Sermons on realism:

Joseph's First Dream

Contributed by John Huyser on Dec 10, 2024

Compared to Luke's romantic view of the Christmas event, Matthew includes deliberate shock points. This begins with Joseph's first dream. Watch this worship video online at https://vimeo.com/fruitportcrc

This Advent Season, we’ll be preaching from Matthew 1 and 2. Compared to the nostalgic romanticism of the Luke’s Christmas story, Matthew offers a shocking realism to these events. Matthew 1:18 – Matthew 2:23 offers us a distinct pattern. What ties these verses together is the fulfillment ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Prophesy- The Present Or The Future?

Contributed by Simon Harrison on Apr 4, 2001

Prophesy is less about strange words and more about speak God’s truth plainly to the present

Prophesy- The present or the future? Over the past few months, I have had many people talk to me about the prophesies found in the bible, especially those given in the Revelation of John. The millennium has made it quite a popular topic of conversation, and for some people the idea of God’s coming ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:5-10

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Is Seeing Believing Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Jul 15, 2016

Faith vs science

A wife comes homes and catches her husband in bed with another woman. The husband denies it, saying, “Who are you going to believe, me or your eyes?” Though silly, the line has important implications for all of us who experience so much of reality the way it appears in our own sight. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why The Church Should Never Stop Giving Hope

Contributed by Ronald Amaya on Jul 5, 2020

The Bible has a very different perspective on hope – it is not the kind of hope we see in the dictionary. While the dictionary definition of hope makes it sound like leaving things to fate, the hope of the Bible is a powerful force and a raw material for faith.

You can never give people too much hope. Hope is what gives people the faith to push through hard times. Hope is what makes people hold on when they are on the verge of throwing in the towel. Hope for a better tomorrow is what makes a teen push away those lingering suicidal thoughts. Hope is a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:5, Romans 4:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus’ Day Of Atonement Service Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 11, 2017

After all the background we have been given, the writer to the Hebrews brings it together to a conclusion: Jesus atoned for our sins in a greater way than even the high priest could on the Day of Atonement.

Jesus’ Day of Atonement Service (Hebrews 9:1-10:18) 1. Al Jolson was the first super-star singer/entertainer. 2. He was the first person to sell a million records, and start rising to fame in 1913. 3. When the Warner Brothers decided to produce a movie with a little bit of dialog in it — The ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Three More Fish Stories

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Apr 13, 2019

Third Sunday after Easter, Year C

Easter 3C Three more Fish Stories 1. "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." John 21:5 1: Open fridge, nothing to eat. 2: Open cupboard, nothing to eat. 3: Lower standards and repeat. The meaning of catching no fish is that they have saved ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Catholic

The Doors: Releasing Your Child Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on May 3, 2008

#4 in a six week series on marriage and parenting. This message discusses the difficult task of releasing your child.

"THE DOORS: RELEASING YOUR CHILD" Home Improvement - Week 4 1 SAM. 1:10-11, 24-27, Luke 15:11-13 INTRODUCTION: You know, of all the areas that we have talked about in this child rearing portion of our home improvement series, certainly for me and I think for all of us as parents.. releasing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10-27

Denomination: Christian Church

Not As Our Sins Deserve

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: God's love is seen not just in what he does, but in what he doesn't do.

Thesis: God's love is seen not just in what he does, but in what he doesn't do. Intro.: 1. The Bible is a healthy blend of optimism and realism. a. On the one hand you have realistic books like Ecclesiastes. b. On the other, you have positive portions like psalms of thanksgiving. 2. This AM ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22

Caleb's Confidence And Comfort

Contributed by Neil Richardson on Mar 12, 2008

Caleb (like Christ) had confidence and comfort in God, contrasted with the crowd’s cowardice and condemnation.

1. CALEB’S CONFIDENCE (Trusting God) cst. CROWD’S COWARDICE (Trusting ourselves) NUMBERS 13:1-14:10 Courageous spy (v6- outsider yet leader; v20- obedient & brave; v22- the fearsome Anakim- what are yours?) Apt to bring out good in things (v20, 27- good fruit- what are yours?) Leadership (v30- ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Ascension Of Jesus

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 1, 2019

Let go to go

The Ascension marks the beginning of a new phase in Christ’s relationship to humanity, kind of a "spiritual presence of the absence“ for baptized believers. After all, “Christianity was founded upon the loss of a body,” writes the Jesuit historian Michel de Certeau, what he calls “an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:46-53

Denomination: Catholic

A Revolution Of Tenderness Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 21, 2015

An opportunity exists in the world to turn away from solipsism and bring all humanity into communion.

Thursday of 5th Week in Lent 2015 Joy of the Gospel Abraham is, as the Roman Canon says, our “father in faith.” He believed that, old as he and Sarah were, they would have a child, and by the power of the Lord, Sarah conceived and brought forth Isaac. But Isaac was not the real child ...read more

Scripture: John 8:51-59

Denomination: Catholic

The Twin Real Presences Of Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 22, 2011

The two real presences of Christ in the Eucharist are really one.

January 24, 2011 St Francis de Sales The Spirit of the Liturgy The whole of the New Testament can be summarized in one sentence. In the words of Athanasius, God became human so that humans could become divine. The problem, of course, with that plan is that we are sinners. We are born with the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:15-28

Denomination: Catholic

Stand For Nothing Or Fall For Anything

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on May 14, 2011

Sermon for the 4th Sunday of Easter with new members uniting with the church.

John 15: 1 – 8 / Stand for Nothing Or Fall For Anything Intro: As I have grown older, I find myself giving more time to introspection. In a few days I will add another candle to my birthday cake. That has caused me to think about my mom and dad without whom I would not be here. I am ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Healing The Possessed Boy

Contributed by Phillip Wright on Aug 26, 2006

Jesus healing the possessed boy.

Healing the Possessed Boy (Do Believers Suffer from a Lack of Power?) Luke 9:37-45 Rev. Phillip A. Wright Introduction: This morning we are going to take a look at one of the passages we saw about two Christmas seasons ago. I gave a message and preached on the differences in the Lord’s usage of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:37-45

Denomination: Baptist

The Upside Of Feeling Down Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 19, 2018

In some ways, when we are down, we are more teachable; down times can deepen us.

The Upside of Feeling Down (Ecclesiastes 7:1-22) 1. At a party: 'Are you a psychologist?' 'Why do you ask it?' 'Oh yes, you are a psychologist.' 2. Most of us struggle with depression now and then. For many, time, prayer, and talking to friends helps. 3. But for some people, the depression is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible