Sermons on Straighten Out:

Making Choices

Contributed by Arlen Payne on Nov 24, 2002

Lot chose to live in the plain near Sodom. Lot made his choice by sight and personal desire. Abram made his choice by seeking out the will of God.

Making Choices Genesis 13 Reading: Galatians 3:6-11 Intro: Genesis 12:1-3 Everyday we make choices. -Some are easy and simple – breakfast, what to wear, etc. -Some are more difficult – major purchase, spouse, -They all involve discerning the will of God. It’s important that we make the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Place To Start

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Dec 7, 2002

Second Sunday in Advent: The evangelist Mark starts with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness. He seems to leave out Christmas. But perhaps, for us, it is a ’good place to start.’

The Gospel Lesson today is one of the most interesting Advent / Christmas lessons in all of scripture. I say that because - did you notice that something seems to be missing? There is no mention of Christmas in this Gospel. Mark mentions neither the miraculous conception nor the birth of Jesus. And ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Mark 1:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Building Up The Christian Marriage In This Post-Modern World

Contributed by Andrew Schroer on May 29, 2001

Out of thanks for the love that God has shown us, the Christian husband and wife will submit to one another in humble love in the roles that God has given them.

Today we continue our series about building up families in a post-modern world. And I have been assigned the task of talking to you this morning about marriage. And you know, I don’t think it would be too wise of me to preach today based on the vast knowledge that I have acquired after two whole ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33

Denomination: Lutheran

Running On Fumes

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Oct 21, 2002

We can trust God knowing that the future is completely on his radar screen, that the enemy is running on fumes, and that God’s love for his people wins out.

- - - - - - - - - - All scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation. - - - - - - - - - - On Thursday after school a couple of junior high girls, whom I had never seen before, came to the church office door to ask me to pray for their friend who was in the hospital because someone had ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 11:1-45

Denomination: *other

Get Behind Me Satan

Contributed by Johnny Small on Jun 20, 2002

We need to tell Satan to get out of our lives when he is there trying to tempt us because we are doing Christ’s will for our lives.

Get Behind Me Satan Out of all of the disciples, I think I like Peter the best. He reminds me a lot of myself. Peter always had good intentions, but his mouth was always getting him in trouble with Jesus. I am the same way. I speak before I think and end up sticking my foot in my mouth. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Trouble With Religion

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 31, 2001

Religion gets people in a lot of trouble but it is the Spirit of Christ, we need in our lives, and living out faith is having Him, not just religion, directing us.

The Trouble with Religion John 3:1-15 By Andrew Chan, Senior Pastor, PBC, Vancouver, BC One criminal broke into the basement of a bank through a street-level window. In the process, however, he suffered from several lacerations. After he realized that he could neither get the money nor climb back ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Disagreeing Agreeably

Contributed by Mark Haines on Sep 8, 2001

An inductive message using biblical narrative to call Christians to learn how to focus on God’s purpose even when we disagree on how to work it out.

Intro: "It’s easy to see why people like the sea gull. I’ve sat overlooking a craggy harbor and watched one. He exults in freedom. He thrusts his wings backward with powerful strokes, climbing higher and higher until he’s above all the other gulls, then coasts downward in majestic loops and ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

(Lesson 2) Gideon: A Weak Self-Image

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Gideon was at the bottom of the social ladder and filled with self-doubt when he encountered God. Because of that experience, Gideon was able to drive the enemy out of his homeland.

A. INTRODUCTION: JUDGES 6:11-23 1. Poor. Gideon was the youngest son, of the poorest family, of the weakest tribe in Israel. "My family is poor in Manasseh, and I am least in my father’s house" (I Judges 6:15). 2. Weak Name. Gideon was also called Jerubbal (Baal fighter) after confronting idol ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

That Valley

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Aug 26, 2002

Out of all the valleys that exists only one qualifies as (that valley) It is the one that we fill with ditches, =( It is where we make room for the Spirit in our lives).

2 Ki 3:14-19 “ THAT VALLEY SHALL BE FILLED “ Eph. 5:18-19 Understanding what the will of the Lord is: Be ye filled with the Spirit Lu 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:14-19, Ephesians 5:18-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

293 - Need For Seed

Contributed by Joel Vicente on Feb 14, 2005

It takes seed: Psa 126:6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves (bundles) with him.

Illustrate: With a timid voice and idolizing eyes, the little boy greeted his father as he returned from work, "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?" Greatly surprised, but giving his boy a glaring look, the father said: " Look, son, not even your mother knows that. Don’t bother me ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:6

Denomination: Baptist

Flash Flood Warnings

Contributed by James May on Apr 3, 2005

God is ready to pour out his blessings upon his people. Are we ready to run? Are we prepared to recieve them and allow God to use us?

FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS By Pastor Jim May This past week my wife and I took a few days off and went down to Foley, Alabama near the gulf coast. I’ve never been much for swimming or sunbathing. In fact I haven’t done either of them for nearly 35 years now. And besides, I would look like a beached ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:41-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Balances Crosses And Comforts

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 7, 2001

To lead the people to understand that God proportionally gives out a balance of crosses and comforts so that we do not become too elevated and proud or too depressed by difficulties

Unit 9 – Family Lesson 25 – A Family for Jacob – Gen. 29:1-30 Preparation for the Teacher 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that God proportionally gives out a balance of crosses and comforts so that we do not become too elevated and proud or too depressed by difficulties. 2. Explanation ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Close The Gap Between The Ideals That We Profess To Believe And The Reality Of Our Lifestyles

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins by pointing out areas in our life where we are not living up to Christ’s standards of commitment.

1. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins by pointing out areas in our life where we are not living up to Christ’s standards of commitment. Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not do the things that I say?" (Luke 6:46) Ask the Lord to help you to be more responsive to the ways that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:46-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jumping In The Midst Of Storms Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Oct 10, 2006

Jesus wants us to cry out to him our deepest thoughts and feelings about what is going on in the world. He will always answer because He is in control.

There are a lot of people in this world who wake up everyday with thoughts of fear in their minds because of the storms that surround us. The more and more news that floods our lives just builds this constant anxiety and stress; another school shooting, another terrorist attack, another threat. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

John 12:1-8 (The Erotic & The Domestic)

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 30, 2007

It doesn’t take long at this dinner party before the chaos breaks out, this time through the surprising appearance of Mary, pouring a ludicrously expensive jar of perfume.

We’re turning to John’s Gospel today, which, quite frankly, is a little unnerving for me, as I find John’s Gospel more difficult to deal with than the other three John retells the story of Jesus in such a way that things are rarely as they appear to be. Jesus speaks of being born ’from above’ and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican