Sermons on Rich Pastors:

Can You Walk The Walk?

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

A sermon used before communion. Like the disciples at the Last Supper, we can talk the talk about the Christian life. But Jesus wants to know who will walk the walk with him.

Can you walk the walk? Purpose: To challenge those who call themselves Christians to obey God’s commands. 1. You’ve heard the phrase, "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk." · NCAA Basketball Tournament (this sermon was preached during the tournament): I can talk a pretty good game. ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-35

Denomination: Nazarene

Never Again Without The Presence Of Jesus

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

A simple Easter sermon used in at sunrise. What must it have been like between Jesus’ death and resurrection? To be without the presence of Jesus must have been utter emptiness. To be with him again must have been utter joy.

Never again without the presence of Jesus Purpose: To reflect on Jesus’ presence and challenge the people to be the presence of Jesus to a world that needs Him. 1. Read John 20:1-21 2. Do you ever wonder what it would have been like to actually be in the presence of Jesus? What would it have felt ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-21

Denomination: Nazarene

You Don't Have To Go (To Hell)!

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

Easter Sunday. A strange place to end up on Easter Sunday, but where God led. The Gospel message: You don’t have to go to Hell. Close with invitation.

You don’t have to go (to Hell) Purpose: Evangelistic invitation. 1. Struggled this week to find the perfect thing to share with you this morning. Unlike Christmas, which enjoys worldwide attention most of November, all of December and even parts of January, Easter kind of comes and goes without a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Denomination: Nazarene

Ownership And Obedience Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

The first in a month-long stewardship series. Financial giving boils down to obedience. Who owns your stuff?

Stewardship I - Ownership and Obedience Purpose: 1. Read I Kings 17:7-16 2. (This story is an adaptation from an illustration from Leonard Sweet) Let me tell you about a trip Grant and I made to McDonald’s last spring. Dana and Jackson were on a field trip to Hendersonville … and it was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-16

Denomination: Nazarene

The Attitude Of Giving Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

A challenge for the church not just to tithe, but to tithe with glad hearts. When we put in our offering, does God get the idea that we’re obeying because of love, or that we’re dragging our feet?

Stewardship IV - The attitude in giving Purpose: To challenge our people to tithe, but to tithe with glad hearts. 1. Our attitude says a lot about our actions. A husband might go to a "chick" movie with his wife, but he might go with a negative attitude, making lots of comments and huffing his way ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Lose The Weight Of Fear Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

We move in this world according to what we can see. And sometimes what we can see give us cause to fear. But God doesn’t want that in our lives. He’s in control. Because he’s in control, we can live without fear.

Lose the weight of fear Purpose: To challenge people to move away from fear and toward faith. 1. This month we’re trying to lose the weight. Hebrews 12:1 says, "let us take off every weight that slows us down." 2. This morning we’re going to talk about fear. Fear can weigh us down day in and day ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Nazarene

Lose The Weight Of Debt Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

A sermon in the "Lose the weight of ..." series. This message challenges the church to live lives of financial contentment. We shouldn’t bind ourselves in debt, trying to live a life we can’t afford. Debt cripples the church.

Lose the weight of debt Purpose: To challenge our people to live contented lives financially with the money got has entrusted to us. 1. Why even talk about debt? Hebrews 12:1. · Debt isn’t a salvation issue. But the way we view money is a spiritual issue. 2. Banker illustration (from radio ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:7

Denomination: Nazarene

When Jesus Said "It Is Finished", He Meant It! Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Jul 7, 2005

This sermon looks at three things we risk losing if we don’t recognize and affirm the sufficiency of Jesus sacrifice alone for our salvation.

So many times we have trouble realizing the full impact of something that has taken place. Historically we have seen it happen time and time again. Here are two examples that each of us can relate to. When Henry Ford went to a bank to seek a loan to begin his automobile company the banker told ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Equipping For Victory - Dealing With The Devil

Contributed by Rich Wyatt on May 17, 2007

Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but rather against the spiritual realm. Defeat the Devil at his game with SUPERIOR tools.

Equipping for Victory (Dealing with the Devil and Deliverance) Intro to Revival: Revival is defined in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary: renewed attention to or interest in something b : a new presentation or publication of something old. This weekend I want to present revival that is relevant for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-18

Denomination: Church Of God

The Room

Contributed by Rich Young on Sep 15, 2002

Communion sermon taken from the Exodus passage in which the death angel passes over those who had placed the lamb’s blood on their doorframes.

The Room TEXT: Exodus 12:1-14 INTRODUCTION LITTLE NANCY ASKED HER MOTHER ONE SUNDAY AS SHE WAS PREPARING LUNCH WHY SHE CUT THE ENDS OFF THE HAM BEFORE SHE COOKED IT. MOM REPLIED, “WELL, I’M NOT REALLY SURE. I SUPPOSE YOU CUT THE ENDS OFF THE HAM SO THE HAM CAN BETTER ABSORB THE JUICES AND ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dear Editor: Someone Is Trying To Pull The Wool Over Your Eyes

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Oct 14, 2002

Abundant life comes through Jesus alone. Jesus’ way is the way of sacrifice and service.

John 10:1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Holiness

Depots Of Development Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Apr 19, 2005

This sermon follows the progression of Acts 11:19-26 and identifies 10 things we should be aware of today. I used train illustrations with the 10 words.

There are 10 stops along the tracks. (I used train related illustrations for each of these words) 1. Dispersion – v. 19a – Sometimes life takes us in many different directions just as it did in the early Church. 2. Exclusion – v. 19b – Often we like the early Church miss the point that the gospel ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Baptist

To Everything There Is A Season Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Apr 20, 2005

This sermon looks at four seasons in the life of the early Church revealed in the passage.

A Season for… 1. Showing - v. 27-28 - Agabus being a prophet was literally speaking God’s word for the Church. Today we have His perfect revelation that reveals everything necessary for life and Godliness from the beginning to the end of time. There is no longer a need for this type of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

This Generation

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Jun 27, 2002

In some ways, what was a parable for them, becomes for us an historical lesson. We look back to see that wisdom was indeed exonerated by a growing kingdom that could not have been through force or the means of men. And we see that when we pout and stam

THIS GENERATION Luke 7: 31-35 To what then can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not cry.’ "They are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:31-35

Denomination: Holiness

Call When Trouble Comes Series

Contributed by Rich Wyatt on Sep 27, 2007

Psalm 81:7 "You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder..."

Call When Trouble Comes Psalm 81:7 “You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder...” Intro: “I will call upon the Lord Who is worthy to be praised – so shall I be saved from my enemies.” I. You Called In Trouble A. Ex 17:6,7 1. Psalm is referring to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 81:7

Denomination: Church Of God