Sermons on Reluctant:

What Do I Do When God’s Leading Doesn’t Add Up? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 20, 2013

A look at the fact that the Magi did not come to Bethlehem but to Nazareth. The sermon uses that truth to talk about following God's direction instead of the man's leading.

STAR OF BETHLEHEM MYTH: The star led the Magi to Bethlehem. - We’ve all seen this in a hundred Christmas plays. - Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen to be the way that the Bible actually says the story happened. - This morning I want to talk about the way the Bible says the story ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

He Wants The Truth Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 31, 2012

Suppose some organization or person filmed your every action and thought. Would you like the film? Could you bear to watch it? Could you handle the truth about yourself? How are you at facing the truth?

“He’s Amazing: He Wants the Truth” Luke 4:14-30 There are tremendous concerns today about invasion of privacy. People fear the FBI and the CIA. We are reluctant to grant them powers that would enable them to gather information about us without our knowledge – although many suspect they may ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Much Do You Long For Jesus? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Feb 26, 2012

Many times the things that affect us the most are inside, beyond our ability to reach and heal. Such was the case with the woman we meet in this study. How she approached Jesus and what He did in response speaks to how we desire to be healed of infirmity

As I mentioned last time, Mark Chapter 5 is all about setting prisoners free. In verses 1 through 20 we see Jesus release a man who had been held captive by thousands of demons. This time we see Him set free a woman held in the bondage of an incurable disease for more than a decade. Next time He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-34

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Are You Part Of The Family Or Just A Boarder?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 11, 2012

A boarder has no commitment and merely pays rent to have a place to hang his hat for awhile. A functional family member is committed, caring and contributes to the well being of the family. Which are you in relation to God's family?

Are You Part of the Family or Just a Boarder? Ephesians 2:19-22 A boarder has no commitment and merely pays rent to have a place to hang his hat for awhile. A functional family member is committed, caring and contributes to the well being of the family. Which are you in relation to God's ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Pastors And Teachers Series

Contributed by Nigel Heath on Jul 3, 2011

The role of a pastor/teacher is much more than that of a carer. Psalm 23 illustrates to us from the Good Shepherd what is involved in this ministry that is intended to lead others to maturity in Christ.

3.7.11 PASTORS AND TEACHERS -- Psalm 23 INTRO Have you ever thought of entering the ministry? Maybe you have. Or maybe you haven't and you wonder how a church pastor spends their time during the week. What is involved: There is a well-worn joke that pastor's work only one day a week. It's about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Jonah And The Call To Arise And Go! Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Jul 10, 2011

Jonah teaches us God’s love for people and His desire to share His forgiveness with them. Like Jonah, God has called us to arise and go to the world with the Good News about salvation through Jesus.

JONAH: ARISE AND GO! INTRO TO TOPIC: How many of you grew up in the church? If you remember any stories from Sunday school as a child, the top three were most likely David slaying Goliath, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, and Jonah in the Whale. However – are these stories real? And if so, what relevance ...read more

Denomination: *other

Ordering Your Private World 1 - Exodus Part 7 Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Jul 28, 2011

The first of a series of three sermons on how Moses’ relationships affected his usefulness to God.

INTRODUCTION • The hardest thing about ministry is relationships. Many of us are ineffective in ministry because of fractured relationships. • There is no ministry outside of relationship. • God’s order began with people in garden, in authority with dominion. • And it ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:18-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace And Passion For The Lost Series

Contributed by Martin Wiles on May 16, 2011

We need a passion to share our faith with those who don’t know God as well as the wisdom to know how.

Romans 9:1-13; 30-33 Introduction: A. This begins a two chapter section in which Paul deals with the nation of Israel: what God has done in their past as well as what part-if any, they still occupy in the future plan of God. B. Some eschatological interpretations have all the Jews-or at least most ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Hallmarks Of Love 4 Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Mar 29, 2010

Exposition, 4 of 5, in the series through 1 Cor 13 about biblical love

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:7 Title: The Hallmarks of Love 4 Date/Place: LSCC, 3/13/05, AM A. Opening illustration: A little boy declared that he loved his mother “with all his strength.” He was asked to explain what he meant by “with all his strength.” He said: “Well, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Denomination: Baptist

Race To The Tomb

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 31, 2010

All of us are running in this world. Some are running to God, some trying to run away from Him. How far will they go? We should be running in a spiritual way. All our focus needs to be on the tomb where Jesus rose to new life and will take us with him to

Opening illustration: I think of Eric Liddell. The movie Chariots of Fire depicts how his sister Jenny tried to persuade Eric to give up his running, and go to China with her to be a missionary. He said, "No, God has made me fast and called me to run." It would have been wrong at that point to be a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is It Ok To Ask God For A Sign? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 27, 2010

This message looks at the unusual "fleece" request that Gideon makes and then considers whether we are allowed to make similar requests.

Is It Ok To Ask God For A Sign?: 1. This passage about Gideon’s fleece is a true story, but not an ironclad promise. - Judges 6:36-40. - God is under no obligation to answer “fleece” questions. - Not all Bible stories are directly applicable in the sense of being able to expect God to do the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:33-40

Denomination: Baptist

Living The Life Of Grace

Contributed by Stan Simonik on Feb 14, 2008

Having gratefully received the gift of God’s grace, we can’t repay it or hoard it, but pass it on to others.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is relatively easy to accept grace but it seems rather challenging to live a life of grace. I say it is relatively easy to accept grace, because we human beings have the tendency to earn it first. Do a trick – get a cookie! A doctor told a story about an ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Pentecost Tongues

Contributed by Joseph Neil Adams on Feb 25, 2008

A message about why the Spirit gave those first Christians the ability to speak in other languages.

Pentecost #3 - Tongues Acts 2:1-21 Some people find the story of Pentecost quite difficult & disturbing - why? I think because the Bible says that the Holy Spirit (HS) came & the disciples heard saw & experienced the HS. They are all gathered on the day of Pentecost in prayer & HS came both ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Methodist

Recieving Empowerment For Witnessing Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Feb 26, 2008

Spring Life is the annual emphasis on Evangelism and discipleship in the Wesleyan Church. This message deals with being receptive to the Holy Spirit

Receiving Empowerment for Witnessing Acts 1:8 Spring Life Series 2008 March 2, 2008 Morning Service Spring Life is the annual emphasis on Evangelism and discipleship in the Wesleyan Church. This message was adapted from some of the materials provided from the Wesleyan World ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Church Of God

He's Alive!

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Mar 25, 2008

An Easter Season Sermon using the Hymn, "Were You There?" as a basis.

He’s Alive! (But Don’t Tell Anyone) Matthew 27 & 28: 1-10 Key Verses: Matthew 28: 6-7 Hymn Suggestions: “Were You There?,” Traditional Spiritual, Public Domain; “He Arose!,” Robert Lowry, Public Domain; “My Savior’s Love,” Charles Gabriel, Public Domain; “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” Stuart ...read more

Denomination: *other