Sermons on Run To Win The Prize:

Not Without Honor

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Oct 8, 2001

What motivates your ministry?

Not Without Honor When a person gets a promotion at work, has won a prize or received some other kind of award or recognition the first people he/she normally wants to share that good news with is family. It may be by phone or E-mail or bursting into the house yelling, "Honey! ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:53-58, Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Live Like You Were Dying

Contributed by Ben Johnson on Feb 8, 2007

We must take advantage of every opportunity, of everyday, of every moment to live life on purpose!! Unfortunately however, many times we get so caught up in the details of our day to day life that we just don’t take the time to SEIZE EVERY MOMENT!

Live Like You Were Dying using SONG ILLUSTRATION: "Live Like You Were Dying" -by country artist Tim McGraw REFERENCE: Phil. 3:7-16 A young soldier and his commanding officer got on a train together. The only available seats were across from an young attractive woman who was traveling with her ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Encouragement For The Pursued

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Sep 18, 2009

God teaches us a valuable lesson that keeps our spirits going when we become discouraged from the pressures and persecutions of our Christian faith.

Encouragement for the Pursued Prairie Baptist Church – 9/6/09 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 3 Key verse: Psalms 3:5-6 - 5I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. 6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Premise: God teaches us a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Banishing Ghosts From Our Lives!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 21, 2016

You are not called to be hunkering down by things that haunt you.

I am not a believer in true ghosts as we think of them in human culture. They are not disembodied souls wandering about because they cannot cross over or are condemned to wander the earth for their sins like Jacob Marley. No loved one comes back from Heaven and no one can come back from Hell. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Dream On (Easter Sunday)

Contributed by Travis Hearn on Nov 27, 2013

Don't give up, keep fighting because it ain't over!

DREAM ON. (Easter Sunday) (Band set up the sermon by playing Aerosmith’s Dream On) HE IS RISEN! (HE IS RISEN INDEED!) Matthew 28:1-8 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lent 2013 Week 4 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 13, 2013

A look at the first half of the parable of the Prodigal Son. Who is the Father? How did the son reach the point of abandoning his family and the point of return. How did the Father react? Wonderful parable!

This is the fourth week of the Lenten season and in the Scripture we are about to look at one of the most famous parables ever taught by Jesus. And, when we look at this parable we will, at this time, only be looking at the first half of the parable. As we start to take a look at this incredible ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Nazarene

Freedom Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 12, 2018

AS CHRISTIANS WE LIVE IN THE WORLD OF THE EXTRAORDINARY. AS TUTU’S DAUGHTER SAID, “WE ALL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BE EXTRAORDINARY.” OUR CHALLENGE TODAY IS TO BE EXTRAORDINARY FORGIVERS. PART OF A SERIES ON THE LORD'S PRAYER.

THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS MATTHEW 6:12-15 A LETTER WAS WRITTEN FROM A LADY TO HER EX-BOYFRIEND EXPRESSING HER UNHAPPINESS SINCE SHE BROKE OFF THEIR ENGAGEMENT. IT READ: DEAREST JIMMY: NO WORDS COULD EVER EXPRESS THE GREAT UNHAPPINESS I’VE FELT SINCE BREAKING OUR ENGAGEMENT. PLEASE SAY YOU’LL ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

If One Should Wander From The Truth Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jul 23, 2012

James tells us what to do with people who wander away from the truth of Christ. 1- Bring them back 2- Remember the good 3- Cover the sins

INTRO.- ILL.- One time a friend from Missiouri visited our church on a Sunday morning. He was a good church member where I formerly preached. He was a hunter and I fished for bass. He use to say to me, “If you’d go turkey hunting with me you’d stop that bass fishing.” What was he saying? Was ...read more

Scripture: James 5:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Endure Hardship

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Jul 10, 2014

The apostle Paul charges Timothy to endure hardship like a 1) Good Soldier 2) Striving Athlete & 3) Hard-working Farmer. And at the end of it all there will be a crown and a harvest if we do not give up.

How to Endure Hardship 2 Timothy 2:3-6 Introduction: Ill. The story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!" One day the king ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Easter Forgiveness

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Apr 3, 2012

To share that Easter is about forgiveness and we can receive it through the Risen Savior.

Every Easter it seems we really focus on Jesus Rising from the Tomb. After all that¡¯s what it¡¯s all about right? That He beat death and won the victory for us. As powerful as this is, I want our attention to back up a bit and look at an often overlooked portion of the Easter Story. Let¡¯s take a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:40-43

Denomination: Other

Who’s On First

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on May 23, 2008

A powerful sermon on the true mission of the church, based upon a sermon from the late Dr. E. V. Hill and the iconic skit by Abbot and Costello.

Who’s On First Luke 19:10 Back in 1986 I heard Rev. E. V. Hill preach at a pastor’s conference. It was great. He preached a sermon he called, “A Spiritual Homerun.” Today I want to use that sermon as a skeleton for my own. E. V. told about preaching at a conference in Lucerne, Switzerland. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

Denomination: Baptist

You'll Never Defeat The Giant, Unless You First Conquer The Lion And Bear

Contributed by Thomas Gates on Feb 1, 2001

Sooner or later your gonna face a giant, and if you quit every time problems come then you’ll never be anything for God!

“ You’ll never defeat the giant, unless you first conquer the lion and the bear.” Text: 1 Samuel Ch 17:32-51 Intro: Everyone here surely has heard the story of “David and Goliath.” Probably more than once. Its a pretty good book to read to our children, It teaches them that no matter what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-51

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Need A Pusher

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 1, 2008

5 Relationships You Can’t Live Without! Each of these relationships are crucial for you to live a healthy and successful life!

“5” Part 4 – You Need A Pusher Perhaps it was a coach early on in your life. It might have been a math teacher. It could have been a parent or a friend with whom you had a healthy rivalry. We have all had someone in our past that would push us! That is a normal part of our childhood ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Life Is Like A Baseball Game

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 19, 2002

The Cal Ripken Jr. World Series of baseball has invaded Mattoon, IL, and life is somewhat similar to a baseball game.

LIFE IS LIKE A BASEBALL GAME I Cor. 9:25 "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." INTRO.- ILL.- In the popular 1994 movie "Forrest Gump," Forrest with an IQ of 74 said, "Mama ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Of Sheep & Shepherds

Contributed by Kent Hawkins on Jan 23, 2001

The Motivation, Manner & Reward of Being An Elder.

Of Sheep & Shepherds Commercial currently airing that shows a lonely shepherd with a cell phone. As he makes a phone call, those he calls begin arriving in droves, until he surrounded by 100s of people. Wonder how many real shepherds spend a lot of time on a cell phone? Lonely! As Phillip ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4, Psalm 23:1-6