Sermons on Straining Forward:

I Can’t Go Back

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Dec 3, 2021

Don't return to the way things used to be, but move forward in the Lord.

When I read this story of Ruth, I found something interesting, something intriguing, and something stimulating. When I visit this time in scripture there is a tragedy, a disaster, a calamity, it’s a catastrophe misfortune, but on the other hand, it is an accomplishment, victories, successful story ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Sing Forth His Glory.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 3, 2022

The exodus of the children of Israel is a testimony to the works of the Lord, and points forward to our redemption in Christ.

SING FORTH HIS GLORY. Psalm 66:1-9. The superscription to this Psalm is addressed, “To the chief musician. A Song or Psalm.” Whether sung or spoken, it is a call to all nations to “Make a joyful noise” to God (Psalm 66:1). Which God? Well, compare Psalm 100:1, where YHWH, ‘the LORD’ is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funeral Sermon: The Hope Of Eternal Life Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 5, 2025

As believers, we look forward with anticipation to the eternal home that Jesus has prepared for us.

FUNERAL SERMON: THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 14:1-3 (KJV) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Have You Signed On The Dotted Line?

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jun 28, 2021

We sign our name to thousands of documents in our lifetime to secure anything from homes to cell phone agreements and do it without even reading the contracts most of the time. When it comes to “belonging” to a people of God however, we turn into a conspiracy theorists and feel threatened

TITLE: HAVE YOU SIGNED ON THE DOTTED LINE? SCRIPTURE: ST. LUKE 9:57-62 When was the last time you signed a contract? Any kind of contract – A Mortgage - A Car Loan - A New Job - A Marriage License - A School Admissions Agreement. Now consider this - How many pages was the contract? More ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

Footsteps Of Jesus - Who Are You Following?

Contributed by David Parks on Nov 28, 2020

As we look forward to the unique challenges COVID-19 presented to the church universal and the Surprise church specifically I would like to set the theme going forward , Where He Leads I will Follow – Faithful discipleship in a pandemic

THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS 1 WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING? 1 Peter 2:21-25 1 Peter 2:21-25 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Make Disciples Of All Nations Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 18, 2008

To fulfill our supreme mission, there must be: 1) AVAILABILITY, 2)WORSHIP, 3)SUBMISSION, 4) OBEDIENCE, & 5)POWER:

One of the most important moments in a military officer’s life is their commission. It is the moment when they swear to defend their country against all enemies, foreign or domestic while upholding the rules governing their country. When officers finish their training they gather together in a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Other

What Will Turn You Back?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 23, 2019

Will you be a Demas or a John Mark? Demas never came back, but John Mark did. Don't turn back and you will not have to be either one of them.

I. The Crowd? John 6:65-69 2. If the glory stops? Luke 10:17, Acts 4:31 3. If there is no fame, only pain? Heb 11:25-39 4. When people think you are crazy? 2 Sam 12:21-23 5, When you or your situation is misunderstood? ...read more

Scripture: John 6:65-69, Luke 10:17, Acts 4:31, Hebrews 11:25-39, 2 Samuel 12:21-23, John 9:1-3, Job 1:18-19, Job 2:9, 1 Peter 4:16, Hebrews 12:4, James 1:2, 1 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Advancing Beyond The Gate

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 15, 2025

Remaining at the gate is not God’s plan for your life. The lame man stayed at the gate for years, but one divine encounter moved him into healing, breakthrough, and glory.

ADVANCING BEYOND THE GATE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 3:1-10 (KJV) – “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stay Focused On The Goal Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Aug 31, 2010

God enables us to press toward the goal of the prize of the upward call.

Scripture Introduction Some humorist once said, “Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there” (Josh Billings). Luciano Pavarotti tells how when he was a boy, his father, a baker, introduced him to the wonders of song. “He urged me ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Christ's Leadership Secret

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 17, 2003

Christ’s great sermon on the mount began with the words, "Blessed are you". The Lord knew that everyone has a hunger for supernatural blessings, benefits and empowerments. Everyone in the crowd must have strained to hear every word Jesus spoke that day be

After reading any of today’s newspapers is it little wonder why many are skeptical about meeting new people. No doubt Jesus could have given in to the temptation to doubt people’s motives. Yet, He maintained an upbeat attitude toward every person He met. Jesus looked at people’s potential because ...read more

Scripture: John 1:47-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Remember The Work Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 7, 2022

Let our memory of the hand of the Lord in and through us inspire us in our present work and our walk with the Lord. When we remember we keep focused on our hope in Jesus Christ, straining toward what is ahead.

Intro There is a power in remembering significant events. Your wedding ring is a marker to remember the day of your marriage. The memory is further deepened when those who shared the moment with you, like the bridesmaids and groomsmen recount the stories from the wedding. The wedding photographer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of Social Media

Contributed by David Henderson on Aug 12, 2024

The strains of life for many of us can be difficult. You may ask, with all the success Simone Biles has had, her success, with so much to be proud of, how she could possibly have so many struggles.

The Dangers of Social Media & How to Find Real Happiness Mattthew 5: 10-12 Our Summer Olympics began two weeks ago and one of the high points for Team USA is that we have won a total of medals of 105 medals: 31 of those being gold. Simone Biles has earned 4 medals, 3 being gold. All of this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

#65 Buried, He Carried My Sins Far Away Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 10, 2022

People love to fast forward through commercials during recorded TV shows and podcasts. That’s what we often do with the burial of Jesus. We focus on the cross and fast-forward to the resurrection. But the burial of Jesus is part of the Gospel.

#65 Buried, He Carried My Sins Far Away Series: Mark Chuck Sligh April 10, 2022 TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 15:42 INTRODUCTION Illus. – When I was a kid, the only kind of recordings we had were vinyl records. With modern inventions, like cassette tapes and 8-track tapes came an ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

Spending Time With The Best Series

Contributed by Tim White on Feb 1, 2012

Spending time with the Father should create visible results in our personal lives and in our fellowship with one another.

Spending Time With the Best 1 John 1:5-10 In 1991, Ryan, our son, age 6 at the time, played Challenger Baseball, a modified version of the game for disabled children. At the end of the season, each child received an official Challenger baseball for his or her participation. We asked Ryan what he ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

Seeking The Kingdom First

Contributed by Tom Feola on Jul 12, 2013

We as Christian are to go after the things of the Kingdom of God and not this world. In this message we will see how important it is to seek the kingdom

Seeking the Kingdom First Matthew 6:25-34 (NKJV) “ Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational