Sermons on Sparkle:

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 13, 2014

Is the Lord Your shepherd?

The Lord is My Shepherd Psalm 23 The 23rd Psalm is one of the most familiar and beloved psalms in all of Scripture. It has been recited at countless funerals to give comfort and hope to the bereaved. It has been used in some of the most beautiful music ever composed. It has been the inspiration ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Open Heart Intimacy Series

Contributed by Connail Johnson on Nov 10, 2010

The Song, in other words, makes a connection between marital love and sex – a very important and very biblical connection to make. There are some who would eliminate sex when they speak of love, supposing that they are making it more holy. Others, when th

THE WOMED MAN “OPEN HEART INTIMACY” “HER MANIA” Text: Songs of Solomon 5:1-8 Introduction: “FAITH~vs~SEX” This is a piece of the scriptures that we usually ignore. I believe that most tend to ignore it because it is so hard to figure out what it is doing in ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 5:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Surprise Or A Plan? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 25, 2021

The church began as a Messianic Jewish movement, but became a trans-cultural Messianic movement. How can we explain this?

A Surprise or a Plan? (Romans 9:22-33) 1, I heard about a pastor after he would preach a man would say to him, “Pastor, that was a warm message today.” or the man would say, “Pastor, that was a warm sermon” or he would sometimes say, “I appreciate those warm words.” One day the preacher caught him ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:22-33, Acts 3:18-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon On The Emeralds Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 16, 2025

Emeralds are defined as a brittle gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl.

Leatrice Eiseman, a female American color specialist, author and educator once remarked: “The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum, as it has throughout history, multifaceted emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, emerald ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 28:13, John 1:3, Lamentations 4:7, Song of Songs 5:14

Sermon On The Ponds Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on May 23, 2025

The definition of a pond is chronicled as a small body of still water formed naturally or by artificial means.

Francine Rivers, a female American author once remarked: “Life is like a pond, and every decision and act we commit, good or bad, is a pebble flung into it. The ripples spread in widening circles.” Jeremiah 17:8 reminds us: “He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:2, Romans 12:4-5, John 7:38, Ezekiel 47:9

When Love Leads: Finding Balance In The Chaos Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Aug 1, 2025

This is the 6th talk in an 8-week class called "Trauma and Transformation, Level 1." It reflects on the pursuit of balance through Jesus’ call to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength. True change comes slowly—through love that shapes us from the inside out.

Spiritual Talk - Session 6 This is the 6th talk in an 8-week class called "Trauma and Transformation, Level 1". The course takes a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual approach to healing. Both Christians and non-Christians are welcome. This is a reflection time of about 10 minutes that occurs in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Changing Church And The Changeless Christ

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 5, 2003

Although we may not want the church to change, change is inevitable and positive. Change will be guided if we will remember and assess accurately the traditions we have been given, if we will also assess proposed changes and not panic, and if we will mea

Some folks are allergic to change. They want everything to be just as it always was. They get used to things and they want everything to stay put. Some folks just won’t deal with change. A few weeks ago the electricity went out at our house. Some transformer blew, and for several hours we had ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

Study In Revelation 38 The New Jerusalem Series

Contributed by James Lee on Nov 18, 2009

Study in Revelation using "The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible" as a guide.

STUDY IN REVELATION 38 The New Jerusalem Revelation 21: 9-23 How do you describe God? We try the best we can using human language to describe the majesty and the glory of God. John is doing the best he can, using human language, to describe this new city he sees. John sees the New Jerusalem Can ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:9-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Walk (Crossing The Red Sea) Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 28, 2004

2nd in 4 part series on God’s X-Files -"unexplained phenomenon" and the lessons we can learn from it.

THE WALK EXODUS 14 INTRODUCTION: Woody Allen in addressing a Harvard graduation said, "You have entered a crossroads of life. Down one road is despondency and despair.. down the other road is total annihilation. I sure hope you make the right choice." Now, I’m confident that Woody Allen was ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-31

Denomination: Christian Church

Turning Trials To Triumph Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Oct 6, 2004

This message explains why the Christian will face trials and what God’s desire is for the believer through the tests we face in life.

“EXTREME MAKEOVER” – PART TWO TURNING TRIALS INTO TRIUMPH JAMES 1:2-12 - ©DR. LARRY L. THOMPSON (2004) INTRODUCTION: Diamond Test Illustration: To test the genuineness of a diamond, jewelers often place it in clear water, which causes a real diamond to sparkle with special brilliance. An imitation ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Water!

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 1, 2011

We must tend, we must nurture, we must care for the conditions in our lives into which the fresh, bubbling spring of the Holy Spirit flows.

Holy Water! John 4:4-15 August 21, 2011 Intro: Do you remember these (show picture of school water fountain)? Back in the day before bottled water, pop machines in every nook and cranny, water coolers with disposable triangular paper cups, or personal water bottles clipped to backpacks and ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Changing Church And The Changeless Christ

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 29, 2010

We are in transitional times; we will be helped through transition if we remember who got us here and why, but if we also remain wary of popular bandwagons. The ultimate measure is whether we have been faithful to Christ's call.

Gethsemane Baptist Church, Washington, DC, Nov. 24, 1996 Some folks are allergic to change. They want everything to be just as it always was. They get used to things and they want everything to stay put. Some folks just won’t deal with change. A few weeks ago the electricity went out at ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

An Opportunity For Joy Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jun 19, 2017

God is making you better through your troubles so consider them an opportunity for joy!

An Opportunity For Joy Text: James 1:1-4 Introduction 1. Illustration: "Joy in Christ requires a commitment to working at the Christian lifestyle. Salvation comes as a gif, but the joy of salvation demands disciplined action. Most Christians I know have just enough of the Gospel to make them ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

Excitement

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Apr 8, 2003

A Sermon for Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday Mark 11:1-11 "Excitement" 11:1 ¶ And when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 2 and said to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The Angel's Perspective Series

Contributed by Curtis Rowe on Dec 11, 2007

The angel’s perspective on the birth of Christ reminds us of the essential nature of the incarnation.

Christmas Perspectives #1 The Angelic Appreciation of Christmas Luke 2:7-17 We hear a lot about the results of public opinion polls. Sometimes they’re interesting and informative; then sometimes you wonder, “Where do they find all these misinformed people?” and sometimes you think, “Who really ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:7-17

Denomination: Baptist