Sermons on Pursuing Understanding:

Strength Training Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 28, 2010

How could my weakness be a good thing? Why would this truth be necessary for me to understand God’s will for my life?

OPEN: A work crew had been working at a construction site for about a week when the company hired a new man to replace a man who’d been hurt the day before. He was a broad-shouldered, powerful young man and was a good worker… but he was also annoying. He was always bragging that he was stronger ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Promise, Shame, And Fulfillment

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 28, 2010

Advent 1986: Everyone goes through a dynamic of promise, leading to shame, then leading to fulfillment, if we understand fulfillment as the presence of God.

I like the little quip about the fellow who offered His prayer with all sincerity and with tremendous urgency. “Lord," he said, "Lord, give me the gift of patience, and give it to me right now!” Well, at least he knew his need even if he did not exactly demonstrate an understanding of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Right Side Of The Cross

Contributed by Chris Mccall on Apr 21, 2009

Do you understand that all the SIN, GUILT, SHAME, & PAIN were taken & placed on Him on that cross for each one of us!

Easter 2009 Right Side of the Cross Colossians 2:6-15 NLT This is absolutely one of the most explosive celebrations in the history of the world! The whole world just witnessed that Jesus Christ is truly who He said He was! What about it today? Do people still wonder if He is truly the resurrected ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life Elevated

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Aug 7, 2009

The whole idea of Christ elevated is totally incomprehensible, or if you will: heavenly / for those of us who are able to understand Latin: celestial.

Life elevated Let me show you the two standard issue License Plates of our state, both of which feature the slogan: Life Elevated Depending on whether you are the winter or summer type you either pick the Arches or the Greatest Snow on Earth. I pick the Snow. Either of them refer to the strengths ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14

Denomination: Congregational

A Hard Teaching

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Aug 21, 2009

The words of Jesus are not always easy to understand; but, to live successfully in this world as God’s child we must listen and follow.

John 6: 60 – 69 / A Hard Teaching Intro: A young man from the city was visiting a dude ranch and wanted to appear as if he was used to the surroundings. So he went out walking with one of the hired hands. Walking through the barnyard, the visitor tried starting a conversation: “Say, look at ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-69

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fellowship: What Is It? Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Mar 12, 2008

It’s time to fully understand and then enjoy the companionship of your church family, because we were never meant to be alone!

TEXT: Various TITLE: The Playing Church, part 1 TOPIC: The Church of Fellowship OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, March 2nd, 2008 PROP.: It’s time to fully enjoy the companionship of your church family, because we were never meant to be alone! INTRODUCTION: Good morning! At this time, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:3-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Part 1 Series

Contributed by Dennis Cummins on May 7, 2008

This series is designed to help people understand how God takes our failures and refines us with them, turning them into successes.

Refined by Failure Part 1 What’s the main difference between people who achieve and people who are average???? What makes people excel? Why does some people sky rocket while others plummet? Some people can’t be told anything and that is why they are still living their past failures… We need ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Part 2 Failure Is A Better Teacher Than Success Series

Contributed by Dennis Cummins on May 7, 2008

This series is designed to help people understand how God takes our failures and refines us with them, turning them into successes.

Refined by Failure - 2 Failure is a far better teacher than success. Two great differences between those that fail backwards and those that fail forward. Failing Backwards Failing Forwards Blaming others Taking Responsibility Repeating the same mistakes Learning from each ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Part 3 - Judging Others Puts A Curse On Our Life Series

Contributed by Dennis Cummins on May 7, 2008

This series is designed to help people understand how God takes our failures and refines us with them, turning them into successes.

Refined by Failure A hiker was charged w/ eating an endangered species while tracking the woods of California. After hearing the man had eaten a condor, the judge quickly passed a harsh sentence of 10 years behind bars. Wouldn’t it be great that if today, you could experience immediate change, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Does God Work Part Time?

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Oct 19, 2008

Why is a recognition of the Trinity important? Without an understanding of the working of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God is reduced to part time work.

Does God Work Part Time? Does God work part time? This might seem to be a ridiculous question. You may say, “Of course God works full time. If God only works part time, I am in big trouble. I always believed that God was at work 24/7. God neither slumbers nor sleeps. God works all 3 shifts ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Opportunities Right In Front Of You

Contributed by Dr. George Calhoun on Oct 24, 2008

If you want to understand the Lord’s will, be wise by looking for the opportunities He sets before you, especially in difficult circumstances.

“Opportunities Right in Front of You” Luke 9:10-17 When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn’t work at zero gravity (Ink won’t flow down to the writing surface). In order to solve this problem, they hired Andersen Consulting. It took them one decade ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Kamikaze Series

Contributed by Chris Mccarthy on Aug 17, 2010

Jesus was a man on a suicide mission like no other. This sermon studies how it was (and still is) the last who understand it first.

Kamikaze Luke 18:31-19:10 Romans 5:7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. • Who would you die for? Would you die for your family? When Charlene Sanders drove home from a routine day of work April 28, the last thing she ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shaping Ourselves For Ministry

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Jan 31, 2009

God has shaped each one of us for ministry. It is important for us to understand our shape and use it for God’s glory

Shaping ourselves for ministry Are you SHAPEd for ministry? Adapted from an article by Rick Warren (Author of “Purpose Driven Life” and “Purpose Driven Church”) S.H.A.P.E. is an acronym Rick Warren developed years ago to explain the five elements that determine what a person’s ministry should be. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 19:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Revelation 2012 #8: The War With The Dragon Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Apr 5, 2012

In Revelation 12, we gain a greater understanding of our war with the dragon - Satan, the devil, the serpent of old, and how to overcome him.

REVELATION 2012: #8 – THE WAR WITH THE DRAGON REVIEW: Revelation 1-11 THE BIG IDEA: In Revelation 12, we gain a greater understanding of our war with the dragon - Satan, the devil, the serpent of old, and how to overcome him. REVELATION CHAPTER #12: THE BIRTH OF JESUS: “Now a great ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:1-17

Denomination: *other

Messiah Is Risen Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Apr 11, 2012

Some people may not understand it, and some people may not want to hear it, but Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!

Messiah Is Risen! Text: Matt. 27:62-28:15 Introduction 1. Illustration: All but four of the major world religions are based on mere philosophical propositions. Of the four that are based on personalities rather than philosophies, only Christianity claims an empty tomb for its founder. In 1900 B.C. ...read more

Denomination: Methodist