Sermons on Restoring Relationships:

The Father: Reaching Into The Pockets

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 9, 2010

The waiting father reaches deep into the reservoirs of love, extending compassion to his wayward son. So we also as parents must seek not to control but to guide and then be ready for forgiveness.

I shall not soon forget the image he presented, this father of the bride. He had smiled all through the vast and elaborate preparations for the wedding; his daughter was a kind of elegant princess, he knew it, she knew it, everybody knew it – and so the princess must have a grand occasion. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Seeds On The Rocky Soil Series

Contributed by Eric Lenhart on Aug 13, 2010

Differences between growing deep roots in the faith and having a shallow faith.

Seeds on the Rocky Soil (Matthew 13:1-23) 2nd in a series on: “The Parable of the Soils” Introduction: Over the past couple weeks I’ve been watching grass grow here at the New Song. Around the building, just like the Sower in the Parable of the Soils, I planted 120 pounds of grass seed. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Church Of God

The Old Rules Uncloaked

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 13, 2009

MLK Sunday: In the beloved community we no longer need to think of over and under. The old way is a prison; Christ sees us as sinners in need of grace, and therefore all children of His, family.

When our children were small, they liked to play games with us. But they liked it best when they could win. Whether it was crazy eights, or chutes and ladders, or just hide-and-go-seek, our children loved to play games as long as they could win. If they lost too much they would burst into tears and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:25-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Talented Tenth

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 16, 2009

The old Wshington-DuBois debate is mirrored in Jacob: his trouble was from his own foolishness as well as from others’ deceit. The way out was to receive God’s promise of greatness and to act now to offer concrete help to those coming after.

Almost exactly a century ago, American listened to a debate between two great thinkers, two men who had unquestionable credentials, first-rate minds, and powerful pens. Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois. In September 1895, in a speech in Atlanta, Booker Taliaferro Washington advocated ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In Christ

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Nov 27, 2009

Hope is Jesus Christ.

Text: “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you” (Psalm 39:7). What does the word “hope” means to us? When we hope for something, we are looking forward to something. For example, a parent might say, “I hope my child makes the honor roll or I hope my child graduates from high ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Christian Church

The Cleansing Of The Temple

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Nov 28, 2009

Christ’s Authority and His pardon

I would recommend you either believe God completely, or else not to believe at all. Believe this book of God, every letter of it, or else reject it. There is no logical standing place between the two. Be satisfied with nothing less than a faith that swims in the deeps of divine revelation; a faith ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

Beat The Bushes

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Nov 30, 2009

This study considers the command to go into the highways and hedges and compel people to God.

Have you ever heard or used the phrase “beat the bushes?” Beat the bushes refers to searching diligently for someone or something. The word etymology is based on the hunting practice of having someone hit bushes with a stick in order to force birds to fly up into the air to be shot. We have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-24

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah - Master Delegator

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 20, 2010

Many people skip over this chapter because it reads like a Hebrew phone book. But it is a very important chapter full of principles of leadership and delegation. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Master Delegator Nehemiah 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MasterDelegator.html Last time we saw Nehemiah's vision, and now it must become reality beginning in chapter 3, and that's gonna take a lot of help. Many people skip over this chapter because it reads like a Hebrew phone book. It's all ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-4, Nehemiah 7:1-73

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost And Benefits Of Discipleship

Contributed by Ron Hietsch on Aug 25, 2010

A disciple is not simply one who merely changes moral behavior in regards to the teachings of Jesus Christ, but in response to God’s work in him or her seeks a fundamental shift toward the ethics of Jesus Christ in every way.

Sept 5, 2010 The Cost and Benefits of Discipleship Grace mercy and peace from God the father and Christ Jesus our Lord. The text for this sermon is Luke 14:25-27, 33 Let’s read it again. The Cost of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Lutheran

Beyond Help? Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Sep 10, 2009

When a five times divorcee who now has a live in boyfriend meets Jesus, what do you think will happen? John’s gospel reveals that honest hearts, even those laden with sin, can still hear His call.

Beyond all Hope? 1 Tim. 1:12-16 records Paul’s confession and testimony of God’s grace in his life. Paul basically says, "If Jesus can save me, he can save anyone!" Have you ever known someone who was beyond help? Here in John 4 Jesus meets a woman whose life is a string of broken ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fear Not

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 11, 2009

Sermon confronts the tendency to fear during a time of economic downturn. God’s words of comfort to Abraham in Gen. 15:1 are examined.

Fear Not Genesis 15:1 2-8-09 Gen 15:1 “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’” Have you ever taken a bold step of faith; then suddenly thought, “What have I done?” That’s where Abraham ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1

Denomination: Charismatic

Remembering 9/12

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 10, 2010

We’ve returned to the 9/10 mentality, but God wants us to go back to 9/12 and how we woke up different that day. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Remembering 9/12 Psalm 46 Free PowerPoint and more at- http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Remembering912.html Yesterday was 9/11, and today is 9/12. This weekend we remembered 9/11 for the 9th time, as we should. But I believe God wants us to remember 9/12, and how we woke up different that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You

Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Sep 12, 2010

There is a comfort in knowing Jesus. A comfort zone that is indescribable and satisfying, fulfilling and complete. In this 13th chapter of Hebrews, the writer is dealing with our ethics, Christian ethics, and he focuses on sexual purity, satisfaction

Evangelist Herman E. Wesley III I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FOSAKE YOU Hebrews 13:5-6 INTRODUCTION As has already been stated by the many preachers who have mounted this pulpit before me, the Book of Hebrews could be titled, "The Preeminence of Jesus Christ," for indeed, Jesus Christ is superior ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6

Don't Stress It

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 21, 2010

What causes stress, what are the effects of stress and what we can do about that?

DON’T STRESS IT INTRODUCTION: What kinds of words come to mind when you think of the word, ‘stress’? Perhaps words like: anxiety, worry, fear, doubt, tension or chaos come to mind. Stress is defined in Webster’s as a ‘force that strains or deforms; mental or physical ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Save The First And Last Dance For Me Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 24, 2010

A review of chapter 7 verses 1 through 13

Song of Songs 7: 1 – 13 Save The First and Last Dance For Me 1 How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter! The curves of your thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a skillful workman. 2 Your navel is a rounded goblet; It lacks no blended beverage. Your waist ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 7:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel