Sermons on Repentance:

When The Pastor Makes A Hard Decision

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 14, 2010

Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. Spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When the Pastor Makes a Hard Decision 2 Corinthians 7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HardDecision.html Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. For one thing, spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind, and it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

"Pointing Beyond Ourselves"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 5, 2002

In John the Baptist we have an example of humble living, speaking truth, and always pointing beyond ourselves to Christ.

“POINTING BEYOND OURSELVES” Mark 1:1-8 Isaiah 40:1-11 By: Rev. Kenneth E. Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA Approximately three-hundred years before John the Baptist came on the scene... ...God had promised through the prophet Isaiah that a person would come and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

John Prepares The Way

Contributed by David Hicks on Nov 15, 2006

John the Baptist prepared the way for us to know and trust in Christ.

John prepares the way Matthew 3:1-12 Are you ready to meet Jesus? How do you help others to prepare to meet Him? If you had been sent as the front man for Jesus to come into town, what would you do to make sure that hearts were ready to receive Him and His message? For 400 years God had been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Holiness

Turning To The Lord

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Feb 26, 2004

Are you right with God?

Matthew 3:1-12 Turning to the Lord Introduction A. "We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, the many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jul 19, 2024

Faith is more than we think it is.

INTRODUCTION - Faith, what is it? - When we speak of faith, what are we speaking of? - When we speak of faith, are we speaking of only believing something? - As Mark Moore states in our Core 52 reading, "A rational recognition that Jesus died and rose from the dead doesn't always translate ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Temptations To Sin Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 9, 2015

The analysis of sin in Luke 17:1-4 teaches us about how to deal with sin.

Scripture The closer Jesus got to Jerusalem and his crucifixion, the more he taught his disciples about important aspects regarding Christian discipleship. Jesus wanted his disciples to display to the world the characteristics of those who were members of his kingdom. In today’s lesson, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Remember What We Are To Do Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Aug 7, 2010

Jesus does not just call us to recognize him or to know him intellectually. Jesus expects us to do something with the knowledge of him. In Mark’s gospel we quickly discover what he expects us to do for Him

A Country Church was having their annual revival meeting. On the first night the preacher preached a message about repentance and the need to return to the Lord. At the altar call, a man came down the aisle saying “Fill me Lord, Fill Me”. The next night the preacher challenged the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Begin With The Beginning

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Aug 19, 2013

As Mark's Gospel opens, we find that the stage is almost set for Jesus' ministry to begin. John the Baptist is on the scene. He was there to prepare the way so that the people would be ready to receive the King.

Mark 1:1-8 "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Are We Saved From? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 14, 2016

What exactly does God save us from and how can that effect how I share my faith with others?

OPEN: I read the true story of a teenager was out on his driveway one day playing basketball and he lost one of his contact lens. He was frustrated. He searched and searched and searched for it but couldn’t find it. Totally discouraged he finally went into house and told his mother that the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Setting Up Idols In Bethel

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 10, 2023

First, Jeroboam built two idols and placed them in Bethel and Dan. Bethel means House of God and Dan means He judged. In the House of God, Jeroboam erected an idol—the golden calf. Jeroboam setup up a new altar to offer sacrifices before the golden calf.

Then he made two golden calves, and he said to the people, “Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Israel, here is your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” He set up one in Bethel, and put the other in Dan. 1 Kings 12:28,29 First, Jeroboam built two idols and placed them in Bethel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:28

Do You Pretend To Believe In Jesus?

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Nov 4, 2004

There is a real problem; I believe many people are pretending to believe in Jesus!

ILL>> I played Santa this week at the nursing home - The outfit was fine but the beard was rank, so I had to spray it with something. - I hugged - asked if they were good little boys and girls, passed out gifts and even danced with some of the ladies. I couldn’t tell who really believed in Santa ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Baptism By Fire

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 28, 2023

Fire is a fierce, frightening force and we do not usually associate it with Jesus. However, this message shows how Jesus came bringing what John the Baptist calls an “unquenchable fire,” referring to God's judgement.

A teenager walked into the local Catholic church and sat down in the confessional booth. He wanted to talk about how strict his mother had been with discipline, as he was seeking a sympathetic ear. The session began with the priest asking, “What would you like to confess, my son?” The young man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

19. The Kingdom Parables – The Fifth – The Hidden Treasure – Part 3 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 14, 2025

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and its true meaning have been considered in the past two messages. Today we examine the church at Sardis and see how strategic that is to the Protestant Reformation. Sardis means “escaping” and that applied to the Reformation.

19. The Kingdom Parables – The Fifth – The Hidden Treasure – Part 3 of 4 This study continues. We expand on some of the previous material and then open up a study on the church that matches the fifth parable. There is a challenge in looking at that Revelation church. [H]. EXPANDING THE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:36-44, Matthew 25:31-34, Matthew 25:41, Malachi 4:2, Romans 11:25-27, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:2, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 3:4, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fruitful Life On The Vine Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 5, 2020

Jesus said "I am the vine, you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing?" But that doesn't make any sense... or does it?

OPEN: About a 35-minute drive SW of London is a tourist attraction that was once a royal palace. It’s called Hampton Court. It was built over 500 years ago and was a favorite residence of Henry VIII. A couple hundred years later, during George III's reign (the King who had problems with the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-10, John 15:12-13, Matthew 7:24-27, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Three Strikes, You're Out! Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

Israel missed each opportunity God gave them. Each time Amos interceded, God held off on afflicting them. Finally, He had enough—He afflicted them with almost complete destruction. God is faithful to respond to the intercessory prayers of His people.

1. The first pitch was a fastball of grace. 2. The second pitch was a fastball of mercy. 3. The third pitch was a changeup of affliction. AMOS 7:1-9 I think everybody here knows how much I enjoy sports. Mostly football, but I like other sports too. I like watching NASCAR. I’m a frustrated ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:1-9

Denomination: Baptist