Sermons on Straining Forward:

Courage

Contributed by Gordon Douglas on Mar 10, 2008

Courage is not the absence of fear but the capacity to put one foot in front of the other and move forward.

Courage – I Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like me, (be men of courage), be strong” I think most every one, if not all, have, at one time or another, been overtaken by a situation or condition that left them very apprehensive as to the outcome. Perhaps there is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13

Denomination: Charismatic

Knowing The Season

Contributed by Chris Surber on Nov 24, 2009

As we look forward to Christmas, let us consider the seasons and the signs of His return!

Knowing the Season, Luke 21:25-36 Introduction Christina and I spent a season of ministry in Cheboygan Michigan. Prior to coming here to First Congregational Church of Peru, Illinois, I was Pastor of First Congregational Church of Cheboygan, Michigan. Congregational Christians of that era were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:1-38

Denomination: Christian Church

Gods' 4-H Club

Contributed by Craig Benner on Apr 6, 2018

A straight forward message with four points that begin with the letter H. They are major themes of the Bible.

The 4-H Club You Really Need to Join There is a club that has been around since 1924. Their platform was made up of the following elements: 1. Head 2. Heart 3. Hands 4. Health The group rallies young people to be active in each of these areas. For the most part, it has been a good program that ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Grateful In The Grind Series

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Jan 30, 2021

Work hard daily sticking to the plan. Be grateful in every circumstance looking forward to the prize.

SELFLESS week 4 Grateful In The Grind Pastor Timothy Porter Text: INTRODUCTION: We're actually in part four of a message series called Selfless. If you weren't here in previous weeks, we actually talked ?week number one, about being bold in spirit. ?Week number ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Need A New Thing 2nd Kings 2:19-21

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Nov 12, 2021

God is looking to move us forward, when we keep trying to go backwards.

We find here an amazing part of history. It is the story of two things happening. One Elijah being taken up into glory on one of God’s fiery chariots, and secondly we see the transferences of power and authority from one generation to the next generation. Here God is unmistakably teaching a lesson ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

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

When Everything Falls Apart Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

When everything falls apart, Jesus teaches the way forward is by exercising patient endurance.

Today, we're going to talk about something we all experience: those moments when everything seems to fall apart. You know, like when you fail a test, your crush doesn't like you back, or you have a huge fight with your best friend. Life can be tough, right? But guess what? Jesus has some advice for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Topics: Resilience, Perseverance, Life's Challenges, Endurance

Christ At The Well And In The Desert: Living Waters

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 5, 2026

Almost instantly we’ll recognize that Moses was neither wise nor forward-looking.

Third Sunday of Lent 2026 Today’s Gospel from St. John is so striking and so long that one could ignore the other readings. That would be short-sighted, because the preparatory lessons really help us to understand better that incident between Jesus and the “woman at the well.” It’s one of those ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Denomination: Catholic

God's Instructions For Victory

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jun 29, 2023

This message is about God's instructions that helped me rebound after my job was eliminated.

Good morning, New Light! Many of you know me, but for those who don’t, I am Barry, your pastor’s brother, and I am honored that he asked me to share the message this morning. My message is a very personal one that resulted from a job loss. It was a difficult and uncertain time in my life, and in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:25, Ephesians 2:1, 2 Chronicles 19:4, 1 Kings 15:11, 2 Chronicles 17:5, 2 Chronicles 20:1-29, Deuteronomy 4:29, Isaiah 43:26, Ephesians 1:12-14, Colossians 1:12-14, Hebrews 4:15-16, 1 Peter 5:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Past May Explain You, But It Does Not Excuse You - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 26, 2024

Each one of us carries a story shaped by experiences, choices, and circumstances that often explain who we are. However, while our past may provide context, it cannot serve as an excuse for how we live today.

Your Past May Explain You, But It Does Not Excuse You - 2 Corinthians 5:17 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Introduction As we gather today, we must confront a powerful truth about our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 3:23, 1 Timothy 1:15, Colossians 3:2, Romans 12:2, Galatians 6:5, Luke 15:11-32, 1 John 1:9, Philippians 3:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

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