Sermons on Rugged:

God The Gardener

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on May 6, 2012

God wants us to grow. Like plants, if we actually want to grow, we’ve got to be pruned. God’s discipline is always loving. Accepting it is the key to becoming who God means us to be.

In Hampton Court near London (start video-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxzG6C-jrwE), there is a grapevine under glass; it is about 1,000 years old and has but one single root which is at least two feet thick. A formidable root. Some of the branches are 200 feet long. Without careful tending, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Devil Wears Prada Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 6, 2012

A commercial we watched for Prada didn’t try to sell clothes or accessories. It’s intent was to sell an "image". Satan’s the same - his goal is to sell us an "image". But what does he try to sell us on, and how can we avoid being snared by his sales pitch

OPEN: The minister’s group I’m part of came up with this title: The Devil Wears Prada. It was based on a movie by that same name (and I found out later there was a Rock group that same name). But in researching this sermon I found that Prada is a high class Italian fashion Company known for it’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Ready For Christmas? Matthew 3:1-10 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 9, 2013

I wonder what would happen if we spent as much time getting, spiritually ready for Jesus as we spend getting our decorations up for Christmas? Adapted from a sermon by Pastor Doug Henry

Pastor Doug Henry tells this story: “I was in Wal-Mart a few months ago with a mission. It was the end of the summer season, so I went to the lawn and garden section to check out the sales on all the stuff you use to keep your yard and property looking nice. I went there with the intention of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

They Don't Like Him Very Much Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 15, 2013

Why would the world hate Jesus? What is there about His message that makes them so upset? Uses the advertisement against Christmas the American Humanist Organization used 5 years ago to explore those questions.

OPEN: About 5 years ago, the American Humanist Association spent $40,000 in December for an ad campaign in Washington D.C. that attacked God during the Christian season. Now, that’s not what the spokesman for the humanist group said they meant to do: "Our reason for doing it during ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life Just Never Seams To Go As Planned.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 8, 2014

Life never goes as planned: for example, have you ever invested years of your life in another person only to watch something go wrong: as something happens, and your investments all go wrong as they make one stupid mistake after another.

Title: Life just never seams to go as planned. Word Count: 2993 This sermon was delivered to both congregations in St John in Girvan, and St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 15th December 2013: (both are Scottish Episcopal Churches in the Dioceses of Glasgow and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Episcopal

A New Commandment Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Feb 2, 2013

A New Commandment. (Powerpoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: • A desire to glorify God (vs 31) • A love for one another (vs 34) • A submission to Jesus (vs 36-38) SERMON BODY: Note: • The New Testament word used for “disciple” is the Greek word ‘mathetes’; • And it means ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-38

Denomination: Brethren

Christ’s Real Family Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 6, 2013

If you want to be part of Christ’s real family, then don’t reject Him as a lunatic; don’t revile him as a devil; receive Him as Lord.

For years an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems, and for years his family tried again and again to persuade him to get a hearing aid, but he always refused. Then finally, one day, he gave in. He went to the doctor and was fitted for a set of one of those nearly invisible hearing aids ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Remember The Voice

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 10, 2013

God in Christ knows you by name, wants you to thrive in life and gave his life for you so that may be possible both now and for evermore.

Video Clip – The Good Shepherd from SermonSpice Title: Remember the Voice Text: John 10:1-16 Thesis: God in Christ knows you by name, wants you to thrive and live a rich and fruitful life and willingly gave his life for you to make that possible for you now and for all ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Salvation Is God’s Divine Plan To Redeem Mankind.

Contributed by Alva L. Hanns on Feb 17, 2013

The purpose of this sermon is to provide an overview of God’s divine plan for salvation.

Introduction: The underlying theme pertaining to the Doctrine of Salvation is the relationship between the redemptive blood of Christ and the sins of mankind. Strong’s New Complete Dictionary of Bible Words’ meanings for sin are to transgress or to stray. God gave Adam specific ...read more

Scripture: John 19:23-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Luggage Longing To Be Lost

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 17, 2013

God in his mercy and grace hears us, renews and restores us, when we are broken and repentent.

The Season of Lent… is something of a roller coaster ride in which we confront our own sinfulness in light of the suffering of Christ. And yet during this time of introspection we are also keenly aware of how the story ends with Christ’[s victory over sin and death. This morning we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Parenting With A Purpose Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 12, 2014

Psalm 78 is a hymn for the home. It teaches that the responsibility of each parent or grandparent is that our kids & grandchildren know God & His Word, that they understand that the key to success is to know the Lord, to love Him, & to be obedient to Him.

PSALM 78: 1-8 PARENTING WITH A PURPOSE [Deuteronomy 6:1-9] Today is that wonderful Sunday we call Mother’s Day, a day when we celebrate our moms and the priceless role they play in family and society. Moms, it’s not my intention today to add to your struggles as a mom, because many of you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Claims Of Christ

Contributed by Scott Spencer on May 24, 2014

How do you respond to the claims of Christ? Do you question His right to your life? Do you assert your own rights over him? Or do you humbly surrender to Him and submit to His will? We must all see the importance of being responsive to Christ and the danger of being unresponsive.

The Claims of Christ Mark 11:27-33; 12:1-12 Jesus’ Authority Questioned 27. They came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, 28. and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Pt. 3 Daddy Come Home Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jun 10, 2013

The role of a husband / father is easily understood, yet hard to live out.

Daddy Come Home February 17, 2013 Introduction A The role of a husband / father is easily understood, yet hard to live out. 1 One Reason: Ignorance a He doesn’t understand his responsibilities toward his family under God. aa His paycheck is his duty & done bb Shocked when his family ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-28

Denomination: Baptist

How Much Do You Love Jesus? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Nov 21, 2013

A study of Psalm 5 verses 1 through 10

Psalm 5: 1 – 10 How Much Do You Love Jesus? 1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. 2 Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. For ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-10

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Comfort Whereby I Am Comforted

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Oct 10, 2012

A recent family crisis taught me many things about how this verse applies to those of us who have coped with crisis and those of us who need to cope.

The Comfort whereby I Am Comforted 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 It was a parking lot like any other, no unusual obstructions, no special problem places. There might have been a slight unevenness in the pavement, but that’s pretty normal, no real problem. The day before Dad had clambered some of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-6

Denomination: Mennonite