Sermons on Raise The Bar:

Catching Sinners

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 19, 2023

The Mediterranean News Service interviews a Pharisee and Simon Peter to get their reactions to Jesus having called a tax collector to follow him.

RM Good morning. This is Rufus Milo of the Mediterranean News Service with a special report live from Judea. Over the past few weeks we’ve been closely following the growing controversy over Galilean rabbi Yeshua bar Joseph, whose revolutionary message continues to attract followers from all over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Serving Like The Master PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 2, 2025

True greatness is found in humble, everyday acts of service, following Jesus’ example of selfless love that transforms lives and brings God’s kingdom near.

Good morning, dear friends. Settle your hearts. Take a breath. You made it here through the clutter and clatter of life—emails unanswered, dishes in the sink, worries that keep nipping at your heels. You are seen. And you are loved. If you came needing a word that lifts, a whisper that steadies, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:45

Topics: Intentional Service

The Quest For Righteousness

Contributed by Brad Froese on Jul 18, 2006

People often misperceive righteousness as goodness or perfection. This sermon encourages righteousness as faith & actions combined... (Book of James.)

When we read about righteous men and women of the Bible, such as King David, Father Abraham, even Rahab (a former prostitute!), we tend to forget their shortcomings and trick ourselves into believing that goodness and perfection determine how close we are to God! Illustrate the story of Moses at ...read more

Scripture: James 2:23-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Devil Wears Prada Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 6, 2012

A commercial we watched for Prada didn’t try to sell clothes or accessories. It’s intent was to sell an "image". Satan’s the same - his goal is to sell us an "image". But what does he try to sell us on, and how can we avoid being snared by his sales pitch

OPEN: The minister’s group I’m part of came up with this title: The Devil Wears Prada. It was based on a movie by that same name (and I found out later there was a Rock group that same name). But in researching this sermon I found that Prada is a high class Italian fashion Company known for it’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Battle Is The Lord’s

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jul 30, 2012

We can overcome when we know that God is in control.

The Battle Is the Lord’s June 21, 2009 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We can overcome when we know that God is in control. Focus Passage: I Samuel 17:32-33, 41-50 Supplemental Passage: For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-33

Denomination: Baptist

Why It's Easier For "Bad" People To Go To Heaven Than "Good" People Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 20, 2012

The parable of the two sons and how they describe our life in relationship with the Father.

INTRODUCTION If you’re currently looking for a job, you need to be careful when you fill out the application form. Here are some actual statements from job application forms. One person wrote, “I served as an assistant SORE manager.” When asked about his education, one applicant ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

Praise God When His Help Comes (Isaiah 44:24-28; 45:1-8] Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jul 6, 2024

God sometimes helps us through people we don't like, using means we don't like, to the point we doubt it's actually from God. See God's help, and thank him, regardless of how it comes.

There is a short list of people in the church who are responsible for proclaiming a message from God to his people. Apostles, teachers, prophets, and evangelists, basically. That's the list. Now, sometimes the specific word from God that needs to be communicated is controversial. If ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:24-28, Isaiah 45:1-8, Leviticus 25:47-52, Isaiah 41:2-5, Isaiah 41:25-26, Isaiah 43:14, Leviticus 25:29-34  (view more)  (view less)

What Do You Give Someone Who Has Everything

Contributed by Johnny Small on Dec 6, 2001

God’s Christmas gift to us and the gift that He expects in return.

What Do you Give Someone Who Has Everything At this time of the year I always have the same problem. What to give my wife for Christmas? I’ve given her clothes in the past, just to see them return because they weren’t the right size or she didn’t like them. I’ve given her jewelry just to have ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, John 15:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Blind Faith - Seeing Faith Series

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Jul 16, 2004

Faith that is passionate may still be blind and arrogant. Paul discovered this on the Road to Damascus and learned how to have a true and mature faith

INTRODUCTION A Jewish father was concerned about his son who was about a year away from his Bar Mitzvah, but was sorely lacking in his knowledge of the Jewish faith. To remedy this, he sent his son to Israel to experience his heritage. A year later the young man returned home. "Father, thank you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's All In The Presenting Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on May 5, 2004

Second of 5 on the Jesus Controversy. Jesus is the reality. Frank Agbnale looked like the reality but was a fake. Jesus Christ was almost exactly the opposite.

4/25/04 – It’s All in the Presenting Slide #1 Great Conmen Frank Abgnale Frank played the part of an Airline Pilot (passing checks on Pan AM for over 2.5 million dollars and jetting across the world free as a dead heading off duty pilot), a Doctor (a pediatrician), an Attorney (He actually ...read more

Scripture: John 7:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Super Bowl Evangelism - The Story Of Ananias

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 2, 2007

The sermon uses "Linebacker Evangelism" (which can be seen and/or purchased at sermoncentral.com) to set the stage for a Friend Day later in the month.

OPEN: VIDEO: Linebacker Evangelism (offered on-line by Sermoncentral.com) APPLY: I fell in love with that video the first time I saw it because it makes fun of the idea of forced evangelism (something I HAVE to do!) while at the same time highlighting why we often don’t talk to others about our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Is Not By Accident

Contributed by Larry La Douceur on May 30, 2006

When the body of Christ is functioning according to the will and purposes of God we show the world the perfect plan God intended for you and me. We also set the example for those who come behind us.

The Church is NOT by Accident Suggested reading; Early Christians Speak, Dr. Everett Ferguson, Abilene Christian University Press Thirteen Lessons on Church History, Morris Womack, College Press Publishing Company Introduction In Genesis Chapter 2 we read, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's A Wonderful (Abundant) Life Series

Contributed by Randall Bergsma on Dec 26, 2006

Fulfillment is a gift of Christ that we receive when we quit the sins that don’t satisfy our souls.

Intro: In this scene Georges perspective on life is all different. Having seen life as it would have been without him, George realizes that life at all is a gift to be cherished. He has pleaded with God that he be allowed to live again and God has answered his prayer with a yes. [scene 27, ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Love Resurrection

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Apr 24, 2006

We know that Jesus went to the cross because of love, he also rose from the grave because of love.

Love Resurrection Easter 2006 John 20-21 We tell our kids it’s wrong, but really we love to gloat when we win. We have to spike the ball and do the dance when we get the touchdown. We need to tell the other team we are the winner and they are the loser. We win at cards and we have to put ...read more

Denomination: *other

Essential Equipment: Purpose Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 25, 2002

Do we live our lives on purpose, by accident? Do Christians have a destiny?

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT - ON PURPOSE TEXT: Phil. 3:7-14 QUESTION: Do you know what your purpose is? What is it that drives you, what motivates you? (give the audience time to write down what they think their purpose is). OPEN: One of the most challenging courses at the University of Denver was a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ