Sermons on Straining Forward:

Perspectives On Suffering, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Kenneth Mitchell on Jan 31, 2008

Focuses on the wonderful comfort that God gives to us in the midst of our afflictions, and suggests five ways He ministers to us in such times.

PERSPECTIVES ON SUFFERING January 20, 2008 Series: 2 Corinthians- Strength through Weakness 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Introduction- In his book The Pressure’s Off, psychologist Larry Crabb tells this story from his childhood. One Saturday afternoon, I decided I was a big boy and could use the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Identity Crisis

Contributed by Derrick Bunnell on Nov 15, 2005

The speaker laid out a four part process to effective outreach programs. The first step in the process was to develop an identity. This got me thinking about the identity of the Adventist church and more specifically this church. Identity is much more t

I met with the pastor this week to discuss the mission and purpose of the church. We discussed many things to help the church grow and to make known to the world that Jesus is coming soon. We mulled over outreach ideas, mission statements, etc. One of the things that stood out in my mind was a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5

Denomination: Adventist

The Daddy I Want To Be Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 3, 2010

The description of the daddy I want to be is found in God’s Word.

INTRO.- ILL.- It is well known that crabs and small shellfish of the same class walk in the “sideways” fashion. Once upon a time, the other fishes resolved to teach these mistaken fellow inhabitants of the deep the proper mode of locomotion, namely, to go forward. Accordingly they started a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Is What My Peaceful Doves Have Taught Me – Will I Heed The Lessons? Part 2 Of 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 29, 2022

Nature is a great teacher and the creation is full of meaning. In studying the behaviour of small doves, I have gained an insight into their habits and lives. There are lessons for Christians we can learn from them. This is Part 2 and develops those lessons.

THIS IS WHAT MY PEACEFUL DOVES HAVE TAUGHT ME – WILL I HEED THE LESSONS? PART 2 OF 2 This is PART 2 of the message on doves. The peaceful dove (zebra doves in the USA – exotic bird) is an Australian native. See PART 1 for the introduction to this story. We have been looking at Lessons we can ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Matthew 7:1-5, Matthew 25:35, James 1:9-10, James 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12:21-25, James 4:1-3, Galatians 5:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praying In Secret Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 4, 2022

Standing itself is interpreted as praying, for it is said, "and Abraham rose early in the morning to where he stood, "and there is no prayer but standing." though sometimes they prayed sitting, as David did, 2 Samuel 7:18

Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV) 5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon # 2 - Choose The Truth Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 26, 2025

In a world that thrives on lies, as children of God we must decide to follow Jesus who is the Truth. If we do not stand firm on the truth, we will find ourselves compromise with the lies of Satan, and making choices that are contradictory to the true values that God has set for us in His word.

We read in Philippians 4:8, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (ESV) In the above mentioned verse ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, Genesis 1:26, Hebrews 9:27, Genesis 3:5, John 1:12, Luke 23:39, Luke 23:41-43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Journey Through Acts (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jan 15, 2024

Just like his early followers, we live with one eye on the clouds awaiting Jesus’ return, but until that day, we have the proof of his resurrection, we have the power of the Holy Spirit, and we have a purpose to fulfill.

The Journey: Following the Spirit through Acts (1) Scott Bayles, pastor Scripture: Acts 1:1-10 Blooming Grove Christian Church: 6/25/2017 Six months ago, we set out on a sixteen-week journey that took us through the deserts of Palestine, along the shores of Lake Galilee and the Jordan River, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church

Appearances Are Deceiving Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 24, 2000

A quest for truth often begins with disillusionment, but is easily diverted to something that appears good on the surface; but when you find God's truth, even if it is in a strange place, embrace it quickly and fully.

The LORD does not see as [men] see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. Ridgecrest is a large Baptist-run assembly ground, nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. All summer long, every year, thousands of Christians come to Ridgecrest for training, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Running The Race

Contributed by Justin Ford on Jun 27, 2007

Comparing the pursuit of a love relationship with Jesus and the race of ultimate importance

RUN THE RACE Today is a special day It’s a day to prepare our hearts and a day to prepare our church for what God wants to do through us Over the next 6 days we will have the biggest opportunity of the year to teach children what it means to become and grow as a Christian Not only is it a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Drought Is Over: Ready For The Abundance

Contributed by Pastor Dempsey Daniels on Mar 4, 2004

The Drought Is Over: Ready For The Abundance

Are You Ready For The Abundance? I Kings 18:41-46 There comes a time in every believer’s life when they will experience drought. A time of loneliness. A time of resource-less-ness. A time when all we have is a wing and a prayer. The word drought comes from the word tsimmaown. It literally means ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:41-46

Denomination: Baptist

Take Courage

Contributed by David Mcnally on Jul 15, 2012

We all have to face opposition, 'winds blowing against us', but with faith in Jesus and the courage that only the Holy Spirit can give, we can endure and come through the challenges victorious.

Title: Take Courage! Text: Mark 6:45-52 The context is important here. Immediately before this section of Mark 6 we have verses 30-44 which record the time when Jesus fed 5000 men with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. The disciples had witnessed a great miracle, so why were they terrified ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pharisees- No Heart Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 12, 2018

If one is not careful, one's heart can drift so far away from God that we end up with no heart.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Today we are going to examine a unique group of people as we continue with our A Drifting Heart series. • Today we will see how the scribes and Pharisees ended up with the worst-case scenario when it comes to a drifting heart, a heart that drifts so far from God that one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stress U Out Series

Contributed by Tom Burkholder on Sep 2, 2005

In the drama of life, how do you respond? There are many things that are beyond our control: the person that yells at us, the person that cuts us off in traffic, the store clerk that talks on the phone instead of helping us, the employee that never seems

Stress U Out Series: Melodrama or Mellow-drama - Act 2 Introduction: In the drama of life, how do you respond? There are many things that are beyond our control: the person that yells at us, the person that cuts us off in traffic, the store clerk that talks on the phone instead of helping us, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

In Last Place

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Sep 29, 2005

the last chapter says we win

Intro: EBS—last place team—0-10—coach had other coaches pick his team during draft picks. Last place is a tough place to be, except in one place, the Bible. Because today, we can rejoice in that Jesus is in last place. IN LAST PLACE REVELATION CHAPTER ONE Background: John had been banished to ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sermon On Violence & Abuse

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 21, 2020

A disturbing fact of life

Stephen King, the American author, once said: “There's a phrase, "The elephant in the living room", which purports to describe what it's like to live with a drug addict, an alcoholic, an abuser. People outside such relationships will sometimes ask, "How could you let such a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-8