Sermons on Rich Prospers:

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Dec 17, 2001

A sermon for pastors and church leaders. It is a message on leadership illustrated from the interactions between Samuel and Saul.

I Samuel 14:47: After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. Saul was a fighting King. He was a great general. He dealt all kinds ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-29

Denomination: Holiness

At Your Command

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Dec 17, 2001

Jesus has promised us that if we will commit ourselves wholly to the Kingdom of God that all our basic needs will be provided.

At Your Command Introduction: Matthew 6:25-33 Proposition:Jesus commands us not to worry each day for our basic needs but to,instead, be about our daily spiritual duties. (Outline) I.RECOGNIZE HIS INTEGRITY (by) A.Obey(ing) His Commands 1.The Soldier 2.The Christian B.Perform(ing) All ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Holiness

Work At It With All Your Heart

Contributed by Rich Shockley on Jul 5, 2003

In a world that more and more turns from God, we must be more and more dedicated to the cause of Christ...but how can we survive the journey to heaven? What does it take for us to be survivors?

A. Mt. Everest a. May 29, 1953 – Mt. Everest was conquered by Sir Edmund Hillary i. An amazing feat ii. Made mankind collectively stand up and take notice iii. It had been tried by so many before…and so many had died. iv. It had been attempted by so many before…and nearly 100 years after Everest ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Money: Servant Or Master? Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

Second sermon in a series on stewardship. What is it that owns you? You might not say many, but does your life show otherwise?

Stewardship II - Money: Servant of Master? 1. Sometimes a good test of love is finding out what you’d be willing to give up to possess it. 2. The entire NHL season is in jeopardy and today is the deadline. (Do a brief history of the hockey labor dispute leading to the cancellation of the 04-05 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

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 Complacency Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

The first in a series used at New Year’s. We Christians can get used to a routine of "being good." We need to break free from complacency and push ourselves to spiritual excellence.

Lose the weight of complacency Purpose: To challenge us to break free from status quo personal Christianity. 1. These are a few of my favorite things: · Chocolate Ice Cream sprinkled with dry coffee grounds, anything that begins with the words Little Debbie, any restaurant that ends with the word ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:1-12

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

Lose The Weight Of Unforgiveness Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

A final sermon in the "Lose the weight of ..." series. This message looks at what forgiveness is and what it isn’t. A tough message for those dealing with forgiveness issues, but a challenging one for those seeking spiritual health.

Lose the weight of unforgiveness Purpose: To illustrate the destructive nature of unforgiveness and to give opportunity to forgive. 1. This month we’re trying to lose the weight. Hebrews 12:1, "Let us throw off everything that hinders." 2. (I started this message with a personal story of friends ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

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

The Limitless Power Of God Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Feb 16, 2005

This message contrasts the work that God did in two very different lives.

So often we find ourselves thinking about God in terms of man. We put up artificial barriers to what He can do, when He can do it, and to or for whom He will do it. This passage of scripture however tells the story of two people that were very different in their lives and circumstances yet God ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

A Few Good Men Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Feb 22, 2005

This sermon looks at six characteristics in the life of Cornelius.

Don’t you just love those U.S. Marine T.V. commercials? The ones with the finely dressed marine with his sword and at the end the commentator says all they want is “A Few Good Men”. This morning we are going to take a look at a good man. His name was Cornelius. From this passage we can identify ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Think Before You Act Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Feb 23, 2005

This sermon evaluates the quality of Gamaliels advice.

Has anyone ever given you advice? I am sure of the answer to that. Some of the advice you have been given has very likely been poor advice. Perhaps (although rare) you have received good advice. In most cases we are in a better position to evaluate that advice once we are a little ways down the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:33-42

Denomination: Baptist

A Cure For The Cancer Of Prejudice Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Feb 28, 2005

This sermon uses Peters vision to examine a cure for prejudice.

(powerpoint with subpoints to the three main points is available upon request) Today’s culture seems to be more attuned to issues of prejudice than perhaps any other time in our history. However; simply being aware of something does not readily present a remedy. Prejudice is very much like a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:9-16

Denomination: Baptist