Sermons on Straining Forward:

Fishing With Jesus

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Apr 25, 2019

This is a sermon about Jesus 3rd appearance to His Disciples. An appearance that reveals that Jesus wants to help them and us become fruitful, successful and live an abundant life.

Scripture: John 21:1-14 Title: Fishing With Jesus! Theme: The Risen Jesus leading us to enjoy a life of Victory! INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you today about the Risen Lord seeking to be involved in our every day lives. I want to ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14, John 15:5, 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Nazarene

Creation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 7, 2025

God is present, actively speaking through creation and His Word, inviting us to trust His order, care, and personal involvement in our lives.

Friends, have you ever stood under a sky so clear you could almost hear it sing? Have you watched a sunrise stretch its rosy fingers across the horizon and felt your heart settle? The world is wide and your week may have been weary, but right here, right now, the God who made every freckle of ...read more

Topics: Creation, Order, Nature

Four Spiritual Checks - #3 The Necessity Of Future-Mindedness Series

Contributed by Mark Thornton on Oct 3, 2001

This is the third in a series that studies Paul’s Trustworthy Sayings. This one demonstrates the difference that a hope-filled, optimistic attitude can make in our lives.

INTRODUCTION. Many of you know that I am an avid reader. I consistently have at least two or three books on the go. Some books I read here in my office and usually deal with church, ministry, or worship-related issues -- to help me develop as a pastor. The books I read at home are generally for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Denomination: *other

Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Jan 27, 2007

Refocusing/reminding our church on the main thing of making disciples of Jesus.

The beginning of the year tends to be a time for fresh starts, we refocus and remind ourselves of what is most important. As we look back on the past year we sometimes realize we may not have been doing everything perhaps we should have been doing. For some they realize they need to quit a habit, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Methodist

Lessons I Learned From My Dog

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Jan 20, 2014

On June 28, 2010, we lost our good friend Sammy, our black Labrador Retriever. While no pet will ever take the place of human companionship, Sammy truly was the definition of "man's best friend". This message shows how God used Sammy to teach us!

Lessons I Learned From My Dog On June 28, 2010, we lost our good friend Sammy, our black Labrador Retriever. While no pet will ever take the place of human companionship, Sammy truly was the definition of "man's best friend". We will indeed miss him--we already do. I was thinking the night he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:10-13

Denomination: Bible Church

A Look Behind The Scenes Series

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 5, 2011

God has given us every good and perfect gift...everything we could ever have need of to endure...to face trials and temptations...and to come through to victory...maturity...and one day to receive the crown of life.

A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES JAMES 1:12 18 READ James 1:12 18 James brings us back to the beginning of things again, reminding us of our basic position...that we move forward through trials and tests to maturity. And he goes back to the same truth as an introduction to a new perspective on things. He ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-18

The Scandalized Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Jan 7, 2013

Who is responsible for Jesus' death? Consider the men who plotted and carried it out.

Introduction Who is responsible for Jesus’ death? Judas bears guilt. He is the disciple who betrayed Jesus into the hands of his enemies. Peter and the other disciples bear guilt. They did not defend their Lord. Judas represents those whose purpose in life is merely to get ahead, to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-68

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Psalm 38 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 28, 2020

David, realizing the harmful effects of his sins on his health and overall well-being, implores the Lord to bypass the discipline he fully knows he deserves.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 38:1-22, Psalm 17:1-9, Romans 7:14-25, Proverbs 3:11-12, Psalm 7:3-5, Psalm 6:1-2, Psalm 51:1-2, 2 Samuel 12:13, Hebrews 10:4, Hebrews 9:13-14, Psalm 51:17, 2 Samuel 12:10-13, Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 18:15-17, Proverbs 28:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"o Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 16, 2018

I have always wanted to so an Advent series based on traditional Christmas carols/hymns. We've gotten so used to them that I think we miss the depth of the theology contained within in them. One of the most ancient is the beautiful hymn that contains the ancient names of Jesus.

I love the way that Pastor and author Robert J. Morgan describes hymns: “Hymns help us praise God. They’re shafts of brilliant sunlight through the clouds. They provide an almost mystical connection with the endless anthems of praise raising at this very moment before the heavenly throne. They ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 11:1

Denomination: United Methodist

A New Heart For A Fresh Start

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 22, 2022

Jesus’ teaching and ministry was a way of reframing the use of Scripture. The Scribes had made notes that were superimposed on Scripture. Jesus holds before us a new way of living life. One based on mercy, grace, and love. Jesus modeled the heart and intent of God.

As a child we would attempt to salvage anything and everything. The house I remember from early childhood was an interesting building. When my mother wanted to clean the floor, she would pour water on the floor, scrub it with a broom, and the water would drain through the floor. The first home ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-28, Matthew 5:17-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 11:6, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Regerts

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 27, 2020

Have you ever seen that Milky Way commercial where this guy is getting a tattoo and it was supposed to say no regrets but the artist messed up and it comes out saying no regerts instead? He thought he had no regrets but he was wrong!

NO REGERTS Have you ever seen that Milky Way commercial where this guy is getting a tattoo and it was supposed to say no regrets but the artist messed up and it comes out saying no regerts instead? He thought he had no regrets but he was wrong! But erroneous tattoos obviously aren't the only ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:18, John 16:8, Romans 8:28, Philippians 3:12-14, Isaiah 43:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preparation For Eternity

Contributed by John White on Apr 15, 2019

What a wonderful day this is, as all over the world people are celebrating Jesus as the Son of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, alive forever more!

Preparation for Eternity Matthew 27:62-28:7 What a wonderful day this is, as all over the world people are celebrating Jesus as the Son of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, alive forever more! But really, we do that every Sunday don’t we? We gather together with fellow Christians to celebrate ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Journey

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jun 5, 2022

Pastor Dennis looks at God’s promised presence and rest to the children of Israel on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, and how that same presence and rest of God accompanies us on our journey through the wilderness of this world filled with desolation, trials, difficulties and an enemy.

The Journey Exodus 33:14 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtPCqEgRAZo As Michaela and I were away the other week, I began to meditate upon this Scripture and the journey we are upon as God’s people. It’s a journey that leads us away from the bondage of the world and towards the promises ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:14, Exodus 33:11, Exodus 33:15, Exodus 13:21-22, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 4:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Living Large-Satisfied Series

Contributed by Gary Shockley on Oct 2, 2001

True satisfaction in life comes from recognizing our need for God

Living Large-Satisfied Gary A. Shockley, Lead Pastor Cornerstone Church September 9, 2001 This morning we launch a new message series I’m calling, “Living Large” based on a passage from the gospel of Matthew commonly referred to as the Beatitudes in chapter five. “Living Large” is one of those ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Methodist

A Party To End All Parties

Contributed by Matthew Doebler on Apr 30, 2003

Ever wonder how you get into heaven and what it will be like. Jesus helps keep our focus on it by reminding us of these things.

May 4 A Party to End All Parties! When my Grandpa died, we shed some tears. But he had been sick off and on for so long that his passing was a bit of a relief. Besides that, his funeral was the first time that many of our family had been together for years. So, as soon as the funeral dinner ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Lutheran