Sermons on Straw:

The Temple Incident

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2003

Jesus actions in the temple demonstrate that we have a responsibility to reach out and not just to make things comfortable for ourselves.

The story we read today is an interesting one. It’s one that doesn’t really fit with the picture of Jesus that we usually think about. How does a loving Jesus, who goes around teaching good morals, fit with this violent figure who disrupts a market place, stops temple worship and causes chaos. If ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25

Denomination: Holiness

Prayer Is For Weak People Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Jul 3, 2006

Life’s difficulties are often the Father’s appointed paths to spiritual maturity. The positive way forward in difficult and painful circumstances is the way of prayer.

An airliner was bound for New York City. The flight was routine until the pilot began the descent. Then he realizes that the landing gear would not engage. Working the controls back and forth, he tried again and again to lock the gear into place. No success. He circled the landing field, getting ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Don't Leave Jesus Behind Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 13, 2006

The "Good Confession" is the foundation of our faith. If we don’t understand what it means, it could have a serious effect on our relationship with Jesus. Do you understand it as you should?

OPEN: The warship had just returned from a tour oversees and the young ensign shown himself to be responsible and efficient. Because of that he was given the opportunity to take command of the ship as it made its out to sea again. As the ship was to pull away from the dock, the ensign gave a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rediscovering A Holy Fear Of God Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 4, 2004

Reminder that God is holy and a call to change our posture/attitude toward a holy and righteous God in light of that knowledge.

I want to turn our thoughts towards the holiness of God…. and in particular, how we as human beings engage a holy God… how we can rediscover a healthy and holy fear of God. The subject of holiness can be sensitive subject. Our experience may lead us to some confusing ideas about what it means to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus, The Branch Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 18, 2006

This is #3 in the Jesus in Isaiah series and focuses on Jesus as the Branch of Jesse’s root in Isaiah 11. This shows some of the prophetic signs pointing to Jesus as Messiah.

Isaiah #3 Jesus: The Branch Isaiah 11:1-16 SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 11:1-9 INTRODUCTION: (background to ch. 11 and the concept of comparing Jesus to a Branch) So far we have looked at the introduction to Isaiah including chapter 1 of Isaiah, and we have examined Isaiah’s call by God in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Away In A Manger

Contributed by William Mouser on Dec 28, 2005

Christmas Eve sermon; Develops the spiritual impact of the first Nativity by comparing the oldest nativity scene with a modern nativity scene.

Psalm 96, Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1 - 20 Away in a manger The gospel lesson for the Feast of the Nativity shows us a scene that has become immortalized in Christian culture over the past 2,000 years. the nativity scene. Jesus is there in a manger, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

We Are Not Home Alone Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jan 18, 2007

3 of 4 on Christmas. This message is on Joseph

Classic Christmas December 24, 2006 Home Alone Christmas Breakfast at Big Boy Home Alone is a movie about a boy named Kevin who wishes that his family would just disappear. And this time his wish comes true as he is accidentally left home as his family travels to France for Christmas. At first he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not Just Another Sunday Part 3: My Offering Series

Contributed by Rev. Saeed Richardson on Oct 7, 2007

Continuing in our series we look at how our offering is so much more than what we put in the plate - it is how we live.

Intro: What-chu-gaht! The dangerous life of comparisons. How do you shop? For me I’d rather go to the appropriate store for the appropriate item - I prefer BJ’s or Sam’s Club for meat because I can get it cheaper in bulk have the butchers cut it up and package it so that I can freeze it when I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:2-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Disciplines Of A Disciple Of Christ Series

Contributed by David Richardson on Feb 28, 2007

Let us therefore throw off all that hinders and run the course set out for us...

Title: The Disciplines of a Disciple of Christ, part I Robert Baxter, an English Puritan church leader during the 1600’s, had this say: "It is a most lamentable [regrettable] thing to see how most people spend their time and their energy for trifles [unimportant things], while God is cast aside. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-6

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Becoming Consistent & Consecrated Series

Contributed by Scott Brewer on Jul 29, 2007

It is obvious if we are born of God because we live the right way and love others well.

An Incarnational, Missional People “Becoming Consistent & Consecrated” 1 John 3:4-10 William Willimon used to be the dean of the chapel at Duke University. "One day he received a phone call from a very irate father. The father exploded on the other end of the line, telling Willimon furiously, ’I ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

Enoch Walked With God Series

Contributed by Stephen Wright on Apr 13, 2003

Introduction to series of 4 studies in the life of Enoch, focussing on his walk with God

Enoch In Genesis 5 time after time we read, “And he died.” Eight times in all. It seems a depressing genealogy that we can quickly skip over. It reminds us only of the consequences of Adam’s disobedience and the one certainty in life since. In verses 21 to 24, however, we have a notable exception. ...read more

Scripture: John 14:21-23, Genesis 5:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

David, Man Of Renown Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Apr 27, 2003

Here is an example both of God’s providence and God’s grace in action as David’s wilderness years approach their conclusion.

What we find today is an example both of God’s providence and God’s grace in action as David’s wilderness years approach their conclusion. David has been with the Philistine king Achish on their way to attack Saul and his army, when God intervenes in a providential way to release David from his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-31

Denomination: Anglican

Joseph And Predestination

Contributed by Tony Grant on Oct 17, 2005

Biblical predestination is that though human beings have free will and are responsible for their sins, God works in all circumstances to bring about his will.

Joseph and Predestination Genesis 50: 15-21 05/22/05 2443 words Please turn in your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 50 and follow along as I read verses 15-21 15 Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, "What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Average Is Not Good Enough Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Nov 15, 2005

Kings of Judah, Pt. 6: "Amaziah"

AVERAGE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH (2 CHRONICLES 25:1-28) One day Linus came home with his report card. As he turned on the TV, his sister Lucy scoffed at his grade: “You got a “C” in history? That’s only average.” Linus defended himself: “So what? I’m an average student in an average school in an average ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 25:1-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus In The Real World

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Feb 20, 2008

Christmas message based on the reality that Jesus came as a real person so we can know God.

Jesus in the Real World Luke 2:1-24 December 9, 2007 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." We: Raise your hand if you either are a teenager or you’ve been a teenager. Now raise your hand if at anytime during your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-24

Denomination: Wesleyan