Sermons on Starting Poorly:

Funerals Better Than Parties Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 19, 2006

If we’re open, we can discover a lot from times of sorrow and loss.

Overcoming Futility—a sermon series on Ecclesiastes “Funerals Better Than Parties”, 7:1-12 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts These may sound like dark words, but they contain profound wisdom. People often refuse to face death, and are reluctant to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-12

Denomination: Congregational

It Wasn't Me!

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Oct 14, 2008

When we fail to take responsibility for our own mistakes, we fail to recognize that we too are sinners. By taking responsibility for our actions, we repent and receive the gift of forgiveness.

It wasn’t me! Exodus 32:15-26 Introduction Dorthy Sayer wrote in “The divine ‘scheme of things,” as Christianity understands it, is at once extremely elastic and extremely rigid. It is elastic, in that it includes a large measure of liberty for the creature; it is rigid in that it includes the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:15-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Where Do You Turn When The Bottom Falls Out?

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Jan 15, 2010

What do you do when the bottom drops out? When you are facing failure and nobody seems to care.

Where do you turn when the bottom falls out? 1 Samuel 25:1-25 Illustration JUST CAN’T QUIT Wilma didn’t get much of a head start in life. A bout with polio left her left leg crooked and her foot twisted inward so she had to wear leg braces. After seven ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:1-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Planet In Crisis Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Jul 18, 2016

You may have shrugged it off when you read about it in the newspaper or heard about it on TV. But it's real, and it fulfills Bible prophecy.

World leaders know that our planet is in a heap of trouble. For years, analysts, thought leaders, and strategists have been warning, with increasing stridency, about a perfect storm of challenges that threaten our global economy, our global society, and our relative peace. These analysts and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:7, John 14:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God, The Supernatural Healer

Contributed by Craig Condon on May 20, 2015

How do we respond to people who come to us for help? Do we ignore them? Do we listen to them and then send them on their way instead of helping them? Do we just throw money at the problem by making a donation or do we lower ourselves like Naaman did?

A missionary lady was sitting by her window as she opened her mail. In one letter she found a crisp, new, ten-dollar bill. She was pleasantly surprised, but then she noticed a poorly dressed stranger leaning on a post by her window. She couldn't get him off her mind. Thinking that he might be in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Anglican

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jan 6, 2011

Jesus teaching on the mountain was more than a long sermon, it was the discipling of all that call themselves Christian.

Blessed are the poor in Spirit Matthew 5:1-5:12 Turn to Mathew 5 We will be starting a new series on the Sermon On The Mount this morning. It is a familiar passage, but a lot of times it is just ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

Looking At Your Own Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 25, 2020

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to examine their own faith. What does that look like?

WHO'S IN? There are a lot of questionable boundary markers for the Christian faith. - If you read the obituary page, you will discover some marvelous realities. Among them: a. Upwards of 90% of people are going to heaven. b. People are members of church despite the fact that they haven’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

He's Coming To Meet You: An Exposition Of Genesis 32:1-23

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 21, 2020

We must learn to depend upon God and not ourselves.

He’s Coming to Meet You: An Exposition of Genesis 32:1-23 Jacob was a man of many faults. He had connived to take away Esau’s birthright. His very name, Jacob, means “deceiver” or “supplanter.” He and his mother tricked Isaac to give Jacob the Patriarchal blessing. For this, his brother was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Humility Rules

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 6, 2023

Only the humble can hear God, and only the humble can represent the Gospel to the world.

Anybody here remember back to when John Hinkley tried to assassinate President Reagan? Alexander Haig was Secretary of State at the time, and his response to the crisis was to tell everybody that he was in charge. Which, of course, was not true. the Vice President is next in line, then the Speaker ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Passion Of Christ - Humility

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Apr 3, 2022

A message about the humility of Christ and how we can learn from Him

Title: Passion of Christ – Humility Theme: To show the humility of Christ in dying on the cross. Text: Philippians 2:5 - 8 Introduction of Series Remember, while Jesus was hanging on the cross, it wasn’t the nails that kept Him there. (I heard one person say that if the soldiers stopped ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-9

Denomination: Church Of God

Are You A Disciple?

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 6, 2018

Much of the church today has watered down the gospel so much in order to just attract attenders that Lordship and discipleship are completely foreign concepts. Many want only a casual relationship with Christ, but Christ is not a casual relationship God.

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE? Matthew 16:13-27 This week I was in my storage room looking for something. I reached to the top shelf and felt fur and claws. A flying squirrel jumped up on a box and stared at me. I yelled for Lana to come. Why? Because I needed a sermon illustration. She got there with a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-27

Denomination: Baptist

"Wisdom Regarding Parenting" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Aug 13, 2018

What does Proverbs have to say about parenting?

During a visit to the mental institution, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was which defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized. “Well,” said the Director, “we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Poor In Spirit Series

Contributed by Mike Hamilton on Jul 15, 2003

The poor in spirit are those who REALIZE that they are spiritually BANKRUPT before a Holy God and are in NEED of his Grace.

“The Poor in Spirit” Matthew 5:3 SOM I. Introduction A. Review As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, we are reminded that this sermon is a Constitution for those who enter Christ’s new Kingdom. It is filled with guidelines for how to live as God’s chosen people. These ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Baptist

God Can Use Ordinary People

Contributed by Guthrie Veech on Oct 18, 2000

By most traditional standards she was a prude.

By most traditional standards she was a prude. She was a conservative fundamentalist. Those are not very popular today. She championed family values. She opposed abortion and was not afraid to voice her opposition. "Yet for from being lampooned by the secular media she was hailed in life and death ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Jesus, The Bread Of Life

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Oct 6, 2005

A simple sermon for our service for Older Folks.

Jesus, the bread of life. Harvest 6.10.05. Silver Service. Jn 6:32-40 As World War II was drawing to a close, the Allied armies gathered up many hungry orphans. They were placed in camps where they were well-fed. Despite excellent care, they slept poorly. They seemed nervous and afraid. Finally, a ...read more

Scripture: John 6:32-40

Denomination: Baptist