Sermons on Straining Forward:

God's Mighty Hand Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 1, 2018

if you want to move forward to fulfill God's calling on your life, remember God’s miracle; rely on God’s help; and revere God’s power.

Have you ever lost your car in a crowded parking lot, forgetting where you parked it? It’s frustrating, but not near as frustrating as it was for a man in Frankfurt, Germany, who just last year (2017) found his car after forgetting where he parked it 20 years before that. The man, now 76-years-old, ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Job And Elihu Series

Contributed by Jw Worcester on Dec 31, 2019

We have many in the church who don't move forward after a loss and fail to take the path of even greater relevance that God has set out for us.

I looked at Bible characters for examples of faithful husbands and fathers. While there are many commendable men in scripture it was hard to find ones that excelled at being a husband and a father. One that comes to mind is Job who had a large family that thrived on each other’s company. He was ...read more

Scripture: Job 32:6-10

Come To The Table (Thanksgiving Communion Message)

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Dec 13, 2016

Thanksgiving, for many of us, is both a memory in our past and a moment we look forward to. This morning, Jesus has set a table himself and has said to us, “Come to the table!”

Come To The Table (Thanksgiving Communion Message) 1 Cor. 11.23-29 11/20/16 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker A Thanksgiving, for many of us, is both a memory in our past and a moment we look forward to. 1 I can remember all the smells of stuffing, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes w/ ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah’s Speech To The Undecided Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 5, 2018

IT WAS A DAY to be remembered, when the multitudes of Israel were assembled at the foot of Mount Carmel, and when the lone prophet of the Lord came forward to defy the four hundred and fifty priests of the false god.

3-21-04 Title: Elijah’s Speech to the Undecided Text: "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; if Baal, then follow him."—1 Kings 18:21. IT WAS A DAY to be remembered, when the multitudes of Israel were assembled at the foot of Mount Carmel, and when the lone ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Image And Reality Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 4, 2010

The Mass is offered in union with the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, his free self-offering, on Calvary. It is not a repetition, but a re-presentation of the one sacrifice, and carries forward into our work on earth.

December 6, 2010 St. Nicholas The Spirit of the Liturgy Today’s reading from Isaiah makes most sense if it was written at the time of the Babylonian exile. Because Israel had rebelled against the Lord, the covenant was voided and all the curses specified in Leviticus and Deuteronomy were ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

The Authority Of Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Nov 23, 2022

Jesus Christ is central in our faith. The Old Testament looks forward to Jesus Christ. It has an attitude of anticipation. In the New Testament the really big claim is for the supreme authority of Jesus Christ.

When I was in college one of my courses included outdoor repelling down a sheer cliff. This is not what you normally do in college. We were not reading about repelling and answering questions, we were out on rocks. The first lesson to repelling is check the ropes. Do not take for granted that ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14, 1 Corinthians 15:19, Matthew 7:28-29

Denomination: Baptist

A King Is Born—to Reign Forever Series

Contributed by Dustin Boden on Feb 8, 2025

When Jesus reigns, His power lifts you above the weight of the world, His peace quiets the chaos, and His purpose gives you the confidence to move forward, no matter what.

A King is Born (5) Dustin Lee Boden / General A King is Born A King is Born—To Reign Forever Introduction: This is the final week of our series, “A King is Born.” Over the past few weeks, we’ve walked through the story of how Jesus entered our world. We’ve seen that He was born into a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Make All Things New

Contributed by Les Buttolph on Jan 2, 2024

Heading into the New Year, we each choose our path forward. Taking the path of Christ leads us to His Kingdom on earth where He makes all things new.

Last week we were lighting Advent Candles, in the midst of the Christmas celebration, and now here we are, standing on the brink of the New Year. But even though Christmas Day is past… the holiday music on radio and in the stores has ended, and Christmas items are being drastically marked down in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

The Miracles Of Jesus (Pt 4) Series

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Dec 15, 2025

Call me crazy, but today, as in most Sundays, I look forward to being with y’all. When I look out there and see your faces, it brings a smile to my heart.

Today, we are in part 4 of a multi-part series on the miracles and parables of Jesus. We are taking a look at the miracles in chronological order, with the purpose of: Types of miracles Who was present Purpose of the miracles Which gospels recorded unique miracles Which gospel had most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26

Getting Unstuck: How God Redeems Our Choices

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 26, 2025

God’s purposes are not fragile. Human choices are real, and God redeems them—freeing us from fear, paralysis, and transactional faith so we can move forward in trust.

--- Stuck Between Floors Have you ever been stuck in an elevator? Not falling. Not crashing. Just… stuck. The doors won’t open. The buttons don’t respond. Time stretches. And the fear doesn’t come because something is happening — it comes because nothing is happening. You’re trapped between ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20, Genesis 37:5-8, Genesis 39:9, Judges 6:36-40, John 12:3-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Futility Of Life Without God Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 22, 2024

Since God wants better for us, we must give Him our best.

The Futility of Life Without God Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 Rev. Brian Bill September 21-22, 2024 Sometimes people ask me if I’d rather officiate at a wedding or a funeral. A wedding celebrates a beginning, a funeral acknowledges an ending. Both are occasions where friends and family gather together to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From Somedry Bones Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Feb 22, 2010

Although the vision of the dry bones applies to Israel, we can learn much about God's character and how to live our lives from that object lesson.

As I read the Bible, I’m constantly amazed at how God uses some very common objects to demonstrate deep spiritual truths. It’s as if God uses a consistent dose of simple “In the Bag” object lessons in order to help us understand that which He wants us to apply in our lives. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Thankful For Your Time? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Nov 17, 2010

How often do we sit 'idly' by and allow time to tick, tick, tick away? There is this wonderful gift from God, that He gives to ALL of creation... it is the gift of time... and we all have it! But for the believer, time is of the essence! The time is NOW!

SERMON BRIEF Date Written: November 12, 2010 Date Preached: November 14, 2010 Church: OPBC (AM) FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Series: Miscellaneous – Thanksgiving/Thankful Heart Sermon Title: Are You Thankful for You Time? Text: Ephesians 5:15-16 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16

Denomination: Baptist

The Resurrection:a Second Chance At Living

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on May 19, 2003

What is it that we wish to remind some and inform others concerning Easter Sunday? That it is an opportunity to walk in a new life. It is an opportunity to let go of the past and reach forward to the present. It is a second chance at living.

The Resurrection: A Second Chance At Living Scripture reference: 2 Corinthians 5: 14 - 17 Introduction Illustrations In the Secret Service A gentleman was in front of a preacher coming out of the church one day. The preacher grabbed him by the hand, pulled him aside and said to him, "You need to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Excuses - Ex. 3:7-4:17

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 10, 2002

Excuses - Ex. 3:7-4:17 (Excuse - An attempt to release from an obligation or duty by mitigating circumstances. An apology used to gain exemption for service. A reason put forward to justify an offence)

Excuses - Ex. 3:7-4:18 Illustration:Whoever wants to be judge of human nature should study people’s excuses. Hebbel. Excuse - An attempt to release from an obligation or duty by mitigating circumstances. An apology used to gain exemption for service. A reason put forward to justify an ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational