Sermons on Pushing Limits:

Empowering Leaders

Contributed by Brien Sims on Jan 16, 2008

Empowering leadership means putting the “church at large” back into the hands of the people. Elders are there to help govern and protect.

Society today has placed its seal of approval on single parent households and homosexual adoption. The laws allowing such activity give evidence of such a stamp of approval. The ideas of familial leadership have begun to fail quickly. Sociologists and experts in family studies have just recently ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Demolishing Strongholds

Contributed by Mark Holdcroft on Jun 20, 2007

How to demolish strongholds.

Demolishing Strongholds The message that I want to bring today is about strongholds. The first question that I want to ask is what is a stronghold? A stronghold is a fortified place. It can be a place that is fortified by either its location, its construction, or usually both. Throughout ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hope And Power Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 19, 2008

God in human flesh gives hope to human faith.

Introduction Last week an article in the Wall Street Journal reflected on our need for hope. The author attended a “new age” type church service in which participants wrote their regrets and failures on pieces of flash paper. (Flash paper is specially treated to ignite and burn instantly and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Run The Play Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 27, 2008

Teach your teens how to effectively follow through with their commitment to Christ when facing opposition using these three steps gathered from Jehoshaphat’s confrontation.

Opener: Air Guitar Contest Choose contestants that you know will really "ham it up" on stage. Find some music that has a lot of guitar solos. Tell the contestants each will be judged (by the audience’s applause) on how well each can play the "air guitar". Send each contestant in one at a time, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Old Rugged Cross Series

Contributed by Brian Harvison on May 29, 2008

Today we continue our study in the series Hymns You love We are looking at The Old Rugged Cross

Read passage Today we continue our study in the series Hymns You love We are looking at The Old Rugged Cross In 1913 George Bennard was struggling with a problem that caused him much suffering His mind went back again and again to Christ’s anguish on the cross This was the heart of the Gospel! The ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

So Filled We Cannot Stand Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 8, 2008

The Presence comes not because we manufacture emotions, but because we complete what our history calls us to and because we cultivate holiness and unity.

Prayer, in the words of hymn-writer Charles Wesley: Finish then Thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee! Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Mastermind

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 8, 2008

Help students discover how much of the world their mind is conformed to rather than that of Christ. You will show students how to conform their mind to Christ from the book of Colossians.

OPENER: NAME THAT TV SHOW Use several scenes to have teens guess what the name of the show is that you have chosen. Powerpoint slides available upon request----- (slides depict show titles from popular TV shows) Following Opening activity: Use two of those lights that you push down with your hand ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Will Rescue Me From This Body Of Death?

Contributed by Stephen Becker on Jun 15, 2008

What’s wrong with us? Why do we keep sinning, even if we hate sin? Let’s take a spiritual "x-ray" and let the Apostle Paul diagnose what’s wrong with us. Then the great physician will heal us!

Who Will Rescue Me from this Body of Death? By Stephen H. Becker, M.Div., Ph.D(c) Romans 8:14-25 Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran—Yuba City July 6, 2008 Have you ever thought to yourself – "something is wrong with me...what should I do?" Maybe you’ve fallen on a wet slippery floor, like I did in my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Lutheran

The Day Of The Lord

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Paul, Part 25 (Final)

THE DAY OF THE LORD (1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-11) Greeting Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 2007 was quite a chore and challenge to the Americans. “Do people wear pants, dresses or business attire to meet the queen?” was a common question guests fortunate to be invited to meet the queen asked. Dinner ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

24:10 What's In It For Me? Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Sep 2, 2007

This is the 10th part of our 24 series, this week we look at what the part the Reward Factor plays in the life of Christians.

So as Jesus was tying up his early morning session, after having spoken on topics as diverse as murder, adultery and lying. He had told people why and how they would be blessed and I’m sure there were some in the group who were thinking, “Sure but what’s in it for me?’ As we move ahead in Chapter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Perished Kingdom Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 22, 2007

God’s perfect plan for the world was destroyed because the man and woman failed to trust him to do what he said he’d do and as a result all their relationships were broken.

One of the most exquisite pieces of sculpture created by the great artist, Michelangelo, was the sculpture called the Pieta. It depicts Mary holding a dead Christ in her arms after he was taken down from the cross. Michelangelo carved it from a single slab of marble in less than two years. It stood ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-25

Denomination: Anglican

Isaiah's Vocation Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Nov 22, 2005

God may not be asking you to change your occupation, but he wants to be sure you understand your vocation.

Last Wednesday a man in his late 30s called to talk about changing his career. He is a devout Christian, strongly committed to his family, and very active in his church. A couple of years ago he spoke with his pastor about it, but he didn’t feel the urgency then that he feels now. He is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Denomination: Brethren

You Need To Grow Up Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 12, 2005

#10 in a series on Hebrews. This sermond gives three marks of spiritual immaturity.

A Study of the Book of Hebrews Jesus is Better Sermon # 10 “You Need To Grow Up!!!” Hebrews 5:11–6:2 Tim Hansel tells the story in his book “Holy Sweat” that a close friend of his was asked back to his ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Enjoy Life More

Contributed by Matthew Sickling on Apr 3, 2007

This sermon examines how we can enjoy life more.

Introduction: Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” KJV How many of you can honestly say that you are glad to be in the house of the Lord this morning, as opposed to the finest hospital in America? Let me ask you another question this ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: Baptist

The Faith Of Mary

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Dec 19, 2006

Mary teaches us to have faith in God’s promises/Word even if it seems impossible.

Who do teenagers look up to the most? Parents, you will be glad to hear that on the surveys I read on the internet this past week, you were on the top of the list. You are their biggest role model, although they probably wouldn’t say that to your face. Unfortunately, by the actions of many ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Denomination: Methodist