Sermons on Simple Pleasures:

Are You Justified By Faith, Or By Works?

Contributed by Charles Degner on Oct 23, 2006

This difficult chapter of the Bible is not hard to understand if you ask a simple question. James says we are justified by our works, not just by faith. But justified BEFORE WHOM?

James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-26 Pentecost 17B Rev. Charles F. Degner 1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Go Tell Someone

Contributed by Otis Nixdorf on Oct 23, 2007

Jesus completely changed the Maniac of Gadera. He then gave him a simple command to go tell someone what great things God did fo him

Go Tell Someone Mark 5:1-20 Jesus had just calmed a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee. When the boat reached their destination on the other side, a crazy, demon possessed man met Him. Christ’s response to this man has some good lessons for us today. I. The Demon Possessed Man (Mark 5:2-5 KJV) ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

It Takes A Thief Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 5, 2008

Not only SIMPLE STEALING, but 5 other types of SOPHISTICATED STEALING, as well as the truth about SPIRITUAL STEALING. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

It Takes a Thief Exodus 20:15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TakesAThief.html The popular TV show is back, where crooks teach us how to protect ourselves from people like them. But the Bible says, we ARE people like them! Synonyms for stealing: Extortion, burglary, defraud, misappropriate, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:15

Denomination: Baptist

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 24, 2008

This simple Children’s song has a powerful Biblical foundation in Ephesians 5, and helps to get us to see what God wants from us, and why.

OPEN LEADING CONGREGATION IN THIS CHILDREN’S SONG Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see, (repeat) For the Father up above, is looking down in love, Oh be careful little eyes what you see. Oh, be careful little mouth, what you say, (repeat), For the Father up above, is looking down in love, Oh ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Christian Walk

Contributed by Steven Haguewood on Dec 19, 2008

Christianity seems like a complex puzzle. In reality it is simple. Jesus says, "Follow me". This lesson helps us see how to do just that and simply be a Christian.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK Text: 1 John 1:7 INTRODUCTION 1. Read Text 2. The term "walk" is reference to the life we live a. Enoch walked with God and was no more for God took him the Hebrew writer says b. We talk about people in all "walks of life" c. Walk is how we live and is determined by what guides ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Ultimate Evil Desire

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jul 8, 2009

No matter how long we stay here on earth, there is a place we are going to stay longer. No matter the enjoyment we have here, there is a place of eternal enjoyment, where all the parties in the world and everything they have as pleasure cannot match. Ther

THE ULTIMATE EVIL DESIRE Dr. D. K. Olukoya Wonderful God, we thank you for this message. We give you all the glory and all the honour, in Jesus’ name. Father Lord, minister to us through this message. Open our eyes in a new way. Thank you heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our message this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Can't Have It Both Ways

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Apr 23, 2012

The attitude of many "Christians" is that they want the blessings of Christ but yet they want to be able to indulge in all the worldly pleasures too. They think having the best of both worlds is the perfect, complete package; a great life. Let’s see what’

YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS James 4:1-12 INTRODUCTION: There’s a Van Halen song called, “Best of Both Worlds”. Some of the lyrics are, “I want the best of both worlds, and honey I know what it's worth; If we could have the best of both worlds, a little bit of heaven ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Go! And Embrace The Greatest Gift Of All Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2025

In a world filled with temporary pleasures, fleeting happiness, and countless promises that do not last, God offers us something eternal, unshakable, and life-transforming. And it is summed up in two of the most powerful verses in all of Scripture — John 3:16–17

Go! And Embrace the Greatest Gift of All Introduction – A Question That Demands an Answer If I were to ask you today, what is the greatest gift you have ever received? — what would you say? Perhaps it was something expensive, something sentimental, or something you desperately needed at the time. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17, Romans 5:8, Isaiah 9:6, Acts 16:31, Luke 19:10, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Mark 1:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Identity Theft

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Nov 11, 2023

An unstable person who feels inadequate in their identity might steal another’s because it might bring them personal gain. Others who have turned to evil find pleasure in stealing from a person more wealthy than they.

Knowing mankind has to have individual identifiers for every person, place and thing, he has instinctively created an almost impossibility to recognize things of a spiritual nature. Man cannot readily recognize things of a spiritual nature because he does not see, hear, touch, nor smell or taste a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-24, 1 John 2:15-16, Colossians 3:17, Philippians 2:5-11, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 3:15-19, Colossians 3:1-8, John 13:34-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hurry Up And Wait.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 15, 2026

At times life seems more like a crock pot than a pressure cooker. We love quick and easy. Often in spiritual maturity we must learn to wait. Pleasure is a poor goal. Daniel learned delay is part of the spiritual battle.

HURRY UP AND WAIT--- THE CROCK POT VS THE PRESSURE COOKER By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) DO WE KNOW ROBIN WILLIAMS? He lived from 1951 to 2014 (63). His estimated worth was over 50 million dollars. He won the Oscar Award, he was successful. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:6, Isaiah 40:31, Exodus 3:14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Favorite House Part 7: To Know God As A Friend Series

Contributed by Randy West on Mar 13, 2002

Intro: Some people are very reluctant to develop new relationships, because of past experiences, but while our relationships in this life can cause our greatest grief, pain and sorrow they can also be the source of our greatest joy and pleasure and withou

God’s favorite house part 7 The house of a friend “TO KNOW GOD AS A FRIEND” Proverbs 18:24 Intro: Some people are very reluctant to develop new relationships, because of past experiences, but while our relationships in this life can cause our greatest grief, pain and sorrow they can also be the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24

Denomination: Church Of God

The Cup

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Oct 27, 2004

We have been offered cups of coffee and many other cups in out lifetime. The cup of selfishness, pleasure, pride, anger. greed, gluttony, unbelief, unfaithfulness. This morning I want to invite you to taste a different cup --- the cup of Christ!

My Cup I collect coffee cups. My favorite cup is this Commemorative Desert storm gold plated mug. SHOW MUG w/ coffee in it. >> THEN HIDE MUG. I have sipped coffee from some really nice cups, and the same coffee taste better - from a better cup. I have tasted some coffee that no cup could ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

Feeling Entitled, Receiving A Gift

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Oct 8, 2008

Through history, men have felt "entitled" to His grace. But, condemnation is all we are truly worthy of. Only by the grace of God, and the sacrifice of His Son on our behalf, can we look foward to the pleasures of eternal life.

Feeling entitled, receiving a gift Matthew 21:33-46 Introduction Many years ago I was enlisted in the Air Force and competed for promotion to Technical Sergeant. I was a Staff Sergeant that had been recognized as one of the best. I had fire wall 5 performance reports and had been Group NCO of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Let The Lord Build Your House

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 9, 2004

Well, today is the first day of the new year and if you follow the simple advise I will give you -- 1995 will be better -- AND MY ADVISE IS SIMPLY THIS, LET THE LORD BUILD YOUR HOUSE IN 95.

"LET THE LORD BUILD YOUR HOUSE" INTRODUCTION As he surveyed the damage, Bill could not believe it. It was all ruined, everything. All that he had worked so hard for these many years. Everything was now laying in a huge pile on the ground... In just one instant -- it was all gone. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:46-49

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Picking Up From What Was Started In This New Season” Pt. 1 Series

Contributed by Sean Dees on Mar 3, 2022

We have to share and write the vision in clear and simple ways so that the believers can see it and run with it. We have to get them to see what we are seeing from the Lord.

Intro: This is the first message in a series entitled “Casting the Vision.” Today I want to begin with “Picking up from what was started”, the text I chose is in no disrespect to those that have formerly served behind this pulpit, but is commending those that have served in the past. Everything ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8