Sermons on Self Transformation:

When Jesus Comes: No Grasp Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 13, 2010

We live in a status-seeking world. But when Jesus comes as a tiny infant in a humble set of circumstances, He shows us that the way to live is one of obedience and giving up control.

This afternoon, if all goes as we would like – all of us, that is, with the possible exception of a few traitors and a few folks who for some strange reason do not care about pigskin prowess – this afternoon, if all goes as we would like, our beloved Redskins will do battle with the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Focus Of A True Faith

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Oct 4, 2009

The focus of a true faith is centered in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

THE FOCUS OF A TRUE FAITH—Colossians 2:16-23 Proposition: The focus of a true faith is centered in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Objective: My purpose is to challenge God’s people to put all their focus on Jesus Christ and to turn aside to other false teachings. INTRODUCTION: Here’s a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Can I Get A Lift?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 6, 2009

August 1989: If we want to be lifted up out of our unhappiness through worship, we must bring our whole selves to the worship experience and must pray passionately even our negative wishes.

I recently became aware that some folks shop for a church much as you would shop for a car or a home appliance. In talking with some people about joining our church, they said that they were shopping – that’s their word, not mine -- that they were shopping for a church by systematically attending ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 28:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Too Busy Not To Pray

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 13, 2009

When we think we are too busy to pray, we are succumbing to the issue of control: either we suppose we can manage everything or we want to abdicate. Prayer is the way to find priorities and strength.

Let me throw some numbers at you. Imagine that you were in charge of an operation that involves, on the average, some ten thousand people a week, almost all of whom come together at one time. Of these ten thousand or so, not all will get there every time, but sometimes many more than that will show ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction - God's Heart For You Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Sep 16, 2009

Understanding God’s heart for the world has begin by understanding what God thinks about each of us and how he asks us to live.

I am really excited this year about our theme which is “God’s Heart for the World.” Most everyone knows John 3:16 in that it says, “For God loved the…world…so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that…everyone…who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” As much as so many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gaining Control Of My Temper

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Apr 25, 2014

HOW TO LET THE LORD HELP US CONTROL OUR TEMPER

GAINING CONTROL OF MY TEMPER + The average man loses his temper 3 times a week ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:32

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fig Trees And Phonies

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Apr 27, 2014

Is there more than merely an appearance of Christianity about us? Is there real substance to our lives as believers? Is there real fruitfulness for Jesus Christ?

Fig Trees And Phonies Mark 11:11-26 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. 12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing at a distance a fig ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:11-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Fruitfulness (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 24, 2020

This fruit is the product of the Spirit’s work inside of us and not an outcome of trying, straining, groaning, or behavior modification on our part.

Dance Lessons: The Fruit of the Spirit (Part 3) Galatians 5:22-26 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 6-07-2020 SHHHHHHH! In the backyard at our house in Pontiac used to be an apple tree. All the neighbors hated it. It was bad enough during the day, but at night several ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus On Trial

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Mar 25, 2021

Jesus stepped into a maelstrom and was brought before a court that was losing some of its power and was uncertain about its future given Rome’s growing power and the increasing fear and rising tension amongst the Jewish people.

I love the Gospel of Mark … well, I love all the gospels … but Mark reminds me of Joe Friday from the 1950s TV series “Dragnet.” Some of us older folks remember Sargent Friday’s famous signature line: “Just the facts.” Mark’s gospel is terse and to the point. He gives us “just the facts” and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:53-65

Denomination: United Methodist

Our Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 17, 2020

Why do evil people seem to prosper, while good people suffer? Is there any justice? Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil. Let’s discuss carrying our cross in Matthew 16:21-28.

Why do evil people seem to prosper, while good people suffer? Is there any justice? Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil. Let’s discuss carrying our cross in Matthew 16:21-28. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

What Else Do You Need To Shed? Series

Contributed by Alis Cerrahyan on Jun 27, 2019

Holding on to our comfort zone can have serious consequences; especially if it's hindering our works within the body of Christ. Either we're in or we're not. There are no half-officers in the army of God.

Many different types of people walk through the gates into boot camp. Rich and poor; fat and skinny; bully and timid; smart and stupid; agile and clumsy; capable and ignorant. The first task that the military has to accomplish is to make them all "equal." That's called ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:62, James 4:17

Running On Empty

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 13, 2023

If we are all we have, we better hang onto it. But those who are full of God can’t wait to give it away.

Show me the alley, show me the train, Show me the homeless man who sleeps out in the rain... And I’ll show you a young man with so many reasons why, There but for fortune go you or I, you or I. Show me the whiskey stains on the floor, Show me the drunkard as he stumbles out the door... And I’ll ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Spirit Of Fear

Contributed by Brian Harrell on Nov 29, 2021

Let's talk about one of the most commonly shared emotions: fear. Fear will cause us to be beaten down, defeated, have drooping shoulders, shuffling feet, unsmiling, critical, distrusting kind of people. How do you know if you are living with the toxin of fear?

This morning I want to talk about one of the most commonly shared emotions in this building today. It is fear. If there's anything that I think that this pandemic has created and spread more than the disease itself, it is fear. Life is scary. The world is scary Fear will cause us to be beaten ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:9-10

Denomination: Church Of God

Reality Distortion Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 3, 2022

This sermon focuses on our limited view of reality and how Paul distorts that reality by exploring the resurrection reality that has been made possible through Jesus Christ.

How many of you happened to be here a few weeks ago when I showed the State Farm commercial as the opening illustration? The point was to show how easily it is to misunderstand a conversation, especially if you are only hearing one side of it. This week, when I was working on my sermon, I was ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Give It All To Jesus

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Apr 25, 2021

She knew her abilities were useless! She laid down everything, all the leftovers of the things she had accomplished in life and only held on to one thing, HER FAITH!

Give it all to Jesus Isa. 40:31 NKJ But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. But teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait! When I read this verse the way I take it is, that it ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31, Mark 6:35, Matthew 15:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational