Sermons on Strategic Pause:

The Profitable Servant Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 20, 2012

I want to be a good servant for Jesus, but in this passage Jesus says I can do all kind of great ministry and still be an "unprofitable servant." What two things does Jesus say can stop me from being the profitable servant for Chris that I want to be?

OPEN: The KJV translates Luke 17:10 this way: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.’” I don’t want to be an “unprofitable servant”. I want to be a profitable servant for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:3-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is The Creator Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 2, 2012

Why are words of Genesis 1:1 the first verse in our Bible? And what can these words mean to us who trust in God for our hope and our salvation?

(We opened with a youtube video featuring David Attenborough reciting the words to the famous Louis Armstrong song: “It’s a Wonderful World” for a BBC nature program commercial. It beautifully illustrates the splendor of God’s creation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIEA5sX7W9Q). We do indeed live ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

B Joyful Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 15, 2009

Why sing? Isn’t singing just for "singers"? And what if I don’t like the songs? Do I have to sing anyway?

OPEN: I read the true story about a woman who bought her daughter a really nice Baby Grand Piano for her birthday. A few weeks later, one of her friends asked her how her daughter was doing. “Oh,” she said, “I persuaded her to switch to a clarinet.” “How come?” asked the friend. “Well,” – ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Family Who Stole From God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 21, 2011

Achan stole from God... but all of Israel was guilty? How did that happen? And what can it tell us about our responsibility before God?

A man told this story at his first AA meeting: He’d gone to a party and had too much to drink. His friends pled with him to let them drive him home but he said no, he only lived a mile away. About 5 blocks from the party, the police pulled him over for weaving and asked him to get out of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stewardship Of A "Patchless” Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 3, 2010

The Pharisees lived by a "patches" theology - if they could patch over the sin in their lives, the hole didn’t exist anymore. But Christians are not called to patch our old way of life. Do you know what we’re to do instead?

OPEN: I’ve noticed over the years that kids love jokes that are plays on words. For example, when I was a kid (now I never did this myself, you understand), but I’ve known kids who would call a neighbor and ask: “Is your refrigerator running?” (pause). When the person on the other end of the line ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Love Is

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jul 22, 2018

The heart of the gospel is love - God's love expressed through the willing sacrifice of Jesus on the cross four our sins. When embraced, this leads to us living lives of love.

July 22, 2018 Sermon - What Love is - 1 John 3:11-24 There’s a dual purpose to today’s service, and also to my message today. Today we’re continuing in our study of the Letter of 1st John, and it has a lot to say about relationships and about love. And of course the main reason we gather ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church Of Laodicea Series

Contributed by Vernon Risner on Mar 5, 2021

Lessons learned from the church of Laodicea. Sermon notes, powerpoint, video clips available upon request.

Several years ago I went White Water Rafting with some friends. It was October, early in the morning, the sun wasn’t up yet. We were in wet suits preparing to face serious class 4 and 5 rapids down the Gauley River. Before leaving camp all 75 to 80 in the group were called together for important ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Last Laugh Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 6, 2019

Why did Sarah laugh? And what does her laughter tell us about our relationship with God?

OPEN: Dr. Short (one of the men who teaches Sunday School here) loves to share short puns in his classes… and I’m jealous so I decided to share a few of my own with memes. #1 - squirrel spreading his arms heavenward “I tried to come up with a squirrel pun, but everything I thought of was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15, Psalm 2:1-7, Mark 9:22-24, Isaiah 50:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalm 1 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 24, 2020

The first of the 150-psalm collection contained in the Old Testament book of Psalms, intended to follow "Introduction to Psalms" which is a sermon separate from the various psalms examined in the series.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, Psalm 119:97, Psalm 119:113, Psalm 119:163, Exodus 33:1-11, Revelation 21:27, Job 23:10, Matthew 15:13, Romans 8:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalm 22 - Jesus On The Cross Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Aug 29, 2019

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus' terrible cry on the cross is answered in Psalm 22.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-31, Psalm 22:1, Psalm 22:21, Luke 1:46-55, Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19, John 16:13-14, Isaiah 59:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resting And Relaxing In God Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 2, 2018

Physical rest and spiritual rest are essential for each and every one of us. God has given you the freedom to choose to rest, to be still, to know that God is God.

We continue in our series on Hope Found Here and it’s apt that this month we are going to be thinking about resting and relaxing in God. “Rest” is defined as “peace, ease or refreshment.” “Relax” means “to become loose or less firm, to have a milder manner, to be less stiff.” What does the Bible ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 31:16-17, Mark 1:21-34, Mark 6:31-32, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 6:31-34, Matthew 11:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Solitudinal Intervention

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 2, 2017

We are talking about the spiritual discipline of solitude and Jesus is a wonderful example for us with this aspect of the Christian life.

SOLITUDINAL INTERVENTION MATTHEW 26:36-46 #SpiritualDisciplines JOURNEY THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES As we begin this morning, I want us to take a journey through the Scriptures in the life of Jesus. Jesus Christ demonstrates, by His own life and example, the spiritual discipline we will dig into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blessed Subtractions Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 28, 2018

When Ananias and Sapphira lied about their contribution and were punished by God - the church grew. Why?

OPEN: I always loved Church camp. And I especially loved the camp songs. I’m going to sing one of them today, and if you know the song – sing along: "Ananias and Sapphira got together to conspire a plot - to cheat - the church and get ahead, They knew God's power – but did not fear it, tried to ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Victory In Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 2, 2018

Death is certain but the promise of Resurrection is more certain. Why is that promise so powerful and what difference can our resurrection mean to us?

(We began the sermon by singing the favorite hymn: Victory In Jesus “I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory, How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning, Then I repented of my sins and won the victory. O ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-57

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Call For Intimacy

Contributed by Michael Cariño on Apr 11, 2018

Our work, our worship, and our ministry must be an overflow of our intimacy with God. The Christian’s fruitfulness and faithfulness should come from a heart that is madly in-love with Christ.

"God’s Call for Intimacy" (Psalm 42) By Ptr Michael Cariño Have you ever felt spiritually dry? You go to church, read you bible, and pray, yet deep inside you still feel spiritually empty. You believe in Jesus, you follow Christ, and you know God yet your life is aimless and meaningless. Many ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational