Sermons on Simple Pleasures:

Making God Smile

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 8, 2003

The function of worship is to bring God appropriate pleasure.

(Overhead 1) This time of year is a time for love, romance, and passion. Millions of dollars are spent on Valentine’s Day gifts. In fact a 1998 report from Ball State University indicates, “Valentine’s Day ranks second behind Christmas in total sales of candy, flowers and cards.” Love is important ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-26

Denomination: Church Of God

Simply Trust And Obey Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 7, 2020

We see the disciples' simple obedience to God, simple dependence on God in prayer, and simple faith in the Scriptures.

Luke wrote the book of ACTS. It’s a sequel to the Gospel of LUKE which gives an account of the life of Jesus and all that He said and did. • ACTS tells us how the risen Lord works to build His church by His Word and the Holy Spirit, in particular covering the works of two principal apostles ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-26, Matthew 27:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Facing Temptation Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 21, 2011

Jesus' encounter with Satan helps us to understand the power of temptations and ways to overcome it.

Matthew 4:1-11 “Facing Temptation” INTRODUCTION Video: “Temptation—Deep Thoughts By a Shallow Christian This brief video seems to echo the thoughts and actions of many people in our modern society. It is commonly believed that sin has no consequence and the resisting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The Significance Of A New Creation-1 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jan 5, 2016

1 of ? Paul clarified the significance of being a new creation in Christ to the Corinthian church. But what is significant about being a new creation in Christ? A new creation is significant in its New...

The SIGNIFICANCE Of A NEW CREATION-I—2Corinthians 5:9--6:10 Attention: The key to our verses— 2Corinthians 5:9--6:10— is 2Cor. 5:17—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Prov. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

If You Have Run With Footmen...

Contributed by Christian Curby on Mar 10, 2013

God has called us to do hard things! Do we walk away from our relationships including our relationship with God because it gets to challenging? Jeremiah 12:5

Good afternoon, it is so good to be back with you. I am thankful for all that God is doing in my life and in the life of our church. And so it is great to be with you today. Today I want to share a word with you that I believe God has been stirring in my heart for a while but I think that in the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5-6

Denomination: Foursquare

Borrowed Time

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 2, 2011

We must make the most for God with out of our time on earth.

Focus Passage: James 4:13-17 Supplemental Passage: There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-- A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Heart Of Love: What Am I Seeking In Life? Does It Line Up With My Faith?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2021

We live to follow certain core desires that exist beneath the surface of who we are. It seems like many people live for self-gratification.

We live to follow certain core desires that exist beneath the surface of who we are. It seems like many people live for self-gratification. Many live for desires like pleasure. That's fairly common. Others live for the goal of success, and they pursue that underlying intention through the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:2

Denomination: Salvation Army

Polar Opposites

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Feb 14, 2025

We must keep our hearts focused on eternal life and pleasing God. We cannot afford to let the things of this world make us spiritually bankrupt.

ROBERT FROST HAS WRITTEN ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND STATEMENTS WHICH SIMPLY SAYS, “TWO ROADS DIVERGED IN A WOOD, AND I—I TOOK THE ONE LESS TRAVELED BY, AND THAT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.” THOSE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST MUST ALSO CHOOSE A SIMILAR PATH LESS TRAVELED THAT WILL MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 16:26, Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

Hope In The Wilderness: Turning Suffering Into Seeking - Psalm 63 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 29, 2025

What if your deepest pain could become your greatest pathway to God? Learn how to transform suffering into a thirst for His presence that changes everything. Imagine a life where every moment—good or bad—draws you closer to God. Psalm 63 reveals the one desire that can make it a reality.

Psalm 63:0,1 A Psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. 1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water ************************************** Introduction: Emotion and Temptation The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1

This Lent Get Your Passions Under Control Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 21, 2023

We take pleasure in the lesser goods of earth–food, drink, beauty, sex. And if we take too much pleasure there, we can treat them as if they were the highest good and we fall into sin.

Ash Wednesday Homily What brings us here today so early? We are here because we want something. Not a mere smear of black soot, no. If that were our goal, we’d be certifiably insane. We are here because we want at the end of our lives to be united with the Blessed Trinity forever, body and soul, ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-18

Denomination: Catholic

The Chains Of Slavery Of Addiction Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 27, 2024

Addiction is a destructive force that enslaves millions of people worldwide.

Addiction is a destructive force that enslaves millions of people worldwide. While addiction is often viewed as a personal struggle, the Bible reveals a deeper spiritual dimension. Demonic influences can drive men to addiction, perpetuating a cycle of bondage and destruction. The Biblical ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:1, 1 Peter 5:8

Drifting From God

Contributed by Bobby Bulger on Sep 27, 2007

A simple warning to spiritual drifters.

Drifting Proverbs 27:8 “As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.” 1Cor. 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Proverbs 14:12-16 (12) ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:8

Denomination: Baptist

A High Price For Low Living

Contributed by James Groce on Aug 12, 2001

The interest costs more than the height of pleasure attained.

--------------------------------------------- Ezek 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Mica 7:3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge [asketh] for a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritually Bankrupt

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Jan 7, 2008

Shows how the abundance of pleasure can bankrupt the Spirit.

Spiritually Bankrupt Ecclesiastes 2: 1-3 1) I said in mine heart, go to now, I will prove thee with mirth , therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2) I said of laughter, it is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3) I sought in mine heart to give ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Really Makes You Happy? Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Feb 26, 2013

What drives us in life? Solomon ponders the source of our pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 What Really Makes You Happy? 1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: 2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 6:1-12

Denomination: Baptist