Sermons on Returns:

A Little Man Meets A Big God Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 15, 2003

This morning we’re focusing on a high-ranking IRS man named Zacchaeus who cheated not on his return, but on everyone else’s. He had figured out a way to skim some money off the top and squeeze the last drop from people’s wallets. Jesus not only changed h

A Little Man Meets a Big God There’s a story about a local fitness center, which was offering $1,000 to anyone who could demonstrate that they were stronger than the owner of the place. Here’s how it worked. This muscle man would squeeze a lemon until all the juice ran into a glass, and then hand ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

All People Matter To God

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 12, 2007

The text for this message is 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as come people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.”

ALL PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as come people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.” Jesus told three parables in Luke 14-15 that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9

Denomination: Free Methodist

Time Out

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Sep 30, 2008

Just as the ball players take time out from the game, we must take time out to spend with God.We take time out for rest and refreshment. We take time out for reflection before we return to the game. We finally take time out to receive our reward.

All of us have seen it many times on our television screens or in person. Ten men rush frantically up and down the basketball court. Suddenly the piercing shriek of a whistle is heard above the roar of the crowd and someone shouts “Time Out”. Or picture a baseball diamond. It is a crucial ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Man Who Missed His Cross

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Oct 24, 2006

He walks up on the hill with his son. He is old. He has traveled a long distance to see this hill. He wanted to return to show his son the spot where he was meant to die. He had to leave Jerusalem many years ago because of his reputation. He was a wa

THE MAN WHO MISSED HIS CROSS Text: Mark 15:6-15 Theme: Jesus replaces us on the cross so that we can take up the cross. He walks up on the hill with his son in toe. He is old. He has traveled a long distance to see this hill. He wanted to return to show his son the spot where he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:6-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revival

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

Revival means “to recover or return from a state of neglect.” Lord knows we were the city of neglect: Our streets have been neglected. Our sewer and water system had been neglected. Our educational system had been neglected. Our poor had been neglected. T

[re]vival Nehemiah 9:1-6 John Hyde went to India as a missionary a little over a 100 years ago. He felt a strong calling to the nation of India and began to spend hours learning the local language. In 1892 he boarded a steamer in New York bound for India. In route, John received a telegram from a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

First Fruits Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 27, 2011

We build a "Life of Stewardship" in the offering of "Firstfruits", when we:1) Use God’s gift to His fullest Expectations. (Deuteronomy 26:1), 2) Return to God the first of everything He has given you (Deuteronomy 26:2-4), 3) Share the story of God’s goodn

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had to walk a fine line in (this week`s) G8 summit talks on the Middle East, upholding Ottawa’s strong support for Israel while respecting President Obama’s recent call for talks based on pre-war 1967 borders, and resisting Europe’s determination to pressure the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Denomination: Other

Pentecost Sunday Part 2 Of 2

Contributed by William Akehurst on May 30, 2023

Pentecost Sunday, the day JESUS promised the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT to those who believed. HE had to leave so that HE could come to us, to make us SPIRIT FILLED believers, so that one day HE would return to take us in that same way. Question is, are you Ready?

2023.05.28 Sermon. Pentecost. Part 2 of 2 William Akehurst, HSWC Scriptures: Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-39; Joel 2:28-32; John 14:26-28; John 16:13; 1 John 2:27; Romans 8:16; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 BIG IDEA: Pentecost Sunday, the day JESUS promised the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT to those who believed. HE ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:1-39, Joel 2:28-32, John 14:26-28, John 16:13, 1 John 2:27, Romans 8:16, 1 Corinthians 2:9-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Use What God Has Given

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 1, 2024

The parable of the talents reminded us of what we are to be doing from now until the day Jesus returns. We are stewards entrusted with God's gift and we are to use what He has given for the work of His Kingdom. We are accountable to Him for how we live our lives today.

Matt 25:14-30 - USE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN Jesus has been telling His disciples, and all of us today, of the signs of the end times and that after He left, He would return. • As to the day and time of His return, no one knows except God the Father. • But His second coming is sure and we are to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Spiritual Battle Of Worry

Contributed by Anthony Sosa on Jan 14, 2025

Worry is a battle we all face, but it’s more than just a natural response to life’s uncertainties—it’s a spiritual issue rooted in trust. The good news is that God invites us to hand our worries over to Him, offering peace, freedom, and His unfailing faithfulness in return.

Worry: A Spiritual Battle We All Face Worry is something we’ve all wrestled with at one time or another. Life brings challenges that can feel overwhelming, whether it’s about finances, health, relationships, or the future. But as much as worry feels natural, Scripture shows us that it’s more than ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:28-29, Matthew 6:33-34, Matthew 6:27

Denomination: Baptist

Joel. God Wants To Give His Mercy And Grace, And To Pour Out His Love On All People. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Nov 15, 2025

Nothing like a plague of Biblical proportions to give a nation a bit of a hurry up about returning to God. In Joel's day it was locusts, they had eaten all there was and it was a heads up that; The Day of The Lord was coming. That, and you can't eat what doesn't exist.

Joel. God wants to give his mercy and grace, and to pour out his love on all people. The book of Joel, the third of our minor prophets is a short read. This book of three chapters, is about God confronting and defeating evil. The name Joel while being a short name contains a lot of meaning; ...read more

Scripture: Joel 1:4-6, Joel 1:13, Joel 1:14, Joel 1:17, Joel 2:26-27, Joel 2:28-32, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Luke 22:49, Acts 2:33, Acts 2:17-21, Joel 2:12-14, 2 Timothy 1:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Announcement Of Jesus' Birth Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 20, 2025

Every year as Advent begins, something awakens in the heart—lights go up, familiar music returns, and memories begin to warm the places in us that the rest of the year may leave cold. But Advent is more than nostalgia. It’s the holy season where we slow down and enter again into the Scriptures

The Announcement of Jesus’ Birth Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Luke 2:8-11 Every year as Advent begins, something awakens in the heart—lights go up, familiar music returns, and memories begin to warm the places in us that the rest of the year may leave cold. But Advent is more ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11

Denomination: Brethren

Excellence In Integrity, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Oct 14, 2003

On the surface of life, we demonstrate integrity. We return money that’s not ours. We pay our bills on time. We work hard at our jobs. We volunteer at church. But if someone were to write a story about your life, would we really want him or her to write e

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: In the book Strengthening Your Grip, Charles Swindoll tells the following story about integrity. “Some time ago, I heard about a fellow in Long Beach who went into a fried chicken franchise to get some chicken for himself and the young lady with him. She waited in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Personal Integrity - Life Of David, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 5, 2006

On the surface of life, we demonstrate integrity. We return money that’s not ours. We pay our bills on time. We work hard at our jobs. We volunteer at church. But if someone were to write a story about your life, would we really want him or her to write e

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: In the book Strengthening Your Grip, Charles Swindoll tells the following story about integrity. “Some time ago, I heard about a fellow in Long Beach who went into a fried chicken franchise to get some chicken for himself and the young lady with him. She waited in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-24

Am I Seeking Human Approval? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 20, 2007

First message in revival series at Emmaus Baptist Church, Quinton, VA: We may so need human approval that we forget to seek God’s approval. Either we look backward too much, returning to old habits, or we look forward too much, expecting some "magic" wor

There are certain questions all of us need to ask ourselves. There are certain ways in which we need to probe our own minds and figure out just what we are doing. It never hurts to look inside and be honest and dig out our own motives. For example, since I am now in that wonderful status of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

I Predict You’re Going To Die Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 9, 2011

God doesn’t want us to know WHEN we’re going to die, but He stresses the fact that one day we shall (if Jesus doesn’t return first). Why does God want us to face the reality of our own mortality? Why stress that we will all die?

OPEN: A woman once told of driving with her two young boys to a funeral. She said: “I tried to prepare them by talking about burial and what we believe happens after death. The boys behaved well during the service. But at the gravesite, I discovered my explanations weren’t as thorough as I’d ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 49:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ