Sermons on Rationalize:

Rooted In Love

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Jan 2, 2011

As the church, we can model the love of Jesus as we love and accept people. Or we can be exclusive in our love and forfeit our calling to be an authentic church.

A television commercial depicts three business people sitting in the back seat of a taxi. The taxi is stalled in heavy downtown traffic. One man goes berserk. He screams that they will miss the crucial business luncheon they were supposed to go to. The important documents they brought with them ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping Christ In Christmas (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Dec 28, 2009

Study the lives of Joseph and Mary to learn how to keep Christ at the center of Christmas.

Has there ever been a time when you had to make room in your life, for someone or something? When Judy and I first got married we lived in a 12’ x 60’ mobile home. When we first moved into that home we felt like we were living in a castle. We had an abundance of room. We did not have a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Guarding It Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Aug 3, 2010

Three prayers essential to guarding it so that you never lose it.

SERIES: IT: Finding It, Keeping It, and Sharing It (freely adapted from Craig Groeschel’s It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get it and Keep it) “GUARDING IT: How to Keep It Once You Have It” SELECTED SCRIPTURE OPEN This morning, we finish up our series: IT: Finding ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Doing Something Useful Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 26, 2010

The eigth commandment not only prohibits stealing but also promotes stewardship and trust.

“Law & Order: SPU - Doing Something Useful” Ex. 20:15; Eph. 4:25-28; Heb. 13:5-6 It remains still today as one of the most difficult, emotional times in my ministry. A well-liked, loyal member of the church was caught stealing from the offerings – not once but numerous times over ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Will Never Fall

Contributed by Rev. Mario Gonzalez on Oct 25, 2010

God often mercifully uses us, and then we somehow feel that it is some sort of blanket approval of all the foolishness we observe in ourselves alongside the supposed “anointing.”

You Will Never Fall By Rev. Mario Gonzalez I. Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-4, 10 “3. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (KJV: virtue (arête; are-tay) meaning: power or excellence). ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Blessed Are The Merciful

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 5, 2011

The way of the Kingdom of Jesus is one of trust in God, which frees us to be "merciful" and give to others, knowing that God is a God of justice and compassion, full of mercy and love.

Blessed are the Merciful Apr 3, 2011 Matt 5:7 Intro: We are half-way through our Lenten journey through the Beatitudes, the opening words of Jesus’ opening sermon (“on the mount”) where Jesus describes Kingdom life. During our last Adult Education time a couple weeks ago, as we were discussing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

The 2nd Thief Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 18, 2011

Both thieves on the cross insulted Jesus... to begin with. Why did the 2nd thief refuse to accept the love and promises of Christ? What drove him to curse Jesus even as he was dying?

When the police arrest a suspect – what’s the first thing they are required by law to do? That’s right - “read him his rights”. "You have a right to remain silent ..." etc. What’s the official name for that process? The Miranda Warning. When a suspect has been read his rights they often say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Emotional Life

Contributed by Dave Workman on Apr 26, 2011

So oftentimes, emotions function like the lights on our dashboard. When the engine light comes on, something needs to be paid attention to.

Today I want to talk about our emotional life. Maybe this is an area for you that seems out-of-control for you. Or perhaps the opposite: you feel a bit dead, almost feeling-less. Recently Time magazine even ran an article about how to handle your emotions during tough economic times. I’m ...read more

Scripture: John 11:32-35

Denomination: Vineyard

Thomas, The Skeptic

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 1, 2011

A look at doubt and faith

One day a young mother came into her daughter’s room to find her busy with her crayons and paper. “What are you drawing?” she asked. Her daughter paused and said, “A picture of God.” Her mother smiled and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Methodist

Mistaken Identities Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Aug 12, 2008

I preach expository messages, and this is from my series on the book of Acts.

“Mistaken Identities” Acts 14:8-18 December 16, 2007 (NOTE: I began my message with a slide show of "celebrity lookalikes", which can be easily found via a Google search.) Mistaken identity can be fun…(SLIDE SHOW) This man was never really President; he is not Bill Clinton. Nor is this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Hidden Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 17, 2008

God always reveals Himself in personal ways. Three times "hidden" appears in Colossians: to show that there is meaning in our suffering, to demonstrate that transformation can come, to call us to personal commitment, all at the right times.

Every child loves to play “Hide and Seek”. And every grandparent loves to play with them. But the lesson I learned is that playing “Hide and Seek” is a delicate operation. It is a test of grandpa’s interpersonal skills. “Hide and Seek” is about more than using your powers of observation to find ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Too Much Of A Good Thing?

Contributed by James Choung on Aug 29, 2008

Main idea: Give up our need to consume, because it is keeping us from enjoying the Kingdom.

This sermon is by James Choung of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. You are also invited to visit James’ blog at http://www.jameschoung.net/. __________________________________________________ About eight years ago, I was in Manhattan celebrating my 25th birthday. A friend and I were in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:29-34

Denomination: Vineyard

The Election's Over - Now What?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 19, 2008

Message meant to address those who were disappointed in the results of the election.

The Election’s Over – Now What? Various Scriptures November 16, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Me: The election was just under two weeks ago, and it wasn’t my intention to address it, other than to say that we need to continue to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:23-24

Denomination: Wesleyan

Seeing God Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 25, 2008

Have you ever wished that God would show Himself to you? Did you know that He already has? We’ll see that in our passage today as we look at the prologue to John’s gospel.

Do you ever wonder what it must be like to see God? I’ve heard it said that for us to try to see God in His fullness and completely describe Him would be like a germ trying to describe the universe. In and of Himself, God is completely incomprehensible to man. In His eternal three-in-one ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 7, 2008

This was written for the second week in Advent and focuses on the differences that the events in Bethlehem made in the lives of some

Wow, the second week of Advent, and as we were reminded earlier the second candle to be lit on the advent wreath is the Bethlehem candle. And it brings our focus to bear on the town of Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus. We sing about it in Little Town of Bethlehem and Once in Royal David’s City ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-6

Denomination: Wesleyan