Sermons on Rocky Ground:

How To Handle Temptation

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 28, 2017

Trust God "not" your Feelings. This Message is based on another Sermon on Temptation, Titled "Temptation is Only a Question, your response is the answer." with different Illustrations along with 4 Additional Illustrations at the end. Updated February 2023.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. The Scriptures for this day are: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19 and Mathew 4:1-11 Desserts have often been called ... a "seduction" ... or a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:4, James 4:7, Psalm 119:11, 1 John 2:16, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 1:7, Luke 4:13, Romans 12:21, 1 Peter 5:8, Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 5:37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Devilish Dilemma Of Doubt Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 15, 2015

There are at least 3 different Greek words translated "doubt" in the New Testament, but the doubt Thomas exhibited was the most dangerous form of doubt in Scripture. What was Thomas doubting, and why was it so dangerous for him to do so?

Does anyone know who Kirsten Powers is? (A few hands went up). Kirsten is a columnist for USA Today, and Newsweek and a contributor to Fox News. Some time back she told of her transition from being an atheist to believing in Christ. She explained that at one time no one she knew was a Christian ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

True Believers

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Mar 1, 2021

Next in series on John, examines the difference between believing in Jesus and being a believer in Jesus. It looks at what it means to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

John 8 (3b) A True Disciple - Read John 8:31-47, 59 I stand before you today, upset, because of what I have to share with you; but also grateful to a merciful God Who allows me to do so. Did you notice how verse 31 began? “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him.” Now notice how the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-47, John 8:31-59

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be A Successful Nobody Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

Jesus did not expect the lad to feed the five thousand. All He needed was for the boy to give what he had. It is up to us to do our best, and up to Christ to do the rest.

Years ago a very famous organist was giving a recital on a new organ. The wind was pumped by a small boy behind a screen. The boy pumped his heart out at this recital, and he was glad for the intermission half way through the program. Out in the vestry of the church the boy looked up at the great ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-13

The Hour Has Come Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 3, 2021

John continually speaks of a mysterious hour with little to no explanation. Like Hansel and Gretel’s breadcrumbs, the reference to “the hour” is important clue to understand Jesus in John’s gospel.

Palm Sunday is a significant marker for God’s people. It’s the day where Jesus enters into Jerusalem to kick off a week of monumentally important event. The citizens of Jerusalem greeted Jesus with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna” as he entered the city on the back of a colt. Our story picks ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-36

Denomination: Baptist

You Are The Apple Of My Eye Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jul 12, 2020

This message looks at what it means to be the Apple of God's Eye

You are the apple of my eye! Have you ever heard that expression? Probably not recently in common usage, but maybe in an old movie or a historical novel. There was actually a song that made the charts by that name in 1956. It was sung by Frankie Valli and the Four Lovers. The group later ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 17:6-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Welcome Change In Government Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on May 26, 2022

Christ is Lord even over those who seem to have all the influence today. They’re not running things, He is. They’re not shaping history, He is. None can override him, for Christ holds the keys. He will be forever secure on his throne!

A change in government is always a big deal: there are new cabinet members to choose, new policies to begin implementing, new office spaces to move into. The old is quickly shuffled to one side, and the new is put into the spotlight. In our text today, we see something similar. Isaiah 22 describes ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 22:20-23, Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trusting God On Life's Journey Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 6, 2022

In this final sermon in the Ruth series, God's favor finally breaks through for Naomi and Ruth. Boaz redeems Ruth and becomes her husband and God blesses them with a son. Through that son, God not only blessed them, but blessed Israel and all humanity. Lesson: trust God on Life's Journey.

A. Have you ever heard of the saying: “You can’t get there from here?” 1. Apparently the saying began in Maine and was used in response to a person asking for directions to a distant location that cannot be accessed without extensive, complicated directions. 2. I guess it has something to do with ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mephibosheth

Contributed by Todd Blair on Jul 25, 2022

God shows us loving kindness like David showed Mephibosheth.

Let me ask you a question. How do you know when somebody really loves you? Is it by what they say? No. It is by what they do. 1 Corinthians has one of the best descriptions of love in all of literature. It is a beautiful painting of what love looks like. You remember the passage. It's almost a ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living Stones

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Feb 25, 2023

It’s been said that in order for people to be happy, or to find fulfillment in life, there are three things that are necessary: First, they need something to believe. Second, they need someone to love. And third, they need something worthwhile to do...

Living Stones 1Pe 2:2-9 It’s been said that in order for people to be happy, or to find fulfillment in life, there are three things that are necessary: First, they need something to believe. Second, they need someone to love. And third, they need something worthwhile to do. Now, I believe this. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-9

Denomination: Methodist

Spiritual One-A-Days

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Aug 5, 2019

Taking time to remember what is important

2 Peter 1 - 4/22/12 Turn with me this morning in the end of your bibles to the book of 2 Peter. We want to take the next three or four weeks to look together at the book of 2 Peter. Today, I want you to answer two questions about yourself: • How’s your eyesight? and • How’s your memory? we’ll ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Series: Limiting The Holy One Of Israel (Part 1 An Introduction - Can We Limit God's Move In Our Lives?)

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 10, 2020

God’s people actually ‘’limited the Holy One of Israel’’ by their sins and foolishness. So, can man or the church limit God's purpose & intention? Yes! Within the context of this psalm, we can, the same as Israel did.

SERIES: LIMITING THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 1 - AN INTRODUCTION - CAN WE LIMIT GOD'S MOVE IN OUR LIVES?) PSALM 78: 19 Yes, they murmured against God: They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? 20 Behold, He struck the rock, So that the waters gushed out, And the streams ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:19-43

Denomination: Charismatic

Faithless Piety

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Sep 1, 2023

Jesus did graciously proclaim the truth, but He also very strongly confronted those who twisted and perverted the truth. He pulled no punches when correcting those who intentionally used the word of God toward their own ends.

Faithless Piety Luke 11:20-44 Have you noticed that there are many people who picture the Lord Jesus’ earthly ministry as one of performing good deeds and miracles, while gently teaching love and peace and being surrounded by women and children? Well, you know, that’s only part of the picture we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:20-44

Denomination: Methodist

The Journey

Contributed by Norbert Garcia on Jan 16, 2021

A walk with Christ is life changing and affirming. One worth sharing with others.

THE JOURNEY Proverbs 1:1 - 5 An old quote attributed to an ancient Chinese philosopher named Lao Tzu, who lived in the 4th century BC goes as follows; “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” What Lao Tzu implies with this philosophical thought is that it does not matter ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-5

Denomination: Adventist

Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Mar 13, 2022

Jesus died on a cross between two nameless criminals. We don’t know the names of either one of these men. It is the only time we read about them in the Bible. Three men died that day on a cross. One made the wrong choice, one made the right choice, and One is your only choice.

Jesus hung on the cross for six agonizing hours before succumbing to the torture of crucifixion through asphyxiation. During that time, Jesus made seven statements on the cross that were recorded in the four gospels of the New Testament. Each one of these statements is significant and worthy of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Denomination: Baptist