Sermons on Rat Race:

The Reward Motive

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

The evil man out of God's will, and the righteous in center of God's will may both be motivated by the love of reward. It is obviously a subject then that needs to be seen from both the vicious and the virtuous side.

A 16th century German monk discovered the power of religious bribery. The children showed great reluctance in learning their prayers. Scolding and punishing them did not improve things, and so he tried offering them a reward. Tradition has it that he took thin strips of dough and twisted them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Hope - "In The Pits"

Contributed by Dj Castilleja on May 5, 2008

A sermon about giving hope to the hopeless.

The last few weeks we have been on the topic of hope. It is my hope today to take in all these little bits on the topic we have been hearing about and compress it all together into a neat little package. The result being why this message of hope is so important to you and me. You do realize that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Upside Of Temptation Series

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Jan 13, 2021

Casting, that’s what we’re talking about. I don't know if you realize this or not, we discovered last week that Jesus is an expert angler. He’s an amazing fisherman. He’s the best. The ultimate.

HOOKED Week 4 “The Upside of Temptation” Pastor Timothy Porter Text: James 1:2-5 1:14-17 Introduction: Casting, that’s what we’re talking about. I don't know if you realize this or not, we discovered last week that Jesus is an expert angler. He’s an amazing fisherman. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-5, James 1:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Real With God

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Mar 21, 2002

We have to be honest with God, especially about sin.

Getting Real with God 1 John 1:8-2:6 Jeff Armbrester 8If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. 9But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we are ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Choosing The Right Gift Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Jul 27, 2009

2nd in a series on James for summer 2009

During my undergrad years at Cal State Hayward I read about an experiment to determine if rats would seek out new places of safety when faced with danger. It involved random low-level shocks to the cage and a random "shock free" zone. After a while, instead of seeking a place that was free from the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Breakthrough Vision Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Jan 20, 2020

A message about the importance of vision

Breakthrough Vision Theme: Text: 1 Samuel 3:1; Proverbs 29:18; Habbakuk 2 1 Samuel 3:1 KJV And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 1 Samuel 3:1 NKJV Then the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, 1 Samuel 3:1

Denomination: Church Of God

Jesus A Friend Of Outcasts

Contributed by William Baeta on Feb 15, 2003

“A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, ‘if you are willing, you can make me clean’. Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ He said. Be clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him and he w

Theme: Jesus a friend of outcasts Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45 Leprosy was and is a horrible and dreaded disease although today it can be cured. Many of us live near the Weija Leprosarium and are not even prepared to go anywhere near the place although many of the people ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45, 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus' Words: "I Am Willing. Be Clean!" Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Feb 19, 2004

With these words jesus shows us so much of the true nature of God: His love, compassion, willingness and reaching out to us.

Jesus¡¦ words: ¡§I am willing, be clean!¡¨ Mk 1:40-45 WBC 22/2/4pm If you¡¦re a parent here this morning you will relate to the many times our children slip over, or are covered with grime- and come to you crying, wanting 1) a hug 2) to be cleaned up - remember this with AJ cycling 4 years ago A ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Baptist

A House Of Stone, Not Of Straw

Contributed by Andrew Rogers on Aug 12, 2004

— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

A house of stone not of straw 1 Peter 2:5-10 I. Introduction a. Three little pigs each build a house i. Straw ii. Stick iii. Stone b. Which one held up against the wolf? i. The one made of Stone c. What I hope to do today is paint a picture in your mind of strong house that can withstand the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Frienenemies Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 9, 2013

Betrayal is one of the hardest things we have to deal with, especially if it is a friend or brother or sister. David experienced much betrayal in his life and in these Psalms we learn how to effectively deal with friends who become enemies.

Psalm 53 was probably adapted from Psalm 14 after Israel experienced a tremendous military victory over a godless people. It acknowledges that there are some people who reject God so thoroughly that they live as if they will never have to give an answer for their behavior. In the Scriptures, that ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

One Way Ticket To Paradise

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Mar 17, 2012

Do you want to have your sins forgiven? Do you want to go to heaven when you die? Do you want to live in the light instead of being enslaved by darkness? Look to the cross, and know the way of the cross leads home.

Scriptures: Luke 23:43 Introduction A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons who were ages five and three. The boys began to argue over who was going to get the first pancake. Mom recognized the teachable moment and said, "If Jesus was sitting here right now, He would say let my brother have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:43

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

You Can Walk On Water

Contributed by Richard Jones on Nov 1, 2000

Keeping your focus (Eyes on Christ) in the midst of chaos.

You Can On Water Matthew 14:22-33 (Mark 6:47-52, John 6:16-21) I read about an interesting scientific experiment conducted a while back. A group of behavioral Scientists put some rats in a tank of water. The tank had smooth sides so they could not escape or rest. The scientists observed the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:16, Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

Power Source

Contributed by Brandon Park on May 18, 2006

How to Live in the P.O.W.E.R. of the Holy Spirit

POWER SOURCE Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit INTRO: - ILLUS: Imagine that you are going to Best Buy to purchase a new refrigerator. (You get the most high tech fridge out there $3500.) They deliver your shiny new appliance into your home, put it in place and you stuff it with plenty of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Hope Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 3, 2002

Knowing the hope of God With Us through every circumstance of life

The Gift of Hope Nov 30 / Dec 1; 2002 Intro: A number of years ago researchers performed an experiment to see the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Man With A Plan Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 1, 2011

Jesus makes himself known thorugh his followers.

Title: A Man with a Plan Text: Matthew 4:12-23 Thesis: Jesus makes himself known through his followers. Epiphany Series: Encountering Christ in Epiphany • The First Sunday after Epiphany: Christ’s Identity. The First Sunday after Epiphany we encountered Christ at his baptism where ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational