Sermons on Rivers In The Desert:

Behold Your God

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 12, 2025

God revives weary hearts with comfort, presence, and strength, transforming deserts into renewal and calling His people to rise, hope, and speak again.

INTRODUCTION — WHEN THE WORLD FEELS HEAVY There are seasons when a pastor, a parent, a believer, a friend, looks out at the world and quietly asks a question nobody hears but God: “Lord… what do I even say anymore?” What do I say when hearts are tired? What do I say when the world is ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Tested And Approved

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on May 2, 2019

As we get closer to Easter, We see Jesus being tested in the desert and His victory over temptation.

Tested and approved Luke 4:1-12 Introduction- Last week we looked at finding God in the wilderness of our lives. Those times we need to hear from God but feel like we are in no man’s land and alone. Most live there instead of believing that God wants to speak to us. We can become so use to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

Isaiah's Christmas Story Is Happier Than That Of Dr. Seuss

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 10, 2004

Isaiah describes how the desert will bloom at the coming of divine retribution. A picturesque text with a wonderful message for us this Advent.

December 12, 2004 Isaiah 35:1-7 1 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

The Three Communities

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Jul 22, 2007

Egypt-the place of slavery, Desert-place of indecision, Promise land--place of abundance the decision is up to you

Intro: in this church we have people who live in different communities. As a matter of fact, some of you in this room today are rivals of each other in high school sports. This fall you might even sit on opposite sides of a field screaming for your team to beat the tar out of the other team. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:23-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When You Feel Like All Others Have Turned Away!

Contributed by David Wilson on Nov 23, 2015

Paul writes in his letters to Timothy and warns about those who have turned away or deserted him!

FEELING ALL ALONE In my recent reading of I and II Timothy, I was struck by Paul’s declaration to the young preacher how many had turned from the faith. Although partly as a warning to Timothy, a theme that runs through both letters is to avoid foolish arguments and that some will turn ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

A Study In Colossians: Walk The Walk Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on May 22, 2022

Paul gives four word pictures for what a growing Christian looks like: a tree, a building, a student, a river.

Above All: A study in Colossians Walk in Him Colossians 2:2-7 Pastor Jefferson M, Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 05-22-2022 Intro In 1969, Martin Broadwell described the “four levels of teaching.” Some have called it “four stages of learning any new skill.” They are: Unconscious ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Believers Are Baptized And Receive The Holy Spirit: A Sermon For The Baptism Of The Lord Sunday.

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 3, 2024

There is more than one Baptism Jesus received at the river Jordan. Water and Spirit Baptism are distinct and normative for the believer.

Believers are Baptized and Receive the Holy Spirit Acts 19:1-7 This Sunday is known as Baptism of the Lord Sunday in which we remember that Jesus was baptized by John in the River Jordan, even though Jesus had no sin to repent of. When this happened, there was an enrichment of what Baptism means. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

My Presence Will Go With You

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Oct 4, 2025

1. REST 2. RIGHTEOUSNESS 3. REFUGE 4. ROUTE 5. RIVERS 6. ROADBLOCKS 7. RELATIONSHIP

MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU 1. REST 2. RIGHTEOUSNESS 3. REFUGE 4. ROUTE 5. RIVERS 6. ROADBLOCKS 7. RELATIONSHIP ************************************* MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU 1. REST Exodus 33 : 12 - 17 12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Write The Vision, Sing The Lord’s Song”

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 4, 2025

The exiles in Babylon sat by the rivers and wept. They hung up their harps, because to sing felt like betrayal of their grief.

Title: “Write the Vision, Sing the Lord’s Song” Texts: Habakkuk 1:1–4; 2:1–4, Psalm 137 Introduction / Background The exiles in Babylon sat by the rivers and wept. They hung up their harps, because to sing felt like betrayal of their grief. They asked, “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

A Dove Descending From Heaven

Contributed by Paul George on Dec 27, 2003

When Jesus came up from the river Jordan a dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit descended from heaven

A Dove Descending From Heaven Matthew 3:16-17 When Jesus came up from the river Jordan a dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit descended from heaven and lighted on Jesus and a voice from heaven was heard declaring Jesus was God’s beloved Son. Jesus saw the dove. John saw it and it is possible that all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:16-17

Denomination: Holiness

Five Loaves And Two Fish (Eighteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time)

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Jul 22, 2020

When we put our efforts to surrender our deserted lives to Jesus, our Lord and Master, with our weaknesses, He takes us to the pasture land by blessing us and giving us abundant lives.

Reflection Five Loaves and Two Fish (Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time) Isaiah 55:1-3, Romans 8:35, Romans 8: 37-39, Matthew 14:13-21. Dear sisters and brothers, It is the eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This Sunday, we hear from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 14:13-21): “When ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3, Romans 8:35, Romans 8:37-39, Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Other

I Am With You When You Are All Alone Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jul 26, 2020

The Bible is filled with the stories of flesh and blood people … frail human beings with ordinary human needs who face all of the same kinds of struggles and challenges that we face … which is why we can not only relate to Paul’s discouragement but can learn from his courage as well.

I want to start out by reading an anonymous poem called “Friendship”: Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought or sold But its value is far greater than a mountain of gold For gold is cold and lifeless It can neither see nor hear And in times of trouble it is powerless to cheer It has ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Drifting Away

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Mar 31, 2022

Harvard University began as a school to equip pastors and ministers in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. St. Luke’s Medical Center was also founded by Christian Missionaries in the Philippines to help poor people. Today, do you think they slowly drifted away from their founding purpose?

Bible Verses 'So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1 NIV INTRODUCTION: Harvard University began as a school to equip pastors and ministers in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. St. Luke’s Medical Center was also founded by ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Sunday Of Lent, Year B-- Among The Wild Things

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 20, 2024

Jackals, “wild dogs, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and lions all of which are often "starvation driven."

He was among wild beasts. (Mark 1:3 from our First Reading) This is no Garden of Eden. Jackals, “wild dogs, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and lions all of which are often "starvation driven" must exploit every opportunity to obtain a meal, which includes humans.1 The wild beasts “likely ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:8-15, Mark 1:12-15

Denomination: Catholic

When I Act... Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Mar 28, 2003

When in the fire, when in the desert- what do WE need to do to leave God free to act and deliver us?

“When I act….” Isaiah 43:1-13, Malachi 3:1-4. WBC 30/3/03 am There was group of women in a Bible study group studying the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-13, Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: Baptist