Sermons on Raise The Bar:

Diagnosing Your Wisdom Count Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 6, 2011

here are you at on the wisdom continuum? How do you handle human vulnerability – yours in particular? How you answer the questions I will raise will provide a good diagnostic for your level of godly wisdom.

Diagnosing Your Wisdom Count (Proverbs 18:10-13) 1. There are many portions of Scripture considered wisdom literature. 2. Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Proverbs, and certain Psalm (like 112), along with the NT Book of James and some of Jesus’ teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:10-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Mothers - On The Frontlines

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on May 6, 2009

Mothers Day (Easter 5): Moms have the great privilege of raising the next generation of Christians. Moms are God’s soldiers on the front lines. As the exemplar, we look at Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite Woman.

In 1994 our oldest son enlisted in the US Navy. When he graduated from boot camp, Sofi, our youngest son, a cousin and I took a road trip to Chicago to watch the graduation ceremonies. Our son was given liberty for a couple of days and so we decided to enjoy the sights of the city. So we took ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Affirmations - Sermon Vi: Belief In Jesus' Death And Resurrection Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Oct 19, 2019

To truly believe that Jesus died for our sins . . . that He was buried . . . that God raised Him victoriously from the dead, and to confess that "Jesus is Lord" is to be saved and to serve Him as Lord now and forevermore.

INTRODUCTION TO AFFIRMATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH As time marches on and the aging process begins to cast a shadow on my short-term memory, my mind seems sharper now than ever regarding long-term memory. It is interesting to me that, at 85 years of age, I am ...read more

Scripture: John 3:15-16, 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 10:9

Part 1: Preparing For The Fight Series

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Nov 1, 2019

I was raised NOT to fight. My Father told me since I was knee-high that fighting was wrong and that I would get a “whoopin’” if he ever found out that I had been fighting.

The first fight I ever had was unofficial if you will and it was between a local farm-boy and myself. I was defeated, although it took awhile, and I ended up with two black eyes and some swelling to my jaw. I never asked for the fight but it happened and I was ill-prepared to defend ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-28, 1 Timothy 6:12-21

Denomination: *other

Satan Uses Pain

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 20, 2022

Start with Job and then talk about how Satan wants to use pain from John 11 with the account of the raising of Lazarus (Adapted from a book by Joe Beam called "Seeing the Unseen")

HoHum: When speaking about Job, one time I said, “Satan can do nothing without God’s permission.” This opened up a whole can of worms. If God is good and all powerful, then how do we explain the existence of pain, suffering, and evil in our world? There are no easy answers. WBTU: Take for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Has The World Learnt From Sodom And Gomorrah? A Great Evil Is On Us - Jude 1 V 7 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 11, 2022

This message touches on a very difficult area - the consideration of Sodom and Gomorrah and the conflict between Christians and homosexuality. Placed in context, Jude raises the matter of Sodom because he is concentrating on destruction coming on these false teachers.

HAS THE WORLD LEARNT FROM SODOM AND GOMORRAH? A GREAT EVIL IS ON US - Jude 1 v 7 [A]. REVISION: Jude was in the process of writing about the Christian’s common salvation when it became urgent for him to side-track his letter to address the problem of false teachers moving into church ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:7, Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:22-24, Matthew 19:4-6, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:24-28, Leviticus 18:22, Genesis 19:24-29, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Peter 2:6, 2 Peter 2:7-10, Genesis 19:9, Isaiah 5:20-21, Jude 1:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Christ: The Resurrection And The Life

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 16, 2022

Jesus' act of raising Lazarus from the dead is one of the most thrilling and wondrous passages in Scripture. It shows His undeniable authority over the last enemy of humanity and was a public display of His power.

The ultimate state of helplessness is death. Once it overpowers you, regardless of age, status, education, health, or situation, you are in no state either to conquer its grip upon you, nor do you have any control over anything that you had considered valuable or precious, for none of it cannot ...read more

Scripture: John 11:32-44, John 12:1, John 12:10, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:13, Acts 4:12, 1 Peter 1:18-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Peter's Arrest And Church's Prayer Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 1, 2021

The war between the political and spiritual leaders is an age-old issue. It exists time immemorial. Religious leaders are raised by God, whereas political leaders inherit from their forefathers, are elected by their citizens through democracy.

Acts 12:1-17 Political and Spiritual Powers 12:01-05 Peter arrested and Church at Prayer 12:06-10 Peter released by an Angel 12:11-17 Peter Escapes to Unknown place Acts 12:01-05 Peter arrested and Church at prayer The war between the political and spiritual leaders is an age-old issue. It ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Prison Break

Contributed by Sean Dees on May 2, 2021

What we need to do when life gets overwhelming, when it comes in like a flood; is RAISE OUR PRAISE! Understand me when I tell you that Praise is permeated with Productive Power.

I. Nobody wants to go to prison willingly. Prison does not have the appeal of a Hilton, beach, or exotic location. I know by the reports that we hear of our prison systems running over that it must be the number one vacation destination in the world. It is evident that we are living in difficult ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:19-26

Having Good Roots

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 15, 2022

What is having good roots? Is it being well grounded? Is it to have a firm foundation? Is it how they were raised as children? Some people talk about having good roots but their actions counter to what they say.

God does not pass judgment on individuals based on race, sex, or national origin. His judgment of them is based on their trust in Him, their obedience, and their reaction to His will. The individuals who tenaciously work or attempt to comply with God’s will resemble vigorous, fruit­ bearing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Committed To A Fresh Start

Contributed by Bill Burnett on Jan 14, 2004

Five Things We Need To Be Committed To

Committed To A Fresh Start January 11th, 2004 WHAT WE NEED TO BE COMMITTED TO Have you heard about the man who moved into a retirement community to spend the rest of his life there? It wasn¡¦t long until he had made a number of friends among the other residents. There was one lady he was ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-15

Denomination: Foursquare

People Of The Kingdom

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Jan 31, 2004

People who belong to God’s kingdom should live as such.

Matthew 5:1-2 People of the Kingdom Woodlawn Baptist Church February 1, 2004 Introduction “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them…” I have thought long and hard this week for some fanciful ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Our Loving God Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 13, 2003

I purposely decided to preach on the topic of God’s love at the end of this series because love is an essential attribute of God, the capstone of His personality. Having said that, I feel overwhelmed and challenged by the task of trying to put into words

Our Loving God I know I got a lot of mileage last week out of turning 40 but I thought I’d begin this morning with a story about what happened when a young couple invited their aging pastor over for Sunday dinner. While the parents were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

"Great Expectations"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 29, 2004

Are your expectations of Jesus set too high? Or too low? Do you want Him to fix your little owies; or exercise resurrection power?

“Martha therefore said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died’.” Lazarus was dead and everyone was confused except Jesus. We’re not told all that went through the minds of the disciples during the two days Jesus delayed after hearing the news that His friend ...read more

Scripture: John 11:21

Denomination: Orthodox

Who Is My Neighbor

Contributed by David Welch on Dec 2, 2008

Message on the parable of the Good Samaritan

“Who Is My Neighbor? Or Am I a Neighbor?” Luke 10:25-37 Introduction One of the scribes came and heard them (Jesus and the Sadducees) arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance