Sermons on Straining Forward:

Handles For The Hard Times (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Rich Young on Jan 18, 2001

Third in a series of sermons for dealing with difficult times.

"Handling the Hard Times" (Sermon #3) TEXT: Heb 6: 16-20 INTRODUCTION · Thinking recently about how much our lives are like the weather Ø Sometimes sunny, partly cloudy or clouds off in the distance, beautiful rainbow, rainy or a storm ( Get ready for the rain and storm – umbrella, raincoat, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Contrasting Pharisaical Values And Christlike Love

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 20, 2001

Contrasting Pharisaical Values and Christlike Love - Matt. 9:11,12

Contrasting Pharisaical Behavior and Christ Like Love - Matthew 9:11,12 1. Pharisaical Values Were Rooted in Their Traditions and Rigidity versus Christ’s Values were rooted in Loving the Lord with all of one’s heart, soul, strength, and mind which motivated one to love one’s neighbor as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Whose Side Are You On Anyway?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 10, 2002

How are you contributing positively to God’s family?

Two men riding on a bicycle built for two came to a long steep hill. It took a great deal of struggle for the men to complete what proved to be a very stiff climb. When they got to the top, the man in front turned to the other fellow and said, “Boy, that sure was a hard climb.” The fellow in back ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25

Denomination: Church Of God

Getting Into Action Series

Contributed by Jay Patton on Jul 8, 2002

Part four of a series on solving problems God’s way. This is a particularly good series for pastor’s/leaders instituting change within a congregation.

Introduction: New Coke Read Scripture/Pray Background: Nehemiah is headed into unfamiliar territory-four months and 8000 mi. Purpose Statement: to be effective change agents for God it is essential that we... I. Use the authority given you (v. 9) A. Nehemiah went forth in the Kings Name 1. More ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:9-20

Denomination: Baptist

Faith And Action Series

Contributed by Simon Fullylove on Mar 13, 2006

This message sees that faith is not passive but very active!

Introduction This is a picture of a floating prison ship - The HMP Weare, is moored off Dorset’s Portland Harbour (400 prisoners). Has anyone herad of a gigantic floating zoo? That’s what Noah’s Ark was. Many people think the story of Noah is just a story, a myth, a legend. But more and more ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Helping God Out Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Apr 28, 2006

Do you ever try to “help God out”? Or are you content even in an uncomfortable situation to trust Him?

The flow of the story is rather simple: Jacob wants to go home, but instead remains on with uncle Laban and gets rich in the mean time. The passage carries with it allot of presuppositions; starting with the obvious strain between Jacob and Laban and continuing in Jacob’s alternating faithfulness ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 30:25-43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Surprise - Nothing Is Impossible With God

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Dec 21, 2002

Fourth Sunday in Advent: God’s surprising announcement to Mary - why it is our surprise too. Nothing is impossible with God.

Surprises come in all shapes and sizes. Four birthdays ago, I thought that I was going to have a quiet dinner with Sofi and a couple of friends. It had been a tough several weeks. I was turning over the office where I worked because we were moving to San Antonio. At home – chaos – furniture all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Champions 4 Christ

Contributed by Jamie Wright on Feb 24, 2004

What does it take to be a Champion 4 Christ? How can we obtain Championship status 4 Christ? Here are four factors that will begin the transformation of Christians from chumps to Champs!

Champions 4 Christ Pastor Jamie Wright Maranatha Fellowship Church 2-22-04 What is a champion? Webster’s defines champion as a person who fights for or defends any person or cause, a warrior, a winner, a title holder, a victor, a champ. According to Olympic Historians, all great champions have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You A Lump? Series

Contributed by John Harvey on Jul 18, 2005

Sometimes we feel like hiding under the covers, like a lump instead of facing up to our faults. Through Christ the price has been paid for all our faults, past, present and future. Therefore there can be no condemnation.

CSI: CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL IDENTITY “ARE YOU A LUMP?” Show Nooma video- “Lump” What is the area of your life where you feel like a lump? Are you overwhelmed by the past and feel like there is no hope? Today we are going to look at the spiritual identity of those who are trapped by the sin that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

You Need An Anchor Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 4, 2011

A sermon on the anchor of the soul (Some material taken from Wikipedia's article on anchors: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor)

HoHum: A naval student was being put through the paces by an old sea captain. "What would you do if a sudden storm sprang up on the starboard?" asked the captain. "Throw out an anchor, sir." replied the naval student. "What would you do if another storm sprang up aft?" asked the captain. "Throw out ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Loyal Friend

Contributed by Ken Durham on Nov 16, 2008

Friendship above and on the Earth

THE LOYAL FRIEND A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverb18:24 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel. Proverb26:9 Introduction It’s an amazing feeling ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

The Perplexed Couple (Pastor Dale) Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Nov 30, 2008

Every parent has stories to tell – from drug and alcohol dependency, teen pregnancy, the call from the local police detachment and the runaway that hasn’t called home in five years...It’s tough being a parent regardless how old the child is.

Perplexed: adj. 1. Filled with confusion or bewilderment; puzzled. 2. Full of complications or difficulty; involved. Parenting (in using the words parenting or parents I also refer to caregivers or guardians or anyone having the responsibility of taking care of or having cared for children) is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-35

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Paradox Of Victory Through Surrender

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

William Booth said: "The greatness of a man's power is the measure of his surrender." That statement is what you call a paradox. How can power flow from surrender? Keep that statement in the back of your mind as I share my story.

William Booth said: "The greatness of a man's power is the measure of his surrender." That statement is what you call a paradox. How can power flow from surrender? Keep that statement in the back of your mind as I share my story. One of my first memories, was as a child, around age 4 ...read more

Scripture: John 1:4, John 8:32

Denomination: Salvation Army

Finishing A Race With Our Heads Held High

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 20, 2017

Say this, “Preparation is the key.” An admirer of a famous person said, “So how did you become so successful?” The famous person replied, “About 40 years of training and staying committed.” ( Faithfulness and fruitfulness are synonymous.)

Finishing A Race With Our Heads Held High Philippians 3:12-14NKJB Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-13

Denomination: Pentecostal