Sermons on Readers Digest:

Paul And Ephesus

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

We hear Paul's letter to the Ephesians like we might overhear someone talking on the phone. We get only half of the conversation. If we are going to understand Paul's teaching we need to learn as much as possible about the circumstances of his readers.

Years ago there was a farmer from a very small village in Germany who was just itching to get out and see something of the world. His big chance came when his nephew got a job on a barge that would sail up the Rhine River to Rotterdam. Even if it only stayed there for one day to drop off one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2

Assurance(2023)-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Aug 29, 2023

1 of 2. Luke assured Theophilus of the validity of his faith, because his faith was based on fact. Likewise, readers of Luke’s gospel can be certain of their faith. But What historical assurances are offered/gained thru Luke’s Gospel? Luke’s Assurance offers us Historical...

ASSURANCE-I—Luke 1:1-4 ATTENTION: A couple was asked to dinner by a new friend. When they sat down at the table, they noticed that the dishes appeared to be dirty. It was so obvious that they even asked the hostess, “Were these dishes washed?”, as they rubbed my fingers over the surface of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-2, Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Assurance(2023)-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 5, 2023

2 of 2. Luke assured Theophilus of the validity of his faith, because his faith was based on fact. Likewise, readers of Luke’s gospel can be certain of their faith. But What historical assurances are offered/gained thru Luke’s Gospel? Luke’s Assurance offers us Historical...

ASSURANCE-II—Luke 1:1-4 ATTENTION: ‘My Children Are Not My Children’ When Lydia Fairchild fell on hard times(in Washington State ca. 2002), she & the father of her children separated. And when Lydia applied for state benefits for their children, DNA tests were required for proof of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:3-4, Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Jude Addresses Christians With Practical Advice For Living In The World – Jude 1:17-23 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 24, 2022

We must know the true, so we can expose the false. We must know the false, so we can uphold the good. Jude encourages his readers to build themselves up in their faith followed by several commands for Christian living so they keep themselves unpolluted by the world.

JUDE ADDRESSES CHRISTIANS WITH PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR LIVING IN THE WORLD – Jude 1:17-23 Jude 1 v 17 “but you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude 1:18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there shall be mockers, ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-23, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 27:29, 2 Peter 3:2-4, Titus 3:10-11, 1 John 2:15-17, Romans 8:8-9, Romans 8:26-27, Revelation 2:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life From The Dead! Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Mar 8, 2012

Paul wants his readers to see one another the way God sees them. There is no room for arrogance on either side! Ours is to simply respond to who God is and let Him change us into who He wants us to be. That is what honors Him! It’s all about Him, not me!

Life from the Dead! Romans 11:13-24 Intro: One of the main reasons Paul is writing to the church or ekklesia at Rome (the called out ones who are assembled together for a specific purpose) is to help them resolve some of the tension between the Jews and Gentiles. Earlier in Romans Paul addressed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:13-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

11. Message In 1 Peter – Number 11 – Closing The Letter With A Fond Farewell (1 Peter 5:12-14) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 8, 2025

Farewell until we meet again. Today we think about the closing remarks in Peter’s first letter as we open up the final three verses. The end of a letter usually states the last important thoughts of the writer he wishes to convey to the readers. We look at that. May God bless us all.

11. Message in 1 Peter – Number 11 – CLOSING THE LETTER WITH A FOND FAREWELL (1 Peter 5:12-14) [A]. AND A FOND FAREWELL It is sometimes claimed that a person’s last words are their most significant. At times there have been those bizarre incidents of reading out in public, a deceased’s ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, 1 Peter 5:12, Matthew 10:42, 1 Corinthians 4:17, Colossians 4:7, Matthew 25:23, 1 Peter 5:13, 1 Corinthians 9:5, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 1 Peter 5:14, John 14:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Was Naaman Cleansed? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 22, 2021

Naaman had two problems - one was leprosy. But the other problem was the one that threatened to prevent him from being cleansed. What was his "other" problem, and what "fixed" both of his problems?

I read the true story about a man who had gone to the hardware store for supplies he needed for a minor plumbing repair job. As he was leaving, the owner said, “See you in a little while.” “Why?” asked the customer. “Is there something else I need?” “No. You haven’t forgotten anything,” he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Defending The Word Of God, Part Two Series

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Oct 14, 2010

The need to contend for the faith

Intro: 1. Every year, thousands upon thousands of wildebeests run a sort of marathon. The African savannah dries up for weeks. Then, rains come to the north. Small herds of wildebeests join other herds of the hog-like creatures as they run for days. Covering many miles at a thundering speed, ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:4

Denomination: Baptist

Expecting God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 10, 2022

Many people have expectations of what God can do for them. But that's not how it works. We were saved to do things for Him. Why?

I’ve been told that when people come to God –– they have certain expectations. They have certain opinions of what they think God should DO for them. They visualize a God who is going to do what they want done. ILLUS: A woman named Donna had a conversation with her 4 year old niece. The little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have You Any Room Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 1, 2019

There was no room to be found for Mary and Joseph to stay in Bethlehem? Seriously? You'd think someone would have taken pity on a VERY pregnant woman that day, but no one did. Why not?

Several years ago, a church held a Christmas pageant with a group of 4 year-olds. Everything went along pretty well until Mary and Joseph “arrived” at the inn. The 4 year-old Joseph asked: “Do you have any room for us?”. “No,” replied the innkeeper, “the inn is full.” “But it’s so cold outside, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Freedom On God's Terms Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 26, 2015

When Moses met God at the burning bush he learned that Israel's freedom was to come on God's terms... not his, nor anyone elses. What were those terms and what do those terms tell us about our Freedom in Christ?

In March 2013 - in Texarkana, Texas - a woman and her son were cleaning up their yard when they came across a black snake. Now, I don’t know if the snake was poisonous… but I do know it frightened them. In their panic they doused the snake with gasoline and then they set it on ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Loves The Little Children Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 21, 2023

The difference between the world and God is very harsh when it come to children. God considers them precious, while the world often considers them expendable. What is God's attitude toward abortion and what can we do for those who struggle with that decision?

The passage I read this morning is intriguing. The story is recorded here in Luke as well as in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. And what I find interesting is that there’s this contrast between the views of the disciples… and Jesus. There’s this group of parents who are bringing “infants” to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who's In Charge Here? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 9, 2017

Conflicts often arise when people forget who's in charge. So, who is in charge and how should we use that knowledge in how we respond to our earthly authorities?

OPEN: August 1994, as a Korean Air jet plane was landing it skidded across a rain soaked runway and rammed a safety barricade. There were 160 passengers on board and just before the plane exploded into flames they all escaped to safety. What was the cause of the accident? According to news ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Noise Of War Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 22, 2017

Joshua heard the commotion in the camp and thought it was the "noise of war". He was partly right and partly wrong. Do you know what Israel was doing and why... and do you understand why God and Moses were so furious with the people?

At the turn of the century, there was an Iowa singing group named the Cherry Sisters. Following one of their concerts a reporter for The Des Moines Register ran a scathing review He wrote that "Their long skinny arms, equipped with talons at the extremities... waved frantically at the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:15-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Awake For The Dawn Is About To Break!

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Mar 20, 2019

A Study of Romans 13:11-14

Intro: 1. Martin Luther said he only had two days on his calendar— today and "that day." 2. I believe we should all live like that, looking for “that day” when the Lord snatches us out of here, to meet Him in the air. 3. That Day. Trans: Lord willing, this is where we are heading in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist