Sermons on Self Gratification:

Lent 1: Temptation Is A Good Thing

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Mar 8, 2019

A sermon on growing through temptations and not repressing them. The sermon centers around the temptation of Jesus.

Title: Temptation Is A Good Thing The Rev. Rian Adams Spiritual growth happens in the desert. That’s spiritual and literal for me! Every year Lent begins with Jesus in the desert as he prepared for his ministry. Throughout the scriptures, deserts are places of purification. I lived in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal

Saved A Wretch Like Me Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 21, 2020

People struggle with being called "wretches" (like Amazing Grace has labeled us). The question is - are we "wretches", and if we are - why is that important to know?

I love to sing so I’m going to ask you sing a couple old hymns with me: “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME. I once was lost, but now I’m found. Was blind, but now I see. “At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have You Any Room Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 1, 2019

There was no room to be found for Mary and Joseph to stay in Bethlehem? Seriously? You'd think someone would have taken pity on a VERY pregnant woman that day, but no one did. Why not?

Several years ago, a church held a Christmas pageant with a group of 4 year-olds. Everything went along pretty well until Mary and Joseph “arrived” at the inn. The 4 year-old Joseph asked: “Do you have any room for us?”. “No,” replied the innkeeper, “the inn is full.” “But it’s so cold outside, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding A Way For Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 21, 2014

Jesus said we should seek first the Kingdom of God. What is that Kingdom and how do I go about making it a priority in my life?

OPEN: Back in 1999 Eddie Stankey died at the age of 83. Now you might ask – who is Eddie Stankey? (I'm glad you asked). According to Time magazine - Eddie Stankey “was a pugnacious, pennant-winning 2nd baseman.” He battled his way through 11 seasons for the champion Brooklyn ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-27, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 6:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Make A Choice Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 4, 2021

Christianity is about making a choice. Do I choose to do things God's way, or mine? Do I choose to follow His wishes, or the wishes of others who disagree with Him? The Bible repeatedly tells us: "Make a choice."

There is the story of the “good old boy” who came down out of the mountains one day. He was all dressed up and carrying his Bible. A friend saw him and asked, “Elias, what’s going on? Where are you going all dressed up like that?” Elias said, “I’ve been hearing about New Orleans. I hear that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Did God Make Hell? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2021

Why did God make hell? And why would He want to send me there?

OPEN: A detective was investigating a burglary at a church building. He questioned one suspect - who he was pretty sure committed the crime – but he couldn’t prove it. Finally, the preacher of the church stepped up and asked if he could talk to the suspect alone. Within minutes, the preacher came ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prime Number

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 7, 2023

On Friend Day we looked at many of the numbers that are important to God. But there is ONE number that I believe is more important than all the others. Do you know what that number is, and why it is a "prime" number for Him?

Today is May 7th, 2023 – or 5-7-23. Those are all PRIME numbers, which means you can’t divide them by 2, 3, 4, or anything else. Primes are numbers that can only be divided by themselves and 1. Now, I’ve never given much thought to “prime” numbers, but there is an entire discipline of mathematics ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Husbands, Love Your Wives Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Oct 27, 2021

Husband, if you’ll love the wife you have, you’ll may very well get the wife you want. It may take years of love and sacrifice to get there, but your sacrifice but will lead to your reward.

Open your Bibles to Ephesians 5:25-27 with me. We continue our year-long study of Ephesians and our recent series on marriage. Someone recently asked a wife why she chose to marry an obnoxious man. She quickly surveyed the available men and said, “Supply chain issues.” I am not claiming to be an ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

It's Time To Get Up Off Your Knees

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 13, 2002

Peter and Paul admonish new Christians as new born babies to get up off their knees and grow.

“It’s Time to Get Off Your Knees” -Disciples are Christians on the Grow- I Peter 2:2-3 I Corinthians 3:1-9 The Apostles Peter and Paul give persuasive advice on Christian growth and maturity. Peter describes the process of spirituality in I Peter 2:2-3. Just as a newborn baby has an unending ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

The True Meaning Of A Lenten Sacrifice

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Mar 9, 2019

Most people attempt to give something up for Lent. But is what we give up for Lent beneficial to us or to God?

This past Wednesday, the collective whole of the Christendom observed Ash Wednesday. A day in the church year when we are reminded of our mortality, but more importantly, reminded of our reliance on God, both for life in this world and for life in the next. This day is the mark of the beginning of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17, Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21, Joel 2:1-2, Joel 2:12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

The Need To Be Freed From Sin Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 3, 2016

Jesus came to free us from our sins. But then, why do so many not sense the need to to be freed from those chains? To them it seems that the phrase "freed from sin" is mere Christianese. But is it?

OPEN: How many of you have ever heard of a movie/play entitled “The King and I”? The movie version starred Yul Brynner and Debra Kerr, and has been popular for decades. But many people don’t realize the movie and play were based on a true story of a widowed Englishwoman named Anna ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Am The Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Feb 7, 2021

In 2021 bread is seen as simply a side and not a staple, what did it mean when Jesus said, I am the Bread of Life.

When I was a child, our family lived in Germany and the bread was dark and coarse. When we moved home to Canada my image of bread became my Grandmother’s home-made bread enjoyed warm with homemade strawberry jam and a slice of old cheddar cheese. During my teen years, bread was used as a figure ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Law Of The Harvest

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Mar 20, 2006

You reap what you sow.

The Law of the Harvest Gal. 6:7-9 Intro: The Power of One Decision Quote: A lifetime of good decision can be destroyed by one poor decision. Idea: We all know this to be true… Idea: Law of Gravity – if you try to defy it, it will hurt you – the Law of the Harvest (Sowing & Reaping) is just as ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Avoiding The Ugly American Syndrome Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 2, 2014

Too often Christian have suffered from this syndrome. They've been rough, rude, disrespectful of others. How can we avoid that

OPEN: Back in 1963 there was a movie starring Marlon Brando called “The Ugly American”. It was a fictional story, but it dealt with the very real perception of Americans overseas. We were seen by many as “Ugly Americans”. As I researched this sermon I read more than one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gluttony Series

Contributed by John Morris on Mar 5, 2008

Excess is our problem.

A familiar scene for us in scripture came early in Jesus’ ministry when a teacher of the law came to talk with Jesus by night. No one would see. And in that conversation Jesus said this to teacher, this man, you must be born again. There is to be a renewal, a change in each of us. I saw a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ