Sermons on Simple Pleasures:

How To Talk To God Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on May 1, 2007

This is the fourth sermon in this series. What should you talk to God about and how you should talk to Him?

Communicating With God: How To Talk To God Today we are continuing our series “Communicating With God.” Last week we looked at “How to Test the Voices You Hear” and we found that there are seven filters we can use to determine if the voices we hear are from God. Two weeks ago we looked at “How To ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:31-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanksgiving PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 24, 2023

This sermon explores the transformative power of gratitude, challenging us to find joy and divine presence in trials, triumphs, and everyday life.

Welcome, friends, to this sacred space where we gather to seek wisdom from the Word of God. We have been called here today by the Holy Spirit. We are here to explore the depths of gratitude, to uncover the transformative power of thankfulness, and to challenge ourselves to apply this virtue in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-29

Topics: Give Thanks, Everything

No Tripping Allowed

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Sep 11, 2017

Simple thought -- IF TRIPPING IS NOT ALLOWED IN FOOTBALL, a game where people are supposed to be knocking each other down, it CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN CHURCH, a place where people should be helping and holding one another other up.

TITLE: NO TRIPPING ALLOWED SCRIPTURE: I CORINTHIANS 8:1-13 / ROMANS 14:1-12 Autumn is approaching and begins in just 12 days. With this change of seasons it also means there will be lots of football games on television. College football season has already begun, therefore; at least occasional ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Dumb Dogs Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 14, 2013

Jesus is not impressed with the outward trappings of self-righteousness. He is impressed with a heart full of simple faith, which we find most often in the hearts of those we least expect. So like Jesus feed the "dogs" and touch the "dumb."

Dumb Dogs (Mark 7:24-37) I like this thought posted by Mike Atkinson in his daily email humor list some time ago. "If you can start the day without caffeine; if you can get going without pep pills; if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains; if you can resist complaining and boring ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Handling Temptation Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 13, 2009

Temptation is a given in the life of all Christians, how we handle that temptation is a completely different story. James gives us three simple steps tht we can take to successful push back the temptations that come our way.

How to Handle Temptation James 1:13-18 Intro Do you struggle with temptation? I heard of someone who said, “I don’t struggle with temptation, I just give in to it!” Surely that is not the answer! But the fact is, there isn’t a day that goes by that we are not tempted in some way. Temptation ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

In Him We Have Redemption

Contributed by David Baeder on Nov 3, 2007

Our redemption is one of the great themes of the Bible. It expresses our fallenness; it expresses God’s great love for us. To redeem, in the most simple of terms, is to buy something back. In a word, redemption is the theme of the Bible. When God

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight. (ESV) Introduction: Our hymns include many songs, in which we rejoice in our redemption: “Redeemed how I love to proclaim it, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Do We Overcome Temptation? (Luke, Part 3) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 7, 2022

None of us is immune to being tempted … but we all can overcome by following the same model that Jesus provided for us. When you resist him, you are choosing the things of God; you are choosing to turn away from the quick pleasure fix (of sin) and seeking His way to guide your life.

Introduction / Recap - We know that Luke was a physician – helped Paul throughout his ministry -- He was most likely a Gentile from Antioch (Syria) addressing a Gentile audience - Examining the language of the text indicates that he was well educated -- Familiar with Greek; well versed in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"What Will My Church Look Like In The Future?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 26, 2013

A sermon on tithing.

Malachi 3:6-10 "What Will My Church Look Like in the Future?" With July 4th right around the corner, let's think a little bit about the American Dream. To be sure there have been some wonderful dreams in our nation's history. Our founders had a dream about life, liberty, and the pursuit of ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Sex And Discretion Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Jul 14, 2012

The love of money may be the root of all kinds of evils, but our passage teaches that the love of sexual pleasure is a root of all kinds of folly. Foolish men love money and commit evil to get it. Sex makes wise men foolish so that evil may be committed a

Introduction 1 Timothy 6:10 states that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” Our passage teaches us that the love of sexual pleasure is a root of all kinds of folly. Foolish men love money and commit evil to get it. Sex makes wise men foolish so that evil may be ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:1-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Worldwide Communion: Persisting To The End

Contributed by William Baeta on Sep 30, 2017

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:12-

Introduction: We greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”. (Psalm 118:24) Let us rejoice and thank the Lord for His institution of the Holy Communion and His revelations on the importance of ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:25-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Our Longing For Heaven Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

All those in Christ will spend eternity living in the new heavens and new earth. The new heaven and new earth is everything that we loved about the old heaven and earth, minus the curse of sin. Creation’s beauties are heightened, its pleasures strengthened, and our limitations removed.

Twenty years old, Matthew decides to begin his sophomore year at Texas State University, by pledging for a fraternity. He feels it’s a good way to make new friends. During initiation, he consumes enough alcohol to make an elephant inebriated. Still, at 20 years of age and two-sport athlete in high ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:22-23, Isaiah 65:17-25, Genesis 3:6-8, Genesis 3:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Amputation 101 - Matthew 5:29-30 (Contd) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 14, 2024

The key to persuading your heart to fling sin away is to become convinced that nearness to God would be more satisfying than that sin. But what do you do when the sin brings intense pleasure and the last few times you sought God in prayer or Scripture it was boring?

Matthew 5:27-30 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:29-30

Walking In Shadows

Contributed by Charles Mallory on May 5, 2001

A simple reminder using the imagery of the shepherd to show how God is personally involved in our times of trouble to comfort us so we can proclaim, "I fear no evil; for you are with me!"

MARTIN LUTHER ONCE COMMENTED THAT, "FAITH IS A MATTER OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS." IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS ONE THING TO SAY "THE LORD IS A SHEPHERD"; IT’S ANOTHER TO SAY, "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD." THE IMAGE OF THE SHEPHERD HAS PROVIDED US WITH MANY POSITIVE THOUGHTS. JUST THE WORD ITSELF CARRIES WITH IT ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Free Methodist

It's Not That Complex!

Contributed by Michael Trask on Oct 26, 2005

We often have a tendency to mask our failure to love others by referring to it as a “complex issue”. It’s not true. Jesus shows us how utterly simple the issue actually is.

“It’s A LONG STORY; A COMPLEX ISSUE; A GRAY AREA”. You have heard statements like this haven’t you? Perhaps you used them yourself. Phrases like this are often used as a way to bring an end to a discussion. More often then not, those who say them are trying to bring an end to a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Lutheran

Christmas Candlelight Service

Contributed by Donald Macon on Dec 10, 2003

Simple candlelight service for incorporating the Advent Wreath for non-liturgical/non-traditional denominations. This version targets single adults in the area of Hope but can be modified for the best use of your particular congregation.

Prelude "O Come All Ye Faithful" - vv 1, 2, & 3 Invocation The Advent Wreath The use of the advent wreath goes back many generations. The term is derived from the Latin word ad ventum, meaning "to come". Though different worship traditions give different symbolic meaning to the candles, we will ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 11:1-2, Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist