Sermons on Shrinking Back:

Acceptable Worship Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 20, 2012

The joy and satisfaction which so many Christian lack can be received only by surrendering back to the Lord what He has already given to us. When we surrender our body, mind and will to God as a living sacrifice, then we can truly render spiritual worshi

ROMANS 12: 1-2 ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP A tearful distraught young woman approached a pastor who had been speaking on worship at a conference and told him that she could not live the Christian life the way she should. She said, "I'm frustrated. My worship experience is not meaningful and fulfilling ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Amazing Grace When Life Is Hard

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 8, 2013

It is often in the difficult times of life that we grow the most in Christ. Those times when it may even seem as though God has forsaken us, are times we can look back at later, and see his presence and grace abiding with us. It is often in those times

GOD’S GRACE WHEN LIFE IS HARD Rom. 5:1-11 INTRODUCTION: 1.)Several years ago Lanny and Marietta Wolfe wrote a hymn of the faith whose chorus goes: A.)"For whatever it takes to draw closer to you, Lord, That’s what I’ll be willing to do; For whatever it takes to be more like ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Kisses You Do Not Want Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 17, 2013

Even back in Bible times (where they did a lot of kissing) there were certain kisses you didn’t want. And the worst kisses were those of enemies and betrayers. How did God say we should deal with people who attempt to deceive as those would?

(A Poem) Oh, innocent victims of Cupid, Remember this terse little verse To let a fool kiss you is stupid But to let a kiss fool you is worse. (Readers Digest 2/77 p.103) As I noted a couple of weeks ago, the Bible is just filled with kissing. They did a whole lot more kissing back then than we ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Menorah: God’s Lamp, Man’s Light Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Mar 20, 2013

We have lost out on our Hebrew heritage. When we understand that our faith is traced back to Israel, Hebrews, Judaism we will have a better understanding/more complete knowledge of Jesus, our Jewish Lord.The Menorah is the only piece of tabernacle/temple

Our Hebrew Heritage Series Menorah: God’s Lamp, Man’s Light September 9, 2012 FBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A The church has been robbed. 1 We have lost out on our Hebrew heritage. a When we understand that our faith is traced back to Israel, Hebrews, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 37:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

"The Donkey Who Thought He Was A Horse"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 24, 2010

In Luke, when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, the crowds cheer Him--though they have no idea what the next few days will bring. Tne King has come to pay a ransom: the ransom for human sin. So, let us cheer His triumphal entry, but be a

Luke 19:28-40 Luke 23:1-49 “The Donkey who Thought He was a Horse” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN There is nothing dignified about a donkey! We can look at him from any angle and we will fail to find what we might call a sense of ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"Looking Up At Hell"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 9, 2010

In Luke Chapter 15 Jesus paints us a vivid picture of the Love of God through the story of the Prodigal Son. How can we celebrate God’s party of love in such a way as to welcome not only the younger brothers who have come back from the dead, but also the

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 “Looking Up at Hell” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN “There was a man who had two sons.” One—the youngest—comes to his father and demands his share of the inheritance. That may sound odd to our ears, but it’s not completely ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Reined In And Ramped Up Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Sep 7, 2011

Who are the meek? What is meekness all about? Why is it the meek that inherit the earth? Meekness cries out "Not my will but yours be done!" It bows the knee to God and doesn't look back. The meek do not ask, "How can I be served?" but rather, "How c

Reined In and Ramped Up - Matthew 5:5 - August 7, 2011 Series: Kingdom Life – A World Turned Upside Down #3 Over the last several weeks that we have been together we’ve been looking at the Sermon on the Mount; specifically, at the Beatitudes as found in Matthew chapter 5. I will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: *other

A Transformed Life - A Stewardship Message

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 10, 2010

I believe most people even non-followers of the Christ will give out of their excess.or abundance. We say we are followers of Christ but do we really trust him? Have we turned over our whole life to him or are we holding back?

Jesus shares an important truth with us in the Gospel of Luke: BIBLE "Who of you by being worried ....can add a single hour ....to their life?" END Aren't most of the struggles of this life, ......especially when viewed in hindsight, ......nothing more ....than an inconvenience? ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12, Luke 12:22-31

Denomination: Anglican

Beginning Again Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 3, 2011

Have you ever wished you could go back and start over? You can begin again by entrusting your life into the Master’s hands. You can begin again by allowing God to shape your life by His skilled, purposeful, and loving hands.

JEREMIAH 18:1-6 BEGINNING AGAIN The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, (2) “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.” (3) Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. (4) But the vessel that ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 23 - Call No Man Father

Contributed by Lay Man on May 29, 2015

And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. - Matthew 23:9 Leaving a Presbyterian Church today at the end of the service we sang 3 amens, which is typical in many reformed churches dating back to the time ...

And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. - Matthew 23:9 Leaving a Presbyterian Church today at the end of the service we sang 3 amens, which is typical in many reformed churches dating back to the times of Luther, Calvin and others. This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Final Cry & Confession Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 24, 2014

The Word has established him, strengthen him & transformed him, but he is still in need of more of God, more of God's enabling & more of God's Word.The final meditation is from one who knows what it is like to to go astray & be brought back home again.

PSALM 119: 169–176 [The Ministry of The Word Series] THE FINAL CRY AND CONFESSION The Psalmist has now come to his last stanza. Letter by letter he has sung and sobbed his way through the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Again and again tears have become rainbows as he turn his eyes ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:169-176

Denomination: Baptist

The Boldness..of "Hope"

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Nov 24, 2014

The kind of Hope were talking about this morning, is “a hope that springs from the heart of God,” It's the ULTIMATE HOPE and He is willing to back it up, with His unearned, unmerited Favor that He freely gives to His children,through Jesus His Son...

The Boldness of Hope Romans 5:5 NKJ 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Hope defined: the feeling of wanting something to happen and thinking that it could happen : a feeling that something good will ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Little Things Are The Big Things In Life! Series

Contributed by Josh Foster on Mar 18, 2014

Mary’s song re-orients our attention back to what is most important about Christmas. . The main thing is that the Lord God chose to do a wonderful thing by sending His Son. He is Mighty and Merciful, and we are so in need of His strength and mercy!

Why Christmas Is a Big Deal: The Little Things Are the Big Things in Life! Scripture Text: Luke 1.39-45 INTRODUCTION The whole atmosphere in sports-stadiums is something-to-behold! When my wife and I went to watch a professional football game, …people all-around-us were severely ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Nazarene

Godly Vision And Goal-Setting Part One

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Nov 26, 2013

When God places something on your heart to do, you need to know that He will supply all that is needed to accomplish it. When you are trying to get out of life's ruts, make sure you are looking that someone from the rut is not pulling you back down.

Godly vision and goal setting Nehemiah 2:1-2:10 Introduction- Turn with me to Nehemiah chapter 2 It is in the Old Testament between the book of Ezra and the book of Esther. I want to talk about vision casting and goal setting. Most people have dreams/visions/goals as a young person. They ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Past, Present, And Future

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jan 1, 2010

As we begin a new year, we need to consider looking back, where we were; looking inward – where we are; and looking ahead – where we are going. Paul in Philippians 3 provides us with an example of evaluating one’s past, present, and future.

Past, Present and Future Philippians 3:1-17 Introduction: As we stand at the door steps of a new year, we need to consider looking back, where we were; looking inward – where we are; and looking ahead – where we are going. Paul in Philippians 3 provides us with an example of evaluating one’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist