Sermons on short sermons:

Funeral Sermon

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Mar 2, 2001

A "generic" message based on Psalm 23 that easily accomodates a variety of situations. Pastors will find that adding personal notes about the deceased is easy to do. This sermon may be particularly helpful when conducting a funeral of someone the minister did not personally know.

Psalm 23 Funeral Meditation by the Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh Pittendreigh@aol.com For centuries the Twenty-third Psalm has been one of the most treasured passages in all of Holy Scripture. It is among the most familiar, so much so that even people who are not religious or very ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6, John 6:37-40, Psalm 6:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sermon On Deception

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 10, 2021

Wikipedia defines deception as “An act or statement which misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept or idea that is not true.

Christopher James Gilbert, an American philosopher, better known by his pseudonym Criss Jami once remarked: “Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 52:2, Mark 7:20-22, 2 Corinthians 11:3

Sermon On Lust

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 25, 2021

Lust probably stems right back to the original story of Adam and Eve

Anne Fortier, the Danish-Canadian writer once remarked: “There is lust and then there is love. They are related, but still very different things. To indulge in one requires little but honeyed speech and a change of clothes; to obtain the other, by contrast, a man must give up his rib. In return, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12, Proverbs 6:25, James 1:14-15

Sermon On Fear

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 8, 2022

Fear is defined as “An unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm.”

Judy Blume, an American writer, once remarked: "Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it." 2 Timothy 1:7 confirms: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:4, Proverbs 29:25, Psalm 56:3-4, Philippians 4:6

Sermon On Contrition

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 27, 2021

Contrition is defined as a state of feeling remorseful and penitent.

Washington Irving, an American short story writer, once remarked: "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:17, Isaiah 66:2, Proverbs 28:13

Sermon On Fulfillment

Contributed by William Meakin on May 18, 2023

Fulfillment is defined as the achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted. It may often result in a feeling of contentment.

Germany Kent, an American print and broadcast journalist, television personality and author once remarked: “Positive thinking is powerful thinking. If you want happiness, fulfillment, success and inner peace, start thinking you have the power to achieve those things. Focus on the bright side of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:22-23, Romans 13:8, Galatians 5:14, Ezekiel 12:28

A Sermon For Losers

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Aug 8, 2015

Are you feeling like a loser? Are you feeling in over your head? Maybe God has something to say to you in Psalm 130

Reading of the Word: Psalm 130 130 From the depths of my despair I call to you, LORD. 2 Hear my cry, O Lord; listen to my call for help! 3 If you kept a record of our sins, who could escape being condemned? 4 But you forgive us, so that we should stand in awe of you. 5 I wait eagerly for the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sermon On Emotions

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 29, 2021

Emotion is defined as a strong feeling deriving from one’s circumstances, mood or relationships with others.

Jeffrey Kent Eugenides, an American novelist and short-story writer once remarked: "Emotions, in my experience, aren't covered by single words. I don't believe in "sadness," "joy," or "regret." Maybe the best proof that the language is patriarchal is that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 12:15, 2 Timothy 1:7, Galatians 5:22-23

Sermon On Impatience

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 6, 2023

Impatience is defined as the tendency to be impatient or, more specifically, not to allow sufficient time for events to take their natural course.

James Keller, an American Catholic priest once remarked: “Three hundred years ago a prisoner condemned to the Tower of London carved on the wall of his cell this sentiment to keep up his spirits during his long imprisonment: 'It is not adversity that kills, but the impatience with which we bear ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:14, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:2-3, Romans 12:12

Sermon On Atonement

Contributed by William Meakin on May 8, 2021

Atonement is defined as: "The action of making amends for a wrong or injury."

James Esdras Faust, an American religious leader, lawyer, and politician once remarked: “Sometimes we carry unhappy feelings about past hurts too long. We spend too much energy dwelling on things that have passed and cannot be changed. We struggle to close the door and let go of the hurt. If, after ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 30:10, Leviticus 4:20, Hebrews 9:12

Sermon On Grief

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 21, 2023

Grief is defined as intense sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death.

Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, once remarked: “Grief is the price we pay for love.” These meaningful words were adapted from a passage written by Dr. Colin Murray Parkes, a psychiatrist based at St. Christopher’s Hospice in Orpington, London. Psalm 31:9-10 reminds us: “Be gracious to me, O ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4, John 14:2-6, John 16:16

Sermon On Repentance

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 15, 2022

Some people in life bitterly regret certain remarks or actions after the event.

Thomas Merton, an American Trappist monk, writer and theologian once remarked: “God does not demand that every man attain to what is theoretically highest and best. It is better to be a good street sweeper than a bad writer, better to be a good bartender than a bad doctor, and the repentant thief ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Acts 17:30, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 3:8

Life's Too Short To...go It Alone Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jun 3, 2005

Tenth and final in series, "Life’s Too Short To..." this message looks at the ekklesia - the living body of Christ in the world, and challenges the idea that Christianity can be legitmately lived apart from it.

Life’s Too Short To. . .Go It Alone Life’s Too Short To…10 of 10 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers June 5, 2005 Last week I talked to you about how life is too short to follow the crowd. Today I’m going to preach a message that could almost seem like the exact opposite – Life’s Too Short ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Baptism Sermon

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 11, 2016

A sermon for an outdoor baptism service in Toronto, Canada

Baptism Sermon - September 2016 There’s a story of a minister who like most ministers, conducted a lot of baptisms using the phrase, as we do, “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”. One weekend his family went to a friend’s home in the country. Their ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:22-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life's Too Short To...fear The Future Series

Contributed by David Flowers on May 17, 2005

Examines how a God-oriented perspective is the only solution to fear and anxiety.

Life’s Too Short To…Fear The Future Life’s Too Short To…, prt. 6 5/14/2005 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers Do you struggle with fear? Do you worry a lot? Do you have certain issues in life that are so frightening to you that you just have to try not think about them? Can it be so hard ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18

Denomination: Free Methodist