Sermons on Remove Distractions:

The Man From Arimathea Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 19, 2018

How did Joseph become a member of the Sanhedrin and ultimately become a secret follower of Jesus? This first person presentation explores one possible explanation.

(I entered the auditorium from the side entrance to our baptistery – reading a scroll and entranced in thought. Much of the message was presented on floor level with me standing close to the audience and speaking directly to them) (Looking up, a bit surprised) Oh… shalom. I am afraid I am a bit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hey Jude Don't Be Afraid Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 3, 2017

Jude speaks of people who "infiltrate" the church to damage it. Who are they and why do they do that? And how can we "contend for the Faith" when faced with these kinds of folks?

It was the winter of 1944. The German army was in a desperate situation and ultimately launched what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. A key part of their strategy was to disrupt and mis-direct reinforcements that the Allies would be sending into the battle. They called it “Operation ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Example Do You Set For Your Children's Faith

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 18, 2016

What does it mean when we say, “We engage to religiously educate our children.” This is not saying that we will educate our children in religion. It says we will religiously educate.

Last week we learned that the Gospel is all that matters. I hope we all left here with that thought embedded in our hearts so that everything in our lives will revolve around the Gospel. Well today we’re going to go a step further with that thought as we think about the message we send to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Sower

Contributed by Paul Davidson on Jan 26, 2021

I remember sitting, my face wet with tears, as I prayed for God to rescue me and change the soil of my heart into rich, fertile soil. I was tired of just pretending to be a Christian. I no longer wanted to be the person I had become. I surrendered my life to Jesus... and I was forever changed!

INTRODUCTION God has put a message on my heart to share with you from the Gospel of Matthew. This message is actually very special to me personally. It was April of 1993 when I heard someone preach on the “Parable of the Sower” from Matthew 13. We had just survived a very serious car ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23, 1 Corinthians 2:14, James 1:2, Galatians 1:6, Galatians 5:7-8, Matthew 7:21, Proverbs 24:30-32, 1 Timothy 6:10, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 19:23-24, John 15:5-8, Ezekiel 36:26, 1 Peter 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Shield Of Faith Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on May 26, 2021

As Christians, we are engaged in daily spiritual warfare. Heaven has not left us to fend off attacks under our own power, but has provided powerful spiritual resources for Life in the Combat Zone - The Armor of God

June 20, 2020 With the Belt of Truth holding everything together – the Breastplate of Righteousness protecting our hearts – and the Shoes of Gospel Peace laced up, let’s move to the 4th piece of combat gear – The Shield of Faith. Why is Faith found in the position of “The Shield”? 2 types of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-16

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Jesus Christ & The Media Narrative: The Tactics Of The Media In Subverting Christianity

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 23, 2021

There is an overarching narrative in our country, the United States, that is projected through media. The narrative is guided by academic institutions, television shows, newspapers, and of course the world wide web.

There is an overarching narrative in our country, the United States, that is projected through media. The narrative is guided by academic institutions, television shows, newspapers, and of course the world wide web. Narrative is a term that we'll use to describe the overarching framework of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 112:7

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Clever Couple Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 4, 2021

Cleverness is the ability to skillfully work your way through complex circumstances to a goal that is your aim to reach. Godly cleverness is aiming for a goal that is pleasing to God. Boaz was blessed with godly cleverness. This is a virtue that has changed the entire world in which we live.

A young couple who had just gotten married, and who had received many valuable wedding gifts, established their home in the suburb. One morning they received in the mail two tickets for a popular show in the city. A note said, "Guess who?" The couple were amused as they tried to find ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-10

The Pain Of Idolatry

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 30, 2021

Some people spend their lives propping up dumb idols that consume their time and resources. This message tackles the golden hemorrhoids account and shows how idolatry can be a real pain. We must give it to God to receive healing.

This morning we’re going to look at a passage of Scripture that I have struggled with for many years; one that I have read time and again, and I couldn’t figure out how to apply it spiritually. It’s probably one that many of you have read before and came away feeling perplexed. But lately the Lord ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Why Lord?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 7, 2022

Children are different in many ways, but almost always they are alike in one way

• You tell a child to do something and invariably they will say, “why” ? • You tell a child not to do something and invariably they will say “why”? One of the reasons it annoys us as parents when our children do this, is because sometimes we know they should do something, but we do not always ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Clever Couple Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

There are few, if any, who become key links in the plan of God who are not in some way clever, and this goes for both Ruth and Boaz.

A young couple who had just gotten married, and who had received many valuable wedding gifts, established their home in the suburb. One morning they received in the mail two tickets for a popular show in the city. A note said, "Guess who?" The couple were amused as they tried to ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-4, Ruth 4:1-10

Why Lord?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 24, 2022

Children are different in many ways, but almost always they are alike in one way.

• You tell a child to do something and invariably they will say, “why” ? • You tell a child not to do something and invariably they will say “why”? One of the reasons it annoys us as parents when our children do this, is because sometimes we know they should do something, but we do not always ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Sheaf Rose & Stood Upright

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jan 17, 2022

THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE VERY REAL POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT US!"

SHEAF ROSE & STOOD UPRIGHT… Genesis 37:3-11. Now Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Setting Our Priorities Straight

Contributed by Esther Collins on Jan 21, 2022

We live in times when it's a challenge to keep our priorities straight. The Bible gives us great examples of those who were able to choose right, and also enjoy the consequences of their godly choices.

Setting our Priorities Straight Take a moment to write down three things that you consider your topmost priorities in your life. Also write down the number of hours you spend on any given day on these activities that are mentioned – time spent on eating, sleeping, studying, working, with family, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-11, Genesis 25:27-34, Hebrews 12:16-17, 1 John 2:16, Ruth 1:13-18, Matthew 1:5-6, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 7:22, John 12:1-8, 1 Timothy 6:6, Matthew 12:50, Luke 10:26-28, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 3:22-23, Matthew 10:37, 1 John 2:17  (view more)  (view less)

Divide Your Love Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

The command to love one another is sandwiched between two reasons to love that are both descriptions of the birth of hope. Love is encased in hope.

“What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life” (Emil Brunner) There are a lot of reasons for us not to be hopeful. I listed some just this week as I thought about this message: Suicide Stillborn children Multiple Sclerosis Sexual Abuse Eating Disorder Special Needs ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Miracle Grow For The Kingdom Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 15, 2023

In Mark 4, Mark continues to record Jesus' short parables about the growth of God's kingdom. In this sermon, we learn four "miracle grow" principles for kingdom growth.

Introduction: A. Let’s begin with a question: How many of you like to garden? 1. Let’s ask a follow-up question: How many of you consider yourselves good gardeners? 2. There is a difference between liking to garden and being good at it, right? 3. I don’t consider myself a gardener, but let me ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ