Sermons on Reality Check:

When Hope Seems Gone Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Mar 28, 2010

Despair makes hope seem an empty dream as we snap awake to reality and we begin to believe the lie, “there's no way out.”...Our lesson today is one of “how” and “what”. “How” can I move from a spirit of despair to a life of hope?

DARE TO BELIEVE – “When Hope Seems Gone” Jonah 2:1-10 This picture (person sitting against a wall, very dark room, small light in the window) is, to me, a powerful image of despair. It creates a sense of aloneness where an overwhelming gloom settles into your spirit and there's ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Being Renewed (Graduation Sunday) Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jun 5, 2021

We think home is a place of renewal. We think we can go home and rest. And we can, but only if our focus is right. Home won’t renew us, won’t build us up, unless the focus of our home is on the One who raises us into a new kingdom, a new reality.

Main: If you’re looking for snapshots of well-adjusted and happy parent-child relationships from the ancient world, the Bible probably shouldn’t be on your short list of sources. Consider even Jesus’ family, for example. The New Testament preserves evidence suggesting that Jesus’ relationship with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:21

Denomination: United Methodist

The Season For Seeing Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

God made the message of Christmas a visual message to appeal to the eyes. Christmas from day one has always been a season for seeing. By His coming into the world Jesus changed how men see reality. He changed how man sees God and history, and how he sees the role of man and the goal of God.

Mr. and Mrs. Nudelman were on a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Paris where they visited the Louvre. As they slowly walked past the masterpieces of the ages, Mrs. Nudelman stopped in front of a huge Renaissance painting called, The Child In The Manger. As she stood there, Mr Nudelman asked her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Take Not Your Anointing From Me!

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 14, 2019

Psalm 51 describes David’s great mental anguish at the reality that he had hurt his relationship with God and might have lost God’s favor. Christians today are too quick to assume they have God in a box. Please Lord, don't take Your Spirit away from me!.

TAKE NOT YOUR ANOINTING FROM ME! Ps. 51:11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Larry Weathers is a math teacher in Benton, Kentucky. One of his math students got his hand caught in a go-cart chain and lost a third of his finger. He missed a few days of class. 2. When he returned, Larry asked if his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

There Are Two Certainties In Life; Taxes And Death. And I'm Not Here To Talk About Taxes

Contributed by Robert Irvine on Aug 16, 2024

Being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer back in March (presently at Stage 3), really changed my outlook. It also brought me face to face with the fact that I am going to die at some point. Death isn’t now some concept that I could ignore, but a reality that I had to face.

Being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer back in March (presently at Stage 3), really changed my outlook. I started to declare the Good News of Jesus Christ much more seriously. It also brought me face to face with the fact that I am going to die at some point. Death isn’t now ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:43

Denomination: Baptist

Wisdom For Your Tomorrows Of Life

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Oct 11, 2019

The "home stretch" of life's journey on earth brings us to terms with reality. Our Lord has promised to be with us all the way Home. To make the most of the rest of our days, let us be inspired and guided by the wisdom of our all-wise God and Father of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

WISDOM FOR YOUR TOMORROWS OF LIFE The technician who upgraded our Internet and TV service declared the new control mechanism with which he replaced our old one the greatest ever. “That little device,” he said, “is so intelligent that no ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:8, Proverbs 2:1-6, Proverbs 3:5-7

Be Prepared For Motion Sickness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 2, 2014

Life isn't fair. Life isn't just. How can I avoid being defeated by the truth that "in this world I will experience trouble?"

OPEN: Tom had never gone deep-sea fishing before, and once he was out at sea he began to think it was the stupidest thing he'd ever done in his life. Who would ever have believed that seasickness could be this awful? With every pitch and roll, Tom wondered how he was going to survive the remaining ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Great Is The Love Of God! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 18, 2000

God’s love is so great that with it he has made us children of Him and with that comes all the royal inheritances if we live the way we are suppose too.

I John 3 – “How great is the Love of God?” Thesis: God’s love is so great that with it he has made us children of Him and with that comes all the royal inheritances if we live the way we are suppose too. Scripture Text: 1 John 3: 1-24 1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Every Word Matters! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 21, 2025

James tells us that if we want to pursue perfection in Jesus then we need to control our tongues and make sure the words that come off it are fruitful Godly words. The warning he throws at us is the uncontrolled tongue leads to the whole body being set on fire by hell’s flames.

Wild Thing – Every Word Matters – James 3:1-12 Opening Video Illustration: Kids talking about what they hear their parents say to them! Thesis: James tells us that if we want to pursue perfection in Jesus then we need to control our tongues and make sure the words that come off it are fruitful ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 18:21, James 1:26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Conflict Resolution

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 27, 2004

Conflict is a part of life and we need to learn how to mange it the Bible way and not the world’s way.

Conflict Resolution Thesis: Conflict is a part of life and we need to learn how to manage it the Bible way and not the world’s way. Opening Video Illustration: Mr. Holland’s Opus Our scene opens with the principal and vice principal questioning Mr. Holland’s use of rock music in his music ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Know Your Spiritual Gifts And Use Them! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 13, 2011

Paul tells us all to know our spiritual gifts and know how to use them for the common good of the church. We also need to know that we all have different gifts but this is God’s plan and it’s a good thing to have diversity. We also need to know that each

Series: What is the Spirit saying to the church? I received the idea for this sermon at International House of Prayer during my spiritual retreat there. I have also been asking this question to every pastor I know. Their responses have varied but my series topics are based on their responses and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let's Do This! James 2

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 29, 2013

James tells us that if we want to pursue perfection in Jesus then we have to not show favoritism to others, we must have faith with action and by all means guard our tongues.

Series: Let’s Do This! Summary of Let’s Do this pt 1! What did we learn last week? 1. We need to be like James and do this by being men and women of prayer. a. We need to have nicknames like “Old Camel Knees”. b. We need to understand what prayer will do for us: i. Prayer ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Time To Come Home

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Mar 6, 2003

God’s heart is for lost things to be found and ruptured relationships to be reconciled.

Dec. 30, 2001 Scripture Text: Luke 15:1-32 Speaker: Jeff Williams Good morning! My neighbors must have thought I was crazy. I was standing in the dumpster. I was not looking in the dumpster. I was standing knee deep in their trash. One of my boys had been playing with my keys and the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Setting The Table For A God Visit Series

Contributed by Leroy Redding on Oct 18, 2006

This is the Kick-Off Message for the 40 Days of Community adapted from Purpose Driven Ministries

Setting the Table for a God Visit: How to Get the Most Out of 40 Days of Community Exodus 19 I want you to imagine something this morning. I want you to imagine that the Queen of England is coming to Idaho. The queen wants to get a feel for what real American life is like and wants to have ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Boast Of His Image Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 23, 2012

Are you boasting about Jesus and His image – are others looking at you imitating Jesus and boasting about your faith, love and spiritual maturity? Paul did of the Thessalonians! Are there those in our community boasting about our perseverance as a Church

Series: Imitators 2 Thessalonians was written shortly after the first letter was delivered. Most likely the deliverer of the first letter noted some serious misunderstandings of The Coming of the Lord and end times beliefs which needed to be addressed. Paul writes this letter quickly upon hearing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational