Sermons on Religious Observance:

Free At Last Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 26, 2009

In Galatians 5:1-6, we see Liberty 1) Defined (Gal. 5:1) 2) Defended (Gal. 5:2-4) and 3) Described (Gal. 5:5-6)

In 1963 American civil rights proponent Martin Luther King said: "So let freedom ring. From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire, let freedom ring. From the mighty mountains of New York, let freedom ring. From the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania, let freedom ring. But not only that; let ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6

Denomination: Other

What Is Controlling You? A Conditioned Stimulus?

Contributed by Kelly Durant on May 16, 2015

We love and serve each other, we influence and restrain one another, but we must become aware of the whys and motives. Control over another is a strange phenomenon; I observe many people are unaware of who is pulling their strings!Control is usually done by invoking fear!

What Is Controlling You? A Conditioned Stimulus? By Kelly Durant 5-17-15 Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-13

Denomination: Salvation Army

A Messiah Of Transformation Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Nov 12, 2009

While the Christian life is a process, we need to be making progress.

A Messiah of Transformation Text: Matt. 9:14-17 Introduction 1. Illustration: As you all know by now, my favorite football team is the Cleveland Browns, and may God have mercy upon me! Our current coach, although hopefully not for long, has a favorite saying when ask about why his team is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Methodist

Community - Weirdest Herd I've Ever Seen!

Contributed by Art Good on Jun 20, 2017

What a great description of the church! A weird mix of people of different generations, different personalities, different ethnic, economic, religious backgrounds, who might never hang out together— except for the fact that we all love Jesus!

“Weirdest herd I’ve ever seen.” (Show clip from Ice Age 1 where the mammoth saves the saber tooth tiger, Diego. Afterwards Diego asks the mammoth why he risked his life to save him. The mammoth replies, "Because that's what you do when you are a part of a herd. To which the sloth says, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:20-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

Blind Spots

Contributed by Ernest Flores on Oct 18, 2000

Text: John 9:35-41 v.

Text: John 9:35-41 v. 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not blind, are we?" You know what a blind spot is. If youíre driving in a car and are relying on your rear view mirrors to check the lanes, there are some spots that you still wonít be able to see. ...read more

Scripture: John 9:35-41

No Other Gospel Series

Contributed by Paul Foster on Dec 26, 2014

Part of a sermon series on Galatians

Introduction What is the Gospel – the good news of Jesus Christ? Even among Christians only 60% could answer the question correctly. Paul describes it in one of my favourite verses in Romans 1:16-17. “It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-10

Denomination: Anglican

Caring About Others Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Feb 7, 2012

I want us to look at how to share our faith without coming off like a jerk. We will make some observations about how our cultural context has changed in the last few decades, and then share five principles about how to share our faith in Jesus.

Caring about Others Romans 9:1-4a I speak the truth in Christ-- I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit-- 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fasting

Contributed by Tony Grant on Nov 14, 2005

the point of life and living is to be a blessing to someone else. As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ, and the way we do that is by acting for the betterment of humankind, one person at a time, one instant at a time, one opportunity at a time.

Fasting Isaiah 58: 6-8 2319 words 02/27/05 6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Not Far From The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 5, 2022

You've heard the phrase, "close but no cigar". It communicates that getting almost there is not good enough. Jesus had an encounter with a teacher of the law in Mark 12 where he tells him that he was not far from the kingdom of God.

NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD Mark 12:28-34 You've heard phrases like, "close but no cigar" or “almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades”. These communicate that getting almost there is not good enough. Jesus had an encounter with a teacher of the law in Mark 12 where at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-29, Philippians 3:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Breaking Down Barriers Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 24, 2020

Peter’s response to these religious rule-keepers is a model for us as we face criticism or complaints. We’ll see that Peter’s answer is more pastoral than argumentative. I see seven correctives to help us handle criticism.

This week I shared something positive on Facebook and got pulverized. The criticism came quickly and repeatedly. Normally I’m more careful about posting about controversial matters so I wasn’t prepared for all the venomous vitriol and overwhelming opposition. One person simply replied, “Oh ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Available For Impossible Dreams Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2003

In observance of my 17th anniversary as pastor; to worship is to become available for God’s purposes, which mean being sent to unreceptive and impossible situations. Can we dream impossible dreams about our church’s building, properties, ministries with

If what you expect to receive and what someone wants to give you are not the same thing, you are doomed to disappointment. If you want a particular thing, but the person you are dealing with is determined that you shall have something else, it is going to be tough. The other day ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Why

Contributed by Frank Lay on Mar 4, 2005

Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, WHY then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of...?" As we reflect upon why bad things happen, I want to make some observations.

WHY? "Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of...?" Judges 6:13 "WHY?" Have you ever asked that question? Of course you have. In fact many of us have been asking that question during the past few days. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:13

Denomination: Baptist

Warming Up A Church Family Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 2, 2004

Although the methods to express brotherly love and warmth are often best seen by observing others, the nuts and bolts of creating a warm church family are described for us here in Romans 12. If we are going to aim to be a warm church, we need to get a pi

Warming Up A Church Family (Romans 12:13-16) 1. When I first came to HPC, I was ignorant of boilers. 2. I grew up with a coal furnace in the basement….. 3. Space heater… 4. But boilers? Church—hot water Parsonage – steam 5. But boiler heat feels so good; even, steady….at home, we can sit on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:13-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lord! Why Am I So Angry?

Contributed by James Dunn on Feb 3, 2002

The generation of today may be defined as "The Angry Generation." One of the most destructive emotions that we all face is anger. Pastor Dunn leads us in this study as we observe the life of King Saul and his hatred of David that started out as a small

Introduction: In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a routine baseball game. But what happened that day was anything but routine. The Orioles’ John McGraw got into a fight with the Boston third baseman. Within minutes all the players from both teams had joined in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing A New Thing

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 29, 2008

Some of us are just not observant and do not see what God is doing. We let fear paralyze us, we do not see what an international church means, and we need to bear a testimony of excitement about all that God is doing in this church.

Many of you know that I recently spent a week in Kentucky and Indiana doing a family history search. My companion for that week in archives rooms and on cemetery grounds was my younger brother, who is a professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Texas. We planned for that particular week, as ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-21

Denomination: Baptist