Sermons on Purposeful Praise:

Reflection B.5 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Isaiah 1, God’s Indictment On Israel

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

God's arraignment and indictment of Israel: rebellion, and the evidence for it.

At last, we’re looking at the prophets! We’re starting with the ‘prince of the prophets’, Isaiah, and we’re going to take a look at Isaiah 1. Yesterday I quoted 1:2: Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection B.7 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / Isaiah’s Oracles Or ‘burdens’, An Environmental Dimension

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

What might lead us to conclude that God is in some way behind coronavirus? We need to see if present-day events fit the picture Scripture gives us of how God judges and 'End Times'. Isaiah's oracles clearly indicate that God judges by means of acts in the environment.

We’re looking at three questions. Is coronavirus a judgement from God? Are we living in end times? And, what does the Bible say about COVID-19? In order to answer them I’m looking at prophecies that were made maybe 2700 years ago. Why? In order to understand an event, we almost always draw on ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection C.4 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Destruction Of Jerusalem By The Romans – Still Relevant To Us

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 23, 2020

Jesus' prophecy regarding the abomination of desolation relates to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. However that event is still relevant to our enquiry about 'End Times'.

We have two more Reflections to do on Matthew 24. Today, we look at verses 15-22. So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection D.2 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Revelation. Checking Our Orientation; The Court Sits.

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 5, 2020

There are four main ways people approach Revelation. We need to get our initial orientation right. The start of the process to bring in Jesus' kingdom - the court sits.

When I was in my twenties I worked as an engineer on power station construction projects. On one occasion a colleague was overseeing the construction of a concrete foundation for a very large fan. The foundation was many metres long and approximately rectangular. Unfortunately, after pouring the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:26, Luke 19:27

Denomination: Baptist

Finishing Strong. Embracing God's Purpose For Your Year And Beyond. Philippians 3:13-14

Contributed by David Cramer on Nov 23, 2024

A message to prepare us for the Year ahead as we finish this one. God always has a plan.

Finishing Strong. Embracing God’s Purpose for your Year and Beyond. Philippians 3:13-14 Stand with your Bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church: Purpose, Profile & Priorities: Talk #'2: ‘the Wife Every Church Should Marry!’ Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 24, 2024

The Church: Purpose, Profile & Priorities: Talk #'2: '‘The WIFE Every Church should Marry!’ (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: WIFE Acrostic for... Worship. Instruction. Fellowship. Evangelism. "Making sense of the ministry", by Warren Wiersbe, Statement #1: The foundation of ministry is character. statement #2: The nature of ministry is service. statement #3: The motive for ministry is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Brethren

From Pressure To Purpose: How God Uses Pain To Produce Christlike Disciples - Romans 5:3–4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 10, 2026

One of the greatest lies whispered to modern believers is this: “If you follow Jesus, life will be easy.” Yet every honest disciple knows that following Christ does not remove suffering—it redeems it.

From Pressure to Purpose: How God Uses Pain to Produce Christlike Disciples - Romans 5:3–4 (NLT) Introduction: When Following Jesus Gets Hard One of the greatest lies whispered to modern believers is this: “If you follow Jesus, life will be easy.” Yet every honest disciple knows that following ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Hebrews 6:19, 2 Corinthians 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Beauty For Ashes PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2025

God lovingly exchanges our sorrow and heaviness for joy and praise, transforming our brokenness into strength through His nearness and kindness in prayer.

If your week has felt heavy, if your heart has carried more sighs than songs, you are in the right place. You didn’t stumble in here by accident. The God who sees you also speaks to you, and His voice carries comfort that steadies the soul. He has a word for the weary and a lift for the lowly. He ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:3

Topics: Rejoicing

"Why Am I Here" Series

Contributed by Steven Platt on Mar 13, 2002

"What is my Purpose in Life?" is a question of the ages. We all ask it at some time or another. We will look at 2 passages in Genesis and one in Luke to find what GOD purposes for our lives.

The Search of a Lifetime Text: Gen 1:1 Last week – Where do I come from? This week – Why am I here? What is the purpose of Life? Many people try to answer the question Purpose of life is to get more money? Go to school so they can get a good job so they can sent their kids to school so they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28, Luke 19:40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Offer God Your Best Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Apr 4, 2007

So many times, we look at the end result of our purpose rather than the journey we must travel to accomplish that purpose. We must constantly give God our best so that He can use that best for His Plan, Purpose and Promise.

INTRODUCTION A. GOD’S ENVISIONED VISION FOR NHBC! As I strive to become who God desires me to be, I learn more of what Paul meant when he said, “we live by faith and not by sight”. And as a church, we also find ourselves striving to become who God has envisioned us to be. I am still not 100% ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction: The Battle For The Better Babel Series

Contributed by Rolland Bouchard on Dec 10, 2009

Introduction to a series of lessons on the church and the struggles it is facing in this post modern world. An indepth look at an image of the church found in Genesis 11, the Tower of Babel.

THE CHURCH INTRODUCTION Where do I begin? In a world of scattered thoughts, beliefs and values, it is hard to find a green light to “Go” on! I want to talk about so many items concerning the church, yet which topic has merit and which does not? Which topic is the best use of your time? In recent ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Loving Community Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Oct 23, 2006

this is the 2nd in the series of the purpose driven Church entitled Loving community.

A loving community John 15:1.17 /Acts 4:32 Our Church statement is that we are a Church building community where everybody is somebody and Jesus Christ is Lord. That will only be a reality when reqal love is expressed to one another and others around us. When Brandon Moody visited his uncles ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Anointed To Overflow Series

Contributed by Ben Thomas on Sep 10, 2007

2007 New years message- Steps of anointing, need and purpose of anointing.

Anointed to overflow John 7:37-38 37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ’From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ " 2 Kings ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-38

Denomination: Church Of God

The Altar

Contributed by Charlie Scalf on Jan 26, 2008

The purpose and the need of the altar in our church and most importantly, in our lives

The Altar Rom 12:1-2 Text Rom 12:1-3 1 Cor 1:27 - 29 (NKJV) 27But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28and the base things of the world and the things which are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rich Christians Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 23, 2014

We are rich in Christ, so let's praise the Father for selecting us, the Son for setting us free, and the Spirit for securing our salvation.

Rich Christians (Ephesians 1:3-14) Thousands of letters sent each year to God end up in a sorting office in Jerusalem. According to the Associated Press, the letters arrive from all over the world in the city's undeliverable mail department. “We have hundreds of thousands of letters sent ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free