Sermons on Strategic Pause:

The Way Of The Cross

Contributed by Dawn Duryea on Mar 4, 2024

In today’s Gospel reading, Peter responds to Jesus’ announcement that the Messiah will have to suffer and die by denying the cross. Peter is in essence denying the truth of this teaching – that the Messiah must suffer and by extension, his disciples.

Last week we heard about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness right after his Baptism. That’s the way it feels sometimes – you just make a decision and then things happen that immediately bring your decision into question. This wilderness, of course, is metaphorical and now we find ourselves in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Gather At Mizpah_ A Call To Reflection

Contributed by Edghill Messiah on Jan 3, 2026

One of the key spiritual disciplines is remembering. God always calls his people to reflect and remember. As we are near the end of one year we need to exercise this spiritual discipline of reflection. My theme today is “Gather at Mizpah: A Call to Reflection ” Let us pray. Read Scripture

1. (slide 3) God Commands His People to Remember & Reflect As we approach the end of the year—2025—as other times at the end of a year we are often filled with mixed emotions. At times we are grateful for the victories and joys we’ve experienced and want to always remember them, other times we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:2-8

Advent Week 1 PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 4, 2023

Invites us to embrace the Advent season as a time to slow down, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ.

Good morning, beloved family of God. Isn't it a joy to gather together in this sacred space, united in our love for Christ and our shared hunger for His Word? As we come together, let's take a moment to pause, to breathe, to center our hearts and minds on the divine truth that awaits us in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Topics: Advent

Will You "Mary" Jesus?

Contributed by Jeffrey Samelson on Aug 4, 2004

The Story of Mary & Martha with Jesus is used to challenge Christians regarding their choices and God’s Word.

August 1, 2004 — Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD Pastor Jeff Samelson Luke 10:38-42 Will You “Mary” Jesus? I. Choose Love II. Sit Down Already and Listen III. ‘Til Death Do You Join Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Lutheran

The Reformation...today

Contributed by Stephen Becker on Nov 25, 2007

Looking at Galatians, how it impacted Luther and how Paul’s message continue to apply to Christians today, regarding our lives, our values and our freedom (from sin) in Christ.

“The Reformation…Today” Galatians 5:1-6 Reformation Sunday, October 29, 2006 Stephen Becker St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (1) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (2) Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Getting The Right Gift For Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 2, 2007

There’s power in making the decision to give the gift He really wants: to "follow Him." But in this story in Luke, 3 men tell Jesus that that is precisely what they want to do. So why isn’t Jesus content with their gift?

OPEN: About three years ago, Dave Barry made this observation about Christmas: "Your standard man, at this point in the Christmas season, has purchased zero gifts. He has not yet gotten around to purchasing an acceptable gift for his wife for last Christmas. He did give her something last ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fear Not! (Revised April 2024)

Contributed by Brian B on Aug 9, 2016

A straight forward message shared from the three points laid out so clearly in verse 1. Fear not because God has called you by name! Fear not because God has redeemed you! Fear not because You belong to God!

Fear Not! (Revised April 2024) Isaiah 43:1New King James Version (NKJV) The Redeemer of Israel 43 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. Introduce… This ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can Faith Fix Anything? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 1, 2015

Can faith fix anything? If something does NOT happen the way think it should, is because you didn't have enough faith? Consider the difference between Biblical faith and the teachings of those who would make us doubt God's faithfulness in prayer.

OPEN: It has always impressed me how many great hymns have been based upon various Scriptures. As I was thinking about our text this morning I read I John 5:4 where it says “this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” and I recognized an old popular hymn. Does ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalm 87 - A Psalm Of The Sons Of Korah – The Lord Loves The Gates Of Zion The City Of God Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 6, 2022

This beautiful Psalm speaks of the foundations of Zion as the City of God. The gates are the first thing seen when entering. Glorious prophecies are in this Psalm for the future for Jerusalem and some of the nations. The Names of Jerusalem are explored.

PSALM 87 - A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH – THE LORD LOVES THE GATES OF ZION THE CITY OF GOD PSALM 87 - A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH - A SONG Psalm 87 v 1 “His foundation is in the holy mountains.” This abrupt commencement to the Psalm could almost be a title for the Psalm. This is in praise ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 14:32, Jeremiah 33:16, Isaiah 19:16-25, Psalm 48:1, Psalm 2:6, Zechariah 14:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be A Burden Bearer Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 9, 2021

What does it mean to bear one another's burdens... and WHY should I do that?

OPEN: There’s a true story of a preacher trying to reach out to his community. His idea was to get a group from the church to go and work for free at local grocery stores and laundromats. He phoned several of these stores and for permission to do what he’d planned. But on one call, the employee who ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Root Of Bitterness (Two Responses On The Shelf)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 13, 2025

Anger, guilt and grief, are they sin? If left out of the cage they could be. Yet there is a human emotion that is always, without out exception, a sin - Bitterness. Bitterness and unforgiveness are always linked and are always sin. And there are only two responses on the shelf.

Has someone ever said something ... or done something to you ... which you found ... difficult ... to forgive? Every time you hear their name, ... even if the incident happened years ago ... still brings uneasiness ... to your soul. It is ... as though you were reliving the event ... all ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-15, Ephesians 4:26, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 18:15, Matthew 5:23-24, 1 Corinthians 11:27, John 6:53, Hebrews 12:15, Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 6:15, Matthew 18:35, Romans 12:19, 2 Corinthians 5:12-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

How To Be A Godly Dad

Contributed by Kenneth Hampton on Jul 6, 2005

The most important person in every family in making certain of its spiritual security is both mom and dad, but dads have even more of an important job given that they are the family spiritual heads.

A. Fathers are the spiritual head of the family. Mat 10:25 CEV (25) It is enough for disciples to be like their teacher and for slaves to be like their master. If people call the head of the family Satan, what will they say about the rest of the family? A little food for thought: People view the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

God's Name Is Reverend

Contributed by Steven Swaggerty on Oct 18, 2000

TEXT- PS 111:9 HE SENT REDEMPTION UNTO HIS PEOPLE: HE HATH COMMANDED HIS COVENANT FOR EVER: HOLY AND REVEREND IS HIS NAME.

TEXT- PS 111:9 HE SENT REDEMPTION UNTO HIS PEOPLE: HE HATH COMMANDED HIS COVENANT FOR EVER: HOLY AND REVEREND IS HIS NAME. THE BIBLE DOES NOT IMPLY IN ANYWAY THAT MINISTERS ARE FORBIDDEN TO USE THE WORD REVEREND IN REFERENCE TO THE OFFICE THAT THEY HOLD. THE SAME WORD IS USED IN RESPECT FOR OUR ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 111:9

Babylon's Prophecy Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Sep 2, 2010

Study of the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 13. It is important to understand that God will get our attention no matter what it takes; and those who follow Jesus Christ must be ready and willing to cry out when God calls us into action. (Ref: Isaiah 13:1-22)

Babylon’s Prophecy Isaiah 13:1-22 Introduction - Isaiah 11 and 12 had us examining who will we serve; and who do we worship - We examined that even in mass chaos, God can perform perfect harmony - The root of Jesse (lineage of Jesus) has already been prepared for us; grafted - But the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 13:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Throught The Eyes Of Joseph Series

Contributed by Craig Lee on Nov 1, 2006

Christmas as seen from the earthly father of Jesus Christ.

Christmas Through The Eyes of Joseph Matt. 1:18-25, Micah 5:2-5, Luke 2:1-7 Last week we began a series entitled, Christmas Through the Eyes of… Mary had a prospective on Christmas that you and I will never understand. I believe that Joseph had a prospective that we can learn from as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational