Sermons on Straddle Fence:

Pontius Pilate: Stuck In People-Pleasing Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

Pilate was a classic people-pleaser, who found that his behavior produced popularity that masked contempt, pessimism, and powerlessness.

The story has it that during creation, as God was sitting up in heaven turning out all these creatures, some of the angels asked if they could help. It looked like fun, making plants and animals, birds and beasts. And so God, who had just finished fashioning something, said, "All right. Come ahead. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Hedges

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 8, 2009

What are your hedges made of and where did they come from and why? Do you have any? Did God tear yours down or build one for you?

You have often heard I and others pray a hedge of protection or thorns about folks but you may not have known where we get the idea from even though you might like it. One lady told me she loved it when I prayed that because it gave her great comfort. Hedges can be a great comfort depending on ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

This Blood Is For You

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jul 4, 2009

A sermon on the crucifixion of Jesus.

THIS BLOOD . . . TEXT: Colossians 1:20-23 Colossians 1:20-23 -- And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:20-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Traits Of Token Religion

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 17, 2009

Just because someone attaches the word "worship" to a religious service, doesn’t mean that the term fits. This was often the case with Israel’s religous rituals. Sadly, it is often true of many church services in our day.

The Traits Of Token Religion Text: Phil.1: 3-11 Intro: Today I want to focus on the thought mentioned in the second half of Philippians 1: 10. Paul tells the Philippians that he was praying that their love for Christ might continue to grow, resulting in knowledge, discernment, and sincerity. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Religion Doesn't Work

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Aug 3, 2009

The folly of false religions. Only fullness and freedom are found in Christ.

The setting is the front of a small church. The pastor says from the pulpit, ‘I’ve misplaced my sermon notes, so I’m just going to read from this devotional—if I can find it here. While I look, maybe the choir can lead us in a hymn’. He glances at the choir which has one person.   The choir ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Now That You've Tasted The Lord Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 10, 2009

Because we have tasted of the goodness of the Lord, what should we do? Here is some of our pay back to Him. 1- We should rid evil 2- We should crave good 3- We should grow spiritually

INTRO.- ILL.- Someone said: According to a recent article I just read on nutrition, they said eating right doesn’t have to be complicated. Nutritionists say there is a simple way to tell if you’re eating right. Colors. Fill your plates with bright colors. Greens, reds, yellows. In fact, I did ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Do You Really Want?

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Jun 2, 2009

Coveting is not wrong...provided you covet the right things.

Today, we’re looking at the tenth commandment, Exodus 20:17: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Johnny was looking through the chain-link fence at the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:17

Denomination: Baptist

A Giant Sized Attitude

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Apr 24, 2009

Learn to develop a Godly attitude as you examine the story of David and Goliath.

Today I want to begin a series of messages about attitude. Our attitude is such a powerful force in our lives. Your attitude will build you up or tear you down. We are living in an economic and social environment when it is vitally important that we find a positive God based attitude. Everywhere ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:26-45

Denomination: Baptist

Mary Magdalene Series

Contributed by Jason Miller on Apr 19, 2010

Mary Magdalene was the first to see the risen Christ? Why? Why not Peter, why not one of the other disciples? What made Mary so special that she was the first? What can we take away from her life to apply to ours?

Mary Magdalene John 20:1-18 Easter isn’t about bunnies and eggs and candy, it’s about the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to continue my series on the Lesser known People of the Bible, but as I sat down and started ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Mennonite

The Unavoidable Change

Contributed by Bret Bone on Aug 23, 2011

When you look around at the people who attend your church, who do you see? Perfect looking people, people who seem to have it all together. Or like Jesus do you see hurting people in need of comfort, troubled people in need of direction, sick people who n

The Unavoidable Change Slide #1 Jim Cymbala is the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church in the slums of New York City. He tells the following story about his ministry: It was Easter Sunday and I was so tired at the end of the day that I just went to the edge of the platform, pulled down ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-17

Faith Expansion #3 Series

Contributed by Larry Walkemeyer on Sep 22, 2009

A verse by verse message on Hebrews 11:20-29 teaching people to live an "I CAN" life through faith.

Faith comes in CANS. Most of my childhood I was raised by a single mother. Her favorite saying was, “CAN’T never did anything but sit on a fence post & cry!” Whenever I said, I can’t do this. I can’t face this. She would respond with this saying. She wanted me to live in the land of FAITH, the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:20-29

Denomination: Free Methodist

Clean All Over Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 23, 2009

We are no good to anyone else unless first we have experienced cleansing. That rules out maternalistic protection or paternalistic inhibition. When we know we are cleansed, then we are useful to others.

I am beginning today a series of messages on the theme, "How He Helped Humanity." "How He Helped Humanity." The idea behind this is very simple, but it branches out in many different ways. The basic idea is that we are working toward becoming a helping church, a servant people. But we need ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Countercultural Mission Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

This sermon looks at four elements to a counter culture mission

A Countercultural Mission Acts 9:1-22 In Dayton, Ohio, attorney Derrick Farmer gave a motivational talk to at-risk teens. Derrick is 48 years old, and has been an attorney since 1999. Now, what was unusual about this event was that it was picketed by 30 Dayton police officers. Why? When Derrick was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-22

Denomination: Methodist

Blinded By Pride Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 20, 2011

Pride keeps us from recognizing our weaknesses, confessing our need and receiving God's blessing.

20110320 Web Site Title: Blinded by Pride Text: Psalm 32 and James 1:2-4 Thesis: Pride keeps us from recognizing our weaknesses, confessing our need and receiving God’s blessing. Lenten Series: Reflecting, Repenting and Returning to God The Lenten Season is a time for reflection, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Family Who Stole From God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 21, 2011

Achan stole from God... but all of Israel was guilty? How did that happen? And what can it tell us about our responsibility before God?

A man told this story at his first AA meeting: He’d gone to a party and had too much to drink. His friends pled with him to let them drive him home but he said no, he only lived a mile away. About 5 blocks from the party, the police pulled him over for weaving and asked him to get out of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ