Sermons on Strong Beginnings:

What Does God Want?

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Nov 25, 2007

We struggle over knowing what God wants. We ask for signs. Some in scripture have an advangage, sort of, they get to speak to God or atleast hear God’s voice. What about us today?

What does God want? Hebrews 11:8-19 You know, I have a pretty hard time knowing what I want some times. I can get caught up in all kinds of simple dilemmas; it can be a simple as choosing something for lunch when there are lots of interesting to try. In more important situations perhaps some ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-19

Denomination: Congregational

24.22 Count The Cost Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Nov 26, 2007

It’s easy to say we’ll follow him anywhere, Jesus tells us to be sure we know the terms and conditions

And so Jesus prepares to end his day and leave Capernaum. Following the morning of teaching Christ and his disciples began the walk back to the town of Capernaum. Remember that it was during that time that he was approached by the leper, whom he healed. And then as they came to the outskirts of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Promise Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Patrick Mead on Nov 26, 2007

There are several “hugs from God” in Isaiah that remind us what Christmas is all about, and what it really means for those who have Christ in their hearts.

The Promise of Christmas Isaiah 7:1-8:4 Introduction: A pastor was preparing his sermon when his daughter came in and said, “Daddy, can you come and play with me?” Her father responded, “Honey, I need to finish my sermon, but give me an hour, and I will play with you.” “Okay,” said the girl, “And ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Have Yourself A Mary Christmas

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Nov 28, 2007

Exposition of Luke 1:26-38

Have Yourself A Mary Christmas Adapted from the sermon Christmas According to Mary by Jonathan McLeod Luke 1:26-38 Mothers can teach us a lot if we will listen to them. Several years ago the Knoxville TN Sentinel newspaper carried the story of police chief Phil Keith who during a televised ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is This Girl And Why Is She Singing?

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Nov 28, 2007

Exposition of Luke 1:46-56

Who is This Glad Girl and Why is She Singing? Luke 1:46-56 All the Whos down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot But the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville did not… So begins the classic tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Theodore Geisel, a. k. a. Dr. Seuss. Do you know the story? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Denomination: Baptist

Joy Or Happiness? "Lost In Translation"

Contributed by Dj Castilleja on Nov 30, 2007

There is a difference between Joy and Happiness. The world would say they are the same. What does God say?

“Lost in Translation” Introduction: Many times we can approach life with a sense of defeat. I had a negative friend I used to hang out with in High School. He was always complaining about how negative things were in life. Even now I get emails from him about how the world is going down, how ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giving As A Group - Part Four Of Four In Series "Firstfruits" Series

Contributed by Wade Leonard on Dec 4, 2007

Does God care about how we give as a group? Shouldn’t giving focus on what I give? After all, it’s up to me as to what I decide to give and how to give it, right? But does the Bible ever address “group giving?”

Intro - John Young moved into an apartment tower in Chicago. The apartments had seen better days. All the colors had faded, the maintenance had been neglected and the mood of the place was downright ugly. It was just a real rough part of town. One of the things John noticed was that hardly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Samuel: The Partner Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Travis Markes on Dec 4, 2007

Series on men and women’s prayers in the Bible that made a difference and how prayer truly is the difference maker in our lives. I borrowed the outlines from SermonCentral Pro Contributor Tim Byrd.

Samuel: The Partner in Prayer 1 Samuel 3: 1-10; 12:16-25 Readers’ Digest has a section called All in a Day’s Work where people write in humorous things that happen at work. Confiding in a co-worker, I told her about a problem in our office and my fear that I would lose my job. She was concerned ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:16-25

Denomination: Baptist

Reliable Evidences Of Saving Faith Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 7, 2007

In this sermon we examine some reliable evidences of saving faith.

Scripture In our study of Romans we have observed that Paul has emphatically insisted that we come into a right relationship with God only by his grace and not through our own effort. We deserve God’s wrath. We deserve God’s condemnation. We deserve God’s sentence of hell. But, God extends ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:27-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Growing Generosity Series

Contributed by Kevin Mccarthy on Dec 12, 2007

Open your heart and grow greater generosity.

Giving the gift of “me:” Growing Generosity, Open Before Christmas series, Message #1, December 2, 2007. Did you shop on black Friday? Over 130 million of us hit the stores on the day after thanksgiving (dubbed “Black Friday”). Would you rate your experience a “thumbs up” or a “thumbs down?” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Separational Season

Contributed by Maria Saunders on Dec 14, 2007

God isn’t a God of normalcy. He doesn’t perform according to the standards of the world. Therefore, we at times will endure the Separational Season (a season of the wilderness).

The Separational Season (Matthew 1:18-25) At a Friday Night Prayer Service, I received confirmation that the message this morning is truly not only for me, but also for the House of Transformation. This year we’ve experienced some wonderful times and some low times. There’s some stuff that many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

I'm Only Human

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 15, 2007

From this text, let’s think about what we "humans" can do in life and the proper attitude we should have. 1- We must do good 2- We must be humble 3- We must expect some opposition

INTRO.- ILL.- There was a preacher who was an avid golfer. Every chance he got, he could be found on the golf course swinging away. It was his obsession. One Sunday was a picture-perfect day for golf. The sun was out, no clouds in the sky, and the temperature was just right. The preacher was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:8-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Angels We Have Heard

Contributed by Charles Scott on Dec 16, 2007

A narration of the work of angels in Scripture, entertainment media, and popular belief.

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD NEARBY LUKE 1__26—38 Allan Gurganus told the story of an old woman, a widow whose sons now live far away She was standing at the sink early one morning dressed in a tatty robe, doing the dishes and gazinig out the window looking everywhere and nowhere. Out of the corner of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Anglican

Make Me A Blessing Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Abraham, Pt. 7

MAKE ME A BLESSING (GENESIS 20) A non-profit organization’s survey of 81,355 people 18 and older, reveals that Americans are a neighborly lot, says a national study that finds 76% trust most or some neighbors, 16% say they trust them all, 44% talk to them frequently and 65% exchange favors. The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Father Of Faith Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Abraham, Pt. 8

THE FATHER OF FAITH (GENESIS 22:1-18) At 3:00 a.m. one cold morning a missionary candidate walked into an office for a scheduled interview with the examiner of a mission board. He waited until 8 a.m. when the examiner arrived. The examiner said, “Let us begin. First, please spell baker.” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible