Sermons on Raise The Bar:

The Slippery Slope

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Apr 10, 2001

Sin is dangerous - even "little" sins are a slippery slope which can become nearly impossible to escape.

The Slippery Slope TCF Sermon February 4, 2001 Read from Romans 1:18-32 Here we read a passage that shows how clearly sin has captured our world - we read a disturbing picture of a culture in moral free fall, all restraints gone, full of compromise with righteousness, headed toward destruction ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What The Bible Says About Homosexuality

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Feb 2, 2004

What does the Holy Scripture teach us about God’s view of homosexuals and homosexuality. This is not an anti-gay sermon.

What does the Church Say About Homosexuality Leviticus 18:22 A few weeks ago the church down the road ran a couple of messages on its sign that said “Homosexuality is a sin. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.” The newspaper called and asked me my opinion. I told the ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 18:22

Denomination: Baptist

Crazy Preachers

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 15, 2002

How crazy are you and your Pastor?

Crazy Preachers Bruce Haynes sings the song, The Preacher from the Black Lagoon. It is about a lad in Louisiana that is a huntin’, alligator fightin’, hard workin’, crawfish pie eatin’, and grape Nehi drinkin’ good old boy. He’s a man’s man, but they poke fun at him because he preaches that the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:24, Isaiah 20:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

"You Don't Have To Be 'superman' To Be A 'super' Dad!"

Contributed by Brandon Hatfield on Jun 26, 2007

Father’s Day sermon that encourages dads to do all that it takes to be a "Super Dad." Will help the men in your congregation to see how their relationship with their children affects their lives.

You Don’t Have to be “Superman” to be a “Super” Dad! WGCC Father’s Day, June 17th 2007 There was a father that had three very active boys, maybe some of you here know what that’s like. And one summer evening dad was out playing cops and robbers with his three boys in the backyard after dinner. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jonah Prays-God Delivers Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 2, 2008

Jonah’s rebellion has brought God’s discipline. In the midst of the belly of the great fish, Jonah cries out to God and God delivers him.

(adapted from messages by Stuart Jones and Barry Cameron) SERIES: “DISCOVER OBEDIENCE: Jonah – Not Just Another Big Fish Story” TEXT: JONAH 1:17-2:10 TITLE: “JONAH PRAYS – GOD RESPONDS” OPEN: A. Have you ever heard of a book entitled: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook? It ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Double Vision Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 22, 2014

It almost seems like Jesus cannot heal this blind man. It takes Him 2 times to give this man back his sight. What's going on here and what can it tell us about our need for God's touch in our lives?

OPEN: How many of you spend time on Facebook? (At least half the congregation raised their hands). Me too. And I have a number of friends on Facebook – 634 at last count – many of whom I barely know. But they are more than willing to share their thoughts with me. Some time back one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life On The Edge Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 15, 2014

Dare to live life on the edge and don't let anybody stop you. Don't let their jealousy, dictates or threats stop you from being all that Christ calls you to be.

Valerie Catura of Diamond Bar, California, was going over one of her memory verses before the lunch rush at the restaurant where she worked as a waitress. The verse was Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Then her ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Temple Builders Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 21, 2022

If you want to build a lasting, vibrant church that perseveres, then start with the right foundation—Jesus Christ. Build a quality structure on that foundation—build up fully devoted followers of Christ. And maintain that structure with unity, godly wisdom, and teamwork.

A New York family bought a ranch out West where they intended to raise cattle. Friends visited and asked if the ranch had a name. “Well,” said the would-be rancher, “I wanted to name it the Bar-J. My wife favored Suzy Q. One son liked the Flying W, and the other wants Lazy Y. So we're calling ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23, 1 Corinthians 2:2

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Significance Of The Resurrection

Contributed by Jason Cole on Apr 18, 2007

What is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus to our lives? What would it mean for us if He never did rise?

The Significance of The Resurrection Introduction: Sadly, as people think about the season the world calls “Easter”, the thoughts of people are going to be more upon an Easter Bunny, Easter Eggs, and an Easter Basket than upon the resurrected Lord that we set this day apart to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Ace In The Hole = The Lord's Lovingkindness Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jun 25, 2001

THE LORD’S LOVINGKINDNESS BAILS OUT THE DISTRESSED WHEN THEY CEASE THEIR REBELLION AND HUMBLY CRY OUT FOR HELP

BIG IDEA: THE LORD’S LOVINGKINDNESS BAILS OUT THE DISTRESSED WHEN THEY CEASE THEIR REBELLION AND HUMBLY CRY OUT FOR HELP (:1-3) INTRODUCTION: THE REDEEMED SHOULD THANK THE LORD FOR HIS LOVINGKINDNESS A. Call to Thanksgiving Focused on the Lord "Oh give thanks to the Lord" 1. For His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-43

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rooster Still Crows

Contributed by Elizabeth Mccaskill on Jul 31, 2003

The problem with us church is that we want the easy way in life. We want the easy jobs, we want to easy route to our jobs, we want to sing the easy songs, some preacher like to preach the easiest sermons and pastor the easiest churches. We find that it is

The Gospel writers, Matthews, Mark, Luke and John devoted many pages leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Many scriptures were written so that we could have a history Jesus’ ministry. Let us look for a moment at the events of Jesus’ last week on earth leading up to His crucifixion. After ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-62

Denomination: Methodist

Purity-The Way To Happiness Series

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Aug 20, 2003

More than one million Americans will die of heart diseases this year, so we should be concerned about heart failure. But we should be equally con­cerned about heart impurity. This type of heart disease, if not "cured," may render a person spiritually dead

Purity-The Way to Happiness Text: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8). Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-8 Introduction: More than one million Americans will die of heart diseases this year, so we should be concerned about heart failure. But we should be equally ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Dealing With Debt

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 1, 2004

The average American is deeply in debt; some Bible-based advice for how we handle money matters.

Colossians 2:13-14, “You were dead because of your sins, and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and cancelled our debt and destroyed it by ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:13-14

Denomination: Congregational

The Salvation Of The Gentiles, Pt. 2--The Soulwinning Servant Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 23, 2004

God used the SCALPEL OF SIMON [the tanner] and the FORCEPS OF FOOD to remove prejudice from Peter in this radical spiritual surgery! Powerpoint at website.

The Salvation of the Gentiles, pt. 2—“The Soul-Winning Servant” Acts 10:1-16 Prejudice back then wasn’t white against black, but Jew against any non-Jew! A searching Gentile soldier. [Cornelius] A soul-winning gospel servant. [Peter] A surprising Gentile salvation. Cornelius is a perfect example ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Four Crosses Of Calvary

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Oct 8, 2002

AS WE LOOK TO CALVARY AT THE DRAMA THAT WAS PLAYED OUT UPON THAT HILL, HOW MANY CROSSES DO YOU SEE? WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EACH OF THESE CROSSES? LET US CONSIDER THE FOUR CROSSES OF CALVARY.

FOUR CROSSES OF CALVARY LUKE 23:32-43 INTRODUCTION: THIS MORNING AS WE LOOK TO CALVARY AT THE DRAMA THAT WAS PLAYED OUT UPON THAT HILL, HOW MANY CROSSES DO YOU SEE? WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EACH OF THESE CROSSES? LET US CONSIDER THE FOUR CROSSES OF CALVARY. I. THE CROSS OF REBELLION AND ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Baptist