Sermons on Sad Stories:

Receive Your Compassionate Shepherd’s Care

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jul 22, 2024

May the Holy Spirit work in us a deeper understanding of one of the ways our Good Shepherd provides compassionate care for us. He does that through the shepherds he sends to us. He does that to equip us for the life of service he calls us to live.

“The LORD is my shepherd.” “I am the Good Shepherd.” “I am Jesus’ little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am.” Generations of believers have loved those kinds of descriptions of God’s love for them and of their relationship to God through faith in Jesus. Shepherd and sheep. Sheep and shepherd. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-8, Hebrews 13:17-21

Denomination: Lutheran

God Will Judge With Equity Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 3, 2024

Psalm 75:1-10 is a psalm of thanksgiving for God’s just rule and future judgment.

Introduction My wife Eileen and I have just said “Goodbye” to our three precious, young grandchildren. We spent several weeks with them this past summer. Now, grandparents and parents know that some of our time is spent administering justice when we watch our grandchildren and children. “That’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 75:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jacob, The Deceiver Deceived

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 5, 2024

Jacob deceived his father Isaac for the Blessing. And after working 7 years for Laban’s daughter Rachel, he received her sister Leah as his wife. The deceiver has been deceived. You shall reap what you sow.

2024.08.04.Sermon Notes. Jacob the Deceiver Deceived William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: Jacob deceived his father Isaac for the Blessing. And after working 7 years for Laban’s daughter Rachel, he received her sister Leah as his wife. Key Verse: Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:1-35, Genesis 30:1-43, Hebrews 12:2, Galatians 6:7, Luke 6:35-38, Genesis 49:29-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Last Plagues

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 6, 2025

Rev 16

SEVEN LAST PLAGUES (REVELATION 16) One of my favorite TV shows through the COVID crisis was the Chinese movie and TV series “Judge Dee” or “Detective Dee, as first popularized by Andy Lau many years ago in a 2010 movie directed by Tsui Hark. The first movie, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Spirit As Streams Of Living Water Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 27, 2025

Another amazing role of the Holy Spirit is to be a stream of living water that flows from within those who put their faith in Christ. We must be thirsty and drink before we will experience the refreshment.

A. The story is told about a man who got himself lost in the desert and began to search for water to quench his thirst. 1. After countless hours searching, he came upon a well with a big opening at the top. a. He peered down into the well, but couldn't see a thing down there. b. He looked ...read more

Scripture: John 4:10-14, John 7:37-39, Jeremiah 2:13, Isaiah 12:3, Isaiah 44:3-4, Isaiah 58:11, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Time To Engage: "Following Hard After God”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Feb 9, 2025

The impulse to follow God originates with God, but it’s our responsibility to follow. We are told throughout the Bible that we’re to seek the Lord. As we purpose to follow hard after God, He upholds and strengthens us as seen in the Psalmist description of a deer in search for water.

Time To Engage “Following Hard After God” Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFndeU2Ewgg Let me get this out of the way, and that is, I’m not saying it’s hard to follow God. In fact, God even said it isn’t. In fact,  He said it was downright easy, which is something ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 29:13-14, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:8

Denomination: Foursquare

Church In The World Vs World In The Church Series

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 21, 2025

Working through 1 Peter using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

“Church in the World vs World in the Church” 1 Peter 3:8-12 Pastor John Bright 1 Peter3 “8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-12, Philippians 2:2, Hebrews 4:14-16, Romans 5:5, John 17:11, John 17:16, Matthew 5:38-48, Matthew 16:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

The Advance Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Feb 21, 2025

Acts 16:1-5 shows us how the gospel advances.

Introduction At the turn of the 21st century, Blockbuster reigned supreme in the video rental industry. If your family wanted a movie night, someone likely had to drive to one of Blockbuster's 9,000 stores, stroll through rows of DVD-lined shelves, and hand a membership card to a blue-clad ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Time To Engage: "Being Missionary”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Feb 23, 2025

The Bible teaches that every believer is to be missionary. Not “a” missionary, but missionary, which is telling people about the wonderful, amazing grace of God. In our message well look at the reasons why and how we go about being missionary.

Time to Engage “Being Missionary” 2 Timothy 4:1-5 One Sunday morning, a pastor began his sermon saying, “I’d like to make three points today. First, there are millions of people around the world who are going to hell. Second, most of us sitting here today do not give a damn about it.” After a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Acts 1:8, John 20:21, Luke 24:49, Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 5:14-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

The Hard Reset – In God I Trust

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Feb 27, 2025

Sometimes we get to the place, spiritually, where all we can do is stop, get back to basics, and start again.

The Hard Reset – In God I Trust A typical computer can process billions of bits of data per second, with the exact amount depending on the processor's clock speed and architecture, but a modern high-end CPU can handle processing billions of instructions per second. A modern cell phone is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-5, Isaiah 60:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The False Prophet Balaam: When Opportunity Knocked, He Answered Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 28, 2025

The king of Moab had a problem: Israel was near his territory. He called on Balaam to come and curse Israel. This king gave Balaam what might be considered the opportunity of a lifetime. How did Balaam respond?

(Edited from and based on a message preached Sunday evening, 2-16-25 at New Hope Baptist Church of Fulton, MO; this is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: The story of Balaam is, or at least used to be, one of the saddest in the entire Bible. It seems he knew the One True God and could ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Live A Life Of Startling Generosity

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Nov 26, 2024

We need perpetual reminders of God's undeserved love (his grace) for us. The Apostle Paul shows us how we as individuals and we as a congregation can then excel in the grace of giving.

A 6th grade Sunday school teacher was struggling with a lesson. She was preparing to teach a lesson on how Christians manage their material blessings. She knew that when her students were in confirmation class the pastor would share what the Bible says about stewardship of time, talents, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

The Tools Of Restoration Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 4, 2024

To restore a sinning believer, grab the tools of restoration: pain; punishment; pardon; and partnership.

The Tools of Restoration (2 Corinthians 2:5-11) Author and Canadian Theologian, Randall Rauser, tells the story of a boy, whose parents had promised him a beautiful car to drive when he turned 16. He dreamed about it all his life, planning to park it in the family’s barn where it could stay warm ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Our Home In Heaven & Hope Beyond Death, Series

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Dec 14, 2024

The Father’s house, where Jesus said he would go and prepare a place for us, is real. Heaven is our home base

The English poet and playwright William Shakespeare is hailed as the most excellent writer of the English language and the world’s greatest dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet. His influence over the last six centuries is immense and continues to influence new authors. He is ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Parable Of The Five Wise And Five Foolish Bridesmaids

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Dec 14, 2024

Five Wise and Five Foolish Bridesmaids

Today, as we read in the Gospel Jesus’ parable about the Ten Bridesmaids, I couldn’t but reminisce two memorable experiences I had in September 2013. First, my experience of visiting the Holy Land during the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days. It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican