Sermons on Straining Toward What Is Ahead:

Hands Open Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 21, 2008

Hands open may be a handshake or a salute, signalling friendship or respect. Just as those gestures affirmed Saul, we also must approach others by leading them to safety and by affirming their potential.

f I come toward you with an open hand, what does that mean? If I approach you from across the room with either one hand or both hands open, how would you interpret that? Well, of course, it would mean different things for different kinds of open hands. There is more than one way to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

It's Too Late To Give Up

Contributed by Cathy Mangum on Jul 24, 2007

This sermon encourages the Christian to hold on and stand firm in the race.

It’s too Late to Give Up Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Thorns in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11

Denomination: Church Of God

Those That Left Him

Contributed by Lauro C Hernandez on Nov 11, 2002

Understanding when families or members of the Church leave.

THOSE THAT LEFT HIM Jn. 6:66 “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” INTRO: We know that Jesus is the Son of God. His ministry here on earth was successful even unto the cross. But, his earthly ministry still wasn’t one without problems. We read many ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No Magic Wand (Or Aleeve Does Not Relieve)

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 18, 2002

There is no magic wand to cure our pain in life.

NO MAGIC WAND (or "Aleeve does not relieve") Matthew 11:28-29 INTRO.- ILL.- A fellow who owned a pizza place was audited by the IRS. The agent said, "I want to know about all of your travel expenses. For example, you have expenses for six trips to Rome just this year. How do you justify ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Loving And Accepting What God Loves And Accepts

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Sermon explores our attitudes toward sinners. Clip from movie "Simon Birch" used as illustration.

Loving & Accepting What God Loves & Accepts Matthew 9:9-13 1-18-04 Intro Our text this morning is Matt 9:9-13 “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10While Jesus was having ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Charismatic

Earth’s Final Summons-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Aug 26, 2003

This is part 1 of a 3-part sermon. John witnessed God’s final summons to those of earth. What will comprise God’s final summons to earth? Earth’s final summons is A Call to....

EARTH’S FINAL SUMMONS-Part I—Revelation 14:6-13 Need: People may say....God always gives a little more time....He doesn’t want anyone to go to hell so things will continue as they are....Science tells us that all things are a result of ‘natural’ cause & effect... Men’s hearts will change when they ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

That's What They Say...

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 21, 2004

Listen to the voices! God says, I love your soul, the cross says, I lean toward sinners, Jesus says, I long to save, the Spirit says, I’ll live inside, the Bible says I can literally be a son! Powerpoint at website.

That’s What They Say… John 3:16; Romans 5:8 INTRODUCTION: Everyone, no matter how hard-hearted or how cold blooded they may be, seeks for and wants love at some point in their life. Lev. 11:45 tells us that “God is holy.” Mal 3:6 tells us that “God is immutable.” [never changes] Isa. 9:6 ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

What Can We Bring To The Lord? Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 17, 2012

God cares deeply about injustice toward people and is concerned that his people do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with him.

Title: What Can We Bring to the Lord? Text: Micah 6:1-8 Thesis: God cares deeply about injustice toward people and is concerned that his people do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with him. (Micah 6:8 is a call to action… compassion, mercy, justice and humility. A church generally falls ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pressing On Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

There is no point in forgetting the past and aiming toward the future if one does not do something in the present. Paul says with part of the track behind and part of the track ahead, I press on.

Well over a hundred years ago a young man ran for the legislature in Illinois, and he was badly defeated. He then entered business and failed, and he spent the next 17 years paying off the debts of a worthless partner. He fell in love with a beautiful girl and was engaged to be married. But she ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-21

Perfection Series

Contributed by David Moore on Aug 3, 2004

In so much of life we are searching for perfection.

Growing up in California, I used to hear about all the surfing that was going on. In surfing there always seems to be this search for the elusive perfect wave. The perfect wave has the right amount of curl, a perfect tube, just at the right height for the surfer. The wave isn’t too fast so that you ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Parable Of The Rich Fool Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 8, 2014

The sin of covetousness as set forth in Luke 12:13-21 warns of the danger of greed.

Scripture During the final few months of Jesus’ life he journeyed from Galilee to Jerusalem, where he would be crucified. While traveling to Jerusalem Jesus gave his followers some very important teaching regarding discipleship. His instruction covered a number of different topics regarding ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

His Last Words: Our First Work

Contributed by Michael Milton on Oct 17, 2001

The last teaching of Christ remains the priority of every believer and every assembly: to make disciples of Christ.

Introduction to the Reading of the Scripture I want to preach from Matthew 28.16-20. It is a very familiar passage and is all but taken for granted during Mission Conferences. Like John 3.16 and a few others, the passage is so popular that it is liable to being dismissed by those who have heard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20, Hebrews 13:5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Love That Connects I Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 8, 2004

Most Americans cannot fathom a group of unrelated people of different age groups, classes, and cultures with differing talents and interests who have been glued together by a common faith in Jesus Christ. But this kind of bond -- the kind God wants a chu

Love that Connects, (I) (Romans 12:9-12) 1. This past week, Hannah had a little trouble with her car…..it would grind when she turned…..thought to check the power steering fluid….. 2. One of our friends in the Chicago area is terrible about maintaining things…..older car…out of oil….burned out ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Servant Leader

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 16, 2002

A servant leader is one who has three mottos: I choose to lose; No pride; and I will not quit.

The Servant Leader Thesis: A servant leader is one who has three mottos: I choose to lose; No pride; and I will not quit. Texts: Luke 22: 24-30; Phil. 2 Illustration: The Pecking Order At Sand Hill Lake Bible Camp a few years back, Kathy and I decided we wanted to raise our own chickens. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-30, Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Towards Faith Promise 2016: Money, God, And You Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 6, 2003

The passage we will look at today is one in which the desire for money did indeed lead to a trap, foolish desires, and piercing griefs which ruined an entire nation for awhile and eventually an entire family permanently. The passage is about a man named

TOWARDS FAITH PROMISE 2016: MONEY, GOD, AND YOU JOSHUA 7:1-5 INTRODUCTION… Dumb Crooks (geocities.com/Heartland/Cottage/1955/text/copdumbcrim.html) * It seems this guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he’d just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ