Sermons on Rocky Ground:

When Following Jesus Separates Friends Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Feb 12, 2008

God calls us to decide for Jesus, even when doing so divides families and friends.

Scripture Introduction Two snowflakes drop softly from a dark cloud. The wind twists and twirls these “friends,” so that appear to play “Tag, you’re it!” One bumps the other, then jumps away; the second chases and almost reaches his “opponent.” They bounce up and down, giggling as they swing ...read more

Scripture: John 7:40-52

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Big Question

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Feb 17, 2007

If the Lord were standing right here today and were to ask you the question, what would you say? This is the watershed question. What you think of Jesus is also a watershed in our lives. The Bible says which side of this question we land on determines

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO The Big Question Matthew 16:13-20 Introduction: Did you hear the one about the chauffer whose job it had been to drive a famous scientist to a series of presentations about a new discovery. After several days, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where Jesus Builds His Church Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 2, 2008

The very foundation of the Church, and of a relationship with Jesus begins with the fact that Jesus is indeed the son of God, the King, the Christ.

Some peoples’ surnames come from a vocation once held by their family – names like Smith, Porter, Baker, Carpenter. You can figure those out. There are some even more interesting names of real people where their name really fit their vocation…only maybe not on purpose. I want your help this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

5 Ways To Set You Free

Contributed by Danny Rogers on Sep 27, 2006

Through Christ’s death and resurrection you have been set free.

Intro: "It ain’t over ’til it’s over." This is probably the single most famous quote from baseball legend Yogi Berra. It’s simple but elegant and must have come to him in a rare moment of linguistic clarity, because he is much better known as the master of confusion and doublespeak like this: "This ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Silent Night, Holy Night

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Dec 24, 2008

The difficult times, the pain, the suffering, the prayers that seemed to go unanswered, none of that meant that God had left them out in the cold and none of those things mean that God has left you out in the cold.

There we were, literally halfway around the world, standing on the edge of a very steep hill, really, almost a cliff, and we were overlooking an expanse of well manicured fields. It was a great spot. We could see every corner of the wide canyon in front of us. We stood on one of the many rocky ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Ruin A Revival

Contributed by Douglas Turner on Jul 24, 2008

In Chapter 6 of 1 Samuel, the people of Israel experienced some of the darkest days of their history. Their enemies had won a great victory and the Ark of the Lord had been captured. Because God had brought a great plague upon their enemies, the Ark of th

In Chapter 6 of 1 Samuel, the people of Israel experienced some of the darkest days of their history. Their enemies had won a great victory and the Ark of the Lord had been captured. Because God had brought a great plague upon their enemies, the Ark of the Lord was returned, but the Israelites were ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Operation Impact

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 24, 2009

God places us in the midst of affliction to relieve affliction

“A Mission Mindset: Operation Impact” Luke 10:25-37 Did you see yourself in the video? I saw myself. I saw myself as I way too often am. Just a few weeks ago I left here late at night following a long meeting. As I drove out of the parking lot a man was sitting on the rock at the island by the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Knowledge Is The Key Series

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Jan 22, 2010

In order for us to be effective in the kingdom of God we must understand the kingdom of God

January 24, 2010 Morning Worship Text: Matthew 13:10-23 Subject: The King of God Title: Knowledge is the Key Have you ever seen the ads on TV that tell you that you may have money waiting for you? That you possibly have money that the state is holding while they have been looking for you. I get ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:10-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Be Patient! Stand Firm! Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Sep 28, 2005

12th in series on James. Here, he tells us how to respond correctly when we are treated unjustly. He suggests four specific attitudes - two we should adopt and two we should avoid.

How do you cope with the pressure of hurtful situations? In a former pastorate I had a week when I met one day with a young father whose family has disintegrated through a divorce he did not want. On that Monday I listened to the director of the local child treatment center tell of their work with ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

I, Robot Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Oct 18, 2005

You need to know when "no" doesn’t mean "no."

I Robot: Fulfilling Your Purpose 04.22.05 Pastor Mark Batterson This evotional continues our God @ the Box Office series. To check out old evotionals, visit our evotional archive @ www.theaterchurch.com. One of the most thought-provoking scenes in I Robot is the monologue by Dr. Alfred ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:36, 2 Samuel 1:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Narnia: Playing With Fire

Contributed by Raymond Blacketer on Nov 24, 2005

A Sermon on the holiness of God amidst a people of stiff necks who tend toward idolatry and seek to domesticate God.

INTRODUCTION: Not to be Bargained With One of the volumes of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia is the creation story of the world of Narnia, where animals talk; a land ruled by the Christ-like Lion Aslan. In this book, called The Magician’s Nephew, a little boy named Digory, whose mother is dying, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Belongs To God Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 22, 2005

As Jesus addresses the attacks of the religious leaders, He teaches us how to be good stewards, good citizens, and good students of the Word.

For more Bible studies visit: www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org At the end of the previous chapter Jesus has just had encounter with the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law who demanded to know His authority. Jesus would not tell them unless they expressed an opinion about John the Baptist’s authority - ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-27

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Danger Of Feeding Dogs And Pigs

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Aug 8, 2005

Discerning how to recognize and respond to people who treat the gospel and its messengers with disdain or contempt.

The Danger of Feeding Dogs and Pigs Matthew 7:6 August 7, 2005 Introduction Have you ever come across a verse or passage in Scripture that when you look at it, it just kinda makes you scratch your head and go, "Huh?" It’s okay, you can be honest. Well, our passage today is one of those for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Rebellion - The Faith Killer Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 21, 2005

Many of us are exposed to the gospel, but as the Israelites had a choice to go into the Promised Land, we have a choice whether to believe God when He says salvation is through Jesus Christ. Do you have a hard or soft heart to the Lord?

I grew up in the 60’s when rebellion against authority was turned into an art form. Rebellion says: I don’t like someone taking authority over me. I don’t want you telling me what’s wrong with me, and I certainly don’t want you telling me what to do because what I think is the most important thing ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1-19

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

800-Pound Gorilla? Or The First Pope?

Contributed by William Mouser on Aug 23, 2005

In Matthew 16, Jesus confers on Peter (and, later the other Apostles) authority to rule the Church, founded on the truth of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah.

Matthew 16:13-20 800-Pound Gorilla? Or the First Pope? There’s a phrase that’s popular in modern discussions of any number of topics, and that phrase is this: “an 800 pound gorilla in the room.” An example would be this line which I plucked from a blog entry on the international economy as it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican