Sermons on Straining Forward:

Remember Your Creator

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 11, 2018

Two men think about life as they face the end of their journey on earth. Has life been meaningless or relevant? Do they look forward to a joyless process of degradation, a painful descent towards the valley of death, or to something more glorious beyond the horizon?

[Sermon preached on 11 November 2018, 25th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] A man of about my age—sixty, give or take a few years—sits down, takes up pen and parchment, and starts to write. Or perhaps he calls his secretary and starts to dictate. He senses that his life is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

The God Of Success Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 19, 2018

The god of success does not offer lasting meaning and purpose, but when we give our lives to God and are saved by grace, we have peace as we look forward to hearing Jesus' words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

A. Welcome to Friend Day, if you are visiting with us, we consider you an honored guest and hope that your experience here with us today is encouraging, inspiring, and helpful. 1. Today’s sermon is the sixth sermon in our series called “Counterfeit Gods – Defeating the Idols that Battle for Our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Hides

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Dec 3, 2017

We all have times of dryness in our relationship with God, and it could be for a variety of reasons. But sometimes it's because we harbor unconfessed sin our life. Isaiah gives us a path forward, a way to renew our relationship with the Lord.

Isaiah 64:1-9 When God Hides Have you ever had a winter season of faith? You pray, but your prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling? You wonder if you really know God, or if God knows you? Philip Yancey, in his book, “Reaching for the Invisible God,” writes: “I experienced the sense of abandonment ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:20-21, Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Deflating Depression

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 26, 2019

Even God's great heroes dealt with depression. Rather than beating ourselves up, we get the help we need (especially God's) and move forward to the work He has called us to do.

1. Most if not all of us have dealt with or are dealing with depression. Touched on it last week with Grief. 2. Causes of Depression • Grief and Loss • Stress • Health problems (poor nutrition, etc.) • Drugs 3. Signs of Depression (You may need to seek professional counsel): • Prolonged ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cut The Rope Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Feb 8, 2025

This sermon challenges believers to trust Jesus as the "Waymaker" by cutting the rope of complacency, fear, and self-reliance, fully surrendering their plans and ambitions to God's authority and stepping forward in faith through the doors of opportunity He opens.

Cut the Rope Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/sermons/ Apostle Paul exhorts us to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). While we often interpret this in terms of resisting sin, there’s a deeper truth here. Yes, with God’s help, we strive to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:8-9, Matthew 23:27, 2 Corinthians 12:9, James 1:22

Denomination: Baptist

From Chinese Whispers To A Whisper That A Different Way Might Be Possible

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Sep 14, 2024

From the fire that burnt down Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to riots that spread across the Uk in the summer of 2024 as a result of a false rumour to the cruel words that echo around inside us and cause so much damage - and then a different way forwards.....

This sermon was preached on 15th Septemeber 2024 - first in the morning at St Barnabas Church Northolt and then in the evening at All saints Church High Wycombe at their "Led by the Spirit" service. It is on the James 3 reading taken from the lectionary for 24th sunday in ordinary time ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12, Luke 1:27, Acts 2:41-47, Romans 12:7, Mark 8:27-38, Isaiah 50:4-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Bloodwork (Pt 1) Series

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Nov 19, 2025

Last Sunday, Ashley said something that I’ve thought about off and on this past week. She said “the altar is always open, to come forward and worship God. You don’t have to wait for the altar call or invitation.”

Did you learn something new in God's word this past week, or did you see a familiar passage with new eyes? I hope you did. I know I did. Today’s message came to me over a year ago while reading about woman with the issue of blood. BODY It’s found in three of the four gospels. We are going to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:6

Convinced And Convicted In Worship Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 25, 2012

Learning to live with one another in harmony while distinguishing between what is detrimental and what is neutral is one of the most difficult aspects of Christian life.

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God's Half Acre

Contributed by James Rich on Oct 18, 2001

The theme I want to leave with us today is simple. The plot may be small, the job insignificant, but I believe there is someone here today who are ready to rise to the task ahead and forge forward and by your efforts start an earthquake. It is God’s ha

1 Samuel 14:1Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. 2And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:1-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Expectant Living - The King Is Coming"

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Feb 24, 2013

Key Point: When Christians look back to the Cross and remember what Jesus did on the Cross to accomplish eternal salvation for those who believe and then look forward to His return (The Second Coming) it gives us the ability by the power of the Holy Spir

Cornerstone Church February 24, 2013 “Expectant Living – The King is Coming” Titus 2:11-14 “There is a story about a ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When Your Marriage Needs Deliverance

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jan 3, 2012

There are powers called, “The powers of marriage destruction.” Sometimes, their work starts in the womb. It does not only start when somebody gets married. Once they discover that a person's marriage will move God’s purpose forward, they will begin to cre

Beloved, our message this week titled, "When your marriage needs deliverance" is very important for all married people and those who want to get married. God completed everything He needed to do in the Garden of Eden, passed it through His spiritual laboratory and declared that the whole thing ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lesson 5: Don't Remain A Baby Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 11, 2010

One of the most dangerous places to find yourself as a Christian is thinking you are more mature than you really are. This was one of the main reasons the Corinthian church had so many problems and may be a reason you are not moving forward in your walk.

I have a granddaughter, little Maya. She is our first grandchild and, of course, she is the cutest baby on planet earth. Up until now Maya has only known her mama's milk as her food. She is just starting to eat puréed foods like bananas and the like. We saw the cutest video of her and she actually ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

"Are We There Yet?" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on May 25, 2011

This message describes some of the amazing things we have to look forward to in heaven. God is preparing an amazing place for us. Look at this beautiful world He prepared in only 7 days and then imagine what He has been preparing for us for tho

“Are we there Yet?” John 14:1-4 After serving for many years in Africa, a missionary couple was returning to the United States to retire. They had no pension; their health was failing ... they were very discouraged. They happened to be on the same ship coming home as the then ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

A Call For New Missional Initiatives -- Acts 11: 19-26

Contributed by Nigel Heath on Aug 7, 2011

Do you long to be able to share your faith with others but have great difficulty doing so? It might surprise you that even Apostles such as Peter, James and John had some difficulties with cross-cultural communication. What is the way forward for a Chu

A CALL FOR NEW MISSIONAL INITIATIVES -- Acts 11: 19-26 INTRO Yesterday -- the first Saturday in August -- is reckoned to be the happiest day of the year. To be even more specific: 7pm is the happiest moment of the happiest day of the year. The statistics are based on a study of more than 9,000 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Baptist

"Stay Here”: A Journey Of Commitment And Observation

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Feb 20, 2009

For the congregation that has not seen much forward progress or for those simply seeking direction, the final chapter of Elisha and Elijah’s time together truly guides us. We can STAY HERE and the world guide us or JOURNEY ON WITH JESUS and discover oppor

2 Kings 2:10 Transfiguration Sunday “STAY HERE”: A Journey of commitment and faithful living There is one thing that will bring tears to my eyes as much as anything else and that is when one person does his best to protect another against being hurt spiritually or inwardly in some way. Basically ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran