Sermons on Single Minded:

Freedom & Forgiveness Are Never Free!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 20, 2000

"Freedom is never free." It sounds like a paradox when you say it, but it is true. "Freedom is never free." In the same way, forgiveness is never free.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2016) TEXT: Luke 7:36-50 As you know, Friday was Veteran's Day. Throughout this nation & around the world, wherever our nation's flag flies, some people, at least, paused to remember the price that has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lion Is A Lamb

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 26, 2000

God’s power is often displayed in weakness.

It may seem strange to speak about Christmas with a passage from the book of Revelation. But we see here, perhaps more clearly than anywhere else, the great paradox of God — the power of God displayed in weakness. Let’s look at this passage with an attempt to understand its meaning and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

Confronted By Truth

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 26, 2000

The woman at the well is confronted by the truth which Jesus presents her.

Charles Swindoll, in his book Growing Deep in the Christian Life, tells the true story of a man who bought fried chicken dinners for himself and his girlfriend to enjoy on a picnic one afternoon. He was in for a surprise because the person behind the counter mistakenly gave him the wrong paper ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26

Denomination: Methodist

In The Beginning

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 31, 2000

Creation tells us that we are valuable to God, accountable to God, and that there is a purpose to our existence.

The story goes that one day a group of scientists had a meeting and decided that humans had come so far that they no longer needed God. After reaching their decision they appointed one of their number to go and explain to God that his services were no longer required. He said, “God, we’ve ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Flood Insurance

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 31, 2000

The story of the flood tells us that God holds the world accountable for its behavior. He is in control, but he is patient, and he rewards the righteous.

On January 1st I told my wife that I hoped I would never hear the phrase Y2K again. I was so tired of hearing it all through 1999, only to have it go by without a glitch. But then we had to wait until the first business day before we really knew if we got by Y2K A.O.K. Still, not the slightest ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Christmas Is Over ... Now What?

Contributed by Bill Prater on Jan 3, 2001

When the SIGNS are no longer VISIBLE, does that mean that the SIGNIFICANCE of Christmas is no longer VALUABLE?

CHRISTMAS IS OVER...NOW WHAT? Luke 2:1-20 I have a bit of post-Christmas humor to share with you. It’s called "The Month After Christmas." ‘Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house, nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. The cookies I’d nibbled, the fudge I did taste, all the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Focusing On The Positive! Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 5, 2001

How you look at something can make a world of difference in how you behave. Life is like that. What you focus upon in life will generally determine the kind of decisions you make.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2011) ILL. Have you heard the story of the farmer who was discouraged with his farm? So he decided to sell out & move somewhere else. He engaged a realtor to look the farm over & prepare a sales ad. But ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26, Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do You Care?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 31, 2001

We do fall or get knocked down at times, don't we? And how wonderful it is when we have a friend who cares enough to lift us up, dust us off, & help us continue on.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2011) A. Sometimes when people are leaving after a church service they say, "Boy, I wish so & so had been here to hear that message." But I don't want you to do that this morning. I want you to take it ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Philippians 2:19-30, Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Walking With Confidence Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

Four ways to walk the spiritual life with confidence.

Learning to drive can be a very scary experience, especially for the parent who’s teaching his or her 15 year old to drive. But sometimes we forget how hard it is for the new driver, who’s suddenly introduced to a whole new world that the rest of us take for granted. New drivers start out lacking ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Loveliest Lynchee Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 4, 2001

The poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks, recently deceased African-American poet, illustrates how a commitment to justice begins with hope, turns to a sense of responsiblity, rises to act, but also acknowledges the depth of human sin.

The dateline was to be Little Rock, Arkansas, September 1957. The story was to be about the vicious hatred of a city whose people were resisting justice and terrifying school children. Little Rock, Arkansas, where Governor Orval Faubus had become the symbol of massive resistance, and where an ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Necessity Of Preparation Series

Contributed by Scott Hippler on Feb 5, 2001

Part 1/5 based upon Nehemiah and God’s work of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem.

Satan is tearing things down in this world, but Jesus Christ is building things up. For which one are you working? God is looking for people who will make a difference in the difficult places of life! People with vision who see possibilities, not problems! People with courage who will finish ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Found Innocent Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Feb 8, 2001

This is part four in a series on Galatians.

The Triumph of Grace “Found Innocent” June 18, 2000 This Morning’s Text – Galatians 2:15-21 “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God's Perfecting Processes

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Feb 8, 2001

God knows why people do what they do and how to change them.

Gods Perfecting Process or How to Profit from Your Problems James 1:1-8 Murphy’s laws: * “Nothing is as easy as it looks; everything takes longer than you think; if anything can go wrong it will.” * “A day without a crisis is a total loss.” * “The chance of the bread falling with the peanut ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Palm Sunday - Almost!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 19, 2001

Pilate is not the only one who has played the game of "almost." Most of us have played that game, too.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK Revised: 2015) ILL. On the southern border of the empire of Cyrus, there lived a great chieftain named Cagular who tore to shreds & completely defeated the various detachments of Cyrus’ army sent to subdue him. Finally the emperor, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:13-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Survivor Gear For Aimless Days

Contributed by John Kah on Feb 20, 2001

Following the "Survivor" theme, the story of Joseph presents principles to help us survive our aimless days.

"Survivor Gear For Aimless Days" Genesis 45:3-8,15 There is a popular television show that has been dominating the ratings this past Fall & Winter, the show is called "Survivor". The show stars sixteen "ordinary" people who are stranded in a remote part of Australia. They are divided into two ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:3-8

Denomination: Lutheran