Sermons on Spiritual Fitness:

Pontius Pilate: Stuck In People-Pleasing Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

Pilate was a classic people-pleaser, who found that his behavior produced popularity that masked contempt, pessimism, and powerlessness.

The story has it that during creation, as God was sitting up in heaven turning out all these creatures, some of the angels asked if they could help. It looked like fun, making plants and animals, birds and beasts. And so God, who had just finished fashioning something, said, "All right. Come ahead. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A New Set Of Clothes Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Mar 9, 2009

With privilege always comes responsibility. God has reconciled us to himself, our responsibility now is to live as God’s children.

If you haven’t been here for the full six weeks of sermons on Ephesians, you missed out on a lot, But we don’t want you to miss out so let me fill you in on the story so far. We’ve been discovering the amazing secrets of God’s plan, prepared before the beginning of time, brought to fulfilment ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Rediscovering The Word

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

In this chapter, we are moving from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem to building the people of God.
How does that happen? Being guide by our compass, the word of God.

[Re]discovering the Word Nehemiah 8:1-8 Image of Frank Worsley and the ship Endurance Just before the outbreak of the First World War, a small ship named the Endurance set sail from Briton with a crew intent on being the first to cross the South Pole. The ship reached Antarctica, but became ice ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

A Motley Crew, In Chains

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 3, 2008

Tychicus, Onesimus, and Aristarchus chose to chain themselves to ministries of encouragement, inclusion, and support.

If you follow the rock music scene, I guess I should hurry to assure you that the sermon today is not about a heavy metal group, nor is it about some kind of kinky fetish. The theme, "A Motley Crew, In Chains" is evoked by the long list of names which Paul singles out as he finishes the Colossian ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Life According To Plumb

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 10, 2008

We are drowning in a sea of impurity. Everywhere we look we find temptation to lead impure lives. The psalmist asked a question that troubles us all: how do we stay pure and holy in a filthy environment? Where can we find that strength and wisdom?

Opening illustration: Charlie Riggs has been called “the man behind Billy Graham.” For nearly 40 years, Riggs was the director of counseling and follow-up for Mr. Graham’s evangelistic meetings. In his counselor training classes, Charlie taught thousands of people the basic principles of how to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's So Important About The Church?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 10, 2008

1- The church is a serving body 2- The church is a fortified body 3- The church is a growing body

INTRO.- ILL.- A little girl became restless as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?" I’m sure that’s probably how some people feel about most preachers and the church. "All they ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Overcoming The Confusion Of Christmas

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 20, 2008

This text holds the answer of how to celebrate Christmas in a truly Christian way.

“Overcoming The Confusion of Christmas” Luke 2:7-20 (key verses 17-20) A Kindergarten teacher asked her class which Christmas Story they would like to hear her read. One little boy shouted out, “Tell the one about where the father saw Santa Claus and got sick.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Polishing Doorknobs

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 20, 2008

Is your ministry all polish?

Polishing Doorknobs There is an old saying when something is futile or a waste of time and money. Doing (whatever) is like polishing doorknobs on the Titanic. I am sure that when that ship went down it had nicely polished doorknobs but they didn’t stay that way long under water. The loss of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Who Profits From These Walls?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 24, 2008

In support of property redevelopment in this church: God will remember us, as will this community, if we build with human needs in mind, if we build unselfishly, and if we build for future generations.

All of us have a powerful need to be remembered and will do almost anything to make sure we are remembered. We want to be remembered; we want somebody to remember those significant dates like birthdays and anniversaries, and we will drop hints and leave calendars lying around and do everything we ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Reason For Hope On The Road Ahead Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jan 1, 2009

The road ahead is about to get rocky, but, we have reason for hope.

It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone. It’s 2009 and what makes this new year unique is there’s more reason for pessimism than optimism at what it will bring. Maybe you’ve heard some of the dire predictions about what the near future holds. A couple of weeks ago, economist and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Pray For Us

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 2, 2009

What are we to pray about? 1- Pray for the spreading of the message 2- Pray for the deliverance from evil people 3- Pray for the strengthening of God’s Spirit

INTRO.- Prayer is the one of the great privileges that we have as Christians. People outside of Christ can only meditate, but we can talk to God, knowing He is there, listening, loving, etc. ILL.- A group of bats, hanging from the ceiling of a cave, discover a single bat STANDING upright below ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In His Mercy Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 6, 2009

1- In His mercy He has given us new birth 2- In His mercy He has given us an inheritance 3- In His mercy He has given us protection

INTRO. - ILL.- The story is told of a politician who, after receiving the proofs of a portrait, was very angry with the photographer. He stormed back to the photographer and said these angry words: "This picture does not do me justice!" The photographer replied, "Sir, with a face like yours, you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Inadequate Truth, Insufficient Faith Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jan 8, 2009

This continues in my expository series through the book of Acts.

Once again, “religion” has made the news. Unless you live in a cave somewhere, you by now know the name of Barack Obama’s former pastor, know the controversial things he said, know the reaction that those words have received. “Religion” makes the news all the time, whether it involves Islamic ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What The Ministry Has Taught Me

Contributed by Harold Hansen on Jan 12, 2009

WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE MINISTRY

WHAT THE MINISTRY HAS TAUGHT ME Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus – There Is Just Something About That Name!

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Jan 13, 2009

NAMES ARE IMPORTANT! NAME BRANDS – Starbucks, Levi, Nike, Sony, Liz Claiborne, Bayliner, Nintendo NAME DROPPERS – People playing off of other people’s names. I know Bill Gates (I do, but he is a car dealer in Indiana!) NAME RECOGNITION – FedEx,

Cornerstone Church July 4, 2004 JESUS – THERE IS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME! Matthew 1:21 Imagine trying to distinguish me from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21

Denomination: Evangelical Free