Sermons on Release Distractions:

The Face Of Fortune: Barabbas Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 15, 2012

The face of Barabbas is truly the face of good fortune. Never has a better thing happened to a man on the day of his expected crucifixion. Jesus of Nazareth probably died on the cross that was prepared for Jesus Barabbas.

4-08-03 The Face of Fortune: Barabbas Text: Now the governor's custom was to release one Jewish prisoner each year during the Passover celebration--anyone they wanted…Then Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after he had whipped Jesus, he gave him to the Roman soldiers to be taken away ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:15-26

Denomination: Baptist

Hurry Up And Wait

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 25, 2010

Funeral message for Thelma Harper Brown, who exhibited extraordinary patience during a long decline.

What must it feel like to spend every day waiting? Just waiting. Not going anywhere, not keeping appointments, not concerned about a schedule, but just waiting. Waiting through interminable days and dark nights; waiting to be fed, to be turned, to be spoken to. What must it feel like just to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-39

Denomination: Baptist

Witnessing To The Culture Of Death Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 7, 2020

We must work and pray, as St. Benedict told us to do. Work for the spread of the kingdom in our families and communities, and vote as a Christian must, for godly men and women who will resist the culture of death and legislate for life, peace, and goodness.

Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Lent 2020 For our first reading today, I have chosen to begin earlier in the first chapter of Isaiah than the Lectionary suggests, and to add the verses the Lectionary omits. The Lenten readings take a great deal of the very long prophecies of Isaiah, but they omit ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20, Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Do You Want To Be Well?

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Apr 27, 2020

A message about overcoming brokenness and hurt. Moving from the past.

Will You Be Made Well? Theme: Text: John 5:1 – 7 Introduction Before looking at the following story with regard to its practical application, I would like us to consider its theological implications, for in it we find a clear picture of the impotency of tradition and organized religion… Courson ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-8

Denomination: Church Of God

What You Were, What You Are Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 22, 2017

It is interesting to see what we once were and to compare it with what we are. Paul does that in Romans 6 as he says we once were slaves to sin, but now are slaves to righteousness.

Flipping through old photo albums, or even Facebook photos, can be a very interesting thing. It is neat to see what you were compared to what you are now. It can be interesting to see how you used to look and dress compared to how you do currently. Sometimes it can make you say, “What was I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12-23

Denomination: Lutheran

I'm My Own Worst Enemy

Contributed by Catherine Davis on Sep 2, 2006

We are distracted by many things; allowing others to sway us; we even are distracted by our unbelief.

Intro: I am a huge Star Trek fan. I have been since I was a child watching the old black and whites. When they came out with the first Star Trek Movie in 1979, I couldn’t wait to see it. So I took my mom, who wasn’t really a fan. She fell asleep! But I thought it was a great movie! I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Don’t Lose Your Focus Series

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Oct 16, 2022

Life is full of distractions. When we lose our focus, we can be distracted, and disaster can happen.

Sermon Text: Heb 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Jailbreak: When God Unlocks The Chains Of Injustice

Contributed by Cohss Spiritsong on Aug 20, 2013

Biblical story of Peter's miraculous release from prison and how we, too, can be released from injustice

Jailbreak: When God Unlocks the Chains of Injustice Pastor Leslie A. Rutland-Tipton Enemy uses several tactics to make us fearful 1. King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church a. A direct threat or action toward you 2. King Herod intended to persecute them b. Intentions of malice ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-10

Denomination: *other

A Divided Church; An Oxymoron

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Feb 14, 2015

In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul addresses the factions and divisions that have arose. He tells them and us that a united church has No Divisions, No Dividers, No Distractions and One Directive.

A Divided Church; An Oxymoron 1 Corinthians 1: 10-17 (NLT) Intro: Who knows what an oxymoron is? .Webster’s defines it this way: . “a combination of contradictory or incongruous words” . Phrases that contradict each other. . Here are some of my favorites. . Boneless Ribs, Fresh ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Full Armor Of God

Contributed by Dennis Jones on May 19, 2003

To live in this world of evil, sin, and temptation you need all the protection and help you can get. The bible says we need the whole armor of God. The spiritual warfare that we face day in and day out can ware down your defenses. Spiritual strength an

To live in this world of evil, sin, and temptation you need all the protection and help you can get. The bible says we need the whole armor of God. The spiritual warfare that we face day in and day out can ware down your defenses. Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

We Seek To Honor God In All We Do Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 31, 2009

Based on the HBC 4th Core belief.

We Seek To Honor God in All We Do Matthew 6:24-33 * We are in the fourth week of our five week series on the HBC Core Beliefs. Have you noticed that every belief builds on the foundation of the prior belief. If the first one (The Bible is our guide book) does not become personalized, then you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-33

Denomination: Baptist

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Contributed by Charles Newman on Mar 14, 2009

In our message this morning, we will see how three miracles, (Jesus walking on water, Peter walking on water, Storms/winds cease) open our pathways to a bridge over the troubled waters of life.

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS Matthew 14:22-33 In our message this morning, we will see how three miracles, (Jesus walking on water, Peter walking on water, Storms/winds cease) open our pathways to a bridge over the troubled waters of life. Jesus has just got done with one of His famous miracles, ...read more

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

Denomination: Methodist

Can I Get A Lift?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 6, 2009

August 1989: If we want to be lifted up out of our unhappiness through worship, we must bring our whole selves to the worship experience and must pray passionately even our negative wishes.

I recently became aware that some folks shop for a church much as you would shop for a car or a home appliance. In talking with some people about joining our church, they said that they were shopping – that’s their word, not mine -- that they were shopping for a church by systematically attending ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 28:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

What And How Long Is Worship?

Contributed by Greg Nance on Feb 6, 2010

Revelation chapters 4-5 are about worshipping Him who sits on the throne and the Lamb. Don't get distracted and miss the main message!

At the conclusion of Revelation 5, Adam Clarke comments: Now follow the least intelligible parts of this mysterious book, on which so much has been written, and so much in vain. It is natural for man to desire to be wise, and the more difficult the subject the more it is studied- and the hope of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Doesn't Bless

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Sep 27, 2014

God did not bless the nation of Israel when there was sin and disobedience in their midst. God will not bless the church when they are disobedient to his commands

When God Doesn’t Bless Joshua 7: 1-26 Intro: Three churches – Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian – worked together to sponsor a community-wide revival. (The revival meetings were a success. New faces appeared, old friends returned, and neighbors were more aware of the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Baptist