Sermons on Seriousness:

How Hardships Work For Good

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 25, 2013

Acts 5 gives us two cases where the church faced hardship. One was internal and the other was external. Both were used by God for the good of the church. How can that happen for us today?

(Read Acts 5 with slides) What does it take to ruin a church? What does it take to stop God? Acts 5 gives us two stories about threats to the church, one from the inside and the other from the outside. First. The threat from the inside produced two deaths and great fear upon the whole ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Confronting Sin: A Passion For Being Changed

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 27, 2021

A question on many minds is a simple one: Why do Christians look just like the world? Where is this transformation they talk about? As Protestant Christians we know a lot about grace through faith alone.

“Tens of thousands, perhaps millions, have come into some kind of religious experience by accepting Christ and they have not been saved.”-A.W. Tozer A question on many minds is a simple one: Why do Christians look just like the world? Where is this transformation they talk about? As Protestant ...read more

Scripture: James 4:4-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Follow The Leader To His Trial Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 30, 2021

There were two trials the night Jesus was arrested. One was illegal but formal. The other trial was in the court of public opinion. Peter didn't do so well in his trial.

You can hear the audio of the sermon at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/8241541 ? During the pastorate of Henry Ward Beecher in Indianapolis he preached a series of sermons upon drunkenness and gambling, incidentally scoring the men of the community who profited by these sins. During the ensuing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:33-34, Matthew 26:58, John 18:19, Mark 14:69, Luke 22:61-62  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Good Trouble Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 2, 2022

If we're going to get in trouble, let it be "good trouble, necessary trouble."

In 2014, ISIS began to retake territory around Mosul, Iraq. Militant began singling out Christians by marking the Arabic letter “n” [IMAGE] on homes and businesses. It stands for Nazrani or, Nazarene, the arabic word for “Christian.” A not-so-subtle to convert or be killed. History is filled with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-10, Acts 8:1-3, John 15:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding Freedom From Your Past Sins Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Feb 13, 2023

Based on Psalm 51 - Encouragers hearers to confess & forsake their past sins.

“FINDING FREEDOM FROM YOUR PAST SINS” Psalm 51 FBCF – 2/12/23 Jon Daniels INTRO – Freedom is a word that we hold near & dear to our hearts. Many times, the word brings up patriotic feelings of love for our country & gratitude for the men & women who have fought to preserve our freedom ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1, John 8:32, John 8:36, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Psalm 118:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Master's Guide To Greatness

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Sep 9, 2021

Greatness in the kingdom of God is found in serving. Everyone can be great!

THE MASTER’S GUIDE TO GREATNESS—Mark 9:30-37 Admit it: We all want to be great. (And why not?) We want to be successful—competent, effective, recognized for what we do. We want to be influential, so that people listen to us and take us seriously. We want be liked, valued, and loved. Some of us ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Crystal City, Privacy And Sin

Contributed by Dove Inspirations on Jun 14, 2021

Nothing is hidden before The LORD

A few days ago, my pastor was talking with a few of us and he mentioned that the walls in heaven are transparent and crystal clear. Upon further deliberation, it occurred to me that in other words, in heaven and in GOD’s vocabulary and in HIS environment, there are no secrets and there is no ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-26

A Word Concerning Divorce (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Nov 3, 2021

What does the Bible have to say about divorce? Are there circumstances in which divorce is permissible? What counsel does Scripture give Christians regarding divorce? The answer to these questions are in the Bible.

A Word Concerning Divorce (Part 2) Matthew 5: 31-32 Today, I would like to finish up our study of the portion of the Sermon on the Mount where our Lord dealt with divorce. As I mentioned last time, it is not my intention to single out or condemn any who have faced divorce. I am aware of the pain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Not Mocked

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Dec 4, 2023

The Lord is serious about sin, judgment. The Lord is gracious with forgiveness, mercy.

“GOD IS NOT MOCKED” (Outline) August 6, 2023 – Pentecost 10 – EXODUS 32:7-14 INTRO.: There are various opinions about God. Is he a grandfather? One who sits in his rocking chair looking down on his children with only kindness and love. Or is God an angry judge? One who seeks only to carry out ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Cheer Up! On Your Feet! He’s Calling You

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 21, 2024

Bartimaeus was physically blind. Are we spiritually blind?

Cheer Up! On Your Feet! He’s Calling You Mark 10:46-52 In our Gospel Lesson for this morning, Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd are on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus will be arrested, mocked and put to death. The disciples and the crowd have no idea that this is what they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: United Methodist

Salvation - In Three Tenses

Contributed by Pastor Renji George on Jun 16, 2024

Salvation is to be experienced by us in three tenses- past, present and future. We have been saved from the penalty of sin. Now we must be saved from the power of sin. Then finally, we will be saved from the very presence of sin.

It is a good saying that half-truth is even more dangerous than a lie. A lie we can detect at some point of time in the future. But if we believe a half truth, there is a possibility that we would never come to the full truth. Gospel is the gospel of God. It doesn’t need any human touch on it. It ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Acts 4:12, John 3:16-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Denying Yourself

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 24, 2024

Revival revolves around this very notion and directly balances on the denial of ourselves and the cross we carry. Are we ready to take it on? Are we ready to carry our cross?

Illustration: Passion Season - Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. What is He denying himself? Jesus is in the garden of gethsemane. What is He denying himself? What cup does He choose? Jesus is put on the cross. What is He denying himself? The path is different because it is the path of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patience In Times Of Waiting PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 15, 2023

This sermon explores Simeon's unwavering faith in God's promise, encouraging believers to hold onto God's promises with expectancy and live out their faith actively.

Good morning, beloved family of God. I trust you are all in good spirits and eager to partake in this nourishing feast of the Word of God. Today, we are going to focus our hearts and minds on a passage from the gospel of Luke, a passage that is both profound and enlightening. It is my hope and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Topics: Christmas

Appealing Spirituality

Contributed by Paulson Pulikottil on May 4, 2005

Our spirituality should attract others to Christ. Sometimes Christians live their lives in such a way that makes non-Christians would avoid going near a church.

An Appealing Spirituality 1. Introduction One can appeal or repel. The secret of a magnetic spirituality. 2. The Dangers of a Repelling Spirituality Isa. 56.3: The Church is meant to be a culture solution. A place where people can find nourishment and grow. But what happens in the Church most often ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rituals

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 19, 2004

A religious person usually feels that he has a special standing before God, not only because of his intellectual assent to certain beliefs, but also because he keeps the ordinances, the rites, and the rituals of that religion. Paul shows in this passage t

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: A railroad yardmaster called the telephone daily at exactly 11:45 to verify the time. After years of this ritual, the operator asked the yardmaster, "Why do you call each day at exactly the same time?" His reply, "I take my responsibilities very seriously, I call to be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:25-29

Denomination: Baptist