Sermons on Rift:

Christ At The Center

Contributed by Patty Groot on Jul 31, 2025

In a world full of shifting values and unstable truths, we need an anchor. Colossians 1 gives us one: Jesus Christ is not just part of the story; He is the Author of the story. This early confession of faith shows us the truth about Jesus.

Paul doesn’t begin this passage with practical advice or even spiritual encouragement. He starts with awe—with a hymn, a bold declaration of who Jesus is. Before we get to what we should do, Paul reminds us of who Christ is. This passage, Colossians 1:15–20, is considered one of the earliest ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-28

The First Step

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

Introductory Consideration 1.

Introductory Consideration 1. Tom was one of the best friends I had ever had, we had so much in common. We were both from Dutch background, both accountants, both attended the same church and served in consistory together and even lived across the street from each other. Mostly, though, our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Grand Theme Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 23, 2004

The forgiveness of God is a grand theme in the Bible. The non-Christian world looks at forgiveness one way and the Christian world looks at God’s forgiveness another way.

A Grand Theme – Forgiveness” Isaiah 53:3-4,6,11 Luke 23:32-34 The forgiveness of God is a grand theme in the Bible. In the Old Testament forgiveness was given through animal sacrifices. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement. This special Jewish Day is called Yom Kippur. The High Priest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-34

Denomination: Free Methodist

Disciples Are Like Their Teacher ... They Forgive Series

Contributed by Michael Mustian on Feb 13, 2002

This sermon is part of a series looking at four qualities of a disciple of Christ and focuses on forgiveness.

Disciples Are Like Their Teacher … They Forgive Genesis 50:15-21; Matthew 18:25-35 I stumbled upon a copy of a letter that I had written back in college. It’s somewhat funny that I should find it now, because it tells of an event in my life that … well, I think I’ll just read it aloud to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:25-35, Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Like A Child Series

Contributed by Jamey Stuart on Dec 5, 2005

Using the Polar Express as our spring board this message deals with how we lose childlike faith and explores 4 ways that we can rebuild our childlike faith

Service opens with a drama with a story about the importance of a childhood Bible and how it reminded her of a faith that over time she had lost... Introduction: I had a Bible similar to the one Lisa described. It zipped up and had a colorful scene on the cover of something in the Promised Land. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Knowing Your Enemies,the Quran And The Bible.

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Feb 10, 2005

This is a side by side comparison of the Quran and The Bible.Will a man be willing to exchange lawfulness for lawlessness, righteousness for unrighteousness, life for death and even God for false Idols?

Knowing your Enemies,The Quran and the Bible. This is a side by side comparison of the Quran and The Bible.Will a man be willing to exchange lawfulness for lawlessness, righteousness for unrighteousness, life for death and even God for false Idols? ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Joy Of Worship – What You Get From Your Worship Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 20, 2006

Third in a sermon series looking at who benefits from your worship

The JOY of Worship – What You Get from your worship – Gladstone Baptist Church – 6/3/05 pm What is the fastest growing religion in this world? No religion seems to be spreading faster today than the religion of selfishness. It goes by many names, but most of them make little effort to hide the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Faith And Risk Series

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Apr 25, 2006

Building God’s Church through Faith(Bob Russell - When God Build’s a Church)

Have you heard the one about the rabbi, the priest, and the minister? The minister was new to town, so the rabbi and priest decided to take him out fishing so that they could get to know him. The had just gotten to the fishing spot not far from shore when they realized that they had forgotten to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Peace Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on May 1, 2007

In salvation there is neither Greek or Jew, but we are one in Christ - His church. And our call is to be Jesus to the world.

Live Out Loud – Our PEACE April 29, 2007 Ephesians 2:11-22 Sunday AM Recap: We’re in a series entitled – Live Out Loud. Our goal in this series is to learn how to live in the grace and power of Christ in us so we might experience the abundant life Jesus promised. To help us, we’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Priority Of Family Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Aug 11, 2009

God’s second priority for us is our relationship with family (physical and spiritual). God desires for us to be reconcilers with those in our family, both in our relationship and in our relationship with God.

For those who may be joining us for the first time this year, we’ve been in a series called, "Your Bucket List." Which I borrowed from a movie which came out about a year ago called The Bucket List. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a great movie about two very different men, one a wealthy business ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-20

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus’ Bad Sabbath Habits Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 24, 2012

This text presents what the sabbath is about.

Sabbath Conflict Our text today covers two stories, both of which focus on the matter of Sabbath-keeping. So, let’s take a moment to understand the place of the Sabbath in Jewish culture. That the Sabbath must be observed was not a matter of debate among the Jews. The observance was grounded in ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Beginning Again Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 3, 2011

Have you ever wished you could go back and start over? You can begin again by entrusting your life into the Master’s hands. You can begin again by allowing God to shape your life by His skilled, purposeful, and loving hands.

JEREMIAH 18:1-6 BEGINNING AGAIN The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, (2) “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.” (3) Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. (4) But the vessel that ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Messiah Who Restores Relationships Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 21, 2011

If we confront people in the right way it will foster restoration.

A Messiah Who Restores Relationships Text: Matt. 18:15-20 Introduction 1. Illustration: "Life without confrontation is directionless, aimless, passive. When unchallenged, human beings tend to drift, wander and stagnate. Confrontation is a gift, a necessary stimulation to jog one out of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Methodist

The Blessings Of Restoration Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 24, 2011

The return of Messiah to earth causes the period of overhauling or restoration of all things which God has said would be restored (Acts 3:21).

ZECHARIAH 14: 8-15 THE BLESSINGS OF RESTORATION The return of Messiah to earth causes the period of overhauling or restoration of all things which God has said would be restored (Acts 3:21). The grand finale of Christ's appearing is the establishment of His Kingdom over all the earth. The ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 14:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Give Me What's Mine! Series

Contributed by Tom Conant on Apr 3, 2009

First part of a series on stewardship.

Introduction. Who can tell me the top news story the past two weeks? (this was when the stimulus plan was being proposed) Sure it’s the Economic Stimulus plan. This has been the main item of discussion by congress, the president, and experts on all the networks. The premise is the economy needs ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Pentecostal