Sermons on Rodney Stark:

When God Moves Our Cheese

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 10, 2016

If we prayerfully look at our own lives, and especially at the times when somebody “moved our cheese” and inconvenienced ourselves, I think we can almost always see the finger of God at work amid the ruins of our plans.

“Der mentsh trakht un Got lakht.” The stark Yiddish proverb is true: man plans; God laughs. Now there’s many ways to interpret the saying. A politician might work for years on a piece of legislation that looked like the smartest thing for the greatest number of people, only to see it shot down in ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Be Thou My Vision

Contributed by Dustin T Parker on Apr 2, 2010

On Good friday - a unique perspective on the cross

Concordia Lutheran Church Good Friday, Tennebrae April 2, 2010 Be Thou My Vision! † In Jesus Name † As we contemplate the cross, may we know the gifts of mercy and love that were delivered there, to us. And may we envision and grasp the height, the depth, the breadth and width of the love of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:42-43

Denomination: Lutheran

Christian Challenge Sermon Xii: Continue Your Journey In Peace Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Dec 12, 2019

In times like these, every one of us must make a choice between the way of spiritual life and the way of spiritual death. Life has its crossroads, and the choice we make determines our destiny. The way of Christ is the way of Peace!

CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE SERMON XII: CHOOSE THE RIGHT WAY AND CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY IN PEACE! Getting on an airplane at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is quite a challenge. There’s a right way and a wrong way. If you try to board the aircraft any other way than that which is prescribed, you will be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-27

Spread The Word Despite The Odds Sermon Iii: A Beggar Asked For Alms And Got Legs Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 14, 2020

Despite multiple attacks against Christianity today, mature Christians go on ministering to folks whoever and wherever they are, then watch God wow people with blessings that overflow.

A BEGGAR ASKED FOR ALMS AND GOT LEGS A mentor of mine once advised me, “Be careful what you ask for. God might surprise you with something far greater than you really want.” If, for example, you adopt as the theme song of your Christian journey, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Continue Your Journey In Peace Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 3, 2019

As Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount, He advised His listeners that, having heard His message, they had to make the inevitable choice between the way of spiritual life and the way of spiritual death. So do we.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU CHOSE THE RIGHT WAY! CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY IN PEACE! Getting on an airplane at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is quite a challenge. There’s a right way and a wrong way. If you try to board the aircraft any other way than that which is prescribed, you will be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-27

The Rest Of The Story: Peace!

Contributed by Dr. David Hallum on Sep 13, 2019

Jesus Can Offer Peace The World Cannot Give!

Introduction: The word “peace” only occurs five times in the Gospel of John. Two times before the resurrection of Jesus and three times after the resurrection of Jesus. I find it incredibly interesting that there are 88 occurrences of this word in the NT. The only NT book that does NOT contain ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 31, 2020

The prospect of affluence

Abraham Lincoln once stated: “The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep’s throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Matthew 10:16

Do Not Judge By Appearance

Contributed by James Dina on May 29, 2021

Learn to judge men, by the things that are not seen in their nature but seen in their fruits (Matthew 7:20), and also by their graces and spiritual glory. Judge them by their patience, meekness, holiness and uprightness.

DO NOT JUDGE BY APPEARANCE "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (John 7:24) A change in our outward condition causes many people to change their opinions concerning us. While Job did swim in the full streams of riches and honor, many respected him; but ...read more

Scripture: John 7:24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sermon On Violence & Abuse

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 21, 2020

A disturbing fact of life

Stephen King, the American author, once said: “There's a phrase, "The elephant in the living room", which purports to describe what it's like to live with a drug addict, an alcoholic, an abuser. People outside such relationships will sometimes ask, "How could you let such a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-8

15 The First Death Wish Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Oct 29, 2020

This is the 15th of 31 devotions from a series called, 'The Church Called Jonah.' In these devotions, which are based on the book of Jonah, I make a comparison between The Church-at-large in the light of this present global pandemic.

# 15 – The First Death Wish Jonah 1:12: “And he said to them, ‘Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.’” In our previous devotion we saw how the sailors asked Jonah what they should do to him so that the sea ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:12, Matthew 24:1-31, Matthew 24:21, Proverbs 28:13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Heart Of The Matter: When Tradition Makes A Trespasser

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Oct 4, 2025

This sermon delivers Jesus' powerful warning that religious traditions can become a dangerous substitute for God's commands, leading to a worthless worship from a heart that is far from Him.

Introduction: The Danger of Good Habits Traditions can be wonderful things. They give us a sense of identity and rhythm. They connect us to our heritage and to our families. In the life of faith, traditions and habits—like coming to church, praying before a meal, or reading our Bibles—can be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Reality Of Hell: Transformed By The Truth Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 26, 2024

This sermon confronts a solemn truth often avoided in our modern discourse—the reality of Hell. In exploring this topic, the Bible enables us to understand the gravity of this eternal reality and its significance to our lives.

The Reality of Hell: Transformed by the Truth Introduction: Today, we confront a solemn truth often avoided in our modern discourse—the reality of Hell. In our exploration of this topic, we turn to the Scriptures to understand the gravity of this eternal reality and its significance for our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:23, Revelation 20:15, Psalm 9:16, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Full Of Grace And Truth

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 6, 2025

A sermon for the second Sunday of Christmas, Year C

January 5, 2025 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church John 1:10-18 Full of Grace and Truth Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Sermon On Weeds Or Wheat?

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 18, 2023

A weed is defined as a plant that is considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it is not wanted.

Craig D. Lounsbrough, a licensed Professional Counsellor in the State of Colorado and ordained by the Evangelical Church Alliance once remarked: “If you see a dandelion as a weed, you’ll spray it. If you see it as a flower, you’ll draw it close, turn it this way and that, and become lost in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, Romans 6:23, John 12:24

Sermon On The Root Of All Evil

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 24, 2023

Many wrongdoings in life are considered as evil. Evil is defined as acts of an immoral or wicked nature and can be related to many characteristics.

C. JoyBell C; an American author once remarked: “Never get involved with people who are likely to envy you at the end of the day. People like that will actually lurk in the bushes, play your mind, and pounce on you when you are at our most vulnerable state. Envy is the root of all evil, in all men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:9, Proverbs 8:13, Romans 12:21