Sermons on Straw:

A Christmas Reality Check

Contributed by Gene Haraldsen on Jul 15, 2004

Sometimes we romanticize Christmas and when we do we miss some of its most crucial messages. The real story of Christmas is about real life and real struggles and real truth.

A Christmas Reality Check Luke 2:1-7 The Christmas of today is very different than the first Christmas: Today: The manger scene usually includes angels hovering, shepherds watching, animals gazing, clean straw, a strong looking Joseph, a vulnerable yet invincible baby, a halo over Mary’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Honorable Mention

Contributed by Paul Durbin on Feb 17, 2003

As believers, we ought to be going for the best of show rather than settling for honorable mention in our relationship with Jesus

my dad and I used to enter as many pictures as was legal in the photography exhibition here at the fair. It would take us, or my dad anyway, weeks to get all of the pictures ready - enlarging those that needed it, mounting them on to the correct size of cardboard, filling in the entry ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

God' S Concern For The Way We Think And Why It Matters Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 19, 2004

Today, we are going to look at a few more areas in which we need God¡¦s help, and then look at WHY we need to be concerned about such non-churchy, non-stained glass, everyday mundane things.

God’s Concern for the Way We Think and Why It Matters (Eccl. 11:1 to 12:14) 1. It is a challenge to preach sermons that are Biblical, relevant, and spiritual. 2. Some pastors do this by skipping around and avoiding the drier or more detailed sections of Scripture. 3. What many people miss, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Deliverance From Difficulties

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 9, 2001

To lead the people to understand that God will always find a way to deliver His people from difficulties.

Deliverance From Egypt Let My People Go – Exodus 5:1-13;16 Illustration: Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace. Oswald Chambers in Run ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cry Of My Heart: A Prayer After God’s Own Heart

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Jun 22, 2001

1.TRANSFORM ME 2.TEACH ME 3.TRAIN ME 4.TEST ME 5.TOUCH ME 6.THINK OF ME 7.TRUST ME

THE CRY OF MY HEART: A PRAYER AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART OUTLINE 1.TRANSFORM ME 2.TEACH ME 3.TRAIN ME 4.TEST ME 5.TOUCH ME 6.THINK OF ME 7.TRUST ME THE MESSAGE THE CRY OF MY HEART : A PRAYER AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART 1.TRANSFORM ME It is very important that we pray that God should transform ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

He's Not A Baby Anymore!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 15, 2001

The manger is empty as well as the grave. We are not dealing with a child.

He’s Not A Baby Anymore! We are in the season where everybody gets all mushy. Maybe it is because a baby in a manger brings out the paternal instincts in people. Maybe it is because a baby is not threatening. There is something about the Christ child that gets more attention than the day we ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Let Christ Bring A Resolution

Contributed by John Herrmann on Mar 15, 2002

God works behind the scenes. Caiaphas the high priest’s plan to eliminate Christ became part of God’s design to redeem the world. God continues to work through us too as the body of Christ to bring about his ultimate purpose.

Let Christ Bring A Resolution Jn. 11:47-53 There’s always a resolution for your problems. Things can and do come together after all. Ezekiel in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 37) offers an image of life being breathed into dead bones with the result that there is a noise and a rattling sound, ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45, John 11:47-53

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Build A Strong Home Series

Contributed by Jim Mooney on Jan 6, 2001

ALL OF US WANT TO HAVE STRONG HOMES. HOMES THAT WILL SURVIVE THE STORMS OF LIFE. HOME THAT WILL SURVIVE THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY. HOMES THAT WILL SURVIVE THE PRESSURES AND DEMANDS OF THE WORLD.

Home Improvement Series How To Build A Strong Home 1 Peter 3:1-7 ALL OF US HERE THIS MORNING WANT TO HAVE STRONG HOMES. HOMES THAT WILL SURVIVE THE STORMS OF LIFE. HOME THAT WILL SURVIVE THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY. HOMES THAT WILL SURVIVE THE PRESSURES AND DEMANDS OF THE WORLD. IN ORDER FOR US TO ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Remember The Simple Things Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 17, 2003

Peter gives us list of 8 simple characteristics that are so basic we tend to overlook them... but we do so at our own risk. Learn the value of the "simple" qualities of your faith.

OPEN: Cecil B. DeMille was making one of his great epic movies. He had 6 cameras at various points to pick up the overall action and 5 other cameras set up to film plot developments involving major characters. The large cast had begun rehearsing the scene at 6am and they went through it 4 times. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Jesus Becomes Real Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 18, 2006

Jesus Christ invades the normal world and brings about healing, foregiveness and acceptance to the outcasts of society. When does He become real to you?

Do you ever have those moments when the Bible just comes alive to you? I had such a moment standing on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (also known as Sea of Gennesaret). It’s been many years now, but I remember being there near Kibbutz Ginossar, standing on the small pebbles that made up the shore ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-39

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Justice Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jun 20, 2006

Fourth in an eight part series on the attributes of God.

Opening Illustration: 9/11 Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people? Dictionary: 1) the quality of being righteous 2) impartiality; fairness 3) reward or penalty as deserved; just desserts A.W. Tozer: Justice embodies the idea of moral equity, and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:25

Denomination: Baptist

The Midnight Cry

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Nov 28, 2006

When you consider the coming of Jesus Christ, what do you see taking place in your life? The prophecies regarding the coming of Christ found in the word of God was never meant to bring you thoughts of panic, doom or discouragement.

THE MIDNIGHT CRY The recent events, taking place in the news, continue to challenge my heart with the fact that Jesus is coming soon. Although I am troubled with the terror that has gripped our nation, I am not discouraged or surprised with what the Lord has planned for this world. As believers ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Puzzle Of Sin

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 5, 2010

Many do not understand how they can have their sins removed as far as the East from the West and still need to stand accountable for their sins.

The Puzzle of Sin Psalm 103:12 Purpose : To teach that we must all stand accountable for our sins. Intro: I teach that each of us must stand accountable to God in the judgment where we will answer for our sins. Not pay for our sins... our sins have been paid for... but stand accountable. That ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:12

Denomination: Baptist

What’s So Special About This Place?

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jun 7, 2010

What’s So Special About This Place? 1) God speaks to us here. 2) God listens to us here.

It looks like a shack perched precariously on the side of a forested hill. There is no hot water so there is no place to shower or bathe. The outhouse is just a couple steps from the front door but night-time visits still require a flashlight. When Sarah first saw “the cabin,” I’m ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:22-43

Denomination: Lutheran

Rising To The Challenge

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jun 7, 2010

“Christians who persist in proclaiming Christ as Truth-Incarnate risk being tarred with the brush of narrow-mindedness or even bigotry.”(Chan)

Sermon Topic: Rising to the Challenge Sermon Text: Acts 17:16-34 (to be read during sermon) Rosa De Burca, former employee of UNICEF (1994-2003). As the Child Protection Officer she traveled with a colleague to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1997 in an effort to help refugees who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Salvation Army