Sermons on Rivers In The Desert:

Crossing Jordan

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Apr 17, 2021

The Jordan River can represent places of change and transformation in our lives.

Crossing Jordan Scripture Text: Joshua 3:1-17 Introduction: Jordan represents places of transition in our lives. We can never remain the same. We grow stagnant and live in depression often because we long for "the way it used to be." The writer of Ecclesiastes warns us "Do not ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Crossing Jordan Series

Contributed by Dr. Rich Denning on Nov 17, 2016

This sermon is about crossing the Jordan River of our lives. As the Old Testament promise was land the New Testament promise if the Holy Spirit. Included is a description of the "ites" and their symbolic significance as they relate to the believer today.

INTRODUCTION: During the time of this narrative the Jordan River normally was approximately 100’ wide. However, we are told it was flood tide. That means the river could have been over a mile in width. It was flood tide and an uncrossable river stood between the Children of Israel the ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Psalm 1 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 2, 2018

Psalm 1 is a wisdom Psalm and focuses on God’s Word, God’s blessing on those who obey it and meditate on it, and God’s ultimate judgment on those who rebel.

11-10-13 Tom Lowe Psalm 1 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation Twenty-Two Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Oct 31, 2023

New Jerusalem is beyond beautiful! Come Lord Jesus!

Here we see the River of Life, clear as crystal flowing from the Throne of God and the Lamb. On each side is the tree of life which yields twelve fruits every month and has leaves for the healing of the nations. There will be no more curse, but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and ...read more

Jesus Is The Answer, But What Was The Question?

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Jan 19, 2025

Jesus travels to the Jordan River to inaugurate His ministry by being Baptized in the Jordan River. This is not what John the Baptist expects, as John's Baptism is a baptism of Repentance. Why was Jesus Baptized?

Based on a Sermon by Kevin Judd There’s a story about a pastor giving a children’s sermon. He decides to use a story about forest animals as his starting point, so he gathers the kids around him and begins by asking them a question. “I’m going to describe someone to you, and I want you to tell me ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

The Church In Transition

Contributed by Donna Kazenske on Dec 13, 2004

In a recent prayer meeting, I had a vision of a river flowing in one direction and suddenly the river made a U-turn and began flowing in the opposite direction. I then saw people who were previously in the river stepping out of the river at the turning po

By: Donna J. Kazenske In a recent prayer meeting, I had a vision of a river flowing in one direction and suddenly the river made a U-turn and began flowing in the opposite direction. I then saw people who were previously in the river stepping out of the river at the turning point. I could see ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:3-5

Denomination: *other

Washing In The Big Muddy

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jun 12, 2007

The Mississippi River is called the Big Muddy and rightly so. This is a message about another "Big Muddy" River.

WASHING IN THE BIG MUDDY 2 Kings 5:1-14 INTRO: The Mississippi River is called the Big Muddy and rightly so. I first saw the river at Memphis. It looked like a mass of cocoa moving lazily toward the sea. At one time this mighty river was colored only by the tons of silt it carried downstream. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Double Memorial In Joshua’s Day Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 19, 2021

There were two memorials constructed of stones on the day Israel crossed the Jordan River and entered Canaan. The LORD knew that eventually people would ask about these memorials. God told Joshua what to do and say.

Introduction: Moses had died and Joshua was now Israel’s leader to lead them into the Promised Land. When this story took place, Israel was camping on the east side of the Jordan River; Canaan itself was on the west. So that Israel would never forget what God did for them, God told Joshua to have ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Baptism Is Where It All Begins

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 14, 2023

Jesus walks into the waters of baptism, and salvation begins.

1.15.23 Matthew 3:13–17 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Keep Moving

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Aug 28, 2022

If the Christian life is anything, it is alive, it is progressive, it is not static. When Lots wife quit moving, she became a pillar of salt. Christianity is a movement not a monument.

I was asking the Lord, what is the word of the Lord for us this Sunday? And I heard him say, "keep moving." Everybody say, keep moving. Now tell you're neighbor like it's a life or death matter... you have to keep moving. Medical science tells us that one of the most important ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Luke 9:23, Ezekiel 47:1-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Tempted Jesus

Contributed by Michael Demastus on Oct 22, 2001

Deals with the temptations of Jesus in the desert.

“THE TEMPTED JESUS” Matthew 4:1-11 INTRODUCTION: Read text ILLUSTRATION: “Cocoon” The cocoon of the Emperor moth is flask like in shape. To develop into a perfect insect, it must force its way through the neck of the cocoon by hours of intense struggle. Entomologists explain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Oasis

Contributed by David Nolte on Jan 5, 2021

When we thirst in the desert, God provides an oasis.

The old song made famous by the Sons Of The Pioneers, describes a man and his mule trekking through the desert. The sun is hot, the journey is long, the canteen is empty and the outlook is grim. He laments: “All day I’ve faced a barren waste Without the taste of water, cool water. Old Dan and I ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-13, John 7:7-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Grant Van Boeschoten on Feb 1, 2008

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NRSV) 18 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

New Beginnings Grant van Boeschoten January 20, 2007 There are a lot of golfers out there who have convinced themselves that it is OK to cheat, they even came up with a name for it so that it didn’t sound so bad. It’s called a Mulligan, a do over, a second chance. Here is how it goes. You step ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19

Advice To Graduates And Other Folk

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 10, 2005

A motivational sermon to preach at the graduation of Seniors.

Advice to Graduates and Other Folk Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Are You Hearing Voices? Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 4, 2012

The desert becomes a place of listening for those preparing to serve God. In the desert John would prepare the way for the Messiah (God). In our own deserts we must hear the voice of God in our preparation to serve him.

1. [At this time of year there is a clamor of people wanting out attention – advertisers; children and presents; adults and presents; 2. In the midst of all of the noise around us, God is also seeking to be heard [In Wizard of Oz – Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow journey ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ