Sermons on Riches:

The Bible - A Light And A Map Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

The first of a three-part series on the Bible. Without God’s Word we’re lost in the world. Using the illustration of a little boy who gets lost in Mammoth Cave, this message shows the importance of having a light and a map. (General Sermon, but used on

Bible - A light and a map Purpose: To illustrate the importance of the Bible 1. Max, the lost Boy Scout in Mammoth Cave. Max’s Boy Scout troop took an end-of-the-summer trip to Mammoth Cave. They didn’t take the lame 90-minute family tour. They took the 6-hour "Wild Cave" tour. In this tour, the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:19-130

Denomination: Nazarene

The Bible - Is It True? Can We Trust It? Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

The second in a series on the Bible. Every Christian must answer the question: Is the Bible true? When we accept its truth, we must obey its instruction.

Bible - Is it true? Can we trust it? Purpose: Showcasing the absolute truth of the Bible. 1. There is a great push in today’s world for tolerance. Tolerance used to mean, "Everyone has a right to an opinion." · Some people like the Red Sox, some like the Yankees. · Some people like Mexican food, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Nazarene

No Rules! Just Right! (Life Without The Rulebook) Series

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

Third in a series on the Bible. This message looks at life without the guidelines found in the Bible. We might think we want a life of complete freedom, but without boundaries we creep into danger.

No rules. Just right. (Life without the rulebook) Purpose: To illustrate life with no rules (living outside the truth presented in God’s Word) 1. Ever play Monopoly? (hold up Monopoly board) What if you had never played Monopoly before, you had never even seen it, and somebody gave you a board, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-32

Denomination: Nazarene

Where's God?

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

There will always be times where we’d like to know where God is and why isn’t He paying attention. We have to believe, however, and have faith that he is always watching and always in control.

Where’s God? Purpose: To encourage us that God is there 1. I would ask if you’d ever asked the question, "Where’s God?" But anyone who has a few years of adulthood under his belt has asked that question. So I’ll challenge you, this morning, to think of a time in your life when you asked, "Where’s ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

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

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