Sermons on Socialization:

Thirtieth Sunday In Ordinary Time

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 4, 2023

Love of God and neighbor protects us from stress

Several years ago, a radio station ran a contest. "Just for fun," they said, "when you wake up to the sound of 106 FM, call and tell us the first words you spoke when you rolled out of bed. If you're the third caller, you'll win $106." The first morning, a buoyant disc ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Catholic

Jonadab, The Snake In The Grass Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Oct 27, 2023

Amnon gets ungodly advice from Jonadab with tragic results

2 Samuel 13 tells of the tragic story of Tamar and how wickedness destroyed her life. While it's true that Amnon was the one who committed such a horrible crime, there was someone else at the epicenter that isn't alked about nearly enough. Jonadab is that friend NOBODY wants to have because ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:3-6

Revelation Twenty-One (Part 4) Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Oct 30, 2023

No such thing as good magic

Sorcery is the practice of using occultic practices to control situations and people. A second definition is when we turn to evil sources to get the answers only God can give. As we look at TV, movies, games, and books, the occult is everywhere. At an early age, we are introduced to witches, ...read more

How Could One Solitary Life Have So Much Impact - Christmas Eve

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

Church members and friends can support St. John's By-the-Sea by visiting our website https://www.stjohnsbythesea.com/donate, where a donation can be made by PayPal or credit card, if you prefer that to mailing your donations to the church.

Good Evening, and welcome again to St. John’s Church. And, as you can tell, I love our Christmas Eve Service. The first one at St. John’s was in 1892, 130 years ago. This is only my 5th Christmas here, and I absolutely love how this service paints a picture. It really has a feel to it. As we close ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

What Will Harboring Pride In Our Hearts Do To Us?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 21, 2024

Pride is self-esteem, confidence, and satisfaction in self. Some people try to run their own lives without God, as if they do not need Him, because they put themselves first.

Obadiah is the shortest book of the Bible. It is titled “The Vision of Obadiah” as it prophesies the judgment to fall on the nation of Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau which made them related to the children of Israel (Genesis 25:19-27:45). Because of Edom’s defiance of God, their ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:3-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Choose Life And Goodness Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 26, 2024

The way of sin vs the way of life.

Thursday after Ash Wednesday 2024 Today we begin our solemn preparation for the Pasch–the annual commemoration of the Passover of Jesus. He gave Himself freely up to an unjust death for our redemption, and left us sacraments in His assembly–His Church–for all who would believe in Him. And the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:22-25, Psalm 1:1-6, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Deuteronomy 30:1-14, Isaiah 5:20, 1 John 2:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Navigating The Challenges Of Life

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 13, 2024

Navigating the Challenges of Life

Navigating the Challenges of Life Scripture: James 1:12-18 Reflection James 1:12-18 is a passage from the New Testament of the Bible that addresses various aspects of human nature, temptation, and the character of God. It offers insights and guidance for navigating the challenges of life while ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-18

Denomination: Other

Is The Church Guilty Of Laziness While Waiting For God?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jun 30, 2024

What does the word “laziness” mean? Laziness is being unwilling to work or being idle.

Certain individuals in the Thessalonian church were dishonestly instructing that since Christ would return quickly, individuals ought to save their obligations, quit work, do no future preparation, and simply just stand by and wait. Be that as it may, their absence of action just drove them into ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does It Mean To Appeal For The Useful?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jul 7, 2024

An example of grace in how it demonstrates the action of true Christian fellowship.

Paul wrote this letter as a plea for a runaway slave of Philemon’s named Onesimus. He had stolen from Philemon then ran away to Rome where he met Paul. Subsequently he accepted Christ as his Savior, so Paul was writing this letter as he was sending Onesimus back to Philemon, but he wanted Philemon ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

At The Gate Beautiful Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Jul 19, 2024

There is much said by commentaries about this text. Most agree that this is the first miracle following the ascension of Jesus to heaven; but I disagree.

“At The Gate Beautiful” Acts 3:2-8 There is much said by commentaries about this text. Most agree that this is the first miracle following the ascension of Jesus to heaven; but I disagree. I believe that the greatest miracle that can happen is not that the lame walk, or the blind see, or even ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing As God Sees 1 Samuel 16:7 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 3, 2024

Let's consider the profound truth found in 1 Samuel 16:7 and explore how God’s perspective differs from ours and how we can align our vision with His.

Transformed by Truth: Seeing as God Sees 1 Samuel 16:7 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT): "But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 51:10, Ezekiel 36:26, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Is The Marriage, Idea Of God Or Human? Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 29, 2024

Let us recognize and honor marriage as a divine institution, ordained by God from the beginning. May our understanding of this truth shape our perspective on marriage and our commitment to upholding its sanctity.

Some might say that marriage is a human construct, a social convention created by man. But let us look to the Bible for guidance. Origin of Marriage: In Genesis 2:23-24, we read: "The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:23-24, Genesis 2:23, Ephesians 5:22-33

What Is The Significance Of The Fortune In The Field And The Goodly Pearl?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Apr 6, 2024

Have we counted the cost of servanthood? What are we willing to give for the fortune that God has provided for us?

Jesus oftentimes instructed by using parables or illustrations. Stories, even short ones like these, are a strong method for conveying a major thought or to answer an unavoidable issue. Language or specialized terms probably will not let a thought hit home for a great many people. Associating the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Philippians 3:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Speech That Demands Action Lesson 20 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 9, 2024

Your authority is God's Word.

A. WHY PEOPLE RESENT BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO 1. They know better than you. 2. They don’t respect your opinion. 3. They are blinded to God’s work and your ideas. 4. They have a hidden agenda. 5. They are not yielded to God’s will. 6. They are ignorant – never learned Christian principles. 7. They ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Standing Firm In The Last Days

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Feb 7, 2025

Paul describes a society that has turned away from God, where people are consumed with self-interest, greed, pride, and ungodliness. His words sound eerily familiar, as if they were written for our own time. But they also contain guidance and encouragement for us as faithful Christians.

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-6

Denomination: Anglican