Sermons on Starting Poorly:

Happiness Or Joy

Contributed by Peter Sapp on Aug 8, 2013

God is not concerned with His children's happiness. He is concerned with their joy. Happiness is fleeting, joy is eternal.

John 15:9-17 Bubba walked into a doctor's office and the receptionist asked him what he had. Bubba said, "Shingles."  So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.  Fifteen minutes later a nurse's aide came out and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Watch Your Tongue!

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Sep 17, 2018

Do the words you speak build-up or burn-down?

In the summer of 2000, more than a thousand firefighters battled a wildfire for two weeks in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The fire started on August 24, and continued until September 8. When it was over more than eighty thousand acres of federal forest was burnt. Forty-six-year-old Janice ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Other

Finishing Strong

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Nov 25, 2025

A call for believers to run their spiritual race with endurance and conclude their journey with excellence, victory, and unwavering faith.

FINISHING STRONG By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 Key Verse: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7 Supporting Texts: Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Ecclesiastes 7:8 INTRODUCTION: Finishing strong is one of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Fear Of Rejection Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jun 24, 2002

Sermon 1 in a series on Fear.

The Fear Factor WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? TOP 14 FEARS OF AMERICANS (before 9/11) 1) Public speaking 2) Heights 3) Insects and bugs 4) Financial problems 5) Deep water 6) Sickness 7) Death 9) Loneliness 8) Flying 10) Dogs 11) Driving/riding in a car 12) Darkness 13) Elevators 14) ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-4, John 7:37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

5 Reasons Why We Pray For Our Nation Series

Contributed by Wah Lok Ng on Nov 4, 2001

Prayer for our nation is not an option, it is a command. This sermon shows the benefits of praying for our nation.

5 REASONS WHY WE PRAY FOR OUR NATION By NG WAH LOK (www.tabernaclemusic.net) Text : 1 Tim 2:1-4 Introduction. “THE CHURCH WILL ALWAYS GET THE GOVERNMENT SHE DESERVES”. The above saying is very true. When a nation sins, God brings a judgement from within or without. God can bring bad ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Daniel 9:20-21, Jeremiah 29:7

Denomination: Charismatic

Confronting Suffering

Contributed by Clarence Clough on Jun 15, 2008

Maturely coming to grips with suffering requires moving from the "Why" level to a level of understanding the realities of suffering.

CONFRONTING SUFFERING Text: 2 Cor. 12:7-10, And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Church Of God

What Sort Of Home Will Heaven Be? John 14:1-6 Series

Contributed by James Bohrer on Dec 24, 2008

Heaven is a real and tangible place. Most people have the idea that we float around in heaven with harps. Nothing could be further from the truth.

NAS John 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

When You Don't Like Where God Is Leading You

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 19, 2013

A look at struggles we have with the idea that God gets to shape us rather than us being in charge of our lives ourselves. What does it mean to let Him shape us like a potter shapes the clay?

WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO BRING THAT INTO MY LIFE? We want to be shaped in the way we choose. - It can be painful to be shaped. - Like a potter pressing his fingers into the clay to mold it into a different shape would probably not “feel good” to the clay if it were sentient, so the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Justified Fools For Christ-5 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Aug 24, 2015

5 of 8. Paul admonished the Corinthian Church regarding his apostolic ministry. The church must regard apostles rightly...as those who are fools for Christ! But How/When are these Justified? Fools for Christ are justified thru their...

JUSTIFIED FOOLS For CHRIST-V—1Corinthians 4:1-21 Attention: I was in the barber shop one Friday & Christine showed me a you tube video of an unusual scene in Rockaway, NJ. A black bear family—a mother & 5 cubs!—decided to enjoy themselves in an above-ground pool! They were ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Youth Of Biblical Commitment

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 2, 2004

This message uses the life of Daniel and his three Hebrew friends to challenge youth to live by Biblical convictions and not compromise to the values of the world.

Youth of Biblical Convictions -Commitment not Conformity- Daniel 1:1-20 Today we are honoring our High School graduates. We are proud of all our youth in the Willow Vale Church. We are praying for God’s best in all their lives. Today youth face the challenge of maintaining their Christian ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-20

Denomination: Free Methodist

Press On Toward The Goal

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Mar 27, 2007

Press On Toward the Goal 1) Conscious of your limitations 2) Confident in your Lord (Sermon theme and parts by Armin J. Panning)

4,000 steps (3 km). That’s the average number of strides one takes during the course of a day (www.feetforlife.org). Over a year you will take 1.46 million steps. How many steps have you taken so far in your lifetime? It might be interesting to calculate that number but what is more important than ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-14

Denomination: Lutheran

What Judas Missed-7

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 4, 2018

7 of ? Judas missed the entirety of that which took place from the time of his leaving the Lord’s supper(13:30) until he arrived in the Garden of Gethsemane, with those who would arrest Jesus(18:3)! Judas Missed...

WHAT JUDAS MISSED-VII—John 13:31–14:11(John 13:18--17:26) OR--‘WHILE YOU WERE OUT/AWAY’ Attention: The town of Banner Elk(~1000 residents) is located in the mountains of western North Carolina & is known for its ski resorts. However every year in the fall(near the end of October) the ‘Wooly Worm ...read more

Scripture: John 13:38

Denomination: Baptist

The Alarming Signs Of A Dead Churchs. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 22, 2025

In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ addressed seven churches in Asia, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ addressed seven churches in Asia, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. To the church at Sardis, He said, "You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (Revelation 3:1). This warning serves as a reminder that even churches with a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20, Matthew 7:16

Boat Potatoes

Contributed by David Radcliff on Mar 25, 2016

Taking risks.

BOAT POTATOES Matthew 14:28-34, Matthew 25:14-30 John Ortberg – (book, If You Want To Walk On Water You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat) Story of grandmother I. ANYTIME A GIFT IS GIVEN The recipient must choose to respond in one of two ways A. THIS GIFT IS SO VALUABLE IT CAN'T BE RISKED. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

Doing Life With God Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 9, 2009

Doing life with God produces lasting change in the way we live (i.e. being gracious to others and traveling light, carrying no offense).

Doing Life with God Ephesians 4:17-32 Intro: Earlier in Eph. we talked about the BC life & the AD life. Today we will follow a similar pattern. Paul is giving practical instructions on how to live a life that honors God. Paul started this chapter with a challenge to have a walk worthy of God’s ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Assembly Of God