Sermons on Stories:

The Disection Of Falling And Rising

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Jun 13, 2008

The real power of the prodigal son story is that he returned, not to wealth, status and power, but to the Father.

Returning To The Father Text:Luke 15:11-25 In considering this parable we must consider the 3 groups in the main to whom it was addressed: Verses 1-3 1. Publicans - needed to know about loving the lost. Jesus tells them of lost sheep, a lost coin, addressing that which most spoke to ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

In The Beginning – David

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Jul 5, 2008

God’s selection process - Understanging the Psalms starts by knowing the story and compairing to the poetry.

In the beginning – David 1 Samuel 16 I am not really an American idol fan. I have watched enough to catch on to the concept. I find the whole process to be just a little too much for me. You have 1000’s of people trying out all over the country wanting to become winners and amazingly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-5

Denomination: Congregational

Power To Face Your Giants

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jan 14, 2011

The story of David & Goliath shows how we should face the giants in our lives.

POWER TO FACE YOUR GIANTS 1Sa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle and were assembled at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. 1Sa 17:2 Saul and the men of Israel were encamped in the Valley of Elah and drew up in battle array ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:37-51

Denomination: Baptist

"What Did You Expect?"

Contributed by Scott Nichols on Feb 19, 2011

The story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 is a powerful reminder that God is not limited by our expectations.

Naaman was past upset; past mad; past even furious - he was working on a complete emotional meltdown. Like a cartoon character - the steam seems to literally be pouring out of his ears. He stomps - he stammers - he shouts: "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Bringing It Into Focus

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Feb 28, 2011

The stories around John 3:10-21 show the purposes of the church with evangelism in the center.

When I was a freshman in High School I was a sprinter and a hurdler, but at the end of that year they discovered that for a sprinter I was, slow. So they moved me to the 400 as a sophomore and at the end of the year the coaches realized I was still, slow. But my junior year they moved me to the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Tola And Jair: When The Purpose Gets Lost Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 26, 2009

GOD IN HIS DELIVERANCE STORY IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING CHARACTER IN US, EVEN AT THE PRICE OF PAIN.

Tola and Jair: When the Purpose gets Lost Judges 10:1-16 8/16/09 INTRODUCTION My older sister Sue is panicked by mice. She lives in an old farm house, next door to the house we grew up in. One night she went into her kitchen and saw a mouse scury underneath the pantry door. Wanted it ...read more

Scripture: Judges 10:1-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Don't You Want To Be Like Him?

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 4, 2010

This little story is full of the tender, merciful heart of God as expressed through the actions of Jesus.

Passage: Matthew 8:14-17 Intro: When I saw this little passage coming, I wondered if I should just skip it. 1. not much going on, minor healings without any dialogue. 2. but what a mistake that would have been, because this passage reveals some really beautiful things about Jesus. 3. and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Outward Focused Life: Understanding Grace

Contributed by Dave Workman on Apr 26, 2011

The story of Hosea is an incredible picture of grace foreshadowing the most grace-empowered act of the universe.

“Imagine the soundtrack from ‘Moulin Rouge’ playing in the background: ‘…There was a man who loved a woman deeply.’ “She was a prostitute. There may have been reams of reasons why she sold her body to men to do what they would. But whatever, her soul had ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

A Powerful Change In Direction

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

Here is a great story, full of drama, of desperation, of the bringing down of the walls of racism and pride.

Passage: Matthew 15:21-28 Intro: It’s a gripping story. Has all the elements of great drama. 1. personal desperation, great need 2. controversy, argument, decision 3. it is an intensely personal story, teaching great principles that have powerful application. 4. Jesus is at a ministry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Deborah And Barak: Resisters And Responders Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 8, 2009

GOD’S DELIVERANCE STORY LEADS US TO DEFINING MOMENTS IN OUR JOURNEY WITH HIM.

Deborah and Barak -- Resisters and Responders Judges 4 & 5 5/31/09 INTRODUCTION For most of us our only understanding of chariots and there use in warfare comes from movies. Most of us have watch Charlton Heston in the chariot race in ben hur. There is scene in the movie Gladiator that is ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Gideon: Wrong In The End Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 8, 2009

HOW WE RESPOND TO SUCCESS IN GOD’S DELIVERANCE STORY, IMPACTS FUTURE BLESSINGS.

Gideon: Wrong in the End Judges 8:22-35 7/19/09 INTRODUCTION In Youngstown Ohio one of the individuals that was a part of a group I drank coffee with was a young volunteer firefighter and newly trained EMT. One day working apart time shift for an ambulance company in Boardman, OH, John was a ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:22-35

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Why Remember

Contributed by Colin Bain on Nov 9, 2010

We sometimes get bored with the story of salvation, here's why we must remember

I don’t remember the war, because I have not been put in the position of being in a war zone. But in these days I have been confronted with the horrors and heights of war in new ways. I have seen on TV this week the horror of the trenches, when wave after wave of young men were cut down by ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Salvation Army

How A Family In Philippi Was Saved

Contributed by Shawn Rose on May 18, 2009

How God, Paul and Silas, and a family in Philippi all played their parts in a story of salvation.

HOW A FAMILY IN PHILIPPI WAS SAVED Text: Acts 16:25 – 34 Introduction: · What is the most important event that has happened to your family? · For a family in Philippi, it was the day that Paul and Silas preached to them and they all got saved. I. God set up the situation. A. He caused Paul and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

Outsider To Royal Ancestress

Contributed by Jeff Pearce on Dec 17, 2007

THE STORY OF A WOMAN’S FAITH AND HOW GOD FULFILLS HIS PLAN IN ALL OF US.

OUTSIDER TO ROYAL ANCESTRESS RUTH 1:6-17 INTRO: GREAT LOSS 1: ELIMELECH DECIDED TO LEAVE A) IT WAS HIS CHOICE TO TAKE HIS FAMILY TO MOAB B) V 1 A CERTAIN MAN OF BETHELHEM JUDAH WENT TO DWELL IN MOAB C) THERE WAS FAMINE IN ISRAEL D) AND MOAB DID NOT SUFFER FROM THIS FAMINE E) ELIMELECH DIES IN ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-17

Denomination: Other

Hall Of Fame # 6 - Ramah Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Dec 31, 2007

A look at Ramah, one of the places mentioned in Ezra’s list and also in the Christmas story.

INTRODUCTION There are many unfamiliar names mentioned in Ezra’s list of returning Jews. But there are a few familiar names. One of them is Ramah. At first glance it might not appear to be. But think of Matthew 2 which tells us of Jesus’ birth - "In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:26