Sermons on Purpose Driven:

How To Know You Belong Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Sep 5, 2003

Instructions on how to belong gleaned from Daniel chapter six.

At one time or another we’ve probably all experienced what psychologists call the fear of "social exclusion" - the feeling we don’t belong. Daniel could have had every reason to feel like he didn’t belong. Taken captive as a teenager by an invading king’s armies, he never got to go home again. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Values Our Humanity; "I Thirst” Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jun 6, 2003

Jesus started his earthly ministry hungry and ended his earthly ministry thirsty. As we return to Jesus on the cross we come to what may be the easiest of the seven words to understand. Or is it?

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. (John 19:28-29) Let me open today’s message by asking you a ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Way Of Jesus #1: I Have Begun Following Jesus...

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 8, 2017

The Way of Jesus is an initiative of my denomination, Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada. As prep, we're doing a 7-part series. The first message is on the first marker of the Way of Jesus: I have begun to follow Jesus, depending on the God's Spirit.

The Way of Jesus #1 - “I have begun following Jesus, and am depending on the Spirit of Jesus in my journey”. - January 8, 2017 It's the new year, still, but I don't want to talk about New Year's resolutions. I don't want to talk about the effort involved in adjusting our lifestyle, changing bad ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:2-5, Matthew 19:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Will You Obituary Say? Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Apr 17, 2014

Life, It's Brevity, Eternity, Resurrection

OBITUARIES – What Will Your Obituary Say? Psalm 39:4-5 (p. 390) Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014 Introduction: [“Show me Lord my life’s end and the number of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth. The span of my years is as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 39:4-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mission: Possible--The Call Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Feb 16, 2016

Christ called disciples to a mission in the world. The call is distinctive, costly and transforming. This sermon touches on who Christ calls, the cost involved and the priority of the mission.

Mission is such a nebulous word. When we talk about mission in church settings, our minds immediately go the work we do in the community and around the world—we think about the church being in missions. We begin this message series and have made the focus of this Lenten season Mission: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:28-32

Denomination: Methodist

Who Am I, & Why Am I Here?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Sep 23, 2019

It is not just students! Many adults, like Peter Sellers, ponder such questions as "Who am I?", "Why am I here?" & "What is the meaning of my life anyway?"

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (This is a revised & updated version of a message that I contributed to Sermon Central several years ago.) TEXT: Psalms 8:1-9; Colossians 2:10; Job 12:10 ILL. Some years ago, Time ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9, Colossians 2:10, Job 12:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blessed Assurance (James 1)

Contributed by Victor Yap on Apr 4, 2019

BLESSED ENDURANCE (JAMES 1)

BLESSED ENDURANCE (JAMES 1) On August 6, 2018, I went to the host church to for the Hong Kong – Kowloon Revival Meetings. The speaker who was recently ill passionately quoted Zinzendorf’s philosophy of life: To preach the gospel, to die and to be forgotten. I reacted immediately because I did ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Miraculous Gifts Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Jul 20, 2004

This is an overview of the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, examining their origin, purpose and activity in the infant Church.

The New Testament records that Jesus and members of the early Church performed miraculous works. These miraculous deeds produce awe and wonder in us as we read of them. These miracles also produce questions within us, such as: How were they performed? Why were they performed? Did all the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding Lost Passion For Lost People Series

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Mar 6, 2002

Sparking the lost passion in your church to evangelize ( Ilustration is segmented throughout sermon on purpose )

Series: Creating Contagious Compassion Finding the Lost Passion for Lost People Luke 15:1-32 DT: God is in the relentless pursuit of finding lost people. THIS MESSAGE WRITIEN BY GOOD FRIEND KARL SCHAD AT GATEWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN ST.LOUIS GCCKARL@AOL.COM INTRODUCTION It was Dec 7 1988. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

3rd. Sunday Of Easter, Year C Series

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Apr 16, 2001

God often works in ironic, paradoxical ways to carry out God’s will and purposes.

Sermon for 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C Based on Acts 9: 1-20 By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson In our first lesson today, we learn once again that our God is a specialist in irony and paradox. My New Webster’s Dictionary And Thesaurus of the English Language defines irony and paradox as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

What Must I Do

Contributed by Larry Horn on Jun 2, 2001

The purpose of this sermon is to help other Christians understand some requirements for recieving from God.

What must I do 2 Kings 2: 1-15 Opening: I have been praying for several spiritual gifts from God. These are things that only God can give, they are supernatural. Many times in the past few weeks satan has questioned me hoping that I would doubt God and give up. Several times I have been ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Son Of Man Must Be Lifted Up

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Apr 12, 2002

God’s Son’s purpose in His life on earth was to be lifted up on the cross.

THE SON OF MAN MUST BE LIFTED UP John 3:14-21 - March 11, 2002 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

3 Things That Make Jesus Cry

Contributed by Michael Kell on Mar 27, 2001

Overview of the 3 times Jesus cried in Scripture. Purpose: Encouragement & Challenge Weak or Unsaved

3 things that make Jesus cry Chronologically: 1.John 11:32-37 When everybody else around was weeping so was he John 11:4- knew that it would turn out for God’s Glory Cause of Jesus’ weeping: To see other people hurting, weeping We see other suffering and we empathize Jesus feels what we feel. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44, John 11:32

Denomination: Baptist

A Season Of Waiting Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 30, 2001

The key to thriving in a season of waiting is contentment, and trusting that God has a good purpose in it.

As you probably know, it’s now officially Autumn. Along with many of you, I was in southeastern Ohio yesterday for the church’s family retreat at Seneca Lake. It was beautiful there, wasn’t it? The air was crisp and cool, the sun was warm. The leaves were just beginning to turn. It was one of those ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:4, Philippians 4:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

In The Beginning

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 31, 2000

Creation tells us that we are valuable to God, accountable to God, and that there is a purpose to our existence.

The story goes that one day a group of scientists had a meeting and decided that humans had come so far that they no longer needed God. After reaching their decision they appointed one of their number to go and explain to God that his services were no longer required. He said, “God, we’ve ...read more

Denomination: Methodist