Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Favoritism Forbidden PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 14, 2023

Showing favoritism goes against God's command to love our neighbors as ourselves, and we should strive to treat everyone equally, as God does.

Good morning, church family! Today we are diving headfirst into the book of James. We're going to discuss a topic that we all wrestle with from time to time. That's right, we're talking about favoritism, and how it goes against the Golden Rule and God's judgement. It's a tough subject, but as Billy ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Topics: Treat Others, Golden Rule

Don't Bow Down PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 16, 2023

To emphasize the power of faithful obedience, the consequences of idolatry, and the strength of God's protection.

Good morning, brothers and sisters! Today, we're diving headlong into the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. This tale from the Old Testament is not just about three men's refusal to bow to a golden statue. It is a powerful lesson on the power of faithful obedience, the ...read more

Topics: Fire

Sharing Compassion Like Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 16, 2023

To encourage us to not only help those in need but to actively work towards creating a world where such needs no longer exist, as exemplified by the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we gather together to engage with a powerful parable from the Gospel of Luke, a story that speaks volumes about the compassion of Christ, the desperate needs of our fellow human beings, and the call to take action. In the words of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-37

Topics: Attitude

Lord's Supper PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 9, 2024

This sermon explores the Lord's Supper as a means of grace, fostering unity and reinforcing faith, urging believers to deeply understand its significance.

Good morning, family in Christ. We are gathered here today as brothers and sisters in the Lord, bound by the love of Christ and united by the shared understanding of His grace. We are here, not because of any merit of our own, but because of the unmerited favor of God, who has called us out of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-24

Topics: Fellowship

I Get To Choose PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 13, 2024

This sermon explores the importance of making wise choices as believers, reflecting God's love, and using the Bible as a guide for decision-making.

Good morning, beloved family of God. It is indeed a joy to stand before you on this wonderful day that the Lord has made, a day filled with promise and potential, a day where we can gather together under the banner of His love and grace. We find ourselves today on the precipice of a profound ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:26

Topics: Better Choices

Life After Death Series

Contributed by Paddy Venner on Dec 23, 2002

What happens to us when we die? What will our bodies look like? What about those who die without Christ?

Paddy Venner is Senior Pastor of Harfield Road Assembly of God in Cape Town, South Africa Foundations of Truth Part 3 Life after Death  This is probably one of the area of our belief that Christians are the most unsure of.  If we had to go around the room and get opinions on this ...read more

Scripture: John 5:24-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Prayer Of Jabez: Ask For His Presence Series

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Aug 14, 2001

This is the fourth installment in an ongoing series based on I Chronicles 4:9,10.

ASK FOR HIS PRESENCE I Chronicles 4:10c INTRODUCTION: Three ministers were discussing the importance of prayer and the appropriate positions for prayer. As they were talking there was a telephone repairman working on the phone system in the back of the room. One minister said that he felt the key ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Foundations - Escaping Hell's Fury Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 18, 2002

Why did Jesus preach about Hell, and how can we be sure to avoid this terrible place?

OPENING: Looking over the rim of the volcano’s crater, the American tourist remarked, "Reminds one of Hell, doesn’t it?" The guide threw up his hands and exclaimed, "These Americans, they’ve been everywhere." APPLICATION: The tourist was noting that the volcano’s pit was not a comfortable place. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bathroom Scale Christianity

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Oct 18, 2003

Pentecost 17: It is uncomfortable to consider the shortcomings of our faith life. This message focuses on The advice that the Epistle of James gives us to make our faith vital and active.

There is one device in many homes that is despised. It is often ignored and hidden away because we just simply don’t want to deal it. When we use it, it can have a wonderful or terrible effect on us. Is it the lawn mower? No! Is it the microwave oven? No! Is it the vacuum cleaner? No! It’s the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-18

Denomination: Lutheran

"It Is Finished"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 24, 2005

A sermon for Good Friday.

“It Is Finished” John 19:17-30 By: Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc.org More than anyone Who ever walked this earth—Jesus did what He said… …He lived what He taught. “You have heard it said,” Jesus declares in Matthew Chapter ...read more

Scripture: John 19:17-30

Denomination: United Methodist

The Unpardonable Sin Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Mar 3, 2007

To attribute to Satan what God has done and does is a sin with no forgiveness.

MARK 3:22-30 THE UNPARDONABLE SIN I. CONFRONTATION: * Mark 3:22 A. Concurrence. B. Charge. C. Contempt. II. COUNTEREVIDENCE:** Mark 3:23-27 A. Confrontation. 3:23 B. Contradiction. 3:24-26 C. Conqueror. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:22-30

Denomination: Methodist

Measuring Up To God's Standard

Contributed by Greg Tabor on Oct 21, 2005

You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the Pharisees. I’m sure there were some great expectations. Aft

Measuring Up to God’s Standard 7/10/05 Lighthouse Assembly of God Pastor Greg Tabor Introduction You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Does The Bible Say About Divorce And Remarriage?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 16, 2005

This message looks at the major passages in the Bible on this difficult subject.

- “A divorce is like an amputation: you survive, but there’s less of you.” - Margaret Atwood. We will look at what the Old Testament has to say about divorce and remarriage, then what Jesus has to say, then what Paul has to say. We’ll follow up with how that all comes together in specific ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Why Things Go Bad

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Sep 20, 2005

When things go wrong, we are right to look for a reason. Certainly in the case of Israel at the beginning of the book of Judges, the problems were obvious. Are these true of us?

Passage: Judges 2:1-23 Intro: “A man was walking home one night, and he fell into a huge, 12 foot hole in the road…. This happened several nights, until he finally went down another road.” 1. we have just finished Revelation, which showed us very clearly the consequences of our choices and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Chasing The Stable-Boy Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 10, 2004

Instead of following after the "power and prestige of the world" how about following the humility of Christ?

I visited with an incensed high school student last week. Apparently her father had decided they weren’t going to get a Christmas tree or put up any of the other usually seasonal decorations. Instead they would have “Birthday” balloons and a birthday cake. And the presents would be arranged around ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:30-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed