic would be on this final Zoom service the word transition came to mind. Transition means change, move, switch, alteration, modification. I can see how all of these could apply to what's happening with Cornerstone. We are making a ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:15-18, Jeremiah 29:4-7, Jeremiah 29:11, Numbers 11:4-6, Numbers 14:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Was Captured

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 31, 2024

The Israelites thought of the Ark as a talisman, a charm. The Philistines thought they had captured the God of the Israelites. Both were wrong. We're going to see how God's presence is 1). sacred, 2). brings judgment, and 3). requires decision.

WHEN GOD WAS CAPTURED 1 Sam. 4:1-11; 5:1-11 INTRODUCTION A. THE SICK GOD 1. In SW Asia in the early 1800’s there was a country where once a year, the priests took their idol out of their temple – which they considered a god – and paraded the deity around the city and then took it back to its ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Training For Reigning

Contributed by Doug Morrell on Dec 5, 2005

We are never to feign happiness in pain, but if we are growing in Christ-likeness, we should be demonstrating a more eternal, positive perspective (considering it pure joy), because we are realizing that we are training for reigning.

Depth of character is realized under pressure. Anyone can be a Christian when things go well, but how do you do when a little pressure, a little pain, a little discomfort, criticism or gossip, a sick child, loss of income, are applied? When your fruit is squeezed, what kind of juice comes forth? We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church Growth

Contributed by Leslie Sun on Feb 12, 2007

This is a teaching about how to grow a church. It is not based purely on personal experience and not based on others’ successful stories but based on a friend’s personal experience in growing a church with biblical principles and causes it to be still gro

Church Growth Church Growth is a very popular topic that even non-Christians heard of this term before. In the past, people looked to the west for examples of growing a church. Recently however, people shifted to the east as well for examples of church growth. In church growth, we should not copy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Introduction: Setting Our Sights On The Super 8 Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jul 2, 2015

Introduction: A Saint & Sinner alike are familiar with these phrases, “Blessed are the . . . poor in spirit, those who mourn, gentle, those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted.”

The Beatitudes: Summer Sermon Series Introduction: Setting Our Sights on the Super 8 (1 of 9) June 7, 2015 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A Saint & Sinner alike are familiar with these phrases, “Blessed are the . . . poor in spirit, those who mourn, gentle, those ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

Challenges Require Decisions/Actions Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 6, 2020

Because we sin and the world sins, there will always be challenges in life and so today, tomorrow, this week, this month, this new year, let us commit to making decisions and actions with pure hearts and motives for the Lord!

Before we worship with Communion and remember the love of God through Jesus Christ, let us worship God by listening to Him… please open your Bibles to Judges 9……… Let us remind ourselves of what happened at the end of Judges …. Judges 8:28-35….. Gideon (Jerub-Baal) led Israel back to God and they ...read more

Scripture: Judges 9:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Navigating The Hall Of Mirrors Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 10, 2025

This sermon frames our modern world as a disorienting "hall of mirrors" filled with deceptive words and offers God's pure Word as the only source of truth and safety to navigate it.

Introduction: I want you to imagine something with me. Imagine you are walking into a vast, ornate hall. But instead of paintings on the walls, every surface is covered with mirrors. At first, it's dazzling. But as you walk deeper, you become disoriented. Some mirrors make you look taller, some ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Seated With Christ Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 13, 2014

If we want to live the life God designed for us to live, we must remember where we came from, realize where we are today, recognize how we got here - purely by God's grace.

In 1992, a Los Angeles County parking control officer came upon a brown El Dorado Cadillac illegally parked next to the curb on street-sweeping day. The officer dutifully wrote out a ticket. Ignoring the man seated at the driver's wheel, the officer reached inside the open car window and placed ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Dangers Of Filth In Media Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 20, 2024

James 1:21 In-Context So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you.James 1:21

Verses : Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 4:23-27, Matthew 12:35-37 Today, we address a pressing issue in our culture: the proliferation of filth in music videos, books, movies, and magazines. Sadly, the mantra "Filth sells" drives the entertainment industry, perpetuating a cycle of moral ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, James 1:21

The Power Of Christ's Reconciliation Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Mar 12, 2015

The Power of Christ's Reconciliation Big Idea – The gospel turns enemies into friends and promises that we will one day stand before God sinless and pure. Our Present Status: Reconciled through Christ (vs. 22)

The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ, part 6 The Power of Christ's Reconciliation Colossians 1:18-23 David Taylor March 1, 2015 We are in a series on Paul's letter to the Colossian church, called “The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ.” Two weeks ago we saw Paul describing the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Identity Is In Christ Series

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Feb 8, 2016

With people "Identifying" as belonging to this, that or the other groups within our society. I thought it important to know how we "Identify" with Christ.

Message from Sunday February 7th 2016 I Identify as a Christian Our Identity is in Christ - 1 Peter 1:17-25 Message: Today people are "Identifying" themselves with this, that or some other category of people in our society. I find it kind of strange since I thought we were all part of one big ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-25, 1 John 3:1-10, Colossians 3:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How In The World Can I Be Holy?

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 24, 2025

Holiness grows as we surrender: Christ renews our thoughts, equips our lives, and tunes our praise, freeing us to truly live.

Introduction: A wild duck lands in a Danish barnyard for an easy meal. He plans to stay an hour, then a day, then a summer. When autumn comes and wild wings thunder overhead, he tries to join them but can barely clear the barn eaves. By the next spring he scarcely looks up. That is a parable of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26, John 17:15, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 2:5, Philippians 4:8, Ephesians 6:13, Psalm 145:3, Psalm 150:6, John 15:1-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Hearts In Heaven Heads On Earth

Contributed by Rolland Bouchard on Sep 23, 2002

This sermon approaches the question; Is Heaven in Your Heart. and leads our thoughts as to what heaven is, and the effect that it will have on our hearts.

HEARTS IN HEAVEN, HEADS ON EARTH AIM: To exhort the congregation to press on toward the goal even in the midst of flesh. OPEN: a) (slowly)You’ll have noticed this morning that we have been singing songs all about heaven. b) This is my favorite topic to sing about. It is everything that we hold ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

My Grace Is Sufficient For You...

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Feb 16, 2006

This was a funeral sermon I wrote for a member of our church - I thought it might be helpful for anyone looking for ideas when writing on this subject.

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT… Funeral for ___________ February 9, 2006 This question has come up a few times in the last week or so: Which is better, to die suddenly or slowly? If one dies suddenly there is no chance for goodbyes, for last words, to make things right with loved ones, to ask ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite