Sermons on Speak Up:

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 23, 2021

As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Let’s look at Jesus’ countercultural instructions in Mark 8:31-38.

Prelude As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Purpose Let’s see the value of taking up our cross and denying ourselves. Plan Let’s look at Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Shows Up

Contributed by Dj Thomsen on Apr 8, 2021

Everyone thinks they know what's possible; until Jesus shows up.

I just wanted to take some time this morning and let all of you know that I’m not supposed to be here. And I know that this may come as a shock to many of you because here I am standing up front in my dress and I’ve got my little folder here and it sure looks like I know what I’m doing but in ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Funeral Service: Step-Up

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 5, 2022

“Had I given up in that season of the loss of my first wife, had I given up and thrown [away] [God’s] strength and just started to living into addictions and living into my feelings and going out and living how I wanted to, I would not be living in the promises that I’m living today.”

The spiritual step-up is increasing one’s faith and prayer life and service to God when a tragedy or trial hits you, like the death of a loved one. Admittedly, when life gets too heavy, it's hard to step up, so Jesus invites us to lighten our load so we can take a step in faith. And, Anna, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36

Denomination: Catholic

Are You Traveling Up To Jerusalem?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Sep 28, 2021

Do you have a spiritual life? This is an important feature for any person who wishes to connect with Jesus. Spiritual life means being able to connect to God through the Holy Spirit. This enables one to get closer to Christ.

Are you Traveling up to Jerusalem? Mark 10:32-34 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-34

Denomination: United Methodist

Zacchaeus’ Big Climb Up.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Oct 1, 2021

About tax collectors: Tax collectors contract with Romans to collect taxes in a particular town or region, and pay a substantial fee for their franchise.

Zacchaeus’ Big Climb Up. Luke 19:1-10TPT Jesus has a divine need to connect and covenant to all mankind. His need for all individuals out weighs His personal wants and, or, desires. Every move Jesus made, He made with purpose. God’s intention through His Son according to Luke 19:10, is to seek and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Wake Up And Enjoy Life! Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Aug 3, 2023

This sermon focus on the Church of Sardis - it's hope and renewal in walking up and strengthening what it already possessed.

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6; John 11:38-44 Theme: Wake Up and Enjoy Life INTRO: Grace and peace from the God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Did you know that last year (2022) over three million people died in the United States? Did you know that last year (2022) over 69 million people ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6, John 11:38-44

Denomination: Nazarene

Take Up Your Cross PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 20, 2024

Explores the depth of commitment to Christ, emphasizing self-denial, divine direction, and determined discipleship as paths to true life.

Beloved congregation, I stand before you today, warmed by the familiar faces of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I am filled with a profound sense of joy and anticipation. We are gathered here, united in faith, bound by love, and driven by a shared desire to draw closer to our Heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Topics: Following Jesus

The Son Of Thunder Grows Up

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 24, 2024

The Thunder boys came to Jesus and asked if they could call down fire from heaven

Feast of St. John the Evangelist 2024 No matter what our age as disciples of Jesus may be, we all have some challenges, some questions we need to answer. Let’s take them starting with the one who is questioning: “who am I?” Then “who is God?” and “what does God want of me?” From there we ask ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17, 1 John 1:1-4, Matthew 5:43-48, John 20:1-8, Revelation 21:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Kneel Down To Rise Up

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 17, 2022

When that blue-haired grandma gets more rewards than the celebrity pastor you will wish you were weak, base and foolish.

1 Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Acts 4:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 11, 2025

Jim Eliot, once famously wrote in his diary on 28th October 1949: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose” . And Jesus says something similar in this morning's Gospel reading

Lk 14:25-33 Take up your cross and follow me Jim Eliot, an American missionary who was killed on 8th January 1956 taking the Gospel to the Waodani people in Ecuador - once famously wrote in his diary on 28th October 1949: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep To gain that which he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Anglican

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 12, 2025

Jesus wasn’t offering comfort or bling, but blood — a cross that kills self and births love, the heartbeat of true discipleship.

Prologue — The Little Athens of Palestine They had followed Him north — away from the dust and clamor of Galilee, away from the familiar crowds pressing for healing — into a region strange and foreign. The road climbed toward the foothills of Mount Hermon, where the air cooled and new sounds ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 9:23-26, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Clean Me Up, Lord

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 28, 2025

As we commemorate all Christians who have died and are not yet enjoying the Beatific Vision, we look forward to our own passage from this life and our hope that we can quickly be cleansed and admitted to the divine presence.

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed 2025 One of the important concepts that our culture has lost over the past hundred years is that of an “intergenerational covenant.” We see it peeking through from time to time in the headlines, most recently in terms of our multi-trillion-dollar national ...read more

Scripture: John 6:37-40, Romans 5:5-11, Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

The Ark Brought Up To Jerusalem.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 13, 2024

All our actions should be regulated by the word of God.

THE ARK BROUGHT UP TO JERUSALEM. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19. No sooner had David been anointed king over all Israel, than the Philistines came up against him. David’s instinct back then was to ‘enquire of the LORD’ as to what he should do (cf. 2 Samuel 5:17-19). And David ‘did as the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love That Never Gives Up Series

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Oct 23, 2023

Learn how God’s unfailing love can inspire us to love others persistently, hopefully, and powerfully, even in the midst of challenges and hardships.

Introduction: Dear friends and families, "Love and Family" - are two concepts that often go hand in hand. We often hear phrases like "blood is thicker than water" or "family is not defined by blood." These sayings remind us that love is at the core of any family, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Romans 15:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 46:1-3, Isaiah 40:31, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Ephesians 6:17, Proverbs 3:5-6, Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 13:8, Matthew 8:1-4, Luke 15:1-2, John 8:1-11, Colossians 3:13, Romans 15:7, John 13:34, 1 Peter 5:10, John 3:16, 1 John 1:9, 1 Peter 5:7, Ephesians 3:20-21, Jeremiah 30:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Going Up To The Real Temple

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 15, 2023

Lepers were outsiders. They were ostracized from society, and could not enter either Temple or synagogue.

Wednesday of the 32nd week in Course 2023 Ten lepers came as near to Jesus as they dared. That would have been fifty to eighty meters. Their chronic skin condition, maybe Hansen’s disease as we see such infections these days, has ruined their social and religious lives. They were ostracized from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Catholic