Sermons on Straining Forward:

Provoking Thoughts From 1 John (16 Of 16)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 10, 2022

In a previous message we learned the apostle John had witnessed several undeniable proofs that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, Savior of the world.

. No wonder, when he saw Jesus walking on the shore one day, he said, (John 1:29,34-36), “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world....And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

Come To The Table

Contributed by Terry Kennedy on May 25, 2001

A message on the service of communion.

“Come To the Table” This morning as a body that is united in and through Jesus Christ we have the privilege of coming to the table to partake in the Lord’s Supper, the ordinance of communion. But before we follow Christ’s command in partaking, I would like address ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Vision, Faith & Courage - Making Change In The Church Series

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Mar 18, 2003

It’s been said that the only person that likes change is a wet baby. This can be especially true in the church. This sermon explores the attitudes needed to successfully navigate through change.

March 16 – Standing on the East Side Numbers 32:1-6, 19 One of my favorite movie lines comes from the classic "Cool Hand Luke" in which the Captain says "What we have here, is a failure to communicate." Well, as we being I want to share with you an illustration on the need to communicate. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 32:1-19, Luke 19:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Playing For God

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 24, 2003

The function of fellowship is to be a better member of God’s family.

This morning we continue toward the conclusion of our series on God’s vision for us, “A fully following and faithfully functioning church.” We spent the month of January looking at the lives of 10 Biblical characters and how they illustrate what it means to fully follow God. And we have spent the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-16

Denomination: Church Of God

The Holy Spirit's Community Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 12, 2003

In leading to this first community produced by Jesus through the Spirit, we have seen that Pentecost is likened to the Shekinah glory: As the glory of the Holy Spirit filled the earthly tabernacle, and then the Jerusalem temple, the church born at Penteco

INTRODUCTION The great church historian, Phillp Schaff, whose library is here in Lancaster said: "As to the numerical strength of Christianity at the close of the first century, we have no information whatever. Statistical reports were unknown in those days. The estimate of half a million among ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Groaning Is A Godly Thing

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jul 14, 2005

In this sermon I address the idea of complaining and groaning in a decaying world. How do we approach and deal with pain?

July 14, 2005 Romans 8:18-25 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Narnia: Merry Easter (And Happy Christmas)

Contributed by Todd Anderson on Dec 8, 2005

A Christmas Eve or Christmas Day sermon or homily using an extended illustration from "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" to show how many miss(ed) Christ’s first coming and how we need to be ready for his Second Coming in power.

Title: Merry Easter! (a Christmas eve or Christmas day homily) While bagging groceries years ago in a supermarket during highschool I found it fun to mess with customers minds and say things like: “Have a Day! And hear them automatically respond: “You Too!” It was especially fun around the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Super Bowl Zero

Contributed by James May on Feb 4, 2007

This message was preached on Super Bowl Sunday and emphasizes the fact that there is a much greater contest going on in the realm of the Spirit.

Super Bowl Zero By Pastor Jim This evening there are over 70,000 fanatics sitting in the seats of the arena where a contest is underway to determine the annual Super Bowl Champion. As of this morning, the only tickets that could be found were in the end zone and most were in the upper level ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Spiritual Bootcamp

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Nov 8, 2011

Perhaps the greatest lessons I learned about life came during Marine Corps bootcamp, Paris Island, the Summer of 1978. Christians need bootcamp too.

(All my sermons use illustrations found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted.) SPIRITUAL BOOTCAMP When I was young I was a very active kid, I am sure many of you were as well. We may have to strain a little to remember those days, but most all of us could not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Day I Got The Call

Contributed by Brien Sims on Jul 3, 2008

Your faith will be tested by this world, so learn how deep it runs. How far will will you follow Jesus? What kind of follower are you?

The phone rings. I answer it only to hear something I never thought I would. Shock overtook my senses before I could even say a word. All I could say was, “What?” I will never forget that one day when the last straw fell and all the strength I had dissolved instantly into complete nothingness ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Under Arrest Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Mar 30, 2009

Paul goes to Jerusalem and is arrested; is he doing the will of God?

“Under Arrest” Acts 21:17-36 July 13, 2008 Could Paul have been wrong? Certainly, as I’ve repeated, he was a man, a man of flesh-and-blood, and he was not above sin! There are two points in today’s passage at which different commentators believe that Paul made an error. There ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-36

Denomination: Evangelical Free

On The Jericho Road-There’s Room For Just Two

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Nov 6, 2010

The story of Blind Bartimaeus told from his perspective. Around every corner, by the sea, in the city – Jesus is busy touching people and changing their life. Jesus is alive today, as He was on the road from Jericho – His outstretched hand is ready to

I awoke every morning when I felt the warmth of the sun on my face, but I never saw a sunrise. • I never saw light dance on the sea. • I never saw my mother’s smile. • I never saw my father’s dark eyes twinkle. • I never saw the color red. As a child, I could see; but my mother told me of a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Baptist

Life Giving Trials Series

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 5, 2011

James is calling us to a new way of thinking when it comes to trials and temptations. He's calling us to a way of life that will bring us through to maturity and completeness. It's a call to recognize that our faith in Jesus Christ is being tested.

LIFE GIVING TRIALS JAMES 1:2 4 How many here have ever seen a golf ball...or held one in your hand? Probably all of you. Well, did you know that when they first manufactured golf balls, they made them smooth. But later on it was discovered that after a ball had been roughed up, they could get a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Security In Jesus Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2025

Trusting God as our constant refuge brings peace and steadiness, allowing us to face life’s uncertainties without panic, anchored in His faithful presence.

Friend, take a breath. The world may be loud—headlines shout, calendars crowd, and worries wander into your midnight hours—but your Father has a quiet place with your name on it. Have you noticed how the psalms sing about shadows and shelters? God could have impressed us with thunder or dazzled us ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-2

Topics: Divine Protection, God's Strength, Confidence

Patience Is A Virtue PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 15, 2025

Trusting God in seasons of waiting, we cultivate patience and steadfast hearts, confident that He is working and His promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.

Friends, if your calendar has been crammed with waiting—waiting on a phone call, waiting on a breakthrough, waiting on the fog to lift—then you are in good company today. The Bible does not blush about the ache of “How long, Lord?” It speaks straight to the heart that beats a little faster when the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-8

Topics: Patience, Endurance