Sermons on Shortcuts:

Jealousy Follows Favor Series

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Feb 26, 2019

No matter what God has called you to be you’ll notice that jealousy inevitably follows after favor. It doesn’t just follow but it hunts and runs after it because others see something in you they either want, need or used to have.

For more information and other teachings, podcasts, videos, books and study guides visit https://conwaychristianresources.com No matter what God has called you to be it in ministry, business, government, education etc., you will notice that jealousy inevitably follows after favor. It doesn’t just ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:6-7, 1 Samuel 15:26-28, 1 Samuel 18:8, Proverbs 28:16, Job 5:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

When God Doesn't Make Sense

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Nov 19, 2022

Most of us don't want to admit it, but more often than not God's instructions don't make sense. That's because God is not a sense God, he is a faith God. The question is... What do you do when God doesn't make sense?

Joshua 6:1-5 TLB - The gates of Jericho were kept tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelis; no one was allowed to go in or out. ² But the Lord said to Joshua, “Jericho and its king and all its mighty warriors are already defeated, for I have given them to you! ³?4 Your ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Peace Work Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

God’s peace is not the same as the world’s peace - even though people filled with God’s peace DO bring peace to the world.

We human beings are not naturally peacemakers. On the contrary: we’re naturally trouble-makers. A few years ago a group of people tried walking across America on a mission of peace. They couldn't get along and divided into two groups by the time they were half way across. According to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Foreigner Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 27, 2022

Imagining Jezebel's story - a woman who clung to her power and her gods in the face of enormous pressure. Are the two connected?

My name is Jezebel. I am a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Eshbaal, King of Sidon and the Queen of Israel, the strongest nation in the world from Assyria to Egypt. My father Eshbaal gave me in marriage to Ahab of Israel to strengthen the alliance between our two countries, because although we ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Putting Things Before God

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 15, 2023

Jesus was tempted to exalt Himself in a way that was not right. Today we're going to talk a little bit about exalting ourselves above God or putting something else before God.

If you don't toot your own horn, who will? Have you ever heard that before? Let's face it, we really enjoy those moments when good things happen to us. We feel good when we've accomplished something. And with those good experiences, we naturally want to tell others about it. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:8-11, Deuteronomy 6:10-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Dilemma

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 1, 2018

Does our faith permit us to disobey the government or to evade taxes? Are Romans 13 and Acts 5 incompatible? How can we sincerely and creatively live as citizens of two kingdoms? What is the underlying principle that governs our choices?

[Sermon preached on 4 November 2018, 24th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Some years ago, we needed to get a little home renovation done. I asked someone for a quotation. When he had given me the price, he added: “That’s without a receipt. If you want a receipt, I will have to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7, Matthew 17:24-27, Acts 5:29

Denomination: Lutheran

Serious About Knowing God? Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Mar 9, 2024

A look at what it means to be serious about knowing God.

Seriously Knowing God Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2 Galatians 4:9 March 10, 2024 A couple of years ago I received a message on our answering machine which stated I needed to respond immediately to this message because there was a warrant for my arrest. And I needed to resolve it right then or by the end ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, Galatians 4:9, 1 John 4:1

Denomination: Baptist

Walk The Talk

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 23, 2025

God rebukes His priests to restore them—calling every pastor to walk again in the covenant of life, peace, and authentic presence.

INTRODUCTION — WHEN GOD TALKS TO PASTORS Malachi 2 is a pastor’s passage. God isn’t addressing the crowds; He’s addressing us—those who carry His Word, lead His people, and bear His name. If you’ve ever felt the weight of ministry—its loneliness, its expectations, its hidden temptations—then ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:4-7, Malachi 3:7, Deuteronomy 10:8, Exodus 32:26, Philippians 1:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Lead Us Not Into Temptation - Matthew 4 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Feb 3, 2025

Baptized, anointed and presented to the world as GOD’s Beloved Son, JESUS is led by the Spirit into the Wilderness, where HE defeats temptation with GOD’s WORD, and then begins HIS ministry in calling the world to repentance to enter GOD’s Kingdom.

2025.02.02. Sermon Notes. Matthew 4 – MINISTRY BEGINS with the Temptation of Christ. Battling Temptation with GOD’s WORD. LEAD us not into Temptation! William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: After being baptized, anointed and presented to the world as GOD’s Beloved Son, JESUS is led by the Spirit into the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13, Matthew 4:1-25, James 1:13, Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 91:11-12, Deuteronomy 6:16, Deuteronomy 6:13, James 4:7, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 4:14-16, Ephesians 6:11-17, Isaiah 9:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grow Up In All Aspects In Christ

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 26, 2003

"I want to, I need to, be more like Jesus." Thirty-four dimensions of maturity in Christ. When I became a man, I put away childish things -- including the fear of childishness and the desire to be grown-up.

The Problem of Becoming Mature in Many Aspects Ephesians 4:15-15 The word teleios is the Greek word used for maturity. It implies a wholeness, perfection and completeness. Growing up in all aspects in Christ is a life-long exercise in discipling ourselves for the purpose of godliness. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How God Speaks To Man Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 19, 2024

Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is

HOW GOD SPEAKS TO MAN KEY VERSES: Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). A. INTRODUCTION As we mentioned in the introduction of this series (knowing the voice of God), we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:15

Plastic Faith

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Sep 26, 2025

Artificial leaves look healthy but produce nothing. In Mark 11 Jesus exposes leaf-only religion: a fig tree with no fruit, a crowded temple with no prayer, faith without forgiveness, and leaders without surrender. He clears space for real life with God—fruit, prayer, forgiveness, and obedience.

An artificial plant looks impressive. But it produces nothing. You could easily buy one at a store with thought that it will "bring life to any room." And—sure—it brings the appearance of life. The leaves stay green. They never drop. It never needs water. In fact, if I tried to water it, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Saving And Managing To Redeeming Time

Contributed by Jeeva Sam on Nov 15, 2000

We tend to focus on saving and managing time, but God calls us to redeem time.

FROM SAVING AND MANAGING TO REDEEMING TIME In a lifetime the average North American will spend: Six months sitting at stoplights Eight months opening junk mail One year looking for misplaced objects 2 years unsuccessfully returning phone calls 5 years waiting in line 6 years eating 21 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16, Philippians 4:5

Denomination: Methodist

Short Cuts

Contributed by Jeeva Sam on Mar 20, 2001

We can resist temptation by refusing to take short cuts

I am told that one of the hottest shows on Television these days is called "Temptation Island." It is a ’reality’ show like "Survivor". Four unmarried couples, who are in long-term relationships, are taken to a Caribbean island for two weeks to test and explore the strength of their commitment. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Three Big Temptations In Life Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 21, 2002

In the story of the temptation of Jesus we see three general kinds of temptation that we still face.

A Study of the Book of Luke Sermon # 7 Three Big Temptations in Life Luke 4: 1-14 I think that we all understand what temptation is. There is a story told about a little boy in a grocery store that I think illustrates the nature of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-14

Denomination: Baptist