Sermons on Stay A While:

Focus For The New Year

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Jan 2, 2009

What will you focus on for the new Year? Prioritize what is important, stay positive in your attitude and improve the relationships all around us.

Introduction It’s common during this time of year for folks to plan for the future and start anew. According to the Chicago Tribune, (Mark Silva, “New Years’ Resolutions: Uh, Never Mind”, December 29, 2008) The top three New Years’ resolutions were losing weight, quitting some form of nasty ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

Denomination: Lutheran

A Long Obedience

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 24, 2007

Having entered the Christian life, we need encouragement to stay the course. God, through the Apostle Paul, urges us to persevere.

2 Corinthians 4:13-18 A Long Obedience “Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Advent: Stand Guard!

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Nov 27, 2011

May we remember to ’stand guard’ and ’stay alert’ in not only mind, heart and soul, but in the way we live out our faith.

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!” YES, TODAY IS THE BEGINNING OF A BRAND NEW YEAR…FOR THE CHURCH. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SEASON. ALONG WITH THE DAWNING OF A NEW SEASON AND NEW YEAR COMES THE ANTICIPATION OF STARTING FRESH, STARTING OVER, MAKING CHANGES AND EXPECTATING BETTER DAYS ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Free Methodist

Responses To The Birth Of Christ

Contributed by Ned Bartlebaugh on Dec 31, 2009

Examine the responses of several key biblical characters to the birth of Christ while reflecting upon our own response.

Introduction A few days ago we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. We had a great Christmas Eve service followed by an outstanding Christmas Eve party. But now what? Many people experience the “Christmas blues.” It is hard being away from family during Christmas when there are so many ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Baptist

Waiting For Jesus

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 1, 2023

Don’t wait for angels while waiting for Jesus to return. Be ready for Jesus by being someone’s angel.

A couple of decades ago there was a really popular television show called Touched by an Angel. How many of you used to watch it? It was pretty good, wasn’t it? It was optimistic and uplifting without being overly sugary or sentimental. So think back. Wouldn’t it be great if, just when you most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Vision Of Purpose

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 15, 2017

The church faces many difficulties and obstacles while serving the Lord. While these are unavoidable, we do not have to allow them to defeat us. We must maintain our focus on the Lord and follow the vision He has provided.

A Vision of Purpose Ephesians 3: 20-21 The church at Ephesus was dear to Paul. His ministry among them spanned three years. The church there began with just twelve believers (Acts 19:7), but through faithful effort they experienced amazing growth. Knowing the success in Ephesus, Paul desired them ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

"Room Wanted"

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Sep 14, 2014

This text reminds us that since His birth, Christ has been seeking a place to stay; He wants to live in our hearts.

Room Wanted. Single male, non-smoker, is seeking a place to stay. Unselfish, good natured, and loves children. A real ‘can-do’ person, able to rise above problems. Great culinary skills (can work wonders with bread and fish) and has experience in wine making. Outstanding skills in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Baptist

Switched - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Apr 10, 2010

We usually like for things to stay the same. However, sometimes an exchange takes place for our good. Some things need to be “Switched!”

“Switched” Text: Genesis 25:21-26; 32:24, 27-28; 35:14-18 Gen. 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Matthew 13:20-21 – Part 5 – Swimming At The Shallow End Of The Pool? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 28, 2011

No matter how hardhitting and inspiring and deep the message is on Sunday, many stay at the shallow end and won’t continue with the faith that they profess.

Matthew 13:20-21 – Part 5 – SWIMMING AT THE SHALLOW END OF THE POOL? He stays at the shallow end of the pool for a long time, refusing invitations to come out into the deeper water, even with his dad. But after a long time considering it, my grandson Zion Brave Bennett thrusts himself ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Curse Of The Weeds

Contributed by Charles Bruner on Jul 19, 2005

Exploring the nature of evil as a spiritual reality which impacts all of us while affirming the sovereignty of God.

Title: The Curse of the Weeds Before loading up the van with kids and luggage for vacation, I quickly looked through the lectionary reading for today. I noticed that the parable in Matthew was familiar—I had tackled it once before, a fresh perspective was in order. This fresh perspective hit me ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

No Innocent Bystanders Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Jun 12, 2006

The prophet Obadiah makes clear that we can’t stand idly by while our neighbors suffer.

At approximately 3:20 on the morning of March 13, 1964, twenty-eight-year-old Kitty Genovese was returning to her home in a nice, middle-class area of Queens, NY, from her job as a bar manager. She parked her red Fiat in a nearby parking lot, turned-off the lights and started the walk to her ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:1-21

Denomination: Brethren

When Faith Confronts Favoritism Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 26, 2013

In the Book of James, we see the real faith that engages life's trials and temptations, social prejudice and pride, and the path to staying plugged into God.

When Faith Confronts Favoritism Series: Real Faith (The Book of James) Brad Bailey - July 14, 2013 Intro: Let me begin by asking you to reflect on this question: Who do you tend to include in your life? Who do you tend NOT to include in your life? All of us walk around with an unpublished list in ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Attributes Of Action

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Aug 15, 2012

Nehemiah models Patience, Prayer, Posession, Plan and Praise in his actions while being obedient to God.

Christian Attributes of Action Nehemiah 2:1-8 Intro: There were two old geezers living in the backwoods of the Ozarks: Rufus and Clarence. They lived on opposite sides of the river and they hated each other. Every morning, just after sunup, Rufus and Clarence would go down to their respective ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

When God Says To Move, Move

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Nov 29, 2003

When its time to move, God will tell you.This sermon deals with staying in the will of God and the dangers of doing things on our own.

When God Tells you to Move, Move 1stKings 17:1-9....And the word of the Lord came unto him saying. Arise, get the to Zarephath..... Elijah Genesis 12:1-4 Now the Lord had said unto Abram,Get the out ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Diving In

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Aug 12, 2008

The alternative to inexhaustible purpose is to stay in the RUT of the familiar and common-place...“The only difference between a rut and a grave is one of dimension.” (anon)

LIFE GOALS VIDEO CLIP... Jesus gives us an invitation to go diving! He invites us to plunge into the deep waters of his inexhaustible purpose! I warn you. Diving has its risks. It is not without dangerous possibilities. That’s why many people choose to play it safe. SAFE is familiar and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Salvation Army