Sermons on Self Preservation:

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

Freedom On God's Terms Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 26, 2015

When Moses met God at the burning bush he learned that Israel's freedom was to come on God's terms... not his, nor anyone elses. What were those terms and what do those terms tell us about our Freedom in Christ?

In March 2013 - in Texarkana, Texas - a woman and her son were cleaning up their yard when they came across a black snake. Now, I don’t know if the snake was poisonous… but I do know it frightened them. In their panic they doused the snake with gasoline and then they set it on ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's Your Story? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 20, 2014

What does it mean to "seek first God's Kingdom"? What does it mean to "seek first God's righteousness?" How do we know when we've done that, and how willing are we to embrace those priorities in our lives?

OPEN: We showed the following youtube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93LY5O7E5bU (An interview with Jase & Missy Robertson of Duck Dynasty where they described what their home life is like) What you just witnessed was an interview with Jase and Missy Robertson (of Duck Dynasty) on K-Love ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34, Matthew 6:34-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power That Empowers Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 6, 2021

Jesus said the Spirit would convict the world of Sin, Righteousness, and the Coming Judgment. What does that mean, and what difference can it make to us?

OPEN: A woman was taking her mother for a drive, and whenever she went over the speed limit… her mother would give her a hard time. Well. she dismissed her mother’s advice; but it wasn’t long before a State Trooper pulled her over and gave her a ticket. As the policeman was walking away, the woman ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lot – Part 6 – A Lot Of Trouble For God – For Abraham – And For Himself – Genesis 19 Lot’s Reprobate And Fallen Corrupt Nature - Incest Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 14, 2022

One of the most difficult passages in the bible - Lot and his daughters commit incest, and Lot is drunk. All horrible sensuality on display. Then I look at why the New Testament calls Lot righteous, which thing I can not see, but the opposite I do see.

LOT – PART 6 – A LOT OF TROUBLE FOR GOD – FOR ABRAHAM – AND FOR HIMSELF – GENESIS 19 LOT’S REPROBATE AND FALLEN CORRUPT NATURE - INCEST THE INCESTUOUS ACCOUNT – GENESIS 19 VERSES 30 - 38 This is the last message in the series on Lot. In a number of ways doing the life of Lot is instructive, but ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:30, Genesis 19:31-33, Genesis 19:34-35, Genesis 19:36-38, 2 Peter 2:14-16, Jude 1:11, 2 Peter 2:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Kiss Of A Prostitute Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 24, 2013

When would the kiss of a prostitute EVER be acceptable? When it honored the man who forgave her sins.

Alan Calhoun of Bristol, Connecticut told of a tag sale (garage sale) he and wife had several years ago. They had decided to put out a mirror they’d received as a wedding gift. The reason they were selling it was that it had a gaudy aqua-colored metal frame and they just couldn’t find a room in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 23, 2015

Almost everybody can quote Jesus' statement: "Judge not". But are they quoting Him properly? Is there something in His words that say more than most people think?

OPEN: Little Tommy was out on the playground during recess and was picking on the other children on the playground. One of his favorite ways of taunting the other kids was make ugly faces at them. Mrs. Smith was the teacher in charge of supervising recess and she saw Tommy doing this. She took ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 13, 2015

Jeremiah declared that Jesus would be a King, a righteous branch, and our righteousness. What do those titles mean to us and what is it about Jesus that would give us comfort and joy?

OPEN: http://www.sermoncentral.com/church-media-preaching-sermons/sermon-video-illustrations/light-of-christmas-worship-intro-5079-detail.asp What was the name of that song in the video? “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. Did you notice the power the video gave to that song? That ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Matter Of Life And Death Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 3, 2015

Cage fighting is a particularly gruesome way of fighting, and yet Paul used the fighting of his day (more brutal than MMA) to describe Timothy's responsibilities. What could we possibly learn from MMA that could make us better servants of Christ?

How many of you know the meaning of these letters used to describe a sporting event: MMA? (Mix Martial Arts). It’s kind of like boxing where the contestants not only hit each other with their fists, but also with their feet and knees and elbows. It’s also called “Cage ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:3-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Perfect Christmas - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 11, 2021

Isaiah 7 predicts how the Messiah is to be born. Isaiah 9 predicts how the Messiah will bless. Isaiah 11 predicts how the Messiah will rule.

One of America's favorite holiday songs this time of year is the classic, I'll Be Home for Christmas. The song was originally written during WW II to honor soldiers who longed to be home for the holidays. It's been sung by the likes of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Kelly Clarkson, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Change In Religion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 12, 2020

What did Jesus mean when He told Nicodemus "You must be born again"? And what does His comment about being "born of the water and the Spirit" mean to us today?

OPEN: A man was obviously lost. He saw a little boy was standing by the side of a road and a and pulled up beside him. “Sonny,” he said, “do you know how to get to town?” The kid said, “No sir, I don’t.” Then the man said, “Well do you know the way to route 20?” The little boy said, “No.” And the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Justified Through The Faith Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 11, 2025

To establish that when it pleased God, He called the Galatians, Paul, and us by His grace; to reveal His Son (Christ) to us, and in us; that we might preach and teach Him among the nations: that all might be justified through the faith in Christ Jesus.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Who Called Galatia By His Grace 2. Who Called Paul By His Grace 3. Who Called Us By His Grace Introductory Remarks. 1. Today's lesson will discuss “Justified through the faith.” Paul wrote: “God, who hath called the Galatians, him, and us by His grace.” He continued: ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-24, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11-12, Galatians 3:26-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Missionary Mandate To Love One Another!

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 9, 2005

God used Peter to write these words to a church under pressure, persecuted by the local community. Whatever our circumstances, Jesus has issued us with a missionary mandate to love one another deeply ...

This piece of scripture was written by the apostle Peter to a church which was under pressure. Opposition from the local community was high. Violence and persecution towards the church was quite normal. It is a long way from my experience, but the call of God for the church to be Good News is as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Anglican

A Teacher's Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 21, 2015

How does the gift of teaching help the church? And does that mean that if we don't have this gift that we don't have to teach?

Little Johnny wasn't getting good marks in school. One day he came up to the teacher’s desk and looked like he wanted to say something. “Yes Johnny” the teacher said. “Is there something you want?” Very quietly he said, "I don't want to scare you, but my daddy says ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Won't You Be My Friend Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 9, 2018

God said it was not good for the man to be alone, and yet too many people are more isolated than ever. Using a clip from the popular TV series "This is Us" we address the question of "How can we witness to others?"

OPEN: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn9aSZ7uPXI – video clip from “This Is Us” of conversation between Katie and a woman she’s helped. See Footnote) APPLY: That clip came from a scene in a popular TV series called “THIS IS US”. Katie (one of the main characters in the show) is helping a girl ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ