Sermons on Raise The Bar:

Introduction To James Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 21, 2008

James introduces himself to his readers

BIG JOHN COMING TO TOWN: New man made bartender and warned by owner, ‘If you hear Big John is coming drop everything and run for your life’. Months later a white faced cowhand ran in yelling, ‘Big John is coming to town’. Before the bartender could run into the saloon can a huge man riding a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

A Call To Give Thanks

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 21, 2005

Let no day pass without praising and thanking God for the multitude of blessings that He bestows upon us daily. Since we cannot be sure about tomorrow, let us glorify His Name today.

A CALL TO GIVE THANKS Psalm 107:23-31 LIFE AT BEST IS UNCERTAIN. As brief as our lives are, a person is indeed foolish if they attempt to journey on life’s uncharted seas without God. Let no day pass without praising and thanking God for the multitude of blessings that He bestows upon us ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

When You’re Shut Up, Don’t Shut Up!

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Mar 27, 2020

What do we do when shut away during coronavirus Covid-19?

When you’re shut up, don’t shut up! Acts 16:16-33 Into Being shut up, is never nice on a long term. We can do it for a while. But we like freedom. We like to walk out. Do things for ourselves. It’s one reason why being in prison is a punishment: Freedom is taken away. Now we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-33

"Love Each Other"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 28, 2018

A sermon for Good Friday.

“Love Each Other” John 19:17-30 Today we come to the Cross. It was a terrifying death. The goal of crucifixion was to inflict the maximum amount of agony on another person for the longest possible time. It was an extremely effective way to kill a human being slowly. Jesus hung on the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:17-30

Denomination: United Methodist

Why We Exist (The Church)

Contributed by Darin Gary on Jun 25, 2016

In spite of the sinful deeds and intentions of a few who claim a 'relationship' with God, and who 'work' within the auspices of some Christian denominations, the Lord Jesus has NOT abandoned the true ethos of the Church, nor the TRUE CHURCH itself.

WHY WE EXIST (The Church’s Mission Statement) (Matt. 16:17-18; NKJV) – “…Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. [18] And, I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:17-18

Denomination: Other

Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C: Cana

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 23, 2024

Are we holding up OUR part of the covenant of our vocations?

Jesus walks into a bar. “Just 12 waters, please,” while winking at his disciples. I saw this post on social media, DOES ANYONE KNOW WHICH PAGE OF THE BIBLE EXPLAINS HOW TO TURN WATER INTO WINE? I AM JUST ASKING FOR FRIEND. “The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Minister One To Another

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 26, 2005

This messager describes several ways we carry out the command to "Minister One to Another."

Minister One to Another Romans 12:3-5 Ecc. 4:9-10 I Thess 5:11 The Apostle Paul in his writings teaches that we are to “minister to one another.” One of the hardest times in my life was when I started high school in a new city, Sterling, Kansas. I moved from Gypsum to Sterling a city four times ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

My Country 'tis Of Thee

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Jul 5, 2003

There is a rumor going around our nation about something called the "separation of church and state." What does that phrase mean? Are we a nation whose God is the Lord?

Rumors can be devastating to people and their lives. I remember when I was a teenager. My father injured his foot. I don’t think he broke it, I think he just sprained it. But I do remember that he could not go into the office for several days, so instead, he just set up an office at our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Keep From Getting Wrapped Around The Wringer

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jul 20, 2005

- We Live in a Pressure Cooker World - The world is ready to wrap us around it’s wringer - Paul helps us in this struggle

How To Keep From Getting Wrapped Around The Wringer Acts 18:1-11 - Remember the wringer washer - Guide it Through - Hit the release bar Paul - V.1 “After these things”  Laughed out of Athens 17:32  Sought After in Berea 17:13  Chased out of Thesalonica 17:5-10  Asked ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Unknown, But Not Unused: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar Series

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Oct 26, 2005

Three minor Judges show us that God can use little-known people to do great things.

Possessing the Promises (Judges #2) Unknown, but not Unused: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar July 17, 2005 Summer time as a kid I watched many game shows •Jokers Wild, 25K Pyramid, Price is Right, Family Feud •Ask for most popular answers to a survey •If Judges were ever a category I imagine Samson would ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Grandfather In My Bones

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jun 21, 2014

The missionary asked, "Why did you take something that didn't belong to you?" The native replied, "It wasn't I who stole. It was grandfather in the bones!" The Old Man... The Grandfather In My Bones is buried at Baptism

For those no familiar with an Anglican Service four Scriptures are read proceeding the Message. Today's Readings are: Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-17; Romans 6:1-11; and Matthew 10:24-39 In the 14th century,..... in the land now known as Belgium, .......there was a duke by the name of...... Raynald ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Who Will Lead

Contributed by Travis L. Billings on Jan 9, 2022

Today's failures are multiplied in tomorrow's leaders.

To get an understanding of the book of Judges, it is important to first understand the relationship between Moses and Joshua and how their distinct personalities set the tone for their leadership styles and set the tone for what was to come following their deaths. Moses was passionate and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 1:1, Judges 2:10, Judges 21:25

Denomination: Charismatic

With The Wild Beasts: An Exposition Of Mark 1:9-15

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 13, 2021

What can we learn from the very brief account of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness left us by the Gospel of Mark?

With the Wild Beasts: An Exposition of Mark 1:9-15 We have now come to the First Sunday of Lent which is a forty-day season of reflection and repentance. During this time, we remember that Jesus was tempted for forty days by Satan in the Judaean wilderness. In turn, the time that Jesus spent in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Prayer - A Pattern For Living Series

Contributed by Roy Newton on Oct 25, 2010

Introduction to the series on the Lord’s Prayer. Aim is to show that prayer is not something we only say but a way of living in a vital relationship with our Heavenly Father

"When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The World Or Of The World?

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Oct 10, 2006

Just doing Christian stuff won’t keep you from being like the world and it certainly won’t change this world.

In the World or Of the World? 1. Introduction a. I asked myself several hard questions this week. The answers I gave were not very reassuring. Let me share with you those questions and the answers I arrived at. i. How am I different from the unbelieving world in which I live, how am I different ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist