Sermons on Raise The Bar:

Firm Foundation/ Quicksand

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jun 20, 2008

Advent message that allows us to apply the principal of building on a firm foundation

SC 6/20/08 FIRM FOUNDATION/ QUICK SAND MATTHEW 7:24-29 INTRO- THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS A HECTIC TIME THERE ARE DEADLINES TO MEET. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: Nazarene

Our Economic Downturn: A Time To Refocus

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 8, 2009

Our economic downturn and insecurity can force us back to the Word of God and a reassessment of our philosophy of life: What do we REALLY believe?

Note: This sermon proved too long for a single sermon, and I ended up making a two-parter out of it. Our Economic Downturn: A Time to Refocus (I Timothy 6:17-19) 1. A business owner decides to take a tour around his business and see how things are going. He goes down to the shipping docks and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Complaints To The Pastor?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 28, 2008

A pastor wrote:HOW DO I HANDLE COMPLAINTS ADDRESS TO ME... I respond.

I WAS ASKED: I’ve heard it said that there’s no such thing as a stupid question. I hope this will not be considered as a stupid question, but it’s really meant as a sincere question: If a leader in your church came to you saying they want longer services and longer and more altar calls, what would ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Righteousness And Peace Have Kissed

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 8, 2008

The Israelites returning home are thankful the captivity is over…thankful they’re going to the dance; but what now? How do you do this dance with a God you’ve never known?

1LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. Selah 8Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

God’s Reset Button

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 17, 2010

Paul always looked for the hidden blessing in every trial. Have you been complaining about your situation? Grumbling short-circuits faith, but joy revives it.

Are you trapped in a prison of despair, doubt or anxiety? Learn to release the power of praise. The apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians is one of the Bible’s most unique books. Some scholars call it "the epistle of joy" because the word "joy" or "rejoice" appear in it 16 times. Yet what is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Philemon 4:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Origins #3: Dinosaurs In The Bible Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Nov 28, 2010

If God made the dinosaurs with all other land animals and human beings on day six of creation, then are there dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible?

ORIGINS #3: DINOSAURS IN THE BIBLE (November 2010 – Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan) THE MYSTERY OF THE DINOSAURS: This morning on Discovery Channel there was a program: “Last Day of the Dinosaurs!” People – especially children – love dinosaurs. They have fascinated our generation! From ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:24-25

Denomination: *other

God Doesn't Play Favorites

Contributed by Monte Brown on Jan 13, 2010

When anyone walks into this church they must feel like the only one who is getting honored is Jesus Christ and no matter what background that person is from they will respect the fact that God is center focus in his church and not people.

God Doesn’t Play Favorites James 2:1-13 Monte T. Brown August 21, 2005 Sunday Morning First Baptist Riverton Introduction Shortly after the close of the Civil War, a former slave entered a fashionable church in Richmond, one Sunday morning at the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Economic Empowerment Part 2: Prosperity With A Purpose Series

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 2, 2010

This is the second in a series of messages on godly finances, specifically how people move past a poverty mindset to a prosperity mindset.

 I realize that this series makes people nervous  I’ve preached ____ messages and need to bring a balanced diet  I realize these are not heaven or hell issues  But, I want to see you prosper in all ways • You don’t do yourself any favors if you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Empty Nest

Contributed by Michael Bolin on Sep 11, 2010

looking at the different times during life at loneliness

Empty Nest Read Mark 1:16-20 How many of you here today are experiencing the same thing Zebedee experienced? When children are young, we teach them to tie their shoes, fix their lunch, and eventually how to drive and do their own laundry. We as parents spend our time teaching our children in hopes ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Beyond Doubt - Toy Story 2 Series

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Nov 19, 2009

This is the second week of our "Toy Story" sermon series - To Infinity and Beyond. CVLI for the clips and dramas to reinforce.

“Beyond Doubt” The Faith to Try New and Scary Things Matthew 14:25-33 25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It’s a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:25-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Refiner’s Fire

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 5, 2009

Advent #2 - What to do about the heat in your life

1See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: United Methodist

Western Luke 15:1-7

Contributed by Victor Rasmussen on Jul 8, 2010

A country/western version applied to Luke 15

It’s late spring; you’ve got the cattle all on good, tall, green grass. The rains have been good, the future looks bright. Monday morning rolls around and its time to put out salt and mineral and see how everybody is doing. So you load up your feed, hook up to the trailer, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Lanterns, Torches & Weapons

Contributed by Brian Buriff on Apr 5, 2010

Just as the Gethsemane mob sought Christ with their lanterns, torches and weapons, people today (including veteran Christians) come with their lanterns, torches and weapons - misunderstanding the Christ they seek after.

I. RUMOR: AMAZING WHERE IT LEADS PEOPLE & WHAT IT LEADS THEM TO DO A. Somewhere Someone Got The Idea If They We’re To Arrest Jesus = War B. Notice That They Sent A Detachment Of Troops 1. One commentator suggests this amounted to 300-600 soldiers 2. Not only Roman soldiers, but also ...read more

Scripture: John 18:3-5

Denomination: Church Of God

"The Eyes Have It!!!"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 8, 2010

There’s a time, for all of us, I think when we believe…but we don’t have the foggiest idea what that means. That must be a little like what the first disciples of Jesus Christ felt.

Luke 24:13-35 “The Eyes Have It!!!” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN I remember a time, long ago and far away… …on a distant planet… …no… …that’s not right… I remember a time when I was asked by the associate pastor of my church to read the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: United Methodist

Filling The Void-1 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 16, 2010

Peter initiated the selection process by which an apostle would be chosen to remove the void in their ranks created by Judas Iscariot. A void in leadership/the ranks must be removed. A void in leadership must be removed as....

D—SETTING the STAGE for the SPIRIT FILLING THE VOID-I—Acts 1:15-26 Peter initiated the selection process by which an apostle would be chosen to remove the void in their ranks created by Judas Iscariot. A void in leadership/the ranks must be removed. A void in leadership/the ranks ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:15-26

Denomination: Baptist