Sermons on Strong Beginnings:

The Faith Of A Shepherd Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2008

Today, we’re talking about the shepherds who were just tending their sheep as they do every day and suddenly God shows up. What we’re talking about is a God encounter. A God encounter is not something you’re looking for, yearning for, expecting or even th

The Faith of the Shepherd Luke 2:8-18 Last week, we looked at Mary, an engaged teenager whom God had chosen to carry His child to full term and give birth to Him. Today, we’re talking about the shepherds who were just tending their sheep as they do every day and suddenly God shows up. What we’re ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18

Denomination: Methodist

The Passion Of The Magi Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2008

Today, we look at the wise men. There is one thing which sets this God encounter apart from the others in the Nativity story. Mary, the shepherds and Joseph weren’t expecting or looking for anything special to happen in their lives. The Magi weren’t eithe

The Passion of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 Jeff Vanderhoof writes, Earlier this month I was privileged to fly to England with the incoming class of ordinands, the Bishop, and others from our Conference. It was an outstanding experience, one that I will treasure for years to come. Part of me expected ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do! Part 1: The Need For Humility

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 7, 2008

First message looking at the "woes" that Jesus brings down on the Pharisees and religious leaders during Holy Week

Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do!  Part 1 - The Need for Humility Matthew 23:1-12 October 19, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Me/We: I’m willing to bet that no one likes a hypocrite. At least no one I know ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jhhemtyd Part 2: Hypocrisy Blocks The Way To Heaven

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 7, 2008

Full title is: Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do - Part 2... Discussion of how hypocrisy can keep people from Jesus.

Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do!  Part 2 – Hypocrisy Blocks the Way to Heaven Matthew 23:13-15 October 26, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Me/We: I asked last week if any of you like hypocrites. I also pointed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-15

Denomination: Wesleyan

Absence Of Pain Or Pain Of Absence? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 9, 2008

We either want to disengage from conflict situations and save ourselves the pain, or we have to absorb the guilt of being absent and causing others pain. Trust an abundant God, who is able to take our pain and express abundant love.

We serve a God of abundance and not a God of scarcity. Ours is not a dilettante deity with nothing in His hands. Ours is the God who possesses the cattle on a thousand hills, who flung the stars into space, and who has made all things – all things. All things are made by Him and all things are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Ichoose To Share Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Nov 13, 2008

Choosing may be the greatest power and privilege that we have as humans. The power of choice separates us from the angels and animals. We are faced with multiplied thousands of choices during the course of our life. We are faced with easy choices, silly

Pt. 3 – I Choose To Share I. Introduction We have been talking about the choices that we are faced with in life. Thousands if not millions of decisions must be thought through and made during a lifetime. Some choices are important . . . while some are trivial. For instance have you ever ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:14-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Leaky Disciples

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 17, 2008

Dated 1988; post-revival message. We do not retain the Spirit after a period of excitement because we have not counted the cost, we are victims of low self-esteem, or we are not our own persons.

Nothing is more annoying than to be trying to transport some liquid in a leaky vessel. You think you’ve got whatever it is all secure and ready for use, and then all of a sudden you find out it has leaked and drained allover the place ... and nothing is more disturbing and frustrating. When I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

Un:expected Series

Contributed by Stephen Colaw on Nov 19, 2008

Part 1 of "Christmas UN:wrapped" When God calls us to the unexpected we can respond with fear and doubt or we can trust and obey.

THE POINT: When God calls us to the unexpected we can respond with fear and doubt or we can trust and obey. ME I don’t know about you, but I LOVE CHRISTMAS… I love the Christmas season, I love the sights, the sounds, the smells associated with Christmas… I hate winter and I hate snow…except ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Victory Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Apr 14, 2009

Our experience may alter the way we come to the cross but not the victory we have in it.

March 23, 2008 Easter Service The Victory of the Cross The Victory of the Cross When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: *other

Sloth Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Apr 16, 2009

One of the keys to a Godly life is understanding the nature of sin and the danger it poses in our Spiritual lives.

7 Deadly Sins Series July 6, 2008 Sloth You know those days where you dont really feel like doing anything? You know those overcast days where its dreary out all day long and all you really want to do is call off work, lay around the house and watch a movie? You ever have days like that? I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:6-11

Denomination: *other

Pride Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Apr 16, 2009

One of the keys to a Godly life is understanding the nature of sin and the danger it poses in our Spiritual lives.

7 Deadly Sins Series July 20, 2008 Pride Not all sin is created equal. While all sin is equally offensive and wrong in the eyes of God they are not all equal. There are some sins that some people will never deal with in their lives. There are people who are so full of encouragement that they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:10-14

Denomination: *other

Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 18, 2009

What is the purpose of the church? It’s 3 fold: • To magnify the Lord thru worship and the Word. • To move believers to maturity and ministry. • To make Jesus known to our neighbors and the nations. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint

Church Ephesians 3:1-5 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Church.html Now we enter the church age, the “Dispensation of Grace.” What is a dispensation? It is a time period. In the Bible it is a specific period of time during which God administers His rule over the world in a certain way. And over ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Difficult Sayings Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 18, 2009

These are some of the more difficult saying for believers to grasp let alone the unbeliever.

The difficult sayings of Jesus John 6:60-71 This is an unusual chapter in John’s book. It’s one of the longest in the N.T. and I think that’s because those who determined where the chapter divisions would be took into account that everything here is connected to one main ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-71, Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Glory Of God In Suffering Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Apr 24, 2009

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Glory of God Series June 1st, 2008 Glory of God in Suffering How are you doing? Bunch of liars. Now I am sure that for some of you that is true. Life is good and you are happy. By some of you are liars. When someone asks you at church: “How are you?” You know the proper Christian answer is: ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:3-10

Denomination: *other

Teach Me To Pray Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 26, 2009

The purpose of prayer complemented by a model on how we should pray.

I hope you remember the Peanuts cartoons. One day Lucy and Linus had a chicken wishbone and were going to pull it to make a wish. Lucy was explaining to Linus that if he got the bigger half his wish would come true. Linus said to her, ‘Do I have to say the wish out loud?’  Lucy said, ‘Of course, if ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed