Sermons on Stake Your Claim:

What Changed Zaccheus?

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Oct 30, 2010

Jesus doesn't preach to Zaccheus. No moralising, no ridiculing. Just unconditional acceptance. That's all it took change him radically.

A popular story recounts a meeting that may have taken place at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago in 1923. There is debate whether the meeting in fact occurred, but what is not in question is the actual rise and fall of the men featured in the story, who were nine of the richest men in the world ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

Why Did Michael The Great Archangel Say "The Lord Rebuke Thee"?

Contributed by Tony Abram on Oct 31, 2010

In my early ministry as a young evangelist, just starting out and in one of my first revival meetings, I heard the Pastor say while praying for a person the Lord rebuke thee. Some how this did not feel 100% correct. However, he being a senior minister a

WHY DID MICHAEL THE GREAT ARCHANGEL SAY "THE LORD REBUKE THEE"? In my early ministry as a young evangelist, just starting out and in one of my first revival meetings, I heard the Pastor say while praying for a person the Lord rebuke thee. Some how this did not feel 100% correct. However, ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-10

Stay Awake, Keep Watch

Contributed by Colin Thornby on Nov 29, 2010

Jesus' call to stay awake and keep watch is built on a living relationship with him.

Keep watch, stay awake... “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:32-44

Denomination: *other

Christmas Messengers

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Dec 10, 2010

When we think of the Christmas story, we often think of Christ, of Mary and Joseph, of the shepherds and the wise men. But this message is dedicated to the most overlooked character(s) of the Nativity (Angels) and to their message!

When we think of the Christmas story, we often think of Christ, of Mary and Joseph, of the shepherds and the wise men. But this post is dedicated to the most overlooked character(s) of the Nativity: Gabriel and the angels. Angels appeared at least six times in the few months surrounding the birth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Who Am I? I Am Refined Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 15, 2010

WE BECOME DIFFERENT PEOPLE UNDERSTANDING WE ARE REFINED BY OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.

Who Am I? I am Refined Ephesians 2:1-10 April 25, 2010 INTRODUCTION How do you define refined? Does it refer to our manners, our bearing, our posture, our social skills, our dress? How do you define refined? Which of the following is the more refined? (showing pics of various ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

"The Emotions Of Christmas” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Dec 15, 2010

What emotions from the first Christmas do we need to recapture today?

If you were to select one word to use in describing the atmosphere at Christmas time, what would it be? One word that comes to mind is “emotional.” All the elements that combine to make the Christmas celebration tend to fill our hearts with emotion. In our text, Luke attempts to describe the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph And Joseph Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 20, 2010

Both Josephs trusted God in tight spots and uncomfortable situations. Both Josephs were pillars others could lean upon because they were faithful and spiritually responsible.

Joseph and Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25) 1. I have noticed that when I bring up the name of Martin Luther, most people think I am bringing up the name of Martin Luther King. 2. Why is that? Most people not into church history or history in general. Since we have a holiday designated for Martin Luther ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Journey From Galilee To Judea

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 22, 2010

Joseph and Mary traveled from Galilee to Judea to be registered / taxed and to be at the right place at the right time to give birth to Jesus (vision).

Opening illustration: In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 12, 2011

Message for the International Day for the Persecuted Church. This was delivered a week after the actual Day of Prayer, since I was out of town on November 14.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Hebrews 13:3 November 21, 2010 Me: This is probably going to be a shorter message today, because I want us to spend a bit of time actually praying today. Last week was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I delayed our participation in it until ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:3

Denomination: Wesleyan

Why We Need An Emmaus Road Expereince

Contributed by Clint Shrum on Mar 17, 2007

Lesson learned walking down Emmaus Road

WHY WE NEED AN EMMAUS ROAD EXPERIENCE Luke 24:13-35 Intro: The Emmaus Road. Not much is told in the Bible about this route of travel. We know it was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem or about seven miles. The town of Emmaus actually got its name from the hot springs that was there. In the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Great Is Our God

Contributed by Joe Rowland on Sep 15, 2008

How great is our God? How can this world we live in say there is no God? Go outside at night and look at the stars. Look at the moon, how did they get there? Some people believe in the “Big Bang” theory. I believe in the “Big God” theory.

How Great Is Our God Psalm 14: 1-7 1.The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2.The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3.They ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Verifier Approach

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Oct 12, 2008

The four words that verifies our faith. 1. Written 2. Believe 3. Christ 4. Life

-Qopchedy qokedydy qokololy qokeedy qokedy shedy. [NOTE: For this to make sense to the congregation, you will need to project these words on a scene, or have them printed as part of the worship bulletin.] Try saying that! The best cryptologists in the world have been unable to decode the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:31

Denomination: Baptist

Pulling Down Strong Holds

Contributed by Jeff Osborne on Oct 16, 2008

We all have strong holds in our christain lives that we must pull down by the grace of God.

Pulling Down Strong Holds Text: 2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Whole Lot Of Shaking Going On

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Oct 13, 2009

It seems today that everything is being shaken, but that is not always a bad thing. There are some great things coming out of the shaking.

24And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. 25And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. Judg 13:25 (TLB) 25And the Spirit of the Lord began to excite him whenever he visited the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:24-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ambassadors For Christ

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Oct 22, 2009

We anxiously await the coming of the Lord, but, in the meantime, we have a message, "be reconciled to God," a mission to the entire world, and the motivating love of Christ to compel us.

Ambassadors for Christ Christian roles series 03/21/04 AM Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 INTRODUCTION Bible scholar and author William Barclay wrote of an ambassador in Roman times and noted two things about the office. 1. He was an administrator sent by the Emperor to a conquered land. His ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ