Sermons on Suspecting:

Recognizing (And Recovering From) Spiritual Abuse

Contributed by Jim Miller on May 18, 2003

Spiritually abused Christians and spiritual abusers are more prevalent than you may think. This sermon identifies spiritual abuse and offers some remedies.

INTRODUCTION I am a victim of spiritual abuse. And, chances are, if you have been a member of a church or religious organization for any length of time, you are too. Spiritual abuse surfaces in an assortment of forms: sometimes in-your-face flagrant; other times behind-your-back subtle. It emerges ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gift Of Giving Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 1, 2003

In order to experience the joy of giving: 1. We must recognize God’s ownership of everything. 2. We must live a life of stewardship. 3. We must want to bless more than we want to be blessed.

The church service ended at the Lutheran Church in New Sweden, Maine as everyone “passed the peace.” It was the first Sunday after Easter, and the 50 people in attendance headed to the fellowship hour to have some coffee. Some of the people complained that the coffee was bitter, but people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-39

Denomination: Methodist

Falling Into Satan's Trap

Contributed by Rick Kallstrom on Jun 9, 2003

Paul’s time on earth was coming to an end. He had fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith. Soon, Paul would be a victim of Nero’s chopping block. Now one of his closest disciples, Demas, has left him.

This morning I want to talk to you about falling into Satan’s Trap. As we examine our scripture this morning, we find that the Apostle Paul is writing his final letter to Timothy, his son in the Lord. Paul is writing to Timothy from his jail cell in Rome. I suspect that it is wintertime when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bad Dad Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 12, 2006

Eli failed his son in 3 very distinct ways. What can we learn from his "bad" example?

OPEN: Have you ever had something go “bad” in your refrigerator? How can you tell when food is spoiled? Well, one of the first hints might be – when you open the door - it smells like something has died inside. But someone has come up with a list of ways in which we can determine whether our food ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Begins With Mourning Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 23, 2006

A Christian cannot remain unmoved by the pain in the world.

We’re all familiar with the term compassion fatigue. Do you suppose there’s a related phenomenon called disaster fatigue? We hadn’t even recovered from Katrina when Rita showed up on her heels. I have to confess that I’m tired of watching. But I, at least, have the luxury of being able to turn ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Love In Large Denominations

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Jun 25, 2006

We have ’Free Church Homecoming’ - an ecumenical service once a year. This sermon is an encouragement to go and to be the church universal, not just a congregation.

I have a confession to make. I have not been looking forward to Free Church as I ought. I remember when I attended my first one eight years ago, I looked forward to it. But nowadays, sometimes it seems like it’s getting just a little bit old. It’s tempting to say that the idea has had its day and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Baptist

Climbing The Staircase To Spiritual Greatness

Contributed by Brad Froese on Jul 18, 2006

This sermon defines the struggle we all face, and encourages people to PRESS ON! The climb toward Spiritual Greatness is for the ambitious.

One typical morning, a respectable, casually dressed man in his mid 50’s got up and headed to work with his usual brief case in his usual Lexus. On this particular morning however, he arrived with a beautiful woman, who was not his wife. When he pulled up to his usual parking space and got out, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Andrew Series

Contributed by Richard Pfeil on Apr 18, 2005

A biographical sketch of Andrew

ANDREW John 1:35-42; 6:5-9, 11-13; 12:20-22 March 21, 2004 Before I begin to talk about Andrew today, let me tell you that I was with your women folk for the first half of their retreat and they are, indeed, having a mountain-top experience which is Christian talk for beyond a great time! It’s ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Cul-De-Sac Faith Pt.2 Series

Contributed by Sheldon Boyd on May 4, 2005

This is part 2 of a two part sermon and part 9 of a 9 part series.

MOSES: FROM DOUBT TO DELIVERANCE CUL – DE – SAC FAITH Pt.2 Sunday November 10, 2002 Scripture Reference Exodus 13:17-14:31 Intro. A. Last week we began learning about what it means to have cul-de-sac faith. That means having faith in the tight spots of life. Having faith in the difficult ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Guarding Our Dignity Series

Contributed by Richard Pfeil on May 16, 2005

The message is part three of a series on end of life issues and deals issues surrounding dignity.

ETHICS AT THE END OF LIFE: GUARDING OUR DIGNITY TEXT: Various Sunday, September 1, 2002 Today we will conclude a series on end-of-life issues. This message is hard but necessary. A large segment of our society is advocating that we should terminate our lives when things get difficult ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dying To Live Series

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Apr 25, 2006

Easter Sermon

A Preacher found a shoe box in a closet. He opened it and found strange contents. Inside was an egg carton with 5 eggs inside. Next to the eggs was a stack of bills that totaled over a thousand dollars in small bills. As soon as his wife walked through the door he stopped her to ask if she knew ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Seventy Weeks Of Daniel Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 27, 2006

The popular dispensational view, or the “Home Alone” view is that these things allegedly deal with ten nations arising from the European federation, the Antichrist, a revived Roman Empire, a seven-year peace treaty with national Israel, and the Great 666

INTRODUCTION In my two experiences of ordination, in both cases I was challenged on eschatology, the study of end times issues. First in 1990 from a dispensational perspective - I was not committed to the pretribulation rapture, because I could not see it in Scripture. In about 1992 I became ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:24-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Deciphering The Da Vinci Code

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 7, 2006

The book conflicts with history and Scripture at several important points: 1. The nature of Jesus Christ. 2. The nature of the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. 3. The nature of Scripture. 4. The nature of the church.

I received an interesting phone call a few weeks ago. The woman on the other end explained that she presently lived in another state, but she and her husband were planning to move to Mount Vernon. She wanted to know about our church to see if she would feel welcome here. She said, “I am a very ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-19

Denomination: Methodist

Raising A G-Rated Family In An R-Rated World Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 15, 2006

It has grown increasingly more difficult to keep the world from influencing our families. What can we do to counter that influence?

OPEN: A man was once hired to go and take a census in the hills of east Tennessee. He came to one ram-shackle home, knocked on the door and was greeted by a young girl. Brandishing his clipboard, the interviewer asked the girl, "Is your mom home?" She said, "Nah, she ran off with a moon shiner." ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Divorce & Remarriage

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

- The painful reality of divorce is something we really don’t want to be reminded of. It’s been called the “hemorrhoids or cancer” of our relational life… but perhaps that is why we do need to hear God’s heart openly… because too many have been left with

Hearts have a way of changing over time… especially marital affections. Last week we looked at how Jesus restored sanctity to our pursuit of marriage and family… this week I want to address more specifically the questions that may surround divorce and remarriage for those seeking to follow ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational