Sermons on Strain:

Sermon On The Challenges Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 22, 2021

Amongst the many interpretations, the challenges of life have been defined as "The situation of being faced with something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests a person's ability."

Roy T. Bennett, the author of “The Light in the Heart” once remarked: “Every challenge you face today makes you stronger tomorrow. The challenge of life is intended to make you better, not bitter.” James 1:2-4 reminds us: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10, Isaiah 41:13, Philippians 4:13

You Are Something To Behold

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 28, 2025

Human worth does not come from ability but from God’s image in us, fully affirmed in Jesus’ incarnation, cross, and resurrection.

I want to speak to you about what gives human beings value — what gives us worth. We must take people seriously as beings of immeasurable value. Human worth isn’t something we earn — it’s something we are given. I am profoundly proud to be a human being. Our species is astonishing. The Psalmist ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 8:3-5, Matthew 25:40, Romans 5:8, John 1:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

What God Thinks Of You

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 29, 2025

Human worth does not come from ability but from God’s image in us, fully affirmed in Jesus’ incarnation, cross, and resurrection.

I want to speak to you today about what gives human beings value — what gives us worth. We must take people seriously as beings of immeasurable value. Human worth isn’t something we earn; it’s something we are given. I am profoundly proud to be a human being. Our species is astonishing. The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 8:3-5, Matthew 25:40, John 1:14, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Courage When Crisis Comes

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 1, 2025

Courage is faith refusing to yield to fear—God’s Spirit empowering us with power, love, and soundness in every crisis.

I. When Fear Feels Bigger than Faith If you lose your money, you’ve lost a lot. If you lose your reputation, you’ve lost more. But if you lose your courage—you’ve lost everything. Fear has a thousand disguises: anxiety, hesitation, exhaustion, even polite excuses. It doesn’t always scream; ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6-7, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 41:10, Romans 8:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Go! And… Live A Jesus-Shaped Life - Romans 8:29 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 31, 2025

What shape is your life taking? Is it shaped by the culture around you? Is it shaped by your career, your comfort, or your convenience? Or is it shaped by Christ?

Go! And… Live a Jesus-Shaped Life - Romans 8:29 Romans 8:29 (NLT): “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Introduction: Let me ask you a simple but profound question: What shape is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:29, Matthew 16:24-25, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 1:27, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 15:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pressing Toward The Mark

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 19, 2025

This sermon from Philippians 3:11–16 calls believers to press forward in the race of faith, forgetting the past and pursuing Christlikeness with perseverance and purpose.

Pressing Toward the Mark Scripture Text: Philippians 3:11–16 Introduction: The Race of a Lifetime In the long and storied history of the Olympic Games, there are countless tales of endurance and determination. Picture a marathon runner. Miles into the race, their muscles are screaming, their ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Look Back Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Apr 3, 2025

Life can sometimes feel like we are trapped in the past, weighed down by painful memories or regrets. We often find ourselves unable to move forward from past hurts. The Good News is that God offers us a new beginning in Christ.

In Great Expectations, Charles Dickens paints the picture of a woman, Miss Havisham, whose life was shattered on her wedding day. Left at the altar, jilted, humiliated, and heartbroken, Miss Havisham’s life stopped. The clocks in her house ceased ticking, the wedding cake became covered in cobwebs, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Seven - Behind The Curtain Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Apr 26, 2022

People are curious. We want to know what's "behind the curtain." Revelation unveils the "behind the scenes" of our world.

Trip to convention in Orlando. In the main reception hall, a huge area draped off, nearly two stories high. Couldn’t help myself. I needed to see what was behind the curtain. (Pics) Human nature to want to know what’s really going on. In this case, just a mess of construction materials, dust and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-8, Acts 1:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On Goals & Dreams

Contributed by William Meakin on Oct 11, 2022

Goals are defined as the object of a person’s ambition or effort.

Robert Edward Turner III, otherwise known as Ted Turner, an American entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist once remarked: “You should set goals beyond your reach so you always have something to live for.” Philippians 3:13-14 reminds us: “Brothers, I do not consider ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25, Jeremiah 29:11, Acts 2:17, Ecclesiastes 5:7

Watersheds: What Radical Shifts Define Your Life?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jan 27, 2022

There have been several points in my life where a radical shift took place. The first was being born. That's a radical shift, from not-existing to existing.

There have been several points in my life where a radical shift took place. The first was being born. That's a radical shift, from not-existing to existing. Others took place. Going from teens to twenties. 18 to 27 was the most destructive period of my life. Total disaster. Yet the mental ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Salvation Army

Jesus Walks On Water Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 28, 2022

Jesus wants to demonstrate his power through you. He wants you to expect great things. He wants you to attempt great things. Faith is an important aspect for Jesus to do his miracles.

When I was twelve years old I received an early Christmas present. It was early because as soon as school was out for Christmas break our family was traveling from our Indiana home and headed south to the Florida Keys. My Christmas present was Water Walkers! They were like little rafts worn like ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For The New Year Ahead. Part #1 Leaving The Past Behind. Isaiah 43:18-19 Series

Contributed by David Cramer on Dec 14, 2025

The beginning of a 4-part series about preparing for the New Year with Jesus.

Leaving the Past Behind. Isaiah 43:18-19 Stand with me and raise up your Bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess: My mind is alert. My heart is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing For The Year Ahead. Part 3: "Aligning With God’s Will” Proverbs 3:5-6 Series

Contributed by David Cramer on Dec 14, 2025

The third part of the series Preparing for the Year ahead. A message to align with what God has for us.

“Aligning with God’s Will” Stand with me now and raise up your Bible and repeat after me. This is my This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught more of the Word of God. I boldly confess: My mind is alert. My ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On Caducity

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 3, 2023

Caducity is defined as the infirmity or weakness of old age.

Jagadish “Jaggi” Vasudev, better known by the honorific title “Sadhguru,” an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: “Old age need not be misery. In many ways, old age can be a great blessing because the whole experience of life is behind you. When you were a child everything ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 46:4, Job 12:12, Psalm 92:14

Transformed By Truth: The Power Of Listening And Self-Control James 1:19-20 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 16, 2024

James 1:19-20 imparts invaluable wisdom on the virtues of listening and self-control, qualities that can profoundly impact our spiritual growth and relationships.

Transformed by Truth: The Power of Listening and Self-Control James 1:19-20 Introduction: Today, we explore the transformative power of truth as we dive into James 1:19-20. This passage imparts invaluable wisdom on the virtues of listening and self-control, qualities that can profoundly impact our ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20, Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 19:20, Luke 8:18, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 17:27-28, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Proverbs 14:29, Ephesians 4:26-27, Proverbs 16:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal