Sermons on Strain:

The Perfect Church

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jun 16, 2005

Many people are looking for the perfect church - yet they don’t have a clue where to find it. These three verses from Colossians give us a snapshot of the perfect church - and it might be the church your at.

The Perfect Church Colossians 3:12-14 In my time in ministry, I have heard more than once the statement, “If you find the perfect church don’t join it because it will no longer be perfect.” I’m not sure, but I have a suspicion that something was being hinted at in that statement. What do you ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Dragnet

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 3, 2005

1. Free will makes hell necessary. 2. Justice makes hell necessary. 3. Hell begins here and now, just as heaven does.

The Dragnet Matthew 13:47-50 Bill Hybels, the pastor of Willow Creek Church in Chicago which has over 20,000 people in attendance each week, tells the story of an encounter he had with a young woman: “I recall one time being in a restaurant studying for a message, and a gal looked over from her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-50

Denomination: Methodist

Have You Ever Had An Everybody Moment

Contributed by Craig Smee on Jul 6, 2005

A look at Nehemiah’s determination to get the nation of Israel rebuiliding the wall.

Have you ever had an everybody moment? You know what an everybody moment is. – It’s the moment when something happens and with no prompting or scripting, everybody does the same thing. EGS OF EVERYBODY MOMENT It may have been a rock concert when the performer holds his or her mike to the ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The Object Of My Affection Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Jul 9, 2005

We substitute many things for the worship of the one true God. Idols never satisfy, but we still craft with our hands things that we hope will satisfy the longing of our hearts.

“THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION” (Exodus 20:4-6) You hear a word like the second commandment, and think “C’mon preacher, this is twentieth century America. We don’t have totem poles and fetishes here. Be relevant.” Did you see the comedy film, Cool Runnings? It’s about the first Jamaican bobsled team ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6

Acres Of Diamonds

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Jan 12, 2004

A sermon for the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany Jesus at the wedding in Cana

2nd Sunday after the Epiphany John 2:1-11 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Acres of Diamonds 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 12:1 ¶ Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were heathen, you were led astray to dumb idols, however you may have been ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

What Women Wish Men Knew About Women Series

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 2, 2004

Part 2 of a series entitled "Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships". Part 3 - "What Men Wish Women Knew About Men"

I have to begin this morning by letting you know that this sermon could in fact be the last sermon I ever preach, for today I am being presumptuous enough and perhaps even foolish enough to stand up in front of you and tell you what women in our congregation are thinking. If I get this right I’ll ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-28, Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Methodist

Why Do You Call Me Lord, Lord And Do Not Do What I Say Series

Contributed by Kevin Cummins on Mar 4, 2004

This sermon looks at why "Lord" needs to be more than a word on our tongue.

“One afternoon author Patsy Clairmont found herself on an airplane, sitting next to a young man. She writes, ‘I had already observed something about this young man when I was being seated. He called me ‘Ma’am.’ at the time I thought, ‘Either he thinks I’m ancient, or he’s from the South ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:46-49, Luke 6:46

Denomination: Church Of God

Rewards From Men Vs. Rewards From God

Contributed by Brian La Croix on May 3, 2005

Message discussing doing what is right for the applause of God rather than the applause of men.

Rewards from Men vs. Rewards from God Matthew 6:1-4 May 1, 2005 Introduction I heard about a man who went on a trip to Israel. He was about to enter the famous and impressive Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv to take in a concert by the famed Israel Philharmonic. The man was admiring the unique ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Wesleyan

How To Love The Father More Than The World

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 25, 2005

The following is a list of twenty five things that often crowd out our love for the Father. Since Jesus told us to watch and pray that we enter not in to temptation. It is a good idea to know what competes for our greatest passion.

How to Love the Father More than the World Marks of Worldliness (I John 2:15-18) What are the various ways that people subtly love the world more than we show love for our heavenly Father? Perhaps it could be summarized in the word preoccupation. Illustration: CHARLOTTE, N.C. - An 86-year-old ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Ways To Build Your Strength Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jun 6, 2005

Growing stronger in service and faith.

SERIES: ACTS 18:1-11 TEXT: ACTS 18:1-11 TITLE: “FINDING WAYS TO BUILD YOUR STRENGTH” INTRODUCTION: A. Maltbie Babcock: Be strong! We are not here to play, to dream to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Promise Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 30, 2004

The Holy Spirit was given to 1. enable us to experience God. 2. to empower us to live for God. 3. to make us a part of a kingdom.

The sign next to the expressionless face said: “The Motionless Man: Make Him Laugh. Win $100.” So several people gave it all they had. For hours they pulled their faces into strange contortions, told jokes, made fun of him, did stunts — but nothing worked. He was totally unmoved and his face ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

When Good Things Happen To Bad People Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 10, 2004

When unworthy people get good things, prayer helps us discover that we too do have good things, that the issue is not goods but our feelings, and that ultimately God is just and gracious.

There is, indeed, very little justice in the world. But that’s very old news. We established that last week. Last week we talked about that age-old problem of what you do what bad things happen to good people. We thought about how, when good people get into tough times, it just feels as though ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Kingdom Of God Series

Contributed by David Jenkins on Jul 23, 2004

The Kingdom of God from Acts 1

Acts 1:1-2, “1Dear Theophilus:In my first book I told you about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2until the day he ascended to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions from the Holy Spirit.” Luke here is reiterating everything he already said in Luke. It ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christian Life - Winners Are Finishers

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 2, 2004

The Christian Life is much like a person in training to participate in the Olypic Games in Athens this summer, 2004.

Christian Life – Winners are Finishers -Set a Spiritual Goal- Hebrews 12:1-2 Have you noticed that you sometimes do better when you have people cheering for you as you compete in sporting events? I remember one of the first basketball games I played in when I was Junior High age. My dad was ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Free Methodist

Training Your Mind Series

Contributed by David Moore on Aug 3, 2004

All of this got me thinking about training, and how we train ourselves as Christians. We too are running a marathon, the marathon of life. And there is training that can make run the race easier, make us more effective as Christians, more usable by God to

I have been watching Lance Armstrong ride in the Tour de France over the past couple weeks. The Tour de France is a bicycle riding event that lasts 3 weeks and thousands of miles. It is an amazing race, perhaps the equivalent is an event where a group of runners runs a marathon every day for 3 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed