Sermons on Self Dependence:

Forgive Me

Contributed by Antonio Torrence on May 18, 2003

This sermon is about forgiving our enemies so that we can truly experience love.

"Forgive Me!" by Rev. A. LaMar Torrence, Pastor of the Cross of Life Lutheran Church Luke 6:27-38, John 15:12, 1 John 4:7-21 Once again I find the words of Maya Angelou appropriately for my initial response to today’s divine edict of loving our enemies. In her poem, “Lord in my heart”, she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38, 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Pray For Healing Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 20, 2003

This passage not only gives us some indication of how to pray, but it also helps us determine when we are to pray. There are four distinct times that we’re to come before God. We’re to look to Him…1. When we’re suffering. (13a);2. When we have succes

How to Pray for Healing It’s amazing how many bad things can happen to people. Bill Flick, a columnist for The Pantagraph, compiled some true stories this past week… —In Connecticut, a man driving a stolen car inadvertently stopped a police officer to ask for directions out of the city. —A man ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16, James 5:17-18, James 5:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures

Contributed by Greg Rupley on May 21, 2003

What Would You do to bring someone to Christ? Looks at the full text Luke 5: 17-26 with a call for decision at the end.

Luke 5: 17-26 … “Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures.” Jesus Heals a Paralytic (original except for titles of outline points.) What would you be willing to do for $10,000,000? In their book, The Day America Told the Truth, James Patterson and Peter Kim reveal some shocking statistics ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Holiness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 12, 2003

Holiness is the gift of an identity, appearing to be too good to be true, but received by accepting forgiveness.

Today’s message is framed by incidents provided by two church members. I will not be naming the players, but they have given me both the beginning and the ending of this message on holiness. The beginning: a few days ago one of you told me that you came to worship each Sunday so that you could ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

God Is God And I Am Not

Contributed by Dennis Cocks on Jun 16, 2003

In our Scripture verses this morning we see God comparing man with Himself. He has all wisdom, knowledge, and all power, while man, man is nothing but dust. Steven Curtis Chapman put it this way in one of his songs, “God Is God And I Am Not.”

GOD IS GOD AND I AM NOT TEXT: ROMANS 11:33-36; PSALM 103:13-22 INTRODUCTION: In our Scripture verses this morning we see God comparing man with Himself. He has all wisdom, knowledge, and all power, while man, man is nothing but dust. Steven Curtis Chapman put it this way in one of his songs, “God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33-36, Psalm 103:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

Mixed Signals: Awesome And Owesome

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 21, 2003

A banner was posted with a misprint: owesome instead of awesome. But it is nonetheless true: we owe some love to one another, we owe some urgency to ourselves, and we owe some loyalty to Christ.

As some of our youth discovered last week, it is not as easy as it looks to preside over a worship service. It is not as easy as it looks, because you have to read signals. You start to do something, and someone in the back waves at you. Meanwhile, someone else on the front pew is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Let The Joy Of The Lord Overflow In Your Marriage

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 2, 2003

Today, too many couples scarcely relate to each other, after years of marriage. Many other activities, responsibilities and interests seem to crowd out the importance of a happy marital relationship for millions in America.

Let the Joy of the Lord Overflow in Your Marriage (Eph. 5:20-25) Quote: Let the wife make the husband glad to come home; and let him make her sorry to see him leave. Martin Luther Today, too many couples scarcely relate to each other, after years of marriage. Many other activities, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Walk Of Preparation Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Jul 4, 2003

The importance of believers to prepare their lives spiritually in order to be used by Christ.

THE FORWARD WALK – PART TWO “THE WALK OF PREPARATION” JOHN 13:1-11 - ©Larry L. Thompson (2003) INTRODUCTION: Last week we began the journey of the FORWARD WALK with Christ as He made His way to the Cross. The Forward Walk that culminates with the glorious celebration of Easter, the resurrection of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Entertaining Angels (Hospitality)

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jul 6, 2003

Hospitality isn’t just an admirable social skill; It’s essential for anyone who follows Christ. When we show kindness to outsiders, we reflect the character of God.

This morning, I’d like to talk about hospitality. Now, I realize that, being the Fourth of July weekend, you might have been expecting a sermon on a patriotic theme, something like "freedom", or "sacrifice", or "the faith of our founding fathers". So, to connect my topic with the holiday, I’ll ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Way, The Truth, And The Life Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jul 17, 2003

This is part 6 in a 7-part series I did on the "I Am" statements of Jesus in John.

June 22, 2003 John 14:1-7 “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” Intro I’ve got some good news and some bad news this morning. Let’s start with the good news! In The Gallup Guide: Reality Check for 21st Century Churches, author D. Michael Lindsay concludes, “Surveys record an unprecedented ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The True Vine Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jul 17, 2003

This is the final part of a series I did on the 7 "I Am" statements of Jesus in John.

June 29, 2003 John 15:1-8 “The True Vine” Intro I’m going to ask the ushers today to pass around some clusters of grapes. Would you be very careful to grip the clusters of grapes only by the branch, rather than by the individual grapes, and then simply pick off one grape for yourself and pass ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Available For Impossible Dreams Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2003

In observance of my 17th anniversary as pastor; to worship is to become available for God’s purposes, which mean being sent to unreceptive and impossible situations. Can we dream impossible dreams about our church’s building, properties, ministries with

If what you expect to receive and what someone wants to give you are not the same thing, you are doomed to disappointment. If you want a particular thing, but the person you are dealing with is determined that you shall have something else, it is going to be tough. The other day ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Pay Up Or Pack Up Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jul 27, 2003

Parables of Eternal Life, Part 7 of 9

PAY UP OR PACK UP (MATTHEW 21:33-44) US News and World Report (3/31/97) polled 1,000 people several years ago on who they thought were people “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to go to heaven. The person most likely to go to heaven was none other than Mother Teresa, who garnered 79 percent of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:32-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Loving People And Using Things Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jul 29, 2003

Jesus: Friend of Sinners, Part 7 of 7.

LOVING PEOPLE AND USING THINGS (LUKE 19:1-10) One of the greatest novels written, as well as my favorite Broadway musical, is “Les Miserables,” the story of Jean Valjean’s transformation from an uncaring and unfeeling man into a kind, noble, generous, sacrificial and selfless man later in life. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Worship:what A Way To Live!

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Aug 1, 2003

Worship is the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional response to who God is and what God does. God is the focus of worship.

Worship: What A Way To Live! Acts 17:16 – 23 Introduction Last week we looked at Discipleship. It was defined as the lifelong process of learning and following Jesus, going where He would go, doing what He would do, and saying what He would say. How did you do this past week? Where did you go ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational