Sermons on Soften Up:

Hanging Up Your Harp

Contributed by Darren Felarise on Sep 29, 2019

The Devil may never get you to do drugs, drink, or smoke, but if he can just get you to hang up your harp & sing a silent song, he's got you.

Ps 137:1-4 137 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Repent, And Never Give Up

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

Because God never gives up on us, we too must never give up

From the archives of Winston Churchill’s life comes the report of a singular commencement address. After enduring a lengthy introduction, Churchill rises from his seat, walks to the podium and stares fixedly at his audience of new graduates. "Never give up!" he asserts solemnly. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Other

3: Building Up The Church Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Do you neglect your soul all week, then come to church, expecting to be filled up? Or do you nourish your soul all week and come to build up others?

The Bible is full of different images to try to explain what the church is like and how it works. For example, the Apostle Paul often talks about the church as a building. But he didn’t mean a building made of wood or brick or stone. He meant a figurative building in which the members of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Peter 2:5, Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 15:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 14:26  (view more)  (view less)

An Ode To The Messed-Up Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 11, 2020

This passage details the numerous efforts the Paul made to get the Corinthians back on track and the harsh reality that some churches are just a mess.

- Maybe start with the story of Pastor Mark and church “J.” THE SITUATION FOR THIS MESSED-UP CHURCH: 1. Paul handled his ministry there with integrity. - 2 Corinthians 12:11-12, 17-19. 2. Paul sacrificed for them. - 2 Corinthians 12:13, 14b, 15-16. 3. This was not the first time he’d tried ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

Faith That Steps Up To The Challenge

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 14, 2017

Three faith lessons from the live of Caleb. His example instructs us on how to face the challenges in our lives. God identified three things about Caleb that distinguished him from the crowd and explains God's blessings on him.

Intro In Numbers 13 we are introduced to a man named Caleb. He was the leader of the tribe of Judah when Moses sent the tribal leaders into the Promise Land to explore it in anticipation of invasion. Follow with me as we read Num. 13:17-20 “Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:7-14, Joshua 15:16-19

Denomination: Charismatic

"The Humble Are Lifted Up"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 19, 2017

A sermon about humility.

“The Humble are Lifted Up” Luke 1:26-38 Last weekend, I read a post on Facebook by an old classmate from high school. It said that another classmate--named Sean Hodge--had passed away. Sean Hodge… Sean Hodge… It took me a minute or two, but I remembered Sean. I hadn’t known him very ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Look Up And Praise The Lord

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 28, 2017

A summons to praise our God, with reasons attached.

LOOK UP AND PRAISE THE LORD. Psalm 147:1-11, Psalm 147:20c. Why “Praise the LORD” (Psalm 147:1)? There are two possible readings of the answer: “For it is good/ pleasant/ delightful to sing praises to our God” (cf. Psalm 92:1); or “For He is good/ gracious/ beautiful” (cf. Psalm 27:4). It could ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:1-11, Psalm 147:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lighting Up Hell On Earth Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 29, 2024

Unbelief is the one sin out of which all other sins grow. Unbelief is the one sin that will damn you and send you to hell. Not believing in the Son of God is self-condemnation.

Think with me about some of the most important conversations you have ever had for a moment, will you? For the married men, what’s your reaction when your wife says, “We need to talk”? Yeah, that’s my reaction, too. More seriously… What are some of the most important conversations you’ve had in ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Building Up With Words Of Truth Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 3, 2024

We delve into the transformative power of our words as believers, based on Ephesians 4:29. This verse underscores the importance of edifying speech that reflects God's truth and grace.

Building Up with Words of Truth Ephesians 4:29 Introduction: Today, we delve into the transformative power of our words as believers, based on Ephesians 4:29. This verse underscores the importance of edifying speech that reflects God's truth and grace. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT): "Don’t use ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 4:22-24, Proverbs 16:24, Colossians 4:6, Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 15:1, Colossians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Power Up Kingdom Living Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Feb 10, 2023

In Matthew Jesus frames up the Jesus Life by speaking about the Kingdom of God. Not a physical kingdom with walls, a castle, and a throne. It is a spiritual Kingdom. Jesus is our King.

Power Up Kingdom Living   Matthew 13:31-51 Introduction Power Up - it’s what we need to do when our spiritual batteries get low. We need to connect to the power source, overcome temptation, use the power of influence, exercise the spiritual disciplines, and escape judgmentalism in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Power Up Your Discipleship Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Feb 16, 2023

Jesus once asked a question about identity: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Interestingly, he got several responses.

Introduction An estimated 113 million viewers watched the Super Bowl. What do people always talk about after a Super Bowl? Ads! Most expensive ever - at $7 million per 30 seconds.  The most memorable ad I saw? Tubi - the one where everyone scrambled to find their remote control.  ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Need A Clean Up

Contributed by Bala Samson on Feb 25, 2023

Devil is not shaken by looks, language skills, talents, music skills, education, bank balance or outward demeanor; however, he does fear a man who is holy and close to God. Amen.

WE NEED A CLEAN UP Where are Hezekiahs’ 2 Kings 18: 1 “….Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah became king. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king …” There are no magic bullets for the woes we face today: gigantic idols, drugs, lust, porn, violence, greed, bribe and ugly social ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Building Each Other Up

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 18, 2023

As a Body of believers, each one of us are responsible for building the Kingdom of God. One important aspect in this process is being actively involved in building one another up.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:9) "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11) As a Body of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ephesians 4:9

Denomination: Other

When God Shows Up Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 2, 2024

We live in both a physical realm and a spiritual realm. So, depend on the Spirit to empower and lead you in all aspects of your life.

WHEN GOD SHOWS UP Text: Acts 14:1-7 Introduction 1. Illustration: Early in my ministry, my mentor was a Pastor named John McEwen. At the time, Tina and I were attending his church, and there had been some trouble in the church. One day, I went and sat in his office and told him that I was dumb ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

And He Yielded Up The Ghost

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 5, 2022

Today in America, we have many laws that are on the books, but they are never enforced.

God also has many laws but His laws are always enforced. For example, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” is a law that almighty God put in place. It is not a law that is applied to some people; it is a law that applies to everyone. Jacob’s sons lived an ungodly life. • In Shechem, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist