Sermons on Right Thumb:

What Kind Of Church Does God Want This Church To Be?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 18, 2022

I want to talk to you about God’s church. Folks have some strange ideas about the church.

Illus: Did you hear about Cowboy Joe, who went to church for the first time? Cowboy Joe was telling his friend Charlie about his first visit to the big-city church. • He said, "When I got there, they had me park my old truck in the corral," Charlie said, "You mean the parking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

Qualifications For Overseers Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 19, 2022

1 Timothy 3:1-7 shows us the qualifications for overseers.

Scripture In chapter 1, Paul wrote about the importance of doctrine. In chapter 2, he wrote about the proper conduct in public worship. And in chapter 3, he wrote about the qualifications for church officers. Paul began chapter 3 with these words, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus, God's Unique Son (John 3:16) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 19, 2022

God has many sons. But He has no one else like Jesus.

The last three weeks, we've gone over four passages that talk about the "sons of God" in the OT. In Psalm 82, we saw God standing in the midst of the elohim for judgment. This was a picture of God's throne room-- of his heavenly council. These elohim were called "sons of ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Hebrews 11:17-19

Eclipse Of The Heart (March 27, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 23, 2022

This morning let us strive to look at this story from a different angle as we give weight to the bitterness and indifference of the elder brother. Today we will focus on the hungry heart and the alienated heart.

ECLIPSE OF THE HEART Text: Luke 15:1 - 3, 11-32 Luke 15: 1 -3, 11- 32  Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.  (2)  And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Faith Like A Child

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

We need to consider how our waning faith can become a hindrance to others. Jesus provides a warning about hindering other believers who have the faith of a child. It is also a warning about hindering children from coming to Christ.

Back when I was in college, one of my favorite songs was “Faith Like a Child” by Jars of Clay. Listen as I share some of the lyrics to this song: “Dear God, surround me as I speak; the bridges that I walk across are weak. Frustrations fill the void that I can’t solely bear . . . Sometimes, when I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Light In Earthen Vessels

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

God saw a lowly farmer like Gideon as a mighty warrior. When God looks at each of us, He sees a mighty warrior too. However, that warrior doesn’t appear unless we put our trust in the Lord and rely entirely on Him in faith.

Our text today will come from the New International Version. In our message we’re going to view a story about an ordinary man who had an intense struggle with trusting God, and this man’s name was Gideon. We will learn how when Gideon finally trusted the Lord, that he understood what it meant to ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-40, Judges 7:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

In Christ #6 (1 Of 2 Of Eph. 1:15-23)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 29, 2022

This will be the first of two messages dealing with verses 15-23. Paul had the same desire of any good pastor WHO KNOWS THE LORD. That is, HE KNEW THE LORD INTIMATELY and he wanted this congregation to also know the Lord INTIMATELY.

Have you noticed that one of the hardest things in this life to do is keep good news a secret? Illus: Benjamin said, “Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.” Illus: Walter Winchell said, “I usually get my stuff from people who promised somebody else that they would keep it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

In Christ #4

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 29, 2022

We have looked at our REDEMPTION, and praise the Lord for this. In this message we will look at our REVELATION. (And, in the following message we will look at our REWARDS.)

In verse 3 we are told that God wants to bless us. Then Paul gives us a grocery list of things in the next few verses that God has blessed us with. Illus: One of the biggest days of the church year should be Thanksgiving Day. Why? It is obvious. Because we all have so much to be thankful ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

In Christ #3

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 29, 2022

In this sermon we will look at our REDEMPTION. (In the next two messages we will look at our REVELATION, and our REWARDS.)

It is my prayer that by this time you are closer to the Lord. Illus: We do not have to be like the man who had been hired to paint lines on the highway. As the story goes, this man’s job consisted of painting the white lines in the highway. -The first day he painted three miles of lines. -The ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Worry… Be Happy! 1 Of 2

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

Several years ago, a very popular song that made the top ten list of favorites among many Americans was called, “Don’t worry…Be happy!”

It was sung by Bobby McFerin and the words go like this: “Don't worry, be happy In every life we have some trouble But when you worry you make it double Don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be happy now” “Don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be happy Don't worry, be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Baptist

Judas The Coin Collector

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

Sometimes we take life much too seriously. Life is to be taken seriously, but some folks are so serious they can not enjoy life.

If we are going to enjoy life, we have to have a sense of humor. God has a sense of humor. I know some folks have the idea that God sits up in heaven and never cracks a smile. But I do not believe that, I sincerely believe God looks down upon what He has created and has the same kind of joy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

He That Winneth Souls Is Wise No. 7

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 31, 2022

We want to look again at the importance of following good examples.

We understand the importance, as Christians, of not following the many bad examples that many lost people display in their lives, but NEW CONVERTS do not hear much, or see much, about following the good examples the Bible tells about and the stories of great Christians through the years have set ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Spirituality? (4 Of 7)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 1, 2022

A man was watching a wood carver carve a six foot bear out of a large chunk of wood. The man was fascinated as he watched him and he finally asked him, “HOW DO YOU DO THAT?”

The wood carver said, “It really isn’t as hard as it looks. What I do is get a huge piece of wood, and I carve out everything that does not look like a bear!” This is what God is trying to do with our lives. He wants to cut everything that does not look like Christ out of our lives. Peter shows ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Fit To Be Tied? Part Iv

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 1, 2022

These days we often hear the question, "Why are there so many divorces?" The answer to that question is found in the Word of God. It is because of sin.

All across this nation we have lost our fear of sin. Fear will cause us to protect ourselves and avoid what is harmful to us. Illus: Most of us have a real healthy fear of snakes. This is a healthy fear because it keeps us from being harmed. If we were not afraid of snakes we might carry them ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:7-15

Denomination: Baptist

Pilate's Wife

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 2, 2022

It is surprising, and sad, that the only testimony (in effect) on Jesus’ behalf during the trial was made, not by any of Jesus’ disciples, nor apostles, nor followers, but by Pilate’s wife.

Pilate's Wife Matt. 27:11-26 The chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole council of the Sanhedrin had decided to put Jesus to death. They had Jesus brought before Pilate the governor to pronounce the death sentence. (Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66; 23:1) Pontius Pilate was the fifth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God