Sermons on Shrinking Back:

Freedom And Delight In The Law

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 3, 2024

A sermon for the Sunday following Pentecost, Year B, lectionary 22

1 September 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Deut. 4:1-2, 6-9; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Freedom and Delight in the Law Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. All three of our Bible passages today pertain ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-9, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

The Unlocking Of The Heart: When Divine Light Meets Our Inner Vault

Contributed by Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr. on Oct 13, 2025

This sermon explores 2 Corinthians 4:6, showing how God’s light enters our hidden places—not to shame, but to heal, restore, and transform. Learn practical steps for moving from darkness to wholeness through the grace of Christ.

Grace and peace to you, my brothers and sisters. There is a phrase we hear often, a poetic and hopeful idea: "light over darkness." It sounds beautiful, it sounds victorious, until that very light meets the places we all keep locked away. The human heart, in its quiet complexity, can ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6

Denomination: Other

Dethroning The Sponsors Of Sorrow, Terror And Oppression

Contributed by Babatunmishe Oke on May 9, 2025

Who are sponsors of sorrow, terror and oppression? To sponsor something is to introduce and support its progress.

DETHRONING THE SPONSORS OF SORROW, TERROR AND OPPRESSION Who are sponsors of sorrow, terror and oppression? To sponsor something is to introduce and support its progress. That is, to actively provide funds, material or the energy required to propel something into fruition. So those who sponsor ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:38, Job 1:6-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

3 More Than Stuff Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 11, 2025

Christmas tells us that more presents equal more joy… but is that really true? In this message, we explore the story of the shepherds in Luke 2:1–20 and see how they discovered a joy far better than anything the world could wrap. Real joy isn’t something you open — it’s Someone you meet.

INTRODUCTION It’s great to be able to share our Christmas series Beyond the Hype — looking at how God invites us into something so much deeper and longer-lasting than the pressure-filled version of Christmas the world often sells us. Today we’re looking at a theme we all know too well this time of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Growing In Boldness For Christ

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 4, 2025

Growing in boldness for Christ is not a one-time achievement, but a continual journey of being filled with the Spirit, rooted in the Word, and fuelled by prayer.

GROWING IN BOLDNESS FOR CHRIST By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 4:31 Supporting Texts: 2 Timothy 1:7-8, Proverbs 28:1, Romans 1:16, Ephesians 6:19-20, Jeremiah 1:8-10 INTRODUCTION: The early church grew in power, influence, and effectiveness not by human strength, but through divine ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:31, 2 Timothy 1:7-8, Proverbs 28:1, Romans 1:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Martyr’s Cry Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Aug 22, 2010

Anything old is seen as negative, traditions that once served as a backbone of stability are discarded as hindrances, leadership positions are going to innovators and rebels and the voice of time tested truth is exchanged for the noise of cultural demand.

Dakota Community Church Church History Sunday - 1 August 22, 2010 The Martyrs Cry Introduction Today we will start the first of a series of messages that will be spaced out, Lord willing, over the next few years approximately once every three to four months. My goal in creating “Church History ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:8-11

Denomination: Mennonite

Circumcision Of The Heart

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jul 26, 2021

It is not that belonging to the visible community of God’s people is unimportant. It is. But salvation is not won by any external associations. When we depend on such things, we become less than what God wants us to be.

Alba 7-25-2021 CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART Romans 2:25-29 There is that old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” That doesn’t really work does it? Lately we have had some politicians live by that motto. They gave various restrictions for their communities, but didn't live by them, themselves. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:25-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

7 Daily Habits Of Holy People Series

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Oct 3, 2008

Holy People have Holy Habits.

7 Daily Habits of Holy People I Thessalonians 5:16-23 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23

Denomination: Church Of God

The Seduction Of Satan

Contributed by Rodney Burton on Jan 28, 2009

Satan is after the hearts and lives of everyone and will go to great lengths to lure you to him.

THE SEDUCTION OF SATAN Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; John 10:10 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Maundy Thursday: Jesus, The Only Way

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 27, 2006

Maundy Thursday - fairly short Either Jesus is or he isn’t

Do not be troubled. Jesus and his disciples have finished the last supper and Jesus is talking to them about the future. He knows the events that will take place in the next few hours. Jesus knows that these men will be devastated, crushed, in need of spiritual renewal. So Jesus sets out to ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Courage

Contributed by Martin Field on Aug 7, 2001

Reflecting on Joseph of Arimathaea’s courage in stepping forward to bury Jesus, the sermon encourages Christians to be bold and courageous today.

In the Episcopal Church, today is the feast day of Joseph of Arimathaea, one of the more obscure New Testament characters. All that is known for certain about Joseph comes from the Gospel narratives of Jesus’ burial. Though John speaks of Joseph as a secret disciple of our Lord, and associates ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:50-56

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Worst Invention Ever Series

Contributed by Jeremy Farmer on Oct 23, 2006

Mirror mirror on the wall. What do you see? More importantly...who are you reflecting?

Judging from all of the mirrors in here, you’ve probably figured out that tonight is talking about mirrors. As I take this mirror around the room and as you look at yourself in it, what do you see? Do you see failure? Do you see ugliness? Do you like what you see? As you stare at yourself in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Peculiar Person

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 27, 2010

There was ano doubt that John the Baptist was a peculiar man in more ways than one. But those who follow is his proclamatorial footprints will be peculiar too.

Passage: Matthew 11:7-19 Intro: It’s easy to develop a low view of ourselves as we live in the world. 1. when the response of the world is to despise us, ridicule our faith, reject the One we love, not unusual for us to wonder if we are who we are portrayed to be. 2. but tucked here in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:7-19

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Priceless

Contributed by Dave Jolliff on Jul 19, 2025

You are not forgotten. You are not worthless. You are not too broken - You are Priceless

Priceless Based on Jeremiah 18:1-8 We live in a world full of chaos—confusion, loss, pain, and brokenness. In the midst of it all, it’s easy to feel overlooked, broken, or even worthless. Whether it's health struggles, financial burdens, or family problems weighing us down, the enemy tries to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-8, Romans 9:20-21, 2 Timothy 2:20-21, Isaiah 43:1-3, Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 25:20-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

How Valuable Is Being Part Of The Church?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 9, 2025

If church membership and belonging to the Kingdom of God is valuable then why is church membership declining

How Valuable Is Being Part of the Church? Luke 13:22-30 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 13:22 And He was passing through one city and village after another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: United Methodist