Sermons on Soften Up:

Prayer For Fear Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Jul 29, 2014

Fear overshadowing God's love threatens darkness but Jesus raised us up so that God might deliver us each day.

Prayer For Fear by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (July 29, 2014) “LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me” (Psalms 3:1, King James Version [David prayed when he fled from his son Absalom]). Greetings In The Holy Name Of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Friends

Humility To Praise Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 4, 2013

When you are at the bottom it seems like there is no way up or out. But in the final five songs of ascent, we see that the way is the way of Yahweh.

In a way, the final songs of ascent contained in Psalms 130-134 trace the path of salvation and unity with God, which leads to abundant praise and thanksgiving for all that He has done for us. Psalm 130 starts with the cry of the broken-hearted. 1 – 2 When either you find yourself in a ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Romans, Part 42 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on May 27, 2011

Christians are called to live for others, to come alongside and help them up and be a constant encourager. Division is never the way to bring unity to the Kingdom.

Romans, Part 42 Romans 15:1-13 Introduction - Last weekend Paul clearly demonstrated living for Christ in everything that we do - It is imperative that we live daily for Jesus; clinging tightly to the cross - We also discussed the spiritual act of placing stumbling blocks -- In this, what ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Those Who Accept The Kingdom Of Heaven Are Like. . . Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Sep 6, 2010

This ties up my summer series on the Kingdom of Heaven and brings us to what we need to do with what we have learned.

I have a confession to make and I hope you don’t think less of me after I’m done; That’s right I love country music. I love listening to the new artists like Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Dean Brody and I love listening to the outlaws from the seventies like Willie and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:51-58

Denomination: Wesleyan

Not A Fan But A Follower

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 26, 2016

Jesus has many casual fans, but He asked us to take up our cross and be a follower. It costs something to be a true disciple.

TITLE: Not a Fan but a Follower TEXT: Mark 8:27-38 INTRO: A soldier was frantically digging in during battle as shells fell all around him. Suddenly his hand felt something made of metal and he grabbed it. It was a silver cross. Another shell exploded and he buried his head in his arms. Just then, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

"Woman" You Have Great Faith!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jun 5, 2016

She was willing to ask.. And not give up until she got the answer she was looking for! What are you asking God for today?

Woman, you have great faith! Illus. A teacher gave her class of second graders a lesson on the magnet and what it does. The next day in a written test, she included this question: “My full name has six letters. The first one is M, and I pick up things. What am I?” When the grades were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Is Time To Build

Contributed by William Baeta on Nov 5, 2011

“Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified” Haggai 1:8.

Haggai 1:1-11 Theme: It is time to build Text: Haggai 1:1-11 Today’s harvest is not only a call to remember the abundant blessings of God but also a call to take advantage of the unique opportunity to invest in the Kingdom of God. He has blessed us with everything we have that to please and ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Getting Even Somehow Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 3, 2017

The emotion that wells up within us to “get even” is about control, consequences, and vindication. Relational issues are never JUST relational issues!

Getting Even Somehow (Proverbs 25:21-24) 1. Nobody likes a power outage. You may light oil lamps or use LED lanterns. 2. You enter a room, try to turn on a light switch. There is a lot of psychology there. 3. This is even true of an internet our computer outage. We have become so dependent ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:21-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You A Veteran?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Nov 10, 2012

A Christian Veteran has three principles that he or she MUST stand by: to never give up, to be loyal, and to never lose focus.

Are you a Veteran? Philippians 1:27-30 - Veterans Day is a celebration across the globe in remembrance of service -- It reminds us that we have been given a special gift; a gift of freedom -- It is a gift that many died for; and are dying for; in defense of a principle - Not a dream, not a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Following In His Footsteps

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 28, 2020

The road which the Lord sets before us is not easy. It requires us to give up our selfish ambition, and to walk the path of service.

FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS. Matthew 20:17-34. Jesus was a patient teacher. The Lord reminded His disciples that His journey to Jerusalem would precipitate events which would lead to His death and resurrection. This was why He came into the world. It was not outside His control (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When You Hit The Wall Series

Contributed by Oladayo Oladosu on Feb 14, 2019

Is your business nose - diving and you are tired, worn out, feel like giving up or overwhelmed by thoughts of suicide? This is just for you.

When You Hit the Wall If you faint in the day of trouble, your strength is small! (Pro. 24:10-NET) Is your business nose - diving and you are tired, worn out, feel like giving up or overwhelmed by thoughts of suicide? This is just for you. Imagine running a race when all of a sudden it feels as ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:10, Job 4:5, Job 19:21

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did Jesus Have To Die And Did He Really Rise From The Dead?

Contributed by Steve Malone on Feb 19, 2019

This message will try to answer the two questions - why did Jesus have to die and did He really rise up from the dead.

Jesus: Why Did He Have To Die Did He Really Rise From The Dead? I. Why Did Jesus Die? I want to look at this question from 3 perspectives: the Romans, the Jews, Jesus and the church. A) Why The Romans Said Jesus Must Die… • Because he disturbed Roman order. • Because he spoke of a coming ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:45, 1 Corinthians 15:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nick At Night Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 22, 2021

If you want to see the Kingdom of God, you must be born again, the Son of Man must be lifted up, and you must believe.

Through his humor, Bill Waterson has a way to make you think about life. He’s the author of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strips; and some time ago, he drew Calvin (a little boy) hurtling down a snowy slope on a sled with his friend Hobbes (a tiger). Calvin: I'm getting nervous about ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Martyr's Mindset

Contributed by Samuel Sampson on Aug 27, 2018

We are not called to be martyrs in Christianity, but we are called to love God even to the point of readily giving up this temporal life if need be.

—The Martyrs Mindset— "Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you."—Philippians 3:15 We find quite often nowadays in the news, stories like: —'3 men summarily executed by Saudi authorities for converting to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-23, Acts 7:51-60

The End Of The Beginning Series

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Oct 22, 2018

A message about our focus in the last days that is summed up in 1 Peter 1:13. Also a joyous description of New Jerusalem.

The End Of The Beginning PPT 1 Series Title We are beginning a new series today on what is popularly known as the end times. I think that a more accurate phrase would be the end of the beginning. Genesis begins with "In the beginning" and 1 Cor 15:24 tells us about the end. PPT 2 text 1 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:9-21, John 14:2, Luke 14:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal