Sermons on Suspects:

Our Unpredictable God

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 18, 2000

Should we look at our relationship with God as a way to avoid life’s miseries, or as a way to get to know Him and find strength to endure the curves life sends our way?

1. My wife makes a mean Broccoli soup; never turns out at mo-in-laws 2. The newspaper is always there--except the one time in your life in which your photo is included... 3. The truth of the matter is that life is unpredictable. And so is God. 4. Don’t get me wrong: I believe God is faithful. But ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Grace And Risk

Contributed by Ed Wood on Nov 1, 2006

Jesus calls us to take risks for Him. What have we risked today?

GRACE AND RISK Matthew 25:14-30 INTRO: Jimmy Draper, in his 1984 SBC address, spoke of visiting missionaries who risk their lives for the sake of the Gospel. He noted how little he, by comparison, risks. Most of us can say the same thing. Has Christ called us to risk for Him? I. A PARABLE OF ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Man Who Kissed Heavens Door And Went To Hell.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jun 7, 2004

Think how close Judas came but went to hell.

A man who kissed heavens door and went to hell. Matthew 26: 47 -- 50. 06/06/04 I want to invite you to turn to the gospel of Matthew chapter 26. Today I want to preach a message about a man who kissed heavens door, but went to hell. Think how close to heaven he came, yet he went to hell. Now ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:47-50

Denomination: Baptist

Prayers That Always Get Answered

Contributed by Jim Miller on Nov 3, 2003

In John 17, Jesus models for us the type of "anything" prayers that God always answers.

11-02-03 John 17 Intro: 2 TV shows over the past couple of weeks, shocked at the content. King of Queens rerun, Carrie prays for a raise, gets it, they begin to get everything they pray for. Meat market scene with priest. Second, Everwood, pastor of church getting married, also going blind, he ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Brethren

Power Of Influence

Contributed by Ronnie Smith on Jul 8, 2005

The Power of Influence Genesis 39 1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the LORD was wit

The Power of Influence Genesis 39 1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Greater Grace

Contributed by Bong Baylon on May 24, 2008

Christians often fail to guard their hearts in times of greatest temptation because they are not expecting to be tempted during such occasions.

Title: God’s Greater Grace By Bong Baylon Text: James 4:11-5:6 Big Idea: When you know certain situations where your flesh can be most tempted, you can guard your heart by relying on God’s greater grace. Tagline: Guard your heart with God’s greater grace. Introduction Interest: Illus. Trying to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is God An Environmentalist? Series

Contributed by Travis Jarrett on Jul 11, 2009

Part 1 of 2 in the NewSong teaching series, "GREEN" which explores present day environmental movements in light of Biblical teaching and insight.

:: Church Culture & the Environment • Lifeway Research - purpose of “assisting & equipping church leaders with insight that will lead to greater levels of church health and effectiveness.” • Their research includes studying emerging trends in culture and Christian communities – including ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31

Denomination: *other

Anything Except Facing My Accountability To God Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 14, 2011

Society at large and individuals in general despise the idea of facing a God who holds them accountable and whose wrath is incurred.

Anything Except Facing My Accountability to God (Acts 14:1-20) 1. Sometimes there is no answer to conflict. It just is. 2. From Reader's Digest: "On his birthday, my husband was stuck driving our six rambunctious children around. As usual, they were yelling, punching, and annoying one another. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sons And Daughters Of Encouragement Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 8, 2012

Like Barnabas, we can be sons and daughters of encouragement if we see and make real the connection between Word and Sacrament.

Feast of St Barnabas 2012 Verbum Domini This annual celebration of one of the early Church’s lynchpins, St. Barnabas, brings to mind first of all the meaning of his Hebrew name: Bar-nabas, son of encouragement. (Acts 4:36) When you use that idiom about somebody, it’s like saying, ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Righeousness Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 22, 2011

Judgment is based not on how religiuos we are, but rather on how loving we are.

Matthew 25:31-46 “Righteousness” INTRODUCTION For my recreational reading, I often like to pick up a good murder mystery. I enjoy getting involved in the twists and tangles of the plot—all the time trying to deduce who was the murderer. When I get to the last pages, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Moved By Compassion Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 3, 2010

Jesus reacted to the needs of a grieving widow with love and compassion. His words and actions transformed lives and honored God.

Luke 7:11-17 “Moved by Compassion” INTRODUCTION When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Refrain: It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Lessons Learned From Two Criminals

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 1, 2010

Tonight, I want to look at two people and the truths they teach us. They are the criminals that hung on the cross on each side of Jesus, the day Jesus was crucified.

Lessons learned from two Criminals Luke 23:32-43 Introduction I expect to learn things when I read the teachings of Jesus, after all, even the Jews who rejected Jesus saw Him as a Great Rabbi, a Great Teacher. I expect to learn things when I read the writings of the Apostles because these men ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Preparedn Ess Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 17, 2015

Jesus never seems to come as fast as we want him to. We must be prepared to wait

Matthew 25:1-13 “Kingdom Preparedness” INTRODUCTION “Get ready, we’re going to leave soon!” I suspect more than a few young people heard those words this morning as the family prepared to climb into the car and drive to morning worship. We hear the call to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Is Repetition Bad

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 19, 2019

CCM is bashed for repetition and length, but are the critics right?

Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. When it comes to prayer, Christ is not into vain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-8, Psalm 136:1-26, Psalm 119:1-176, Colossians 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Fasting Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 15, 2019

Fasting is a spiritual discipline for inward communion with God.

A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 6:16-18 “When you fast, don’t make it obvious to others, as the hypocrites who try to look mournful or disheveled like they didn’t comb their hair, or wash their face. Don’t try to get people to admire you for fasting. That is the only reward you will get. But when you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:16-18

Denomination: Baptist