Sermons on Reluctant:

Easter Matters

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 13, 2020

One of the results of the resurrection is we no longer have to live in fear. We could say it like this: When in dread, remember Jesus rose from the dead; He will come near when we are quarantined with fear!

Easter Matters John 20:19-22 Rev. Brian Bill April 11-12, 2020 The very first Easter did not take place in a crowded worship space filled with singing and praising. On the very first Easter the disciples were locked in a house. Instead of sheltering in place, they were shaking in place. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Bridegroom Gives An Abundance Of New Wine

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Feb 7, 2021

To those who love him, the Bridegroom gives this promise: his great marriage feast is coming! At that feast there won’t ever be the disappointment that it’s coming to an end, that the joy is running out, but there will be blessedness unending.

When you meet someone new, it can take a while to get to know them. Maybe you’re starting at high school or university, and you’re meeting all kinds of people for the first time. Or you just gained a few new colleagues at work. Well, it’ll take a while to get acquainted. You chat together on and ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, John 20:24-31, Joel 3:14-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Gives Life To The Dying

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Feb 14, 2021

Jesus doesn’t give every answer, and He sometimes sends us on ahead without any certainty that things are going to change. He doesn’t give a sign that will ease every doubt about our future, or worries about our family, or whatever else. Yet we can be confident in all that He has said.

How much power do your words have? I mean, if you gave an order or a command, would your words carry any weight? Maybe they would, if you’re a mom and you asked your son to empty the dishwasher, or if you’re in charge at the office and you told your secretary to draft a letter. You speak, and it ...read more

Scripture: John 4:39-45, John 5:24-30, John 4:46-54

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Prayer Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2021

Lets face the reality of this. Much, if not most, of what we have to thank God for comes to us through other people. They are the primary tools of God to achieve His purpose in history.

My earliest childhood memories of being in church are of the rope that I could ride. The thick rope hung down through the ceiling in the church entry way. I was so little that when the rope was pulled to ring the bell in the belfry, I could hang on to it and get a ride as it would pull me up off ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6

Shift, Part 3: Shift Into Action Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Oct 12, 2020

How a law of physics can keep us from fulfilling the Great Commission

Good morning. I invite you to turn to Acts chapter 1 this morning. If you ever have the opportunity to go to Israel, you will see, all over Jerusalem, a very distinctive cross. It is called the Jerusalem Cross. It has been associated with Jerusalem ever since the Middle Ages, when it was adopted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8, Genesis 11:1-4, Romans 15:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Prayer Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

We need to see that the only way to be a happy Christian, who can even make prayer time a fun time, is to forget the bad past, and remember those things that fill our minds with a sense of gratitude.

My earliest childhood memories of being in church are of the rope that I could ride. The thick rope hung down through the ceiling in the church entry way. I was so little that when the rope was pulled to ring the bell in the belfry, I could hang on to it and get a ride as it would pull me up off ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6

The Prayer Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Paul demonstrated the power of a thankful heart to overcome enormous negative circumstances. Prayer is not the dark garment of despair. Prayer is a bright garment of praise that will dress up the soul even on the dreariest of days.

My earliest childhood memories of being in church are of the rope that I could ride. The thick rope hung down through the ceiling in the church entry way. I was so little that when the rope was pulled to ring the bell in the belfry, I could hang on to it and get a ride as it would pull me up off ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6

Pray!!! Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 4, 2017

Prayer is easy to neglect due to pressing cares and responsibilities of life. However, prayer is our lifeline to heaven for the resources to effectively discharge those responsibilities and live in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Pray!!! Luke 11:1-13 Richard Tow 11.15.15 My assignment this morning is to encourage you toward prayer. In 1 Thess.5:17 Paul told the church to “Pray without ceasing.” Don’t stop praying. Keep on praying. The easiest thing in the world to neglect is prayer. Daily cares and responsibilities of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18, Mark 14:33-42, Isaiah 56:7, Luke 11:1-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Taking A Risk For Jesus Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 18, 2022

The kingdom of God is brought near to others when I take a risk for the sake of the kingdom

ENGAGE I’m going to begin this morning with a question: How many of you want to be like Ananias? No one? That is probably because many of you either thought to yourself “Who is Ananias?” or else you were thinking of the Ananias back in Acts 5 who was immediately killed by God when he and his ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Cast Your Net Into Deeper Water

Contributed by Monte Robinson on Jul 20, 2003

Challenge your congregation to see God work in their lives by persevering, because when God does work in our lives, it empowers us to walk away from this life and follow the Son.

Let’s read Luke 5: 1-11 Pray Ill. Jake and the rain. I. Background A. This is the description of the first disciples being chosen by Jesus by the Lake of Gennesaret—Christians commonly refer to this lake as the Sea of Galilee. B. Some believe that this may have been a first encounter of Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Ethiopian Official Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 16, 2003

Preparation (26-29), Witness (30-35), and Commitment (36-39) -God led Philip to someone ready to hear the Good News.

Conversions in the Book of Acts> Philip and the Ethiopian, Acts 8:26-39 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts When we’re living according to the will of God, anything can happen! In Acts chapter 8, Philip, a deacon of the church, is whisked away by God in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

Denomination: Congregational

God 101

Contributed by Dan Borchert on Aug 29, 2002

Who is God and what does he do? Is he some sort of Spirit Dude that you can only see when you are high, or is He a lot more then that?

1 John 4:7-16 God 101 Introduction A. Who is God and better yet what does he do. B. Is he some like spirit dude that you know just exist like C. Or is he someone you can only see when you’re smoking something wacky? D. Does God sit upstairs in his Lazy Boy and watch us E. Does he just party all ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Things Christians Can Know

Contributed by Charles Lane Iii on Feb 28, 2004

One of the biggest differences between the Christian faith and many other religious belief systems is that it is a faith based on fact, not speculations. Things that we can know, not have to guess about.

Introduction: One of the big things about the Christian faith that is different from all other faiths, except Judaism, is that it is a faith based on fact. It is a faith based on the evidence of real people, places and events. It is a faith based in and on history, handed down through reliable ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:11-13

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Doing Things The Hard Way

Contributed by Norayr Hajian on Feb 25, 2002

God had Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt - but he did it the hard way - by hardening Pharoah’s heart. Why is it that sometimes God makes us go through things the hard way?

This week I’ve been reading in the book of Exodus. And in my reading, I noticed something strange: · First, God commanded Moses to go to Egypt, where he had fled from years before, and to go and risk his life confronting the Pharoah. · Then God turns around and says, in effect, “Oh, by the way, ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Large And In Charge

Contributed by Joe Harding on Feb 25, 2002

GOD IS!

LARGE AND IN CHARGE EXODUS 13:1-14 SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2002 INTRODUCTION: Here’s a list of all variations of the "God Speaks" billboards that appeared in the Metropolitan Dallas-Fort Worth area. The billboards are a simple black background with white text. No fine print or sponsoring organization ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:1-14

Denomination: Baptist