Sermons on Rite Of Passage:

Parables Of The Kingdom – The Third - The Mustard Seed - Part 2 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 15, 2025

Now we look into how paganism was sanctioned in the church. It happened under Emperor Constantine who married church and State. Pergamum means married twice. This Part considers much that Constantine did in making the mustard tree a monstrosity.

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM – THE THIRD - THE MUSTARD SEED - PART 2 of 4 We continue from Part 1 and learn what the Parable of the Mustard Seed really means. The accepted meaning of the parable is not consistent with the scriptures as we began to see in the first Part. {{Matthew 13:31-32 He ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-13, Matthew 13:31-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discouragement

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Apr 12, 2005

Physically, the demands of the ministry were sometimes almost more than Paul could bear (1:8;11:23 27). However, even more draining were the spiritual demands (7:5;11:28 29). He reflects on these experiences in this passage and tells why, though discoura

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Larry Olsen describes a man lost in the desert: “He has been out of food and water for days. His lips are swollen, his tongue is swollen, he’s all beat up and bloody. Some of his bones are almost peeking through. He has been scraped and beat up by the cactus, sand and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Pay Attention Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Sep 10, 2004

The writer encourages us to give “earnest heed to the things we have heard.” Or as the NIV puts it, “Pay more careful attention therefore to what we have heard.” As I examine this passage, I find at least three reasons why we should pay careful attentio

PAY ATTENTION Hebrews 2:1-4 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” Pay attention! Teachers, how many times have you had to say this to your students? You are teaching something they need to know but their minds are somewhere else. How ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Live Long And Prosper Series

Contributed by George Yates on Nov 13, 2006

God’s salvation gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ. But Christ also gives us a new life for our families. He gives us instruction in this passage to honor our parents and love our children so we and our families may live well.

EPHESIANS 6:1-3 November 12, 2006 New Covenant EPC “LIVE LONG AND PROSPER” Body Life: The Book of Ephesians I. Child-parent relationships can get quite challenging at times can’t they? A. Gwen Molda, Michigan. Today’s Christian Woman, "Small Talk." 1. While I was preparing dinner one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-3

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Never Forsaken Or Forgotten

Contributed by Kevin Burden on Jul 28, 2008

This passage reminds us that God’s people are unforgettable to Him. In these verses, God gives His people some wonderful reasons for hope. He lets them know that He has not abandoned them and He cannot forget about them. God uses four vivid word pictures

Never Forsaken or Forgotten Isaiah 49:13-18 “Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. 14 But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. 15 Can a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

God Rescues Me Series

Contributed by Erik Estep on Aug 15, 2006

Today in our passage of Scripture we’re going to see the Apostle Paul sharing w/us several different ways God brings change into our lives. Paul demonstrates this by pointing out that we’re all in need of a makeover, we’re all in need of being rescued.

“God Rescues Me” Ephesians 2: 1-7 July 30, 2006 Intro: Anytime you watch television you’re going to see commercials for certain diets and exercises that are going to “revolutionize your life.” Aren’t you amazed at how incredibly fit the people they show on these commercials are? I’m always ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Five Essentials For Finding Peace.

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Aug 31, 2010

We want peace in this life, we now it is hard live in this life without peace, and in the scriptures, we are promised peace, so the question is how do we get it, how do we find peace in this life, tonight I believe the apostle Paul from this passage of sc

Five Essentials for finding Peace. Philippians 4:1-9 Introduction You ask people and they will tell you, the thing that they believe to be an absolute life essential, something that they don’t want to live without is peace. When a husband and wife are not getting along, they will say ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer For Healing

Contributed by Erik Estep on Oct 20, 2011

Today in our passage of Scripture we’re going see James sharing w/believers some lessons on praying for healing. While he was speaking to people who were living almost 2,000 years ago I believe this Scripture is still applicable for us today.

“Pray for Healing” James 5: 13-16 May 30, 2010 Intro: When we read the Bible we see stories of incredible healings. You can read @ Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11. You can read @ a guy w/leprosy being instantly healed by Jesus in Luke 5. In that same chapter you see ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Real-Igion

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 21, 2012

In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into thinking the more I exemplify religious behavior the more spiritual I am. Le

REALIGION James 1:26-27 INTRODUCTION: Preventing deception is a major theme for James (1:1:16, 22, 26). In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Do I Live In The Face Of Trials And Temptations. Series

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 23, 2008

So today through this passage we will learn “How do I live my life in the face of trials and temptations. What is that we need to focus on in this life, I love the word of God because it really is a living word, I know that so many of us need to regain ou

How do I live in the face of Trials and Temptations. 1 Peter 1:13-16 Introduction In this passage of scripture the apostle Peter takes a turn under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Remember: the believers were suffering terrible persecution. They had lost their homes, property, money, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Mirror Reflection

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 14, 2010

What image do we see when we look in the mirror? Who is that person in the reflection? As I thought about this passage I began to realize that all of us look at life in slightly different ways. We see each other through different mirrors. Updated January 2020. .

After being away for some time on a business trip, ... Bill thought it would be nice ... to bring his wife ... a small gift. "How about some perfume?" ... Bill asked the cosmetics clerk. She showed him a bottle ... costing $60.00. "That's a bit much," he said, ... so ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, Romans 12:3, James 1:23-24, 1 Corinthians 13:11-13, Luke 10:25-37, John 8:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Unusual Weapons Against Stubborn Enemies

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on May 2, 2011

This week, we are considering a message entitled, “Unusual weapons against stubborn enemies.” Let us take our first Bible passage from the book of Exodus 15 verse 3, which says, “The Lord is a man of war. The Lord is His name.”

This week, we are considering a message entitled, “Unusual weapons against stubborn enemies.” Let us take our first Bible passage from the book of Exodus 15 verse 3, which says, “The Lord is a man of war. The Lord is His name.” If there were no war to fight, the Lord would ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Providence Of God Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 18, 2009

Rahab teaches us in this passage that your past doesn’t determine your future but your choices do. And at the same time she also teaches us there’s no excuse for sin. No one can excuse themselves by saying, “I’m a product of my parents, the result of a wa

The providence of God Joshua 2:1-24 There was a list of warning labels that were pasted on products that seemed to be somewhat redundant. For instance: There was a warning on a baby stroller that said: remove child before folding. A warning on a brass fishing ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Everyday People Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 16, 2009

As you look at our passage today, you will notice that it is just a list of names—names we don’t recognize and that we can’t pronounce. So why are they important? Because all of these people were everyday people just like we are, and God loves everyday pe

Even though we only read the first 3 verses of chapter 11, our passage tonight goes all the way through verse 26 of chapter 12. So what all is contained in this passage? It’s just another name list. It’s a list of plain, ordinary, everyday people. I don’t know anybody like that, do you? The ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Psalms 58 And 109 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Mar 5, 2020

The outrage expressed in passages in these psalms are examples of times David seemed to be "fed up" with his enemies. He pours out his fury to God, not intending for his Father to act on the ills he calls for, but for God to see the passion poisoning his heart and send relief.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 58:1-11, Psalm 109:1-31, Psalm 23:1-6, Psalm 23:5, Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:28-30, Proverbs 24:17, Matthew 5:43-44, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 6:4, 2 Samuel 1:17-27, Psalm 37:32-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ