Sermons on Quiet Retreat:

Don't Shrink Back

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Sep 19, 2002

Like God’s people to whom Isaiah spoke in Ch. 55, we can grow to think our circumstances are insurmountable. We can suffer a crisis of faith. Isaiah reassures God’s people of every age that there’s no reason to shrink back from carrying out the work and

Pentecost 18 A Isaiah 55:6-9 Don’t Shrink Back 09/22/02 Professor William Muehl once visited a fine ancestral home in Virginia. He followed the aged owner, the last of a distinguished colonial family, as she proudly showed him through her home. An ancient rifle above the fireplace intrigued him, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Be Afraid Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Mar 18, 2014

Jesus casts out fear

Don't be Afraid John is unique. Unlike any other gospel. John is new, different. Different stories, different teachings, different characters. Events occur mostly in Judea not Galilee, no parables at all - but sermon like conversations. Written 60 years or more after the resurrection, the author ...read more

Scripture: John 6:12-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sunny Side Sermon Ii: Why Aruge About It When The Answer Is Obvious Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 1, 2020

In our fallen world, arguing about what's right and wrong - morally, ethically, politically, theologically, medically - dominates the news and conversations everywhere we go, but there is one issue about which arguing is moot.

WHY ARGUE ABOUT IT WHEN THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS? In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, my wife and I discovered a place of retreat called the Peaks of Otter. Anytime we needed to “get away from it all” we headed there because it was a short distance ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:17-29

Go Forward: The Exodus Path Of The Christian Life

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Nov 29, 2025

The Exodus story holds a mirror up to us and reminds us that we all tend to default to our learned anxious reactivity when challenged. In the Exodus, God shows us that if we will trust him and move forward, we will inherit the promises of God.

Exodus 14:15, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.’” (CSB) Introduction: Breaking the Sound Barrier In 1947, test pilot Chuck Yeager prepared for another attempt at breaking the sound barrier. Most pilots believed it was impossible—planes ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hold Your Position

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Jan 2, 2026

A Prophetic Word for Women in Leadership

"'Certainly I will go with you,' said Deborah. 'But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.'"— Judges 4:9 (NIV) The Divine Summons The Spirit of God is speaking to His daughters in ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:9

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus, The Man Of Surprises Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 3, 2023

As we move through Mark's Gospel, Jesus continues to amaze and surprise the people as everyone tries to figure out who Jesus really is. In this sermon, Jesus really surprises everyone by touching the leper and forgiving the sins of the paralytic.

A. Have you ever thought you knew someone, but then you were surprised by something interesting that you learned about them? 1. What’s true about our friends is also true about celebrities. B. Let me share some of the surprising hobbies that some famous celebrities have that you probably were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:36-45, Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Part One: "Fear" (Awakening The Warrior Spirit) Series

Contributed by Chris Kratzer on Feb 9, 2007

How to deal with fear successfully so it brings out the best in you and not the worst.

Dealing with Difficult Emotions Series: Part One: Fear (Awakening the Warrior Spirit) This morning, I’m starting a new series where we are going to look at what God teaches about dealing with difficult emotions, emotions like sadness, anger, jealousy, and several others. And this morning I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-59

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy To The World

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

OUR SOULS ARE STIRRED BY A DIVINE JOY THAT CANNOT BE SILENCED BY TIME, TRADITIONS, OR TROUBLES….AND AS THAT FIRST Christmas unwrapped this great joy, so we discover how to unwrap our own.

This morning, before we finish our gathering together and head into this final week before Christmas, we will have an opportunity to declare in song that marvelous refrain…“Joy to the World, the Lord has come let earth receive her King.” For there is a joy, a deep, divine joy that beckons our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy To The World

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

For there is a joy, a deep, divine joy that beckons our souls…and seeks to break forth at this time of year. So often this great joy can find itself clouded by the complexity of all our activity.

This morning, before we finish our gathering together and head into this final week before Christmas, we will have an opportunity to declare in song that marvelous refrain…“Joy to the World, the Lord has come let earth receive her King.” For there is a joy, a deep, divine joy that beckons our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Power

Contributed by Anthony Seel on Aug 7, 2005

The power that enabled Jesus and Peter to walk on water is available to us.

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost August 7, 2005 Proper 14 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church The Rev. M. Anthony Seel, Jr. Matthew 14:22-33 "Jesus Power" There has been resurgence in America that might just go unnoticed if it weren’t for Hollywood. This summer’s blockbuster movie Fantastic ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Lutheran

Prayer 2- Devote Yourselves To Prayer Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Jan 3, 2003

A sermon at the start of a series on prayer, given at a Covenant (re-dedication) service

“Devote yourselves to prayer”, “pray continually” Col 4:2, 1Th5:17 Covenant service 5 Jan 2003 pm In his book Living Life on Purpose, Greg Anderson shares the story of one man’s journey to joy: ... his wife had left him and he was completely depressed. He had lost faith in himself, in other ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2, 2 Thessalonians 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming The Prayer Block

Contributed by Bobby Mcdaniel on Sep 18, 2003

Overcoming common obstacles to prayer.

Overcoming the Prayer Block Ref.: Mark 1:35 Luke 5:15 Romans 7:14–25 1 John 1:8–10 Psalms 100:4 Read No Time for Him I. Obstacles There are many, though some are mere excuses that would yield to a strong will. A. Time 1. Life is too busy, but not too busy for less important things—TV, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:15-16, Mark 1:35-38

Share A Little Hope

Contributed by Joe Harding on Aug 24, 2002

Christians are called to live changed lives, lives that share hope!

SHARE A LITTLE HOPE I PETER 3: 8-17 SUNDAY AUGUST 25, 2002 INTRODUCTION: An older sister was sitting next to her younger brother in Church one Sunday morning unsuccessfully trying to keep him still and quiet. Finally she said, “I wish you would calm down.” “I can’t”, he said, “it’s just so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Why I'm Staying On The Wall!

Contributed by Brian Phillips on Mar 18, 2006

God calls Ezekiel and He calls us to stand as a watchman and sound the alarm against sin and for righteousness.

"Why I’m Staying On The Wall!" (Ezekiel 3:16-21/33:1-9) INTRODUCTION: You may be asking yourself, "What is a Watchman?" "And why do you need them?" A watchman is someone who stood upon a wall or a watch tower (I hate that the JW’s have almost ruined that word!). Some watchmen were set near ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Maturity Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Mar 3, 2006

How to become a mature Christian.

Christian maturity. Philippians 3:12-16 WBC 5 Mar 06pm V15 "all of us who are mature should take such a view" - but - what is maturity? "Christian maturity?" Am I mature? Are you? Well- elsewhere there are all kinds of definitions of maturity - Educationally: "gratification deferment". Being able ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Baptist