Sermons on Putting God First:

A Dirty Altar

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 12, 2009

(Various objects on the altar). Our church altar is dirty with unresolved anger, put-downs, and prejudicial outreach. These things must be cleaned away before God accepts what we bring here.

Who says there’s nothing new under the sun? The pastor not accepting the offering! Lots of folks think that raising money is about all we ever do in church. Wish they could have seen that! But, you see, the problem is there isn’t any room up here on the altar. We have a dirty altar today. It’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Tempted To Test God

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 9, 2023

God puts us through tests at times to strengthen our faith. But have you ever been tempted to test God?

A few weeks ago we talked about how God puts us through tests at times to strengthen our faith. But have you ever been tempted to test God? I came across this story about a little boy that tested God. It was on the first day of elementary school. New central air conditioning units had finally ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:5-7, Deuteronomy 6:16-23, Matthew 6:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

The First Three Chapters (Suras) Of The Koran. Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Aug 21, 2015

We enter cautiously into the very unusual world of Islam via the first 3 chapters of its holiest book.

Lesson 14 , More Introductory Matters, and Sura 1 Note: From this point on, all quotations from the Koran are taken from The Generous Qur'an, copyright 2009, used by permission of Usama Dakdok Publishing, LLC. So we enter in. Here in my hand is a Koran. Well, not really. It is very like a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Where Should We As A Nation Put Our Trust?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 2, 2022

When a man is lost in the desert, he may experience a mirage. That is, he may look out over the sands, and in the distance see what appears to be a lake, shimmering in the sun.

His goal is to get to the lake and obtain water to satisfy his thirst. As he travels toward the “lake”, the lake seems to maintain it’s distance, or at some point just disappears. IT WAS A MIRAGE! Such an experience only brings disappointment and tragedy to the individual who believes the mirage is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Friendship With God Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Dec 1, 2004

first of 4 on Friendship with God. Abraham was called the friend of God. You can also be called the friend of God.

Friendship with God A friend comes when all others leave JACKIE ROBINSON was the first African American to play baseball in the major leagues. Breaking baseball’s color barrier, he faced hostile crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, he ...read more

Scripture: James 2:23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Eyes Wide Open Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 4, 2009

First message in a series on spiritual vision

(material taken from Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, and Jeffrey Richards) SERIES: “DISCOVER VISION: SEEING WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO SEE” TEXT: PROVERBS 29:18 TITLE: “EYES WIDE OPEN” OPEN: A. In the late morning of Dec. 17, 1903 – 10:35 A.M. to be precise – Orville Wright executed the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life's Most Important Choice Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Feb 26, 2008

Sermon on the first commandment.

AM Sermon preached at Central Christian Church January 14, 2007 2nd in God’s Top Ten sermon series The 1st Commandment “Life’s Most Important Choice” [PROJECT ASAP AS COMMUNION IS WINDING DOWN… SERMON SERIES SLIDE----IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY TRANSITION TO SERMON TITLE SLIDE----THEN TO A ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Recieving The Riches Of God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 19, 2001

The parable of the dishonest steward is perhaps the most uncomfortable one to preach on. But, there may be more there to learn than we had previously thought.

A man took his seat in the theater, but he was too far from the stage. He whispered to the usher, "This play is a mystery, and I like this type of play so much I really watching them close up so I can catch all of the dialogue. If you’ll get me a better seat I’ll give you a handsome tip." So, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Second Chance To Make A First Impression (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Apr 14, 2005

This sermon deals with making an impression for the glory of God. Jonah had a second chance to make an impact for God. I give 4 key areas that show how to make an impact for God.

Title: Second Chance To Make A First Impression Text: Jonah 3:1-10 Pray!!! Read Text!!! Introduction: Tradition tells us that around the time when Jesus was a teenager, there was a rebellion near where he lived. The Roman army crushed the rebellion but they didn’t want it to happen again, so ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Be Filled With The Holy Spirit

Contributed by John Ong on Jan 15, 2018

Is it really hard to let ourselves soak in the presence of the Lord? Or are we just blinded by unnecessary things we put first in our lives? And what does being filled with Holy Ghost means?

In accordance with what the Bible said, we Christians are called not to be drunk with the sinful wine but to be filled with the Holy Ghost. We are very fond of idolizing and praising actors and politicians. We’re giving them our full support because they give us worldly entertainment, but when it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What We Put In The Way Of Setting People Free Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 18, 2025

Jesus came to set people free, but often we put things ahead of that. What are the specific ways we do that?

“THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE”: Jesus came to set people free from Satanic oppression. - Luke 13:10-13; John 8:32. - There was more to Jesus’ mission than this, but one of the biggest things that He did was to set people free from Satanic oppression. - This is true both in terms of exorcisms, like ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

In God's Waiting Room Series

Contributed by Dean O'bryan on Jun 26, 2006

Third in a series from Joseph’s life, dealing with the wrong and right responses when God puts us "on hold".

Trinity Baptist Church June 25, 2006 Series: Character on display Title: In God’s waiting room Genesis 39:19 - 40:23 I think I’m a pretty patient guy -- that is, until I have to wait for something! For instance, when I have a doctor’s appointment at 10:00 and it’s 11:00 before I actually see the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rich Young Ruler: A Wealthy Man Learned Value Lesson 9 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 19, 2023

Be careful of those you criticize or disagree with; they may be a future fellow worker. Praise God who uses imperfect people.

A. THE RICH YOUNG RULER: LUKE 18:18-23 1. He came to the right person. “There came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, ‘Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’” (Mark 10:17). 2. He came with a right attitude. “Good Master” (v. 17). 3. He was blameless. Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-23, Acts 15:38, Mark 10:21

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Spirit In The Early Church Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Aug 10, 2015

What was the Holy Spirit doing in that fabled first century? Should He be doing the same today?

IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH Acts 1:3-8. 3 ...to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:3-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Reaching Out: The First Breakfast - 9 Of 14 Series

Contributed by Russell Metcalfe on Jan 28, 2021

God needs us to be bridge builders, people who will reach out. Jesus will meet with us at the place of reaching out in fellowship to one another within the church. And he certainly will meet with us at the place where we are willing to reach out to those who do not yet know this Savior.

April 26, 1998 Acts 9; John 21 Our God is a bridge builder. In all his thoughts and actions toward us he is reaching out to let us know that in this vast and mysterious universe we are not alone. In the first pages of scripture God is seen as looking for Adam and Eve in the Garden, calling, ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene