Sermons on Shrinking Back:

Narnia: Life Returns Series

Contributed by Glen Schlecht on Dec 19, 2005

Explore how life returns in Narnia, including Aslan, statues, and creation, and make a direct connection to how Jesus brings us back to life today.

¡§Life Returns¡¨ Eph2:1-10, Matt.11:1-6, 12-18-05, Advent 4, Narnia 4 Children¡¦s message: Well kids, we¡¦re almost there ¡V Christmas is coming next weekend! That also means that we¡¦re on the last part of our story, ¡§The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.¡¨ Watch the screen for the pictures as ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

His Return, There's No Place Like Home Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Dec 10, 2007

The first of 7 messages where we are looking at 7 events in the life of Christ counting back to Chrithmas. Events that are intended to shape and define our lives.

His Return There’s No Place Like Home Back To Christmas (1) QUESTION – who here has seen the Wizard Of Oz? Who here has seen it more than once? YEAH – I think most of us probably have. THIS - 1939 classic is pretty timeless… I MEAN – it’s a movie we watched as kids and that we watched with ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:20-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

... And Then God Showed Up Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 12, 2011

The Jews were fearful that their disobedience in not rebuilding the Temple was going to put them back into exile, but in their repentance they see a loving and forgiving God that absolutely blows their mind!

1In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 2"Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3'Who is ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Direct And Protect Series

Contributed by Andy Stanley on Aug 23, 2011

No one has ever regretted establishing a guardrail—ever—but there are plenty of us and there are plenty of people who look back and wish that they had.

We’re starting this brand new series, Guardrails, and if you can’t remember the name of the series—this should be unforgettable. We’re pretty excited about this. Now, everybody knows what a guardrail is, but you probably don’t know the official definition of a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Country Club To Church: The Membership

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Mar 11, 2008

The church is looking more like a country club with every year, this is a call back to service instead of being served. We are not on a religious vacation, but a spiritual journey.

COUNTRY CLUB TO CHURCH: THE MEMBERSHIP THEME: OVERCOMING A ME ATTITUDE FOR A CHRIST ATTITUDE TEXT: PHIL. 3:1-11 Feeling the hot sun upon me is heavenly. Walking to the pier to eat an ice-cream cone is one of the simple pleasures. Reading a great book as I hear the consistent waves in the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hands Holding Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 5, 2008

For World Communion Sunday: God restrains us from destructive behavior; but even if we ignore that, His hand continues to hold us back.

You may have noticed that I am a creature of habits. I do what I do according to the clock and by the book. If it is time for staff meeting, I will be here, seldom early, sometimes late because of traffic, but I will be here. It’s on the calendar, so I do it. I am a creature of habits. If it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Our Economic Downturn: A Time To Refocus

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 8, 2009

Our economic downturn and insecurity can force us back to the Word of God and a reassessment of our philosophy of life: What do we REALLY believe?

Note: This sermon proved too long for a single sermon, and I ended up making a two-parter out of it. Our Economic Downturn: A Time to Refocus (I Timothy 6:17-19) 1. A business owner decides to take a tour around his business and see how things are going. He goes down to the shipping docks and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Abraham- Faith And Fear Series

Contributed by Craig Cramblet on Aug 21, 2006

Abraham’s "two steps forward, one step back" life story is just like ours. How does fear undermine our faith?

Abraham: Faith and Fear Genesis 12 “It is only the fear of God that can free us from the fear of man.” -John Witherspoon ***IF you were to WRITE A BOOK about your life...and you gave EQUAL TIME and EQUAL WEIGHT to every person and every event in your life...it would be IMPOSSIBLE to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Frankenstein? What Am I Creating?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 11, 2006

Frankenstein is one who creates a monster by which he is eventually killed. Will our work or agency be that that comes back to ruin its originator? Build wisely.

FRANKENSTEIN, WHAT AM I CREATING? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: Job 17:9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an ...read more

Scripture: Job 17:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Your Portrait In Scripture Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Oct 25, 2007

You would probably be surprised if you opened your Bible and there on the pages of scripture was an eight by ten picture of your own face looking back at you.

You would probably be surprised if you opened your Bible and there on the pages of scripture was an eight by ten picture of your own face looking back at you. But you will see your portrait in scripture. The Bible talks about three different portraits and every one of us fits in to one of these ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Patience – Hope In Action: Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 10, 2007

We live in an instant world, where we do not tolerate having to wait. But patience is hope in action. The first part of the sermon backs up to grace.

Patience – Hope in Action: Fruit of the Spirit/Advent #1 Gal 5:16-26 November 28, 2004 Intro: I debated about beginning this message with the following prayer: “Dear Lord, I pray that you would give each person in our church, except for me and my family, many many opportunities to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26

Denomination: Baptist

Memorial Day 2007

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on May 24, 2007

Memorial Day weekend should be about remembering people. 1- Look back and remember 2- Look out and love 3- Look up and honor

INTRO. – American Idol….love it or hate it. It’s over anyway and Jordin Sparks is the latest or newest American Idol. As much as Elaine and I enjoy watching American Idol it’s still a show about ME, ME, ME. It’s about one person trying to be the winner who takes all, so to speak. Of course, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Turn,turn,turn

Contributed by Kermit Reaves on Aug 1, 2007

Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again."

TURN, TURN, TURN Biblical Text: 1 Kings 18: 24 and 37 "And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, ’It is well spoken.’" "Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:24-37

Denomination: Baptist

Trick Questions - Probing Answers Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 26, 2006

Jesus’ opponents try to trip him up, but his answers back reveal much about the human character and how many of us "play" church.

In a way this chapter is a direct attack against Jesus’ authority as the King and Messiah He has just claimed to be. They were not engaging in a verbal dialogue to discern the truth, they were engaged in verbal warfare in a public relations game to discredit Jesus and eventually kill him. Verses ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:1-47

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Tickle My Ears, But Don’t Scratch My Heart

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 26, 2009

The Apostle foretells a day when Christians will deliberately turn their backs on sound doctrine, embracing error because it makes them comfortable and because the error is convenient.

“The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”[1] There is an old saying that is sometimes heard among ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Denomination: Baptist