Sermons on Scandalous Grace:

The Need For Church Revival: Repent

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Oct 22, 2020

When a church is willing to repent of past sins, it presents an opportunity for God to do something new and exciting in the church.

Last time we were encouraged to remember our past. During time we briefly connected with our past and looked at five characteristics of our church in her early days. In Revelation 2:5 Jesus tells the church at Ephesus to “Remember therefore from where you have fallen.” And so we made it personal ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gideon's Fearful Faith? - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Oct 26, 2020

Fear is often our first reaction to the tests and trials of life, but God has called us to live by faith! A study of Gideon shows us how God transforms fear to faith!

Intro: Jesus told his disciples…John 16:33b In this world you will have trouble… Paul remined his Thessalonian readership… 1Thssalonians 3:3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. POINT? WE ARE DESTINED FOR TROULBE AND TRAILS,– ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32

Shift, Part 5: Shift Your Paradigm Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Nov 4, 2020

When you see God as He really is, it helps you deal with the way the world really is.

Note: I am indebted to Sermon Central contributor David Ward for much of this sermon. I made some modifications to fit better with the SHIFT series, and to talk about our current crises with the Covid19 pandemic, but otherwise this is David’s work, and I am very thankful for it. Good morning! ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

No More Gloom Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

Christmas series introduction - focusing on the role of light in the Christmas story

Intro: Light. We have a hard time even describing what it’s made out of, but we sure do depend on it. We know it’s very fast - 186,282 miles per second. We know that it’s important to our emotional and physical health. Sunshine is a source of vitamin D, and areas where the sun doesn’t shine much ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Escape The Power Of Prejudice Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

Psychologists tell us that all of us have our in-groups, and out-groups. All of belong to certain categories, and there are others outside of those categories, and so all of us are in a position to be prejudiced against out-groups.

Arturo Tosconini became famous in the world of music because of the power of prejudice. He was a young cellist with a touring opera company from Italy. In June of 1886 they were in the greatest opera house in Rio de Janerio in Brazil. The house was packed with shouting people, but what they were ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Helps For Your Test Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

Some of the helps that God gives us to endure life's tests.

I want to start off this message today by reading the opening of Peter’s letter… 1 Peter 1:1-9 (ESV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sinful Sympathy Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Chapter 4 shows us three approaches that Eliphaz took to Job, which he apparently thought would be helpful, but which are contrary to the true spirit of sympathy, and thus, must be classified as sinful sympathy, for they do more harm than good.

Tragedy so often leads to bitterness against God. Mark Twain had a daughter who died at the age of 21 because of diphtheria. His wife also died young. He became so angry and bitter that he lashed out at God with the very gift that made him famous, his pen. He wrote and imaginative tale about ...read more

Justifiable Complaint Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

There was no escapism with Job. He got no comfort by trying to deny the reality of evil. Many believers often try to pretend that there is no evil. This is not healthy at all. Job is healthy, for he condemns evil for what it is.

Disraeli, as the Prime Minister of England, was once walking with a friend. As they went along the street in London, they met a distinguished looking gentleman. Disraeli greeted him, and asked, "How is your old complaint?" The man responded that it was getting worse, and he was sure it ...read more

Incurable Optimism Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

This optimistic letter has been used of God to comfort, encourage, and challenge Christians all through history to be optimists in a fallen world.

The things that can go wrong in Christian service could fill an encyclopedia. Tal Bonham has recorded just a few. A note in the bulletin said, "Ladies don't forget the rummage sale. It is a good chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

A Season To Be Selfless Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Selfishness is that sin we can hardly stand in others, or hardly see in ourselves. It is so hard to forgive in others, and so hard to forsake in ourselves.

On Dec. 7, 1682 the Great Law of Pennsylvania was passed which became the basis for governing the state for 94 years. It represented William Penn's ideal of a Christian state. It provided for religious freedom and the protection of individual rights. It provided for the care of poor and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Encouragement Encourages Encouragers Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

This word, paraklesis, is used 29 times in the New Testament. What we learn from a study of this word is that an encouraged Christian is a positive functioning member of the body, but that a discouraged Christian is a malfunctioning member of the body.

Admiral Richard Byrd, the famous polar explorer, had adventures of being lost and then found that are amazing. In his book Alone, he tells of being alone for six months in his little shack in 1934 living through a long Antartic winter. Every day he would take a walk, but he would take a bundle of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1

The Gospel Of God's Promise Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

You cannot have faith without a promise. Faith has to have some ground to stand on, and that ground is the promise of God. Standing on the promises of God is the theme song of the saints of all time.

Paul Robeson was a famous American Negro singer back in the 30's and 40's. It was announced in London that his great singer would broadcast a concert from Russia where he was then living. The people of London filled the large concert hall to standing room only waiting to hear this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

The Duty Of Being In Debt Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

We saw in a previous message that we have an obligation to be an encourager of all in the body of Christ, and now we see that we have an obligation to be an enlightener of all who are outside of the body of Christ. We are debtors to all people, and we owe everybody something.

In 1901 Andrew Carnegie sold his Pennsylvania steel mill to J. P. Morgan for 420 million dollars, and thereby became the richest man in the world. That fortune was made by the sacrifice of thousands of common laborers. He under paid them ruthlessly, and he forced them to work 12 hours a day 7 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:14-17

Shipping Out Shame Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

The paradox is that the only way we can get back to Paul's position of not being ashamed of the Gospel is to add to our lives shame for all that is not the Gospel. We need to be embarrassed by all of the false gospels of our day.

It is on the highest interest level to hear of people's most embarrassing moments. Jane Wyman tells of hers. She was preparing for very important guests and she put a note on the guest towels that she had so carefully selected. The note read, "If you use these I will murder you." ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:14-17

Control Is The Goal Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 3, 2021

The goal of the Christian is to so gain control of his emotions that all of them in their vast variety might become valuable in making him what God wants him to be. Control is the goal.

John Powell, whose books have now sold over 11 million, begins his book The Christian Vision with the request that we run a short home made movie on the screen of our minds. Imagine that you have come home on a dark night and to your horror you see a long snake on your front lawn. Your heart ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21