Sermons on Strategic Pause:

Forcing Ourselves On God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 14, 2007

There’s only one way to get to heaven... but people always seem to be trying to force God to do things their way. What types of things do people do to force their will on God’s Word?

OPEN: A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:16-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I-Give Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 18, 2009

The early church sold their lands to help the poor and needy amongst them. Were they setting the pattern for a communist commune? Were they socialists? Or was there something more basic going on here?

OPEN: The past two weeks we’ve been talking about iPods. Ever since Apple Computers began marketing these miniature music machines in 2001 they’ve been a popular item with both adults and kids alike. iPods have been marketed in various shapes and sizes and colors, and there are all kinds of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:15-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moving To The Head Of The Line Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 14, 2010

Jesus hated pride and used the Pharisees to highlight the evils of that sin. But why would God hate pride, and how would I know if I suffer from it?

Last Sunday we introduced the “Upside Down Teachings of Jesus”. The teaching of Jesus that just don’t make sense to most people. Today’s sermon will continue that theme by focusing on Jesus’ teaching: “the Last shall be First, and the First shall be Last”. OPEN: When my dad first married my mom, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Margins Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Dec 23, 2008

Part 4 in series Slowing Down. Many people who genuinely desire to follow Jesus have not created enough margin in their lives to do so. What are margins, and how do we create them in our lives?

Margins Slowing Down, part 4 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers November 1, 2008 When you read a book or write a paper, what are the margins? Margins are two things – they are places that separate something from nothing. No book or report would look good if it were filled with words on the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:24-25

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Blessing Of Forgiveness

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 8, 2019

Exposition of David's Psalm of reflection concerning the devastation of his sin with Bathsheba and the wonder of God's forgiveness.

“The Blessing of Forgiveness” An exploration of Psalm 32 Introduction The last time I was with you, we explored Paul’s string of specific blessings that should inspire us to bless Him every time we think about them. He called the believers who gathered in Ephesus to bless the Lord who blessed us ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Fasting Before Feasting, Praying Before Swaying Series

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jan 22, 2015

Esther is the story of a loving God who wakes up His people before it's too late. When many begin to sense the looming crisis of the end-time, they too will do the important heart work that prepares them for "what God wants to do for & through them".

ILL. Not very long ago there were two sheep who put on wolf's clothing and went among the wolves as spies, to see what was going on. And to help the flock be better prepared against these predators.They arrived on a holiday, when all the wolves were eating and drinking and dancing in the ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:16-17

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Will God Destroy The World With A Nuclear Bomb? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 31, 2014

Lot's of people speculate on how the world will end. Some think it will be destroyed by an asteroid, others by nuclear war, still others by .... Zombies? But they're all wrong. Find out why the 2nd Coming should be important to us as Christians.

OPEN: There are a lot of people who seem to agree that the world is going to end. They just don’t all agree on how it’s going to happen. I visited website that reviewed several theories about how the world would end. Among them: 1. Some believe an Asteroid will destroy the earth. In ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-13, 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sibling Rivalry Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 23, 2018

Sibling rivalry starts with one person feeling they've been slighted. They deserved to be treated better. And expect this kind of rivalry in children - it's when we become adults that this desire to "be the star" can destroy families, churches and relationships.

OPEN: Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVI2fX-1uPU That clip was from a popular TV series called “This Is Us” where a couple of the main actors (brothers Kevin and Randall) get into a fight. The scene is an excellent example of a common conflict most families experience called ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lesson 23: Hermeneutical Preaching Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 30, 2018

Teaching by example how to rightly interpret Holy Scripture

Lesson Goal I hope to eradicate or greatly diminish bad biblical interpretation in churches. To arm both preacher and congregation against the shoddy Scriptural analysis of many in the Christian market place. Let's teach the church how to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Lesson ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessing Of Forgiveness

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 8, 2019

This message explores forgiveness as seen through David's eyes in Psalm 32 a song composed by David after the avalanche of sin associated with Bathseba.

“The Blessing of Forgiveness” An exploration of Psalm 32 Introduction The last time I was with you, we explored Paul’s string of specific blessings that should inspire us to bless Him every time we think about them. He called the believers who gathered in Ephesus to bless the Lord who blessed us ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Divine Dirt Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 9, 2012

God says we were created in His image. But what does that mean to us and how can that effect our lives?

OPEN: In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth. On the 1st day He spoke “Let there be Light” – and there was light. On the 2nd day He spoke and He created the sky (atmosphere) above the earth. On the 3rd day He spoke and dry land appeared/ and plants & trees began ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:24-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lovingness – The High Price Of Neighbourliness Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 15, 2012

The Good Samaritan. (Powerpoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info) Listen to audio of this sermon at: www.gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Compassion Is Based On Need Not Worth. (vs 30) (2). Compassion Feels Something (vs 33) (3). Compassion Does Something. (vs 34) (4). Compassion Cost Something. (vs 35) (5). Compassion Demonstrates Real Faith. (vs 36-37) SERMON BODY: Ill: • Two men were drinking in a bar ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Brethren

For The Love Of Labor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 5, 2011

Both Jamestown and Plymouth nearly failed in their early years. But it was the Pilgrims' view of labor that not only saved it's colony, but became the driving force in making our nation great.

OPEN: (Asking the Crowd) What is this weekend? That’s right – it’s Labor Day Weekend. And our sermon today is the beginning of a series on “What Made America Great”. This first sermon deals with the greatness that has been brought to our nation because of how and why ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Palm Sunday 2017

Contributed by Randy Edwards on Apr 18, 2017

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday 2017 The stones will cry out Little Johnny was sick on Palm Sunday and stayed home from church with his mother. His father came home from church holding a palm branch. The little boy was curious and asked, “Dad, Why do you have that palm branch” “You see son, when Jesus came into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:30-42

Denomination: Baptist

Clothed With Fire Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 14, 2017

There's part of this story of the fiery furnace that I'd always missed. There was one question upon which everything else hinged - not only in this story but also in our lives. Do you know what that question is?

When my sister Barbranne was in her early 20’s she left the Church and Jesus behind and went off to live the “wild life.” At age 55 she decided she’d hurt herself in that decision and started going back to church. One of the first things she did was to buy a Children’s Bible because she wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ