Sermons on Stay Encouraged:

The Salt And Light Shaker

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Feb 15, 2017

We are entrusted with the light of God’s truth, that truth is our Savior Jesus Christ. It behoves us to reach ever higher to come together in ever larger numbers so that the light of our individual candles becomes a beacon that penetrates the darkness

The Salt and Light Shaker Matthew 5:13-16 Earlier this week our Adult Bible Study group took a look at how Jesus made reference to salt and light as He cautioned us about our need to stay salty and to uphold the light that illuminates our candles as His followers. We examined in depth how these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Running The Race

Contributed by Grant Adams on Dec 20, 2019

In our lifetime, we come and go from many places, meeting new people and each have an impact on us. We are called by God to run the race that is set before us. We have to be so careful, because we can have a huge impact on others and how they run their race.

My wife and I just returned from our home church in Abilene, TX, and while we were there, once again I was moved by what I saw. 1. Last night I was called to the hospital, while there I was reminded of several things: health and the briefness of life. 2. A visit to a county jail or state pen will ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Pruned If You Do And Pruned If You Don't

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Jul 9, 2007

Successful Christians produce fruit by staying connected...abiding in Jesus.

I don’t know a lot about vines and grapes. I once had a neighbor that had some. He was planning to make wine in his garage. That was pretty aggressive for a guy in Birmingham Alabama. The first couple of years he had lots of vines and he spent lots of time arranging them on his trestles and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Congregational

Overcoming A Setback

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 7, 2009

The action taken by David when his wives & children were kidnapped is used to illustrate how to respond to a disappoint, crisis, or setback.

Overcoming a Setback 1 Samuel 30 8-30-09 Intro Today I want to talk about overcoming a setback. Has anybody here experienced a setback or two in life? Has anybody recently experienced a setback? It’s a part of living on planet earth. Chuck Swindoll described the Christian journey as “Three steps ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-31

Denomination: Charismatic

The Faith That Overcomes

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 28, 2007

We must see Jesus and hear His voice in the midst of the storms of life. He will enable us to stay above the challenges if we stay focused on Him, all the way.

Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (14:31) • This line is a revelation - if Peter had not doubted, he would have been walking still. • If he had not allowed the wind to distract him, he could have reached Jesus, still afloat. According to Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Don't You Get Weary, Children

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 30, 2010

Revised for use at the Chapel of a retirement complex: Life is burdensome if it is merely obligation and not love, or if we think our work means nothing. Christ's victory shows the power of a meaningful life.

Riderwood Village Chapel, Silver Spring, MD August 8, 2004 In May our son got married. He and his bride passed out little bottles of soap to be used instead of the traditional rice, so we all celebrated at the end of the wedding by blowing bubbles. Well, my daughter’s child, his niece, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Holding Each Other Accountable In Small Groups

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Aug 25, 2007

Based on the New Testament Church and John Wesley’s concept of the Classmeeting, this sermon affirms the necessity of being in a small, accountability group for disciples to grow to be more like Jesus.

Holding Each Other Accountable in Small Groups --I Thessalonians 5:11 and James 5:16 In October I return to my alma mater Asbury Theological Seminary for our fifth of six sessions in the Spiritual Leaders’ Academy. The Lily Foundation has fully funded our participation in the Academy, and one of ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16

Denomination: Methodist

The Angel's Touch: An Exposition Of Genesis 32:22-32

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 22, 2020

Who is it that actually touched Jacob's thigh?

The Angel’s Touch: An Exposition of Genesis 32:22-32 In the previous passage, we saw that Jacob dreaded meeting his twin brother, Esau. He should have been afraid, for Esau felt cheated out of the patriarchal blessing of the firstborn. The LORD had assured him that al would turn out well. Yet Jacob ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31, Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Keeping The Wolves At Bay

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Aug 9, 2008

deaking with the uncertainties of life by faith

Keeping the wolves at bay Dealing with the uncertainties of life by faith Opening… 1. Wolf hunting An organization in Montana offered a bounty of five thousand dollars for every wolf captured alive. Two hunters named Sam and Jed decided to head for the hills and make some money capturing ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27

Denomination: Mennonite

What Are You Doing Here--It's A New Year?

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 11, 2020

What do we expect God to do in our lives in the coming year. What can we expect from the new year that God brings to us. The Life of Elijah shows that God works even through our discouragement.

“What Are You Doing Here” 1Kings 19:1-18 1 Peter 4:12-19 1/13/2020 Have you ever given someone an assignment to go and do something, and you thought they had left to do it. But then you turn around later and they are in the same spot, and you ask the question, “what are you doing here?” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18, 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

We Should All Be "Mom"

Contributed by Mark Cooney on May 7, 2009

One of the greatest characteristics of a MOM is their willingness to Make Others Matter. That is a characteristic we all should choose.

Philippians 2:1-4 WE SHOULD ALL BE “MOM” A little useless trivia regarding the title “Mom” straight from Wikipedia… Abbreviations for "MOM": Management Object Model, in High Level Architecture (simulation) parlance Marketing Operations Management, a vision of end to end marketing optimization ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Holiness

Failure Is Never Final

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Mar 27, 2011

Failure is a part of life for successful people.

Failure is never Final Luke 5 Have you ever blown it? Have you ever failed a test in life or in the classroom? And then we feel like we are a failure. If others don’t get down on us, we get down on our selves, right? Saying things, “I’m so stupid, I can’t believe I did ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Easter 2009: Our Beliefs Dictate Our Actions Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Mar 21, 2009

This sermons focuses on how what we believe, whether it is true or now, will dictate how we act.

Easter 2009: Our Belief Dictate Our Action Scripture: Luke 24:1-11; 1 Peter 3:18-20; Introduction I want to say to each of you this morning, Happy Easter! This is the time of year when we celebrate life. The trees and flowers shake off their slumber and the grass wake up. The birds begin ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marks Of A Spiritual Person Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 15, 2009

Spiritual people are followers of Christ who bring life and hope to those around them.

Marks of a Spiritual Person Acts 19:21-41 Intro: Much could be said about what it means to be spiritual. [Ask for response- What are spiritual people like?] Spiritual people pray a lot, worship in spirit, they read the Bible and faithfully obey God’s commands, they fast in order to get closer to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-41, Acts 20:1-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Encouraged To Endure Sermon Vi: Withstand Satan's Roar And Fear No More Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 7, 2020

"It's a jungle out there" is how we may feel about the ups and downs from which Christians are not exempt, but by the power of God we can withstand the wiles of the devil, but we need to practice certain disciplines taught by the Apostle Peter.

Withstand Satan’s Roar and Fear No More “It’s a jungle out there”! That was my second daddy’s way of warning me how it would be in the “real world” once I graduated from high school. Well, soon after I got out there and was on my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-11