Sermons on Put Others First:

The Always Persecuted Church

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Nov 11, 2024

A message about the first martyr Stephen and the ongoing persecution of the church

Title: “The Always Persecuted Church” Text: Acts 6:8 - 7:60 and 8:1-4 Subject: How does the church react to the stoning of Stephen & subsequent widespread persecution? Complement: …by spreading the word wherever they went. Big idea: _________________________. Persecution becomes a pathway to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60, Acts 8:1, Acts 11:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy In Hard Times

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Feb 10, 2009

“Christians are like teabags. You don’t know how strong they are until you put them in hot water.”

Joy in Hard Times (James 1:2-8) (v2) “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials…” - James is telling us to CONSIDER it joy when we encounter various trials. - CONSIDER is different then BE. - We are not going to be joyful when we are struggling in the midst of a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Past The Offense Of The Gospel

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jun 24, 2011

In God's kindness, we see the light that exposes our sin not as some glaring, off-putting intrusion but as the grace and mercy that it is.

First Presbyterian Church Wichita Falls, Texas June 26, 2011 GETTING PAST THE OFFENSE OF THE GOSPEL Matthew 10:40-42 (NIV) 40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hurricane Compassion

Contributed by Thomas Andrufski on Oct 5, 2024

We all experience a “storm of tumult” during our lives. And when other’s experience Hurricane like violence We need to understand our relationship to others when they are suffering

Introduction: Today we explore a powerful metaphor that resonates deeply within our hearts and communities: Hurricane Compassion. While there isn't a direct biblical term for "hurricane," the Hebrew word (su'ah) can refer to a storm or tumult, capturing the essence of violent ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16, Exodus 2:6, Matthew 9:36, Mark 1:41, Luke 7:13, 1 Peter 3:8, Colossians 3:12, Romans 12:15, Hebrews 10:34, 1 John 3:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Are You Ready?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 12, 2007

First of series of initial 2007 series based on congregational requests.

(Cover slide) The movie ‘Shrek 2,’ includes an obnoxious, for lack of a better word, but faithful donkey by the name of ‘donkey.’ The movie is a humorous and satirical take on our favorite childhood fairy tales and includes a trip to that magical place of ‘Far Far Away’ complete with a Hollywood ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Church Of God

Battling The Enemy Of The Mind

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Dec 16, 2000

Spiritual warfare centers on winning the battle in our minds first

Last week I spoke on the battle for your mind, how the devil is out to get control. Today I want to speak on how you can be ready for this battle when it occurs. The greatest enemy we have is right here--the mind, it depends on what you do with it. The mind can be the greatest weapon we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Priority Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 25, 2014

A mature disciple makes prayer the first response, not the last resort.

A couple of months ago our dog, Susie, was apparently chasing some critter near our pool equipment, which resulted in several wires that are required for that equipment to work properly being broken. So I got my tools and equipment out and re-spliced all those wires and my equipment was working ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Of Love

Contributed by Jimmy Dillon on Nov 14, 2011

Looks at the importance of loving others

The Law of Love Romans 13:8-14 When we think about all the characteristics that make up the Christian life, there are many things that come to mind We might think about things like Faith; Peace; Joy; Gentleness; Kindness; Hope; Church; Fellowship But the one characteristic that sums up the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Audacious Prayer Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 19, 2025

Talk to God like your Best Friend and the Best Father there ever was, putting His interests above your own.

Bob was trying to teach his daughter, Jenny, how to pray before meals. After a few weeks of coaching, Bob decided Jenny was ready to pray all by herself. Jenny started out fine, thanking God for her mommy and daddy and brother and sister and for the rolls and the salad. Then she ended with a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13, 1 John 5:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

I Am The Alpha And Omega

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Sep 26, 2001

What does it mean to us individually that He is the first and the last?

(I began this service with a 4 minute clip from the movie Amistad. The clip begins at 1:35:11 and ends at 1:39: 12 But who was the man in the pictures? He was none other than Jesus, but you knew that, you have the benefit of the book in your language, the benefit of having experienced church, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:13

Denomination: Wesleyan

Pentecost, The Church's Birthday

Contributed by William Mouser on Aug 2, 2006

The first Pentecost is examined in light of its character as the birthday of the Church.

Homily for Pentecost, or Whitsunday Psalm 104:1-2, 13-24, 33-34, Acts 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, John 14:8-17 I was born at 5:45 P.M. on Wednesday, March 5, 1947. For the past 58 years, I have commemorated that birthday with friends and family. You also celebrate your own birthdays and the ...read more

Scripture: John 14:8-17

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

How God Prepared The World For His Son Personally And Spiritually Series

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Nov 22, 2018

Shows how God put the hope of a universal Savior and the disgust with idolatry and cruelty into the hearts of Gentiles to get the world ready for Jesus

HOW GOD PREPARED THE WORLD FOR JESUS PERSONALLY “And the Lord opened up her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:14 Lydia was a Jewish business woman and she became the first recorded convert in Europe. In that town God saved a demented slave girl and a Roman jailor. They ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Year Of Fruit Series

Contributed by Paul Shelton on Apr 21, 2006

This is the first sermon in series of four to introduce the concept of the Fruit of the Spirit.

TEXT: Galatians 5:22-25 TITLE: The Year of Fruit PROPOSITION: By walking in the Spirit, Jesus begins to come out in our lives. We all have different names, but we share a common destination. It is not heaven, but rather is a matter of what we are too be as the people of God. Paul shares this ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

It's All About Missions Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Mar 5, 2001

The church at Antioch sends out the first foreign missionaries.

A Study of the Book of Acts Sermon # 24 “Its all About Missions” Acts 12:25-13:12 The last verse of chapter 12 begins the story by relating the return of Barnabas and Saul. We are told, “And Barnabas and Saul returned ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Back To The Basics

Contributed by V. David Sedaca on Oct 18, 2000

Today's passage deals with the first of seven churches, Ephesus.

Today's passage deals with the first of seven churches, Ephesus. Our belief is that there were probably more than seven at this time, but God chose these churches to prove the conditions of Churches and Christians in the last days. Ephesus is commended for Her (1) Labor, (2) Patience, (3) Stand ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist