Sermons on Shepherding:

Short Takes In Scripture

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 17, 2008

Our text gives us six short takes in scripture. 1- Be joyful 2- Pray continually 3- Give thanks 4- Build fire 5- Test everything

INTRO.- Short takes. What is this? I assume it’s the idea of taking a short look at some subject. It could be a short or brief look at politics. No, we don’t want to go there because it seems that there is nothing short when it comes to politics; not speeches, not conventions, not debates, etc. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

May God Make You Holy Through And Through

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 17, 2008

1- Holiness is desirable 2- Holiness is continual 3- Holiness is God-produced

INTRO.- Have you noticed that there are some things in life that are not very worthwhile even though some people feel that they must have them? It’s like cars and their accessories. ILL.- I saw an article on the internet entitled, "10 Most Worthless Car Features." Care to guess what they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Be Deceived

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 21, 2008

In our text, I see several thoughts about God, which the world distorts or tries to deceive us. 1- Good is from God - praise Him! 2- Truth is from God - praise Him! 3- Life is from God - praise Him!

INTRO.- Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. I believe that some people do want to deceive others for one reason or another. It could be for money, a vote or something else. ILL.- A politician was running for re-election and was talking at a campaign stop to his constituents. "My opponent has ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thanksgiving

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 21, 2008

I have three simple thoughts about thanksgiving. 1- We have it so good 2- We enjoy it so much 3- We express it so little

INTRO.- ILL.- One man wrote, “The day before Christmas became a thanksgiving day for my family. The station wagon was packed with kids and travel stuff for the 400-mile trip to Grandma’s. As is our custom, before leaving we asked God to protect us on the road. He did, but in an unusual way. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's So Important About The Church?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 10, 2008

1- The church is a serving body 2- The church is a fortified body 3- The church is a growing body

INTRO.- ILL.- A little girl became restless as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?" I’m sure that’s probably how some people feel about most preachers and the church. "All they ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

'tis The Season To Live, But For What?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 10, 2008

1- Tis the season to live for sin - not 2- Tis the season to live for self - not

INTRO.- ILL.- One man said: "Ever since we got married, my wife has tried to change me. She got me to stop drinking, smoking and running around until all hours of the night. She taught me how to dress well, enjoy the fine arts, gourmet cooking, classical music, even how to invest in the stock ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is Right, God Is Just Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 10, 2008

1- God’s judgment is right 2- God’s vengeance is just

INTRO.- ILL.- The divinity student talked to a boy on the street. The little boy was holding his Sunday School papers. The student said, "Did you go to Sunday School ?" "Yes," he replied. Thinking he would have some fun with the little boy, he said, "Tell me where God is, and I’ll give you an ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Pray In The Name Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 10, 2008

1- We pray for you constantly in His name 2- We pray for empowerment in His name

INTRO.- What’s in a name? ILL.- An Indian petitioned a judge of an Arizona court to give him a shorter name. “What is your name now?” asked the judge. “Chief Screeching Train Whistle,” said the Indian. “And to what do you wish to shorten it?” asked the judge. The Indian folded his arms ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tis The Season To Live And Give

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 15, 2008

1- Tis the season to live and give 2- Tis the season to reach and teach

INTRO.- ILL.- Someone described the seven ages of man in these ways: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills, wills. Spills - Infancy. Drills - Childhood. We get drilled about doing this and that. Thrills - Teen years perhaps. I’m not sure they are all that thrilling, however. Bills - Adult ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tis The Season To Get It Right

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 15, 2008

1- tis the season to get it right about righteousness 2- tis the season to get it right about getting right 3- tis the season to get it right about death

INTRO.- ILL.- One man said: Last year when I called my parents to wish them a happy New Year, my dad answered the phone. "Well, Dad, what’s your New Year’s resolution?" I asked him. "To make your mother as happy as I can all year," he answered proudly. Then mom got on, and I said, "What’s your ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14, Deuteronomy 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Some Of Life's Difficulties

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jul 24, 2008

Preaching the truth seems to always cause trouble because some people don’t want to listen to it or believe it. Paul experienced two difficulties in this text. 1- The difficulty of being misunderstood 2- The difficulty of being hassled

INTRO.- Job 14:1 "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble." Eccl. 2:22-23 "What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless." WHAT ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Was, I Did, I Will

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jul 24, 2008

In our text, Paul rehearses his background, conversion and future. 1- I was 2- I did 3- I will

INTRO.- I was, I did, I will. I’d call those: past, present and future. Everyone has these. ILL.- One man said to his friend: "Say, you look depressed. What are you thinking about?" "My future," was the quick answer. "What makes it look so hopeless?" "My past." What’s the application or moral ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Responsibilities In This World

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jul 24, 2008

In this text we see some responsibilities that we all have in this life. 1- Our duty to God 2- Our respect to man 3- Our witness to mankind

INTRO.- ILL.- Someone came up with some crazy ideas on how to make life more enjoyable. - Old telephone books make ideal personal address books. Simply cross out the names and addresses of people you don’t know. - Fool other drivers into thinking you have an expensive car phone by holding an ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Difficulty In Witnessing

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jul 28, 2008

From this text, let’s consider how one man and his wife responded to the gospel and how this relates to people today. 1- Some are acquainted with the gospel 2- Some are willing to listen 3- Some are repelled when convicted

INTRO.- What’s the most difficult physical thing you ever did in life? Ride an unbroken horse? Climb an enormous mountain? Run a marathon? Fight a bull? Or run with the bulls as they did on Monday, July 7th, in Spain when 13 people were injured? ILL.- The Spanish Red Cross said 13 people were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:22-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Thank God For You

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 1, 2008

Paul thanked God for his brothers and sisters in Thessalonica. 1- He was thankful for their work of faith 2- He was thankful for their labor of love 3- He was thankful for their endurance of hope

INTRO.- ILL.- Bill, Jim and Scott were at a convention together and were sharing a large suite on the top of a 75-story skyscraper. After a long day of meetings, they were shocked to hear that the elevators in their hotel were broken and they would have to climb 75 flights of stairs to get to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ