Sermons on Soften Up:

Suit Up! Series

Contributed by Robert Fox on Jan 29, 2007

It’s not enough to join the team and take your position, you need to put on the equipment and learn to use it so you don’t get taken out of the game on the first play. Student Ministry PowerPoint format.

[Suit Up] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:17) This material was originally presented to a High School audience in PowerPoint format. If you have any ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Up

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

These two verses provide a blueprint for each of us as we seek to move toward spiritual maturity, and become like Christ. Since we are disciples of Christ, and if we are ever to become like Christ, we will need to "grow up" in these basic areas.

Growing Up Luke 2:40, 52 As we move away from the Christmas season, we move into the uncomfortable encounters with Christ. Both Christmas and the Resurrection Season are comfortable seasons. They are seasons that emphasize grace, God’s love, and His sacrifice. But as we move into the interlude, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:40-52

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Buckle Up Series

Contributed by Neil Lieder on Feb 12, 2007

Learn to Drive Series Week 4. Buckle Up is a sermon about the Whole Armour of God, and how it protects us from the dangers of life.

Learn to Drive Series Week 4 Buckle Up Ephesians 6:11-17 Last week we talked about working on the habits necessary to grow spiritually as we learn to drive through this spiritual journey. Is Everyone working on those good habits? I told you that it takes 21 days to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grow Up Series

Contributed by Matthew Sullivan on Feb 18, 2008

Why is the Church Here?

Grow Up Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16 Series: Great Expectations Matthew Sullivan We live in a day and age when it seems that the church is becoming less and less important in our society. Many argue that the greatest challenge the body of Christ faces is not in becoming extinct (Remember: Christ will ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grow Up! Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on May 28, 2009

We are to be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, and we are to be moving towards maturity in the faith. This sermon looks at this teaching more closely.

Grow Up! Text: Ephesians 4:13-16 By: Ken McKinley (Read Text) Nostalgia is a powerful thing. Have you ever noticed that when some people talk about the past they refer to it as the “Good ole days?” TV commercials have picked up on this. I remember seeing the commercials for Life cereal where ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:13-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Man Up

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jun 24, 2009

A Fathers day message for the men of the church to accept the challenge the Lord gives for us to be all we can be for the Kingdom of God.

Disclaimer: Sermon by prayer with thoughts and Illustrations from Sermoncentral contributors Man up 1 King 2:1- 4 Introduction- It’s Father’s day, so I am directing my thoughts to the men, but the message will benefit everyone in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 2:1-4

Denomination: Nazarene

"Power Up!"

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Jun 24, 2009

When you wait on God’s timing, You will receive the Holy Spirit; You will receive the power; You will witness extraordinary results; if You must commit to turning on the Power.

In west Texas during the Depression. Mr. Ira Yates was like many other ranchers and farmers. He had a lot of land and a lot of debt. He wasn’t able to make enough on his ranching operation to pay the principal and interest on the mortgage. He was in danger of losing his ranch. With little money for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

Stand Up

Contributed by Jerry Mckee on Feb 28, 2009

This series is based on the book, "Do Hard Things" by Brett and Alex Harris. It is a 7 week series that challenges teenagers to step up from the low expectations that our culture has placed on them.

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-36

Denomination: *other

Up To Jerusalem

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 14, 2009

Why was Jesus so angry in the Temple? Is that anger valid in our situations?

John 2: 13 – 22 / Up To Jerusalem Intro: Young man sat in church – lit up cigarette and smoked it – lady - “HOW DARE YOU! WE JUST DON’T DO THAT HERE! I. It does seem out of place to smoke a cigarette in church. What else might seem “out of place” in worship? A. Don’t sit in MY pew! ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Jig Is Up

Contributed by Monty Newton on Aug 10, 2009

We own our own desires, actions and their outcomes... it is God’s will that our lives be characterized by good desires that lead to good deeds that benefit ourselves, bless others and please God.

Title: The Jig Is Up Text: James 1:13-17 Thesis: We own our own desires, actions and outcomes… It is God’s will that our lives be characterized by good desires that lead us to do good deeds that benefit ourselves and others and please God. Introduction One of my favorite stories is The ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Growing Up Series

Contributed by Andy Payne on Apr 19, 2009

We are to faithfully obey Jesus instead of the law. And we achieve what God intended in the law. That is that people would love God and love others.

We have been talking about the purpose of Paul’s letter to the Galatia Christians. According to Paul, Christians are justified (made right with God), not by what they have down, but what God has done through Jesus. We cannot enter into heaven (therefore right relationship with God) by any ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Grow Up! Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 21, 2008

Jesus presents a clear description of what it is followers are to be like internally and how they are to live outwardly in the Sermon on the Mount.

Introduction Advertising agency- nationwide telephone survey on lying. 91% of all Americans confessed that they regularly lied. One out of five admitted they could not get through one day without going along with a previously lie. We live in a day when we have been bombarded with erased tapes, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-48

Denomination: Charismatic

Get Up! Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Nov 17, 2008

Saul was knocked down by the power of God. Sometimes we need a spiritual knockout, but we also need to get up.

Get Up! A Spiritual Knockout: How getting knocked down can change your whole life. Nov. 16, 2008 Review: Acts 1-8 The Church is in a great transition: from inward (Jews) to outward (Gentiles) C. S. Lewis said “God whispers to us in our pleasures; speaks in our consciences; but shouts in our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:4-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Listen Up! Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Feb 16, 2010

Listening to God requires absolute, coourageous obedience to Christ.

“Renewable Energy: Listen Up!” Luke 9:28-36 There are many ways to say “Listen!” For example: “Shh! Listen!” - a whispered command so as not to disturb someone. Or “LISTEN TO ME!” - a loud command to get attention in as noisy place. Or “OK. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Stand Up

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 19, 2009

Trials are a common part of the Christian life, but not one that we should allow to rule us. This portion of Thessalonians gives us insight into how we can stand up against the trials that come our way.

Stand Up 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 Intro Before a child can walk, he must learn to stand. Usually the father and mother teach the child to stand and then to walk. Paul was the “spiritual parent” to these believers, but he had been forced to leave Thessalonica. How, then, could he help these young ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist