Sermons on Shrink Back:

The Church's Garden Of Gethsemane

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 6, 2009

If we understand how it happened, and the redemption of Christ, even the clergy abuse scandal can give us cause for hope.

September 13, 2009 24th Sunday in Course The Gospel I just proclaimed for you is the first of two summits in Mark’s explanation of Jesus the Nazarene. To emphasize Peter’s proclamation that Jesus is Messiah, Mark omits all the detail that Matthew gives, particularly his entrusting of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-35

Denomination: Catholic

2004 - Thats A Wrap!

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Dec 20, 2004

A Year End Wind Up with some basic goals for next year.

19, December 2004 Dakota Community Church 2004 – That’s A Wrap Introduction: Last year around this time I was feeling very positive about the church and our prospects for the New Year. One of the statements I made was that I thought 2004 was going to be our best year ever. In fact the opposite ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:19-22

Denomination: Mennonite

The Nativity Set:: The Shepherds Series

Contributed by Scott Nichols on Dec 13, 2011

The story of the Shepherds reminds us that to find the heart of Christmas we must look beneath the wrapping paper.

The last few embers of the fire are dying out. The air hangs heavy with a silence broken only by the occasional bleat of a lamb. Huddled together for warmth, the shepherds are alone with their thoughts. Each one scanning the horizon. Looking. Perhaps casting a longing eye to the distant lights of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sermon On A Tempestuous Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 29, 2021

A tempestuous life is primarily characterized by strong, turbulent or conflicting emotions.

Frederick William Robertson, an English divine once remarked: “In the darkest hour through which a human soul can pass, whatever else is doubtful, this at least is certain. If there be no God and no future state, yet, even then, it is better to be generous than selfish, better to be chaste than ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:25, Psalm 34:17-20, Isaiah 25:4

What Are We Going To Do For Forever? Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 16, 2011

A sermon to debunk the boring ideas people have about Heaven and to instill in them a biblically based anticipation about what Heaven is going to really be like.

I Thes 4:13-18 Intro: “Groundhog Day.” It’s the story of a weather man who goes to Punxsutawney, PA to cover the groundhog festivities on Feb. 2. But, when he wakes up on what should be Feb. 3, he finds himself starting the same day over again – Feb. 2. In fact, no ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Faithful Minister Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 27, 2011

In today's lesson we learn about the characteristics of the faithful minister of God.

Scripture We continue our study in The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians in a series I am calling Challenges Christians Face. One of the challenges that Christians face is a clear understanding of the characteristics of faithful ministers. Let’s learn about this in a message I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Keep Your New Shirt On (Ephesians 4:25-5:2) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 23, 2022

Become a people, who are useful to God, who can build up the body.

What we've seen over the past week weeks, is that God has a plan. God is making one family, who will live in peace with him and with each other. And to that end, Jesus gave each of us a ministry in the church, to build the church up, help it grow in love and unity. The problem is, some of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Is There Anything Too Hard For God? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2025

God’s power is greater than our problems; prayer and obedience invite hope and restoration even when circumstances seem impossible or overwhelming.

Some weeks feel like a siege, don’t they? The walls close in. The headlines howl. The bills glare. Your energy ebbs and your faith feels small. You stand at a window and you wonder, “How is this going to work?” If that’s you today, you’re in familiar, biblical company. Jeremiah knew about closed ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:17-27

Topics: Possibility, Faith

A Better Walk With God Through Thankfulness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 31, 2025

Gratitude opens our hearts to God’s presence, transforming ordinary moments and burdens into opportunities for praise, hope, and deeper relationship with Him.

Some of us walked in today with full hearts; some with heavy ones. Either way, here you are, and here God is—nearer than the breath you just took. Picture an old, sturdy gate swinging open. Hear the hinges creak a welcome. On the other side? Not a cold courtyard, but the warm smile of a Father who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:4

Topics: Thankfulness, Choice

The Church Christ Is Building #3

Contributed by James Phillips on Jun 23, 2003

This shows that Christ not us is over the church. With some help here on earth.

SERMON #3 THE CHURCH CHRIST IS BUILDING 1. WHO IS OVER THE CHURCH? a. EPHESIANS 5:22 32 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-32, Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Christian Church

Evil Doers Hate Jesus

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jan 14, 2015

To expose evil doers as haters of LIGHT (JESUS) and to show that they need to hide in darkness so their deeds will not be exposed.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you hate JESUS? Do you hate to come to Him? Do you hate people who leads you to the LORD? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To expose evil doers as haters of LIGHT (JESUS) and to show that they need to hide in darkness so their deeds will not be exposed. IV. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Focus On The Invisible Hope

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 21, 2020

How do we live in this world when people are so afraid of dying? Fearful of dying? What are we all in this together for?

5.24.20 2 Corinthians 4:13–18 13 Since we have that same spirit of faith, which corresponds to what is written: “I believed; therefore, I have spoken,” we also believe, and therefore we speak. 14 For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Balancing Proclamation With Instruction

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

Paul shows us how to balance our preaching with our teaching for the best effects

Why Is It Important To Balance Proclamation With Instruction (Acts 20:20,21) Illustration:Some pastors preach "longhorn sermons," a point here, a point there, and a lot of bull in between. Source Unknown. One pastor never prepared during the week, and on Sunday morning he’d sit on the platform ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Declaration Of Independence!

Contributed by Glen Lawhun on Jul 4, 2004

It does no good to fill the ranks of the army of God with soldiers whose ever shifting loyalty is to the ones who makes them feel the most comfortable.

Your Declaration of Independence! July 4, 2004 Matt. 21:33-46 “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Paul's Prescription For The Blues”

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jan 29, 2003

Paul gives some timely advice on finding joy in the midst of adverse circumstances.

Remember that ever-present line in the classic Carpenter’s song, “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down”? Why does it seem that life offers us more rainy days and Mondays than clear sunny days? Maybe the reason that they get us down is the fact that they often seem to take us by surprise. We ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ