Sermons on Shallow Conversion:

Counting The Cost Of Discipleship Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Mar 4, 2002

Jesus told these stories in Luke’s Gospel to teach us to count what it would cost us to fully follow Jesus and what it would cost us if we choose a different path.

INTRODUCTION Sermonic Theme Opening Statement: I came across a story this week that all the farmers will appreciate, especially Marvin Abplanalp. A hen and a pig approached a church and read the advertised sermon topic: “What can we do to help the poor?” Immediately the hen suggested they feed ...read more

"The Knowledge Of God" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 22, 2002

If the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to pray this for the Ephesians, then shouldn’t we be praying it for one another? (#10 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)

“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-17, Ephesians 1:17-19, Ephesians 1:19

Denomination: Orthodox

Survivor 2: How To Find A Tribe That Won't Vote You Out Series

Contributed by Geoff Baggett on Sep 21, 2002

This is the second message in my SURVIVOR series, focusing upon the way every church ought to be (09-22-2002).

Opening Illustration There was a church in a small town in Tennessee that had a most interesting name. The sign in front of it said “Left Foot Baptist Church.” There was a young man who passed by the building several times, and he always got a good chuckle from the name. Finally, one day when ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

True Discipleship

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 29, 2002

True discipleship requires us to: 1. Be intentional. 2. Be Passionate. 3. Desire to be used by God.

James Armour, my friend from England who preached here several months ago recently wrote me about a problem. One of his closest friends in the church was also the one who handled the church’s money. He was a trusted friend. They had vacationed together as families. But he embezzled the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Appearances Are Deceiving Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 24, 2000

A quest for truth often begins with disillusionment, but is easily diverted to something that appears good on the surface; but when you find God's truth, even if it is in a strange place, embrace it quickly and fully.

The LORD does not see as [men] see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. Ridgecrest is a large Baptist-run assembly ground, nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. All summer long, every year, thousands of Christians come to Ridgecrest for training, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Great Jail Breaks - Part Ii

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 7, 2000

We’re set free to serve.

The year was approximately A.D. 52. Paul was on his second missionary journey and the Holy Spirit had called him and those traveling with him to Macedonea; located just East of Italy and North of the Mediterranean. Their travels took them to Philippi, a Roman colony and one of the leading cities ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-30

Denomination: Orthodox

The Lord Of Today

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 8, 2000

There is nothing in your past...or future...so heinous, that God cannot forgive a repentant heart.

“It’s not what’s happening today that drags a man down. It’s remorse over what happened yesterday, and dread of tomorrow.” - man to bartender on Perry Mason episode. Think about that statement for a moment. There is really a lot of truth in it, you know. Man is basically a fighter. A ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34, Luke 22:54-62

Denomination: Orthodox

The True Vine Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jul 17, 2003

This is the final part of a series I did on the 7 "I Am" statements of Jesus in John.

June 29, 2003 John 15:1-8 “The True Vine” Intro I’m going to ask the ushers today to pass around some clusters of grapes. Would you be very careful to grip the clusters of grapes only by the branch, rather than by the individual grapes, and then simply pick off one grape for yourself and pass ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"Satan The Opportunist" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 22, 2003

Satan specializes in crimes of opportunity. We’re supposed to deprive him of opportunities! (#20 in the Unfathomable Love of Christ series)

“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. The more than a century of feuding between the McCoys of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-27

Denomination: Orthodox

The Harvest Time Is Here

Contributed by James May on Nov 16, 2003

This sermon uses the harvesting of Sugar Cane in South Louisiana as a comparison to the harvest of souls that is coming upon the earth in these last days.

HARVEST TIME IS HERE! Matthew 24:32-34, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:32-34, Matthew 3:11-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Worship Who? Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Nov 17, 2003

A look at the first commandment and why it is pivotal to the other nine.

Do Not Worship Any God Except Me. I was probably 7 when I first heard about them, the next time they came to my attention, I was 15. The first time was in a religious ed class in grade 2, it was at the Canadian Armed Forces School in Soest, Germany. The next time was in grade 10 history. I’m ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:22-29

Denomination: Wesleyan

Leave It! Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Nov 27, 2003

This message looks at Achan’s sin and examines the costs of our sins

Joshua 6:12-19 Leave it! So far it had been a cakewalk. After wandering in the desert for forty years the people of Israel have finally been allowed to enter into the Promised Land and their entrance has been accompanied by miracle after miracle. And I don’t mean little piddling little miracles; ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-5

Denomination: Wesleyan

Praying At Midnight

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jun 10, 2003

We must pray as those who are desperate for bread.

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to call someone for help in the middle of the night, at a time when you knew they would be fast asleep in bed? Perhaps a medical emergency of some kind – your wife is going into labor, or your husband is having chest pains and you need to drive ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

I Believe In Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 6, 2003

I believe in Jesus Christ because: 1. He makes life work. 2. He is the only way. 3. I have experienced him. 4. He is Lord.

It was a beautiful summer evening in Shadyside, Ohio, where I had taken the youth group down to the Ohio River for our meeting. It was an interesting time, not only because we had fun talking and eating by the fire, but also because we had unexpected visitors. From across the river, at ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

The Joy Of Suffering Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on May 5, 2002

Part 1 of a 3 part series on suffering.

The Joy of Suffering I preceded this series by examining the false view that God guarantees us health, wealth and a carefree lifestyle. This was absolutely necessary for a number of obvious reasons. We are to uphold truth. The belief that our inheritance is in this life distorts the scriptures, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19, James 5:10-11

Denomination: Baptist