Sermons on Stretching:

Elohim Series

Contributed by Chip Van Emmerik on Nov 8, 2005

God reveals much of His character in the names by which He makes Himself known to mankind.

Elohim Genesis 1:1 Open In the late 1800’s, a band of bank robbers with an ingenious leader began to roam the West. They moved from town to town for years without ever being caught, finally simply fading away into history. To this day, no one knows for sure who they were. In fact, no one is ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger With Wineskins Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jan 3, 2005

If the New Year is new wine, then what wine skins should we be avoiding?

FORGET IT JANUARY 2nd 2005 PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 It’s gone, finished. 2004 is just a memory as we stand on the threshold of 2005. during the first week of a new year it’s not unusual to reminisce about the past and to dream about the future. Were there things that we would change about the past ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

Get On Your Feet

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jan 28, 2005

A Look at the healing of the lame man at the gate called Beautiful

It was a day, just a day like any other day. His brothers had gotten him out of bed and gotten him dressed. And on their way to work they carried him to his usually spot at the tem-ple gate. It was just a day, the sky wasn’t any bluer, the birds didn’t sing any louder, the sun didn’t shine any ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Chosen Vessel

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 16, 2004

You are a valuable treasure to God. God finds great treasures in the common "folk." This sermon uses both biblical and secular illustrations.

2 Corinthians 4:7 -- “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” l. INTRODUCTION -- THE CELLIST OF SARAJEVO On May 27, 1992, in Sarajevo, one of the few bakeries that still had a supply of flour was making and distributing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Magnetism Of The Finish Line

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 16, 2004

This sermon is in an ongoing series where I take snapshots from Pilgrim’s Progress and develop a message around it. I have no idea how many sermons will be in this series.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. l. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Prayerfully Encountering The Living God - Part 2 Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Sep 6, 2002

Through the early chruch’s example we can learn how to encounter the presence of God in a fresh and powerful way. Are you hungry for an encounter with God?

Todd Coget a minister in Indiana tells a story of growing up on a pig farm. They raised about a thousand pigs a year; there would be two or three hundred little oinkers running around in one field. Long before the sun would rise each morning Todd would walk into the field to feed the pigs and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Thrilling God's Heart

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Jul 6, 2001

Four characteristics of the kind of worship that thrills God’s heart, as exemplified in the life and worship of David

Thrilling God’s Heart Text: 2 Samuel 7:18-29, 6:16-18, 24:18-25 INTRO: I want you to imagine that this worship service has just ended, and people are lingering, hugging, milling around, filing out, smiling, laughing, talking to each other: “Wasn’t worship wonderful today?” someone ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 2 Samuel 6:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pursuit Of God

Contributed by Maximiliano Zapata on Jun 19, 2001

God has been after you for along time. He has pursued you despite time, nature and yourself.

“The pursuit of God” {Acts 17:24-27} In confronting the thinking of the Athenians, Paul begins correcting their view of the “Unknown God” as he says in verse 23; “Now what you worship as something unknown, I am going to proclaim to you.” He begins by taking them back to the beginning of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's House Past, Present And Future

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Jul 28, 2009

The house that God is building is a house where His power and Son are preeminent; His presence is pursued; and His purposes is practiced.

A couple of weeks ago were read were seven men were chose to look after the Greek widows, Stephen was one of them. He was a man full of grace and power. He did great signs and wonders But opposition against him arose. Members of the Synagogue of Freeman began arguing with Stephen and his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:44-49

Denomination: United Methodist

The Curious Case Of A Man Named Philip

Contributed by Shane Hargrave on Aug 4, 2009

A look at the story of Philip in Acts 8. This message is one that focuses on God’s timing and takes a look at how God can bring something good from something bad.

The Curious Case of a Man Named Philip Acts 8 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Story of a man who was born old and grew young. That’s not such a new concept. Have you ever heard the statement… Youth is wasted on the young? I never really understood that until I got a little bit older. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Promise For Testing Times Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 17, 2009

James closes this section on times of testing with a promise for the believers who are suffering under trial by reminding them that God rewards those who remain faithful.

JAMES 1:12 A PROMISE FOR TESTING TIMES [Hebrews 12:1-2] Chippie THE PARAKEET never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. The problems began when Chippie’s owner decided to clean Chippie’s cage with a vacuum ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12, James 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Look Back Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 27, 2009

Don’t let the past hold you back

As a counselor you learn a lot about how the past affects people. I knew one woman in her thirties who had a terrible childhood. Her father left when she was a baby, her mother was terribly abusive both physically and verbally. She ended up in foster care where she was sexually abused by a foster ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

"The Eternal Nature Of The Son" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Sep 15, 2008

Sermon 3 in a study in Hebrews

“YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.” 10 And, “YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; 11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:9-14

Denomination: Orthodox

Clothed In Fine Linen Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Apr 15, 2008

In the New Testament, the Church is not spoken of as a wife, but as a bride, betrothed or engaged, being made ready for her wedding day, the celebrated and much anticipated day when Christ comes for His church at the end of the age.

Review Last week, we did something that probably stretched a few of you. It certainly stretched me. When God laid the impression upon me to do this, I was both apprehensive as well as excited. I knew a blessing would flow from it, and I knew that many of us would be uncomfortable. Yet, I ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Safety Is Not First! Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Apr 17, 2008

Safety first is not a good motto for a Christian. (It must be “Christ First.”)

Turning Our Church Inside Out – Part 3 – Safety is not first! 1) Opening Illustration: a. Three Amigos b. Clip: "I’m drawing a line." This clip begins in the middle of chapter 11 if you are using a DVD. If you are using VHS, begin the counter at the opening of the movie where the Orion Pictures ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: Baptist