Sermons on Setting Out:

Taking Spiritual Inventory

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Sep 21, 2007

New years challenge to challenge believers to look at life through an eternal lens. It also has a "spiritual inventory" checklist to hand out.

Taking Spiritual Inventory Text: Psalms 90:1-17 Introduction: 1. We are told in the word to number our days… that wisdom may come Heb. #4487, maw•naw v. to number off, count, reckon In other words, to stand before the hourglass of time 2. I have numbered my days. I am 45 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-17

Denomination: Mennonite

Barabbas

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 25, 2002

Presenting several ways in which Barabbas typifies every unbeliever. Compares how Christ died rather than Barabbas who was set free and how Christ died in our place to secure our salvation (freedom from sin’s penalty).

BARABBAS "And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion." Mark 15:7. The name "Barabbas" means "son of a father", that is to say "a natural man". We are offspring of our father Adam by the flesh and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:7

Denomination: Baptist

Balancing The Books Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jul 20, 2011

No matter how hard we try, we cannot seem to balance out the scales of good and evil in our lives. We need help.

“Between the Lines: Balancing the Books” Romans 3:21-31 It never fails. I get the checkbook balanced and then it doesn’t agree with my computer budget program. Or I get the computer totals balanced and it doesn’t agree with the bank statement or my checkbook. It is so ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Making People Thirsty Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 13, 2013

Jesus made people thirsty for the Father, and our lives should make people thirsty. (hand out notes included at the end).

Intentional Christianity: Make People Thirsty John 7:37-38 Ill. When we started the Children’s ministry at Desdemona, we noticed that the children did not drink much water. One week, I used an illustration of water, and drank from a bottle of water several times. I would randomly say during ...read more

Scripture: John 3:37-38

Denomination: Baptist

You Are Accepted In God's Family!

Contributed by C Jordan on Nov 4, 2006

When I was 12 years old, I tried out for a little league baseball team, but because of my deficient athletic ability, I was cut from the team. However, the second year I tried out for the team, I made a position on the team! What made the difference?

YOU ARE ACCEPTED IN GOD’S FAMILY! When I was 12 years old, I tried out for a little league baseball team, but because of my deficient athletic ability, I was cut from the team during tryouts. However, the second year I tried out for the team, I made a position on the team! What was the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-6

Denomination: *other

Jesus In Love Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 18, 2002

Jesus, in dealing with sexual sin, did NOT make an object out of the woman involved, nor did He feel it necessary to do anything but give her space to work out her own spiritual issues. He DID determine that His aim was redemption, not shame, and He love

All these years of preaching and teaching, and no one has ever asked me why Jesus didn’t have a wife or a girl friend. No one has even so much as wondered out loud whether Jesus the man felt what most men feel. Are you afraid of that question? Or do you just suppose that, after all, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Church's Foundation

Contributed by David Marks on Oct 3, 2007

The origin of the word Church can be found in the Greek word ecclesia which means “those called out.” So the church is made up of those who have been called out of sin into righteousness (I Peter 2:9). The word Church can refer to individual congregation

What does God desire for the Church in the year 2005? In order for us to answer this question we need to look at what the Church is and how the Church was started. The origin of the word Church can be found in the Greek word ecclesia which means “those called out.” So the church is made up of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Stay In The Boat

Contributed by Russell Lackey on Aug 10, 2014

It has been said that "you will never walk on water if you do not get out of the boat." And yet, too often we fail to think about the next step. This sermon is meant to encourage those afraid to step out in faith as well as those who are sinking!

Many centuries ago, a man named Peter stood on the edge of a boat in the Sea of Galilee. Like all people who find themselves on an edge - whether physical or metaphorical - a decision had to be made. Peter’s choice was to either to step out onto the water or remain in the boat. Not an easy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Lutheran

False Friends Causes The Loss Of Joy

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 2, 2020

Have you ever tried to stop someone you loved from doing something really stupid? “like going out in public when they are supposed to “Shelter in”. A few days “sheltering in” is OK but weeks… I will have to suppress my urge to venture out and not be foolish

In Jesus Holy Name March 22, 2020 Text: Galatians Series Galatians 4: 15a Redeemer “False Friends Causes the Loss of Joy” May the grace and mercy or our risen Lord bring comfort to you in these days of “sheltering in”. Have you ever tried to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:15-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Powerful Prepositions

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on May 11, 2024

How things start out can often determine if they are victorious in the end. Our final outcomes are judged not in the light of today, but in the light of eternity. Romans 11:36 shows us a three-pronged test to get us started out right and to help us see it through to the end.

According to Merriam-Webster, a preposition at its most basic form shows direction. Romans 11:36 is packed full of three powerful prepositions. Not because the words themselves hold power, but because they are providing direction to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. It says, “For from him ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:36, James 1:17, 2 Peter 1:3

7 Woes On Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Why are we afraid to preach Matthew 23? Why does the Revised Common Lectionary leave it completely out? Are we afraid to let our churches know that we church leaders are weak, and fail, and also need to repent? Let's find out in Matthew 23.

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23. Hypocrisy Do we practice what we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Recapturing The Church's First Love

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Dec 10, 2008

The church has fallen out of love with Jesus and we must recapture that first love by falling in Love with Him all over again.

“Recapturing the Church’s First Love” By District Elder M.L. Maughmer, Jr. SCRIPTURES: Revelation 2:1-7 “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Apostolic

Harvest Festival Of Thanksgiving

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Dec 3, 2005

The Lord God is worthy of a harvest festival of thanksgiving. It has been pointed out by many that “Thanksgiving” is the offering of thanks and it is not complete until there is giving.

Turn Your Bibles to Psalm 100:1-5 Title: Harvest Festival of Thanksgiving Theme: Biblical Expressions of Thanksgiving to God Introduction: Psalm 100 is the grand finale of that cluster of psalms that begin in Psalm 94. The psalmist calls on all the Earth to come to God and shout for joy. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Outworking Of God's Inworking

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Sep 11, 2009

The Lord desires His people to live out what God has already worked within that life when that person trusted Christ.

THE OUTWORKING OF GOD’S INWORKING Philippians 2:12-18 Proposition: The Lord desires His people to live out what God has already worked within that life when that person trusted Christ. Objective: My purpose is to challenge God’s people to diligently work out what God has worked within in total ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Miracle At Midnight

Contributed by Dwayne Brown, Phd on Dec 31, 2005

Many of us have been seduced into believing that as long as our lives are being lived out within the will of God, everything is going to be alright.

I am convinced that the safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will. You will never find a place more secure than being in the center of God’s will for your life. At the same time, I am also convinced that the center of God’s will; though it is the safest place, it is not always the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-31

Denomination: Baptist