Sermons on Straining Toward What Is Ahead:

Prepare The Way Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Apr 3, 2023

A voice was needed, and voice was heard. It was that of John the Baptist. Jesus is the promised deliverer and John is the promised forerunner.

Have you ever had that terrible sinking feeling of being unprepared? As a student maybe there was a test you did not study for. As an adult maybe the tax deadline came, and you were not ready. Proper preparation is the key to many things going right. If you have been part of planning a big event, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Truth?

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 22, 2006

1. Truth is known through revelation. 2. Truth is knowable. 3. Truth creates passion.

Pilate’s question from our scripture today is the defining question of our culture: What is truth? Leslie Newbigin, in his book The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, reminds us of the ancient fable from India of the blind men and the elephant — popularized by American poet John Godfrey Saxe ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-38

Denomination: Methodist

What's In A Name? Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Feb 5, 2007

Fourth in a six-part series on the life of faith as seen in the person of Abraham

Shortcuts to God’s will are not worth taking. In chapter 16, we read that Abram and Sarai decided that enough was enough; perhaps God meant that Abram would have a son by another woman, since Sarai was barren, and so she gave her maiden Hagar to Abram. Hagar conceived and bore Ishmael to Abram; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Is Sin? Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Nov 9, 2008

We should make an honest and realistic evaluation of ourselves.

WHAT IS SIN? Isaiah 53.6 S: Sin C: Postmodern Th: Confusion Pr: WE SHOULD MAKE HONEST AND REALISTIC EVALUATION OF OURSELVES. CV: We will clearly communicate the transforming truth of the Bible. Type: Inductive PA: How is the change to be observed? • Be honest with self. • Evaluate your ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:6

Denomination: Baptist

What Not To Wear Series

Contributed by Tim Chinn on Apr 4, 2011

This expository message on Colossians 3:1-17 uses a popular TV show as a way to reinforce the text.

What Not to Wear” Colossians 3:1-17 Big Idea: When Christ is at your core your “spiritual clothes” will be right. (props.= 2 racks of clothes, one of old clothes and one with new clothes) Introduction: Most of us know how important it is to make a good first impression. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's In A Greeting? Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 24, 2012

Almost every writer of the epistle in the NT begin their letter with two beautiful words - Grace and Peace. Grace is the delight or the favor or the benefit one receives from God and Peace is the harmony or the tranquility. You must receive the grace of G

As I look at the first verse, I am reminded of the discussion in one part of Shakespeare’s play, Romeo & Juliet. Juliet is lamenting the fact that Romeo has the long last name, because his family has been in feud with her family for generations. And she says: “What's in a name? That ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Denomination: *other

Grave Clothes

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Nov 12, 2013

When we are made alive in Christ we need to put off the grave clothes.

“Grave Clothes” November 17, 2013 John 11:38-44 “38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this ...read more

Scripture: John 11:38-44

Denomination: Holiness

Running The Race Of Life

Contributed by Ray Estes on Dec 6, 2004

This sermon is about forgetting the past and pressing on toward Christ-likeness.

Running The Race of Life Philippians 3:12-14 Do any of you ever make out “To Do” lists? – a list of things that need doing throughout the day. Do you always complete your list everyday or do you sometimes have to carry over some things to the next day? If you seldom complete your list, then I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

What The Hell Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jan 31, 2016

This sermon looks at the question: How can a loving God send people to hell?

Long before I knew about God’s grace I knew about Gods’ wrath. Long before I had encountered a loving God I knew about the fires of hell. Some of those images came from culture and some came from art. All in all I think I prefer Larson to Michelangelo, but I’m that kind of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Is Happiness? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021

Both Jesus and Paul make it clear that it is more than a right to be happy, it is a duty. It is part of our commitment to Christ to overcome all that would make us unhappy.

Epictetus, the ancient philosopher said, "If a man is unhappy, this must be his own fault, for God made all men to be happy." A Christian writer, St. Bernard, said something similar. "Nothing can work me damage except myself; the harm that I sustain I carry about with me, and never ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

What If?

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Dec 9, 2020

What if next year is worse than this year? What if there is more suffering? What if there are more trials? This message looks at how we can rise above all the suffering, trials and persecutions and remain true to our LORD and live a life filled with the Holy Spirit!

Scripture: Matthew 2:10-18; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Psalm 63 Theme: What if things get worse? Title: What if? INTRO: Grace and peace from God our Father, Son and Holy Spirit! It all started so well didn’t it, 2020 was our year, a new decade, and didn’t it just sound so amazing - 2020, a year we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:10-18, Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Nazarene

What About?

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 18, 2019

A study in the Gospel of Matthew 26: 1- 13

Matthew 26: 1- 13 What about? 26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Is Truth?

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 15, 2021

Fact-checking rates claims as true or false. Someone cannot determine what is true unless they claim to hold the keys to truth. Civil unrest often stems from a clash of truths. It's important to know the "real" source of truth.

I’ve entitled our message this morning, “What Is Truth?” based on a question posed by Pontius Pilate toward the end of our text. In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “truth” is defined as, “the body of real things, events, and facts.” It is also defined as “a transcendent fundamental or spiritual ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-38

Denomination: Baptist

"What's In A Name?"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Feb 6, 2005

In the name, "I AM", we find everything we will ever need, forever.

“WHAT’S IN A NAME?” Exodus 3:14 “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’, and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM as sent me to you’.’” I don’t know who first asked the question, ‘what’s in a name?’ I don’t remember ever hearing it as a quote from a book or anything. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:14

Denomination: Orthodox

What God Series

Contributed by Leonard Cook on Feb 26, 2013

Daniel chapter 3, What Kind of God do we serve?

Introductory Material The Book of Daniel 6th Century • The Author of this book is Daniel. His name means “God is my Judge”. The book is named after him since he is the principle character and author. In Daniel 12:4 he claimed to write the book. From Chapter 7:2 and thereafter, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Holiness