Sermons on Scandalous Grace:

When God Gives A Gift You Didn't Ask For Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 2, 2008

Understanding demanding changes in life in light of God’s plans helps us to handle them with unlimited resources, greater encouragement, and a view to eternity

It’s December! And in our continuing effort to provide really practical, helpful information, I found a top 10 list that you may need over the next 3 weeks. Here it is, Top Ten Things To Say About the Gifts You Don’t Really Like. 10. "Well, well, well, now, there’s a gift!" 9. "No, with all the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Changed On The Road To Destruction Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 2, 2008

I want my audience to be amazed at the way God transformed the life of Paul and to look for that in the people around them and themselves

You won’t be hearing about it on AP reports, or the network or cable news – not even on FOX. We just don’t get many reports about what it’s like to be a Christian in the Mid-East, surrounded by people who aren’t. And while we hear about Muslim leaders and their zeal and hatred against the West, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From Exiled Shepherd To Exodus Leader Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 2, 2008

Though our own lives may seem insignificant or confusing, God is able to take them and use them for His great purpose

He single-handedly saved the Jewish nation on several occasions. His life foreshadows that of Jesus, and he’s like Him in many ways. He predicted Jesus would come. He makes an appearance in the Bible many years after his death. His body is buried by God himself – an honor we read about no one ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bearing More Than Children

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 2, 2008

God intends that faith is passed on from parents to children and mothers are a vital part of that

I haven’t exactly told me wife this, yet, but I’m ready to move. I am. I’m dissatisfied with where we’re at. On any given day, I could list for you a dozen things that are wrong with our house, wrong with Joplin, wrong with Missouri and with the United States. I’m ready to go somewhere ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Extreme Makeover – World Edition Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 2, 2008

God is ready for us to be dead and reborn rather than just “made over.”

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. I had the verse put above the signature line on our checks. I had heard it in a song. It hits home with me. The Message paraphrase puts it this way: Proverbs 4:23 (The Message) Keep vigilant watch over ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Anatomy Of A Growing Church Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 3, 2008

We can learn from the early church how to grow both individually and together.

Anatomy of a Growing Church Acts 2:41-47 Intro: After Peter had been filled with the Holy Spirit and had preached the sermon we read in Acts 2, 3000 people responded and became followers of Jesus. We see in the passage we just read that their lives took on a particular pattern. They began to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When God Doesn't Want To Hear It Series

Contributed by Ken Osso on Jan 5, 2008

This is the first of a two-part series on the parable of the lost son. Heading into the New Year, this first message looks closely at the story of the lost son and the good news we have of a fresh start.

When God Doesn’t Want to Hear It Luke 15:11-32 I sat at my desk staring blankly at the screen with a bit of a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t know exactly where to begin, and I wasn’t even sure God wanted to hear it. I had just scrolled through the pages of a Word document where ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-24

Denomination: Nazarene

Filling The Hole. . .so We Can Be Whole Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Jan 8, 2008

A message exploring our God-given longing to be whole hearted. Inspired by Mike Bickle’s "The Seven Longings of the Human Heart."

("Jesus Freak" – D.C. Talk Music Video) Okay, so it’s not a real Christmassy song, not to mention rather dated. . .but, what’s your answer? What would people think if they knew that you were a Jesus Freak? Or maybe the first question to be asked is, are you a Jesus freak? Hold that answer in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37

Denomination: Wesleyan

Four Questions Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 11, 2008

ENTRAPMENT! Jesus’ enemies sought to entangle Him--their guns were loaded, and so were their questions. But His answers left them speechless. Then Jesus posed a question of His own. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Four Questions Matthew 22:15-46 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FourQuestions.html ENTRAPMENT! 3 groups sought to entangle the Lord Jesus, and each asked Him a tough question they thought would bring Him down. But His answers left them speechless and astonished. Then Jesus posed a question of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-46

Denomination: Baptist

Grieving The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 14, 2008

40th in a series on Ephesians. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we harm the unity of the body of Christ.

Last week after the message, someone came up to me and said, “Those were some really good jokes in your sermon today.” But when I asked them about the main idea of the message they couldn’t remember a thing. So this morning, you’re going to get just a plain old boring message without any jokes. I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus: The Great Purifier Series

Contributed by Mike Cleveland on Jan 19, 2008

Jesus has not changed in 2,000 years. He is still passionate about His temple. The temple of God is no longer a building, it is His people. God no longer dwells in a temple made by hands, He lives in us, and His passion, His zeal is the same today as it w

Jesus: the Great Purifier (John 2:12-25) “I’m Sarah, I’m sixteen; Last night I failed. I prayed for more strength, So why did I yield? He said he loved me, Brought me flowers and all; Then he took me upstairs And caused me to fall. I feel so ashamed, So dirty inside. He’s taken my heart; Now I ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Doing Things God's Way Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 21, 2008

Those who want God’s results in their lives, will persist in doing things His way.

Doing Things God’s Way (Grace Under Fire) Acts 11:1-18 Intro: Why is it so difficult for men to follow directions? Have you ever bought something that said, “Some assembly required?” What did we do, men? We tear open the package and lay out all the parts and start slapping things together. I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Power Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jan 21, 2008

John 3:16 is known to all. Other 3:16 passages in the New Testament teach us important things about Jesus as well. This is Luke 3:16

(based on a sermon series by Tom Ellsworth) SERIES: “DISCOVER JESUS: The Other 3:16’s” TEXT: LUKE 3:15-18 TITLE: “THE POWER OF JESUS” OPEN: A Last week we began a new series: “Discovering Jesus: The Other 3:16’s” 1. We said that most of us know John 3:16 quite well ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are Making A Difference

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 24, 2008

This message deals with the reality that we are all making a difference, but we need to ask the question what kind of difference are we making in the body of Christ.

You Are Making A Difference 1/13/08 2 Samuel 23:8-23 Romans 12:1-21 Let me introduce you to Stephen and Joseph. They were twins but very different from each other. Stephen started hanging with the wrong crowd in high school, and got involved with using and selling drugs. He caused his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reading The Map / Visualizing The Goal Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Jan 25, 2008

The 10 characteristics of a God-honoring church, based on a look at the first century church of Acts 2.

INTRO>We’ve all heard the little saying (show the actions with hands locked together, fingers entwined upside down) ...This is the church, here is the steeple; open it up (wiggling fingers) and see all the people.” However, that is NOT the way it really is...this way is actually upside down from ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist