Sermons on Shrinking Back:

Follow Jesus!

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

As kids we sang: "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back!" But is that the reality of our adult lives? Are we willing to deny and sacrifice ourselves and all we have for Christ's sake?

[Sermon preached on 3 June 2018, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] When I was a kid—I think I was eight years old at the time—I attended a Summer Bible Camp. I will never forget it, for many reasons. In particular, I remember how at the end of the day’s program, we always ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Losing It At Home

Contributed by Craig Benner on Feb 29, 2020

We preach all the time about those who have been in church and then go back to the world and lose their salvation. How about those who stay in church but have become lost?

LOST AT HOME Luke 15:8-10 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-10, Ephesians 1:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas Carols (4) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Nov 19, 2019

The tradition of singing carols at Christmas time can be traced all the way back to the very beginning. In Luke 2, Simeon sings about the revelation, redemption, and rest that comes through the birth of Christ!

Christmas Carols (Simeon) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christians Church: 12/20/15 For the past few of weeks, we’ve been delving into the Carols of Christmas. In honor of all the Carols we sing at Christmas time, I thought I’d start off today by playing a little game. I’ll quote a line from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:29-32

Denomination: Christian Church

Simple Faith Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 30, 2016

If you want the joy of your relationship with Christ back, beware of the legalists and simply believe in Christ. Stop trying to live up to someone's performance standards and simply trust Christ with your life.

In our lawsuit-happy culture, American companies must go to great lengths to avoid lawsuits, and they do it by putting some of the strangest warning labels on their products. Every year, the Center for America sponsors the Wacky Warning Labels Contest, looking for what it calls “the most ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Despite His Wonders Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Apr 20, 2016

Despite experiencing the most dramatic miracles recorded, the Hebrews fell back into their ways of living as though God had done nothing for them. We are going to explore how such a relapse could occur.

Psalm 78:32 Despite His Wonders 12/30/12 D. Marion Clark Introduction Have you ever made a comment like this? “If that I had happened to me, I would never forget.” We can say that negatively, but I mean positively. “I will never forget what you have done for me.” “I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

He Is Alive

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Apr 13, 2015

The resurrection of the dead in Christ has not happened yet. We are waiting for that day when Jesus will come back and raise everyone who has believed in Him to a new and eternal body like His.

He is Alive Matthew 27:57- 66 Matthew 28:1-15 57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Is The Solution For All Of Our Problems

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 29, 2015

It took the sacrificial love of Jesus as expressed on the cross for people to come back to God. This change will provide us with the strength, wisdom, courage, love and other resources that we need to deal with our problems.

Have you ever had a problem that was so bad that you couldn’t solve it yourself? Did you wish that the problem would just go away? Well, the apostle Paul has the answer in Colossians 2:8-23. He argues that the cross is the answer to our deepest needs. It took the sacrificial love of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-23

Denomination: Anglican

Holy Spirit Power Part 2

Contributed by Francis Chan on Sep 14, 2011

Make sure of your salvation, but it doesn’t say make sure by looking back at a decision that you made. The way that you make sure of your calling and election is by practicing these qualities.

Let me give you a couple of warnings before I get started today. We had an awesome, awesome service last service, but let me just say this. Stick with me through the whole talk. Typically, you can hear a message and doze off for a little bit. And catch five minutes here and think, ‘Ooh! That ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:20-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Work Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 28, 2012

The clearest revelation of the Holy Spirit given by the Lord Himself. He had already revealed who the Person of the Holy Spirit is back in John 14. Now, He reveals the WORK of the Holy Spirit.

Tonight we will see the clearest revelation of the Holy Spirit given by the Lord Himself. He had already revealed who the Person of the Holy Spirit is back in John 14. Now, He reveals the WORK of the Holy Spirit. READ v. 7. We know that it is the Holy Spirit who comforts and helps us. Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 16:7-15

Denomination: Baptist

God Has Some Big Windows...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 19, 2014

GOD IS NEVER CAUGHT BY SURPRISE.Do we really trust his plan? The plan may take us to the back side of the desert? Is that still God? Beware the negative message can be deadly?

GOD HAS BIG WINDOWS... IN ONE DAY... ACCEPT NOTHING LESS... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. 2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Job 14:14 If ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Big Results Not A Big Fanfare Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Aug 2, 2014

Why do we bring up the bread and wine from the back of church at the offertory? What is heaven like? Does God prefer a big splash and fanfare or big results done quietly?

If you are picking up an Agatha Christie and you are impatient you’ll turn to the last page of the novel to find the answer. But of course first of all you have to know the question, which in an Agatha Christie book is “Who was the murderer”.By the end of this morning sermons I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Anglican

Head-On Collision Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Oct 26, 2009

Immediately after Abram gets "back to basics," a controversy develops. Did you know that "blessing" can lead to dissension? Did you know that walking in faith almost inevitably leads to opposition?

The Head-On Collision Text: Genesis 13:1-18 When a corporation has some bad financial reverses, you are likely to read a press release that says something about getting back to the company’s core business. When a sports team gets outplayed, the coach’s press conference will usually have a statement ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: *other

Transforming Evil With The Power Of Love

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Feb 24, 2014

What do we do with the difficult people in our lives? Our natural reaction is to take revenge and to fight back. In our message for today, we will learn that LOVE can overcome everything.

Matthew 5:38-42New International Version (NIV) Eye for Eye38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Nazarene

Step Up To The Plate Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Aug 20, 2015

Spiritual warfare is confined to within us. Satan is defeated and powerless unless we chose to give him his power back. This sermon looks at 5 ways we can do that.

Let me begin today with a reminder of what Sun Tzu wrote in his book “The Art of War.” “It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:15

Denomination: Foursquare

The God Of The Second Chance Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Aug 16, 2015

Many times, we get discouraged when we fail, but in this message, we will learn that God is compassionate and slow to anger that He is offering a second chance for us to be forgiven and be restored back to Him.

THE GOD OF THE SECOND CHANCE SCRIPTURE READING: Exodus 34:1-4 "The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones,and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:1-4

Denomination: Nazarene