Sermons on Stay Course:

Available For Life-Shaping

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 27, 2010

We can become what God wants us to become if we downplay disappointment, pick perceptive people, consider consequences, and accept affirmation. Revised from a 2003 message.

Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, June 5, 2005 It is said that the Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo could sense that in a rough block of marble there was an angel struggling to get out. He said that his job was to free that angel. Isn’t that remarkable?! To know ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Heart Is Forgiving

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 9, 2009

Pulpit drama monologue as if the preacher were Simon, into whose house Jesus came, and where the jar of ointment was given. An emphasis on feeling, on forgiveness,and on generosity.

Frankly, I like things cool, calm, and collected. This business of lavish public display has always bothered me. It’s just bad taste, that’s what it is, when people feel they have to hang all over each other in public. Great day, what you do see down at the market sometimes, young people so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-47

Denomination: Baptist

Perplexed Peter Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 8, 2013

I want to start today by reading the eighth verse of Acts chapter 1. The disciples were listening to Jesus just before he was about to ascend into heaven. No doubt eager Peter was up at the front when Jesus gives his great commission.

There was a man in Boissevain who was paralyzed in a farm accident and was bedridden for the last 8 years. This guy just came to town late last week out of nowhere and healed him. The formerly paralyzed man obviously started walking around town and being a small town just about everyone saw him ...read more

The Spirituality Trap

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Feb 24, 2023

We have a tendency to see the shining mountaintop moments or the depths of despair as being the most spiritually significant. But genuine spirituality surfaces - and matures - in the daily decision to forgive, to tell the truth, to resist a temptation or to hold our tongues.

My mom tells me that when we were little she could dress my sister and me up for church in starched white petticoats and send us out to play in the yard until time to leave for church and be absolutely certain that we wouldn’t have a spot on us. We LOVED to dress up. There was no way we were going ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36, Exodus 34:29-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Practice Makes Perfect Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Jun 7, 2005

This message identifies three things we need to practice as believers in our walk of faith.

You have all heard the expression “practice makes perfect”. Do you believe it to be true? One of the greatest golfers of all time is Tiger Woods and when asked what he feels the greatest factor in his success is he attributes it to intense practice. He continually repeats the same routine, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are You Running

Contributed by Brad Henry on Jul 29, 2011

Why do we try to run from God?

As a child did you ever think of running away from home? There were a couple times that I was so tried of discipline that I just wanted to leave but I knew that when I got back home the discipline would probably be worse, so I stayed. Plus, where would I go? I remember movies of kids getting a ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:25, Jeremiah 22:1-30

Focus On Jesus

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 21, 2008

Servanthood through Jesus’ leadership in our lives

Focus on Jesus Hebrews 12:1-13 Introduction Wednesday night changes: - Dinners begin on March 5 – every other week - Bible Study / Sunday school class – Cross-talk and discipleship - Growths happens when we share experiences - It is time to grow, by being honest and encouraging one ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep Driving Until You Can't Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 7, 2008

When faced with adversity, our tendency is to panic, take our hands off the wheel, and just let it happen to us. We see in the example of Paul and Barnabas that God is in control no matter what happens and that as long as you can share the gospel you can

Introduction I took a course on defensive driving some time ago. The instructor said the most important concept to remember is to keep driving until you can’t any more. What he meant is that when faced with a crisis on the road we have a natural tendency to freak out and take our hands off the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-28

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Authenticity

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 6, 2016

To become authentic means to become genuine. Hints in becoming genuine. 1. Honest -- Speak the truth. 2. Direct -- Speak in terms that are clear, concise and focused. 3. About here-and-now -- Speak about what is going on right now.

Authenticity 1 Samuel 17:38-40NKJB Haddon Robinson once gave this word of wisdom "In any situation, what you ARE determines what you see, what you SEE determines what you DO." Keep that in mind as we study David, Saul and Goliath. So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:38-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

Did You Experience So Much For Nothing? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2007

Third in revival series at Emmaus Baptist Church, Quinton, VA: Dialogical (sought testimonies from audience at selected intervals). We may feel that our investment in faith is a waste; but it will not be if we can learn to grow in relationships.

I hate waste. I despise it when I find out I have wasted something valuable – time or money or effort. Don’t you? Doesn’t it just frustrate you immensely if all your good work goes down the tubes? When I first learned to use a computer, I didn’t know you could set a word processor on auto-save. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Boasts And Excuses Series

Contributed by John Gaines on Jan 30, 2006

Discipleship involves serious commitment; boasts and excuses won’t get the job done.

BOASTS AND EXCUSES INTRODUCTION 1. Matthew 8:19-22 (NKJV) Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 21 Then another of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:19-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trust In The Lord Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 30, 2020

After all our daily tours, work, and business, we return to our own house, and it gives us immense joy while we enter our home. The reception of the beloved spouse, the smile of the children, and the joyful jump of the pets comforts us and reenergizes our body, soul, and mind.

Text: Psalm 84 Theme: House of Blessings Introduction: Charles Spurgeon called this Psalm the Pearl of Psalms. Psalm 23 is most popular, 51 is most plaintive, 103 is most joyful, 119 is most deeply experimental, this is one of the sweetest of the Psalms of peace. Pilgrimage to the tabernacle was a ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The 7 Mountains Of Influence In Society: Government & Family Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 5, 2021

I love talking about these seven mountains of influence in society. It’s really interesting to dig into this stuff. But unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and today we talk about the last two hills, government and family.

I love talking about these seven mountains of influence in society. It’s really interesting to dig into this stuff. But unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and today we talk about the last two hills, government and family. First, the hill of government. What a pertinent topic, we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Denomination: Salvation Army

Won't You Be My Neighbor? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 11, 2021

The Bible says that our love for our enemies is proof that we are believers in Christ.

One of the more famous stories in all of literature comes from the earliest parts of our Bible. Cain and Abel, the children of Adam and Eve, are in conflict Cain actually murders Abel. God quickly confronts Cain with these words: “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:37-40

Denomination: Baptist

Not So Fast!

Contributed by Alfred Beck on Sep 10, 2015

Slowing the pace of Life

Not So Fast!! Isaiah 30:15-18 Ps. 46:10 John 15:1-8 Here it is, the year 2015. Do you wonder where 2014 went so fast? Do you sometimes stop and ask where the last five years have gone…or 25 years? And do you ever get the feeling the world is moving ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational