Sermons on Retreat:

The Two Sons Series

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Jan 24, 2005

Two kinds of people are represented in the story, a bad attitude can spoil a good act, but God always honors repentance.

The Two Sons Matt. 21:28-32 INTRO.: Jesus was facing the cross. This story was told on Monday before He died on Friday. Huge crowds had hailed Him as He entered Jerusalem the day before. He cast the merchants out of the temple and healed blind and lame sufferers. Then He retreated to Bethany and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Ring Tone

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jan 18, 2015

Like Samuel and Eli, we don't always initially recognize God's Ring Tone, but God is calling to us, and our job is to listen.

As most of you know, I had planned to be at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, completing an intense Mini-MBA course this past week. But last Sunday afternoon, I had a strong sense that I wasn’t supposed to go. As I told that to (my husband) Gary and then to Wanda (our congregational ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Jepthah-- A Hero Or A Zero?

Contributed by Craig Benner on Mar 26, 2015

Have you ever had a person in your life who made you wander if he was a good influence or a bad influence? There are things that have to be weighed out to make a right judgment. Some things may not be as they seem to the casual observer. God knows.

JEPHTHAH- "whom God sets free" No time to be idle or enveloped in a pity party. Heb. 11:32 ¶ And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Central Reading ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-35

Denomination: Pentecostal

If God Be For Us!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Nov 27, 2010

Most of us know the scripture from Romans 8:31 (KJV) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Also from Romans 8:37 (KJV) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. However do we

IF GOD BE FOR US! Romans 8:31-39 Most of us know the scripture from Romans 8:31 (KJV) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Also from Romans 8:37 (KJV) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. However do we really ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

What Not To Do In A Time Of Crisis Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Mar 7, 2011

God often leads His people into situations that do not make sense to us. His ways are not always logical. Our perspective usually includes the shortest distance between two points, while God plans for the best route from an eternal perspective. After G

God often leads His people into situations that do not make sense to us. His ways are not always logical. Our perspective usually includes the shortest distance between two points, while God plans for the best route from an eternal perspective. After God had delivered Israel from Egypt, He led ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

How To Face Your Giants Series

Contributed by James ( Jim ) Highland on Mar 23, 2011

Focusing on God, not the gaints, brings victories.

How to Face Your Gaints ! Samuel 17:20-29, 34-37 You know this story well. Not only from Sunday School and church sermons do we learn this story, but also from daily life when things are referred to as “between David and Goliath.” Here’s the jest of the story. Two major forces ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:20-37

Denomination: Baptist

My Story Can Change The World Series

Contributed by James Kirkland on Oct 25, 2010

They cannot argue about your testimony. I get emotional when I tell of the mercy the Lord has shown me and others.

My Story can Change the World Mark 5:19-20 (NLT) But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:19-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Matthew 5 - Part 1 - Woodstock Without The Drugs, Sex And Rock And Roll? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 18, 2009

What was "Woodstock"? It was a Rock music festival that took place in America in 1969. It was characterized by drugs, sex and rock music. When Jesus drew a crowd, he didn’t have to rely on those things. Large crowds followed Him everywhere He went.

Discipleship, Equipped for Ministry, Teaching, Matthew 5, Leadership | report Matthew 5 - Part 1 - Woodstock without the drugs, sex and rock and roll? I was only 14 years old when Woodstock took place. I had just become a Christian that Christmas. What was Woodstock? It was a Rock music festival ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Battle Against Sin

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Aug 22, 2012

1. We Sin Because We Want To 2. Sin Reveals What We Believe 3. Result of Sin 4. Reasons Not To Sin

Battle Against Sin - Guerrilla warfare is a (Sp = little war) using ambushes, sabotage, raids, and surprise to attack the bigger stronger enemy 60 poorly armed and barley trained Shop keepers, Farmers Against 100’s of British trained & well armed and have fought on 5 continents never ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Inner Strength Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 13, 2013

The Spirit provides Christians with an inner strength that enables us to endure with patience and joy.

Colossians 1:1-14 “Inner Strength” INTRODUCTION Our text today contains one of my favorite Bible verses. It was a passage of scripture that I learned when I participated in a weekend retreat in high school. The verse is Colossians 1:10, “To lead a life worthy of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Serving God During Dark Times Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 20, 2017

Elisha was in rough situations, but was still God’s man in the midst of it all. We, too, represent God during different but challenging times.

Serving God During Dark Times (2 Kings 6:24-7:20) 1. Today I am resuming the tradition of ethnic jokes I began a while ago. Many ethnicities make fun of their neighboring nations as not being too bright. 2. Two Belgians are driving a truck and arrive at a bridge with a warning sign: maximum ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

19a Perform In The Storm

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 13, 2017

I saw a cartoon that showed a lady walking on some cases of bottled water and the caption read, “walking on water”!

19A Beginning to sink….! I saw a cartoon that show a lady walking on some cases of bottled water and the caption read, “walking on water”! In Mathew 14:30, from today’s Gospel text we hear……beginning to sink Peter cried out, "Lord, save me.”” If he had prayed a longer prayer, he would have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Catholic

Dead Man Walking

Contributed by Chris Smith on Dec 12, 2017

Many of you have been through rejection, abuse, torment, hurt & pain. You are not living in the trap of the incident you are living in the trap of the big three; Offense, Bitterness and Unforgiveness. How do i deal with each one of these in my life?

Dead Man Walking Matthew 18: 21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. The 3 biggest enemies of the soul of mankind are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gideon: God Pushed Him To Victory Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2023

An imperfect person plus God makes a confident warrior. An organized and obedient few can defeat a multitude.

A. WHEN GOD USES THE IMPERFECT: JUDGES 6:1-6 1. Desert raiders. The Midianites came – stole – and returned to the desert. (Judges 6:2-3). 2. Israel hid in the mountains. “Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites” (Judges 6:11). 3. Imperfect Gideon felt he ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-6, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Denomination: Baptist

Yahweh And The Eagles Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 28, 2013

If you learn to wait upon the Lord, you will find him a source of strength that can transform you into an eagle.

Yahweh and the Eagles (Isaiah 40:27-31) 1.Do you know any Eagle Scouts? 2. I have been privileged to participate in a number of Eagle Scout ceremonies; it is something to be proud of. I respect young men who achieve such an honor. 3. The idea of describing an honored scout as an ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible