Sermons on rocky ground:

The Veil - From Glory To Glory

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 24, 2013

Sanctification - Progressive and/or Entire? And, how does that phrase "From Glory to Glory" actually work out in our lives?

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it. Sanctification - this thing we talk about; this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Nazarene

"Living Stone" 1 Peter 2:4-10 Series

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Feb 27, 2015

Jesus said that a wise man will build upon the "rock" for solid foundation and the foolish man would build upon the "sand" and the foolish man house would not stand. We as "living stones" must build upon "Rock" for our spiritual house to stand.

Introduction: Peter use the text from Psalm 34:8 as he writes to the Christian "you have tasted that the Lords is gracious" in the previous verse (2:3). Then Peter states that we have tasted the milk of Word as he refers to Jesus Christ. After believers have purged their lives from the unwholesome ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Comfortable Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Sep 3, 2011

The church at Sardis had become arrogant and thus comfortable with their ’church.’ The result was compacency, apathy, and death. This should be a warning for churches today.

The Comfortable Church Revelation 3:1-6 * Having read about this church and preached this text many times, I have labored over the proper name for this church. Terms like dead, decaying, or dying, as well as confused, contented, or cozy, were tops on my list. However, comfortable is the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

This Is The Victory

Contributed by Mark Jones on Aug 17, 2010

The victorious life is not derived from external influences; it is settled inwardly in the Christian’s identity.

This Is The Victory 1John 5:4-5 (4) For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. (5) Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:4-5

Denomination: Methodist

Who Were The First Followers Of Jesus? Series

Contributed by Ray Geide on Dec 22, 2021

Our story in the book of John this week shows us Jesus gathering His first followers. Do you know who they were? There were five of them. It begins with two disciples.

Who Were The First Followers Of Jesus? John 1:35-51 Most of you know my story how in 1993, I sold everything, gave up my job, and went to Russia as a missionary to follow Jesus. I lived in a residential area in the southeast part of Saint Petersburg. There were around 100,000 people in this one ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is Your Faith Fireproof? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 19, 2016

Why do some people lose their faith? This message answers the question, "How Can I Keep my Faith in a Secular World?

How can you keep your faith strong in a culture that is increasingly antagonistic toward Christians? This week, a missionary friend told me about a friend of hers from Bible College who came for a visit to her missionary location. They attended a well known, Conservative Christian university. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unto You Is Given - A Sign

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Dec 24, 2023

Have you ever missed a sign? Signs are important, and it is wise to pay attention to them.

Alba 12-24-2023 UNTO YOU IS GIVEN – A SIGN Luke 2:10-12 It is important to be aware of the signs that everyday are all around us. They give us direction, instruction, information, and even warnings. Signs are given along roadways to make sure we don’t miss a turn. There are stop signs and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Journey Up And Down The Mountain With Jesus

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 27, 2003

what Jesus transfiguration meant to him and his disciples - straight forward stuff so don’t expect anything flashy

March 2, 2003 Mark 9:2_9 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9

Denomination: Lutheran

The Valley Of Decision Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 8, 2008

1.) God forgives sin. 2.) God judges sin. 3.) He allows us to choose: Pardon or Punishment - God gave both Jericho and Ai to Israel, but He did it in very different ways. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

The Valley of Decision Joshua 8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ValleyOfDecision.html [read vv. 1-3] The children of Israel are in the process of claiming their Canaan, or Promised Land. But their biggest challenge is that people already live there, and they are wicked. God has given them claim ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

Humble Servant Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Dec 10, 2008

It seems in the birth of Christ that God took humility to a whole other level. From the outset, God seems to be saying humility is more than an attitude; it is a way of life. One of the first identities we find in the birth of Christ is ultimate humility

Humble Servant Luke 2:1-7 We’re starting a series today called “Born Identity,” where we will consider the identity of the Christ child as he entered the world. Today’s message on humility may be the most difficult message. I’ve had to do a lot of research for this sermon and two of the books I’ve ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Treasures Of Darkness

Contributed by Dr. Steve Newton on Oct 3, 2017

God has assured us that there are treasures in the darkness. He has promised us "He discovereth deep things out of darkness"……but still

THE TREASURES OF DARKNESS I will give thee the treasures of darkness. Isa. 45:3. He discovereth deep things out of darkness. Job 12:22. God has assured us that there are treasures in the darkness. He has promised us "He discovereth deep things out of darkness"……but still I. DARKNESS IS DREADED BY ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be In The Now

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 8, 2018

It's easy to get sidetracked and let your mind wander. We get focused on things from the past or what's in the future. This can be especially true as we head into the new year. If we're not careful we'll risk losing out on making the most of the moment.

BE IN THE NOW INTRODUCTION: Be Here Now is a book published in 1971 by Ram Dass on Hindu spirituality and yoga. I've never read the book and don't subscribe to Hinduism but the principle of the phrase itself is a valid one. Be here now communicates the importance of keeping your focus on what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-16, 1 Peter 4:1-3, Luke 12:22-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Don't Have To Be Something Special For God To Want You

Contributed by Mark Witherden on Jun 20, 2003

You are special to God, and His desire for you is to bear fruit.

You don’t have to be something special for God to want you. Hold up a smooth round stone and ask how did this stone become smooth? The story. This stone started its life on the top of a very high mountain where the wind rain and snow slowly moved it into the way of a stream. The melting snow and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus And Candy Canes Series

Contributed by James Chandler on Dec 8, 2003

This message uses a simple candy cane to communicate the gospel and shows how a symbol like this can be used to evangelize others.

According to legend there was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that was a witness to Christ. First of all, he used a hard candy because Christ is the rock of ages. This hard candy was shaped so that it would resemble a “J” for Jesus or, turned upside down, a shepherd’s staff. He made it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unity Through Diversity

Contributed by Thomas Miller on May 13, 2005

Can’t we all just get along? Forget the world, can’t we as believers get along? Of course we bless each other until we say the wrong thing or step on some toes and out comes the flesh. But nothing gets the attention of non-believers quicker then tho

Unity Through Diversity Can’t we all just get along? Forget the world, can’t we as believers get along? Of course we bless each other until we say the wrong thing or step on some toes and out comes the flesh. But nothing gets the attention of non-believers quicker then those ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:15

Denomination: Assembly Of God