Sermons on Self Concern:

The Widow's Offering

Contributed by Rick Bezanson on Jul 31, 2008

Encouragement to use our abilities God has given us to serve Christ by serving others.

I was performing a wedding for a young couple. Before the wedding, the groom came to me and said, “Pastor, I will give you $100 if you change the wedding vows. When you get to the part to ask me to honor, love and obey, just leave that part out for me. Then, he handed me $100. During the wedding, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Pontius Pilate: Stuck In People-Pleasing Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

Pilate was a classic people-pleaser, who found that his behavior produced popularity that masked contempt, pessimism, and powerlessness.

The story has it that during creation, as God was sitting up in heaven turning out all these creatures, some of the angels asked if they could help. It looked like fun, making plants and animals, birds and beasts. And so God, who had just finished fashioning something, said, "All right. Come ahead. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Commitment Choice Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 22, 2010

I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ's care and control.

Title: The Commitment Choice Text: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 Thesis: I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ’s care and control. Lenten Series: Life’s Healing Choices (Saddleback Resources) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Back To School

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Sep 13, 2012

We are in training in God's school of Christlikeness. Having already received the diploma, we are transformed by Christ to renounce the past, live godly lives in the present, and look forward to our future with hope and not fear.

This week we sent our son back to school as he had his first taste of Junior High. Sometimes I look back to my High School years and believe it or not I wish I could do it over again and learn those lessons that I didn’t take so seriously and also not worry so much about things that ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Denomination: Lutheran

When You Suffer Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 2, 2013

Everyone suffers in our fallen world. Get used to it! It comes with the turf. But for God’s people, suffering is not merely a consequence of sin: it holds God’s eternal purpose,.

When We Suffer Romans 8:17-18 OUTLINE: Disciples of Jesus Christ, IF and WHEN you suffer, remember that... 1. Suffering with Christ is part of our inheritance. 2. Suffering with Christ demands sacrifice. 3. Suffering with Christ is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of A God Pleaser

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 5, 2012

God has called us to please Him in all areas of our lives! And He offers to help us live a life that honors Him and does no harm to ourselves or others. God is ready and willing to forgive those who have fallen into the trap of sexual sin, giving in to si

Marks of a God Pleaser 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Intro: How important is it for a person to please God? The Bible really has a lot to say about this. First, we know that without faith or trust in God, it is impossible to please Him (Heb. 11:1). Most people don’t worry about pleasing God unless ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 8, 2012

2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves to see if our faith is what it should be. Like Laodecia, many are unaware of their spiritual temperature. What about you? Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately?

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately? Revelation 3:14-20 The church at Laodicea was one of two churches in the opening chapters of Revelation that were apparently unaware of their spiritual temperature. The other was Ephesus. Laodicea is a picture of a worldly church that has all the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-20

Denomination: Baptist

Peace & Persecution

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Aug 28, 2019

Are you comfortable in being a follower of Christ? Countless Christians around the world face intense persecution for being followers of Jesus, but they're not alone. We share in the struggles of being a Christian. Why is that? Listen to Jesus' call to deny yourself and follow him.

Each year, a Christian organization called “Open Doors” publishes a list of the top 50 countries where Christians are most intensely persecuted for their faith. Physical violence, death threats, execution, imprisonment, rape, neglect, burning of homes, bombing of churches, abandoned by family, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Pray Humbly

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Oct 21, 2019

if we pray with an open heart, it will be heard and we will be forgiven

Last week we heard about the persistent widow, who by constantly praying and badgering an unjust judge, got the justice she deserved. And we were reminded that because of God’s love for us we can pray for justice in our own lives and it will be delivered. Today we heard another scripture that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Episcopal

The New Year: An Extra Time

Contributed by Kayode Omotoso on Dec 29, 2014

It’s just like yesterday that we just greeted ourselves, “Happy new year.” Now, it is December again and another new year is knocking at our doors. How time flies!

It’s just like yesterday that we just greeted ourselves, “Happy new year.” Now, it is December again and another new year is knocking at our doors. How time flies! Few years back, at the beginning of that year when everybody was celebrating witnessing another year and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Strategy For Defeating Satan’s Attacks

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 4, 2015

When your faith is the strongest, you come up under the greatest attack, because the enemy is trying to destroy your destiny. Let us be in a state of readiness; in a stance of resistance toward the devil and ready to give our statement of resolution.

Opening illustration: The ancient sport of falconry used trained hawks or falcons in the pursuit of wild game. When the "educated predator" was allowed to fly, however, it often rose too high for human eyes to see it. So a hunter often carried a small caged bird called a shrike. By watching the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Inspecting Our Church Field-2(2015)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 2, 2015

2 of ? Joshua sent spies to determine what they would encounter in the promised land. We can & should determine/examine what we will encounter on our church field. But what will we discover? Examining our church field, we discover People given to...

INSPECTING Our CHURCH FIELD-II—Joshua 2:1-24 Attention: Upon close examination, our perception of a situation may be much different than the reality. We may be surprised at what we find. We may be surprised at what we find on the church field. Joshua sent spies to determine what they ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Bear The Mark Of The Master Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 4, 2016

Each year we make resolutions to correct bad habits. One of the most fundamental characteristics of disciples of Jesus is to love one another. Resolving to love others as Jesus does makes a better me.

1. New Year's Resolutions are a means to resolve change in our lives * Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin * "Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sound Mind!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Sep 16, 2015

A sound mind is not wishy-washy or spineless but makes bold decisions based on strength received from God.

HANDS OFF THE PANIC BUTTON PLEASE! 2 Timothy 1:7”…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and sound mind.” When problems arise, the knee-jerk reaction of people is panic! Take your hands off the panic button please! Listen! ‘What if’ is a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Twitter Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Sep 27, 2015

Following people on Twitter costs us nothing, but following Jesus Christ costs us everything.

In the digital world, it’s all about being connected. We can be connected with our smart devices and computers to over 900 social media apps. We’re familiar with Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Vine. There are others we may not be so familiar with, but in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Methodist