Sermons on Suspicious:

All Is Now Yours: Giving What We Do Not Have

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 8, 2001

In uncertain times, it remains true that giving away what we cannot possess anyway is the path to fulfillment; it must, however, be a gift that refreshes the fainting.

It seems that we do not have what we think we have. Sometimes what seems to be ours is not ours at all. Buildings as sturdy as the Pentagon and as imposing as the World Trade Center can be destroyed in a moment of awful terror. Lives promising and beautiful are snuffed out, and there is little ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Church Planting Out Of Our Comfort Zone

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Feb 16, 2007

Reasons why a stable older church took on the challenge of launchng a new church a nearby community.

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Out of Our Comfort Zones Matthew 14:22-33 Hold that text in the back of your mind. We will come back to it later. Old time evangelist Vance Havner used to tell the story of an old fisherman. Ol’ Clem amazed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church In Jerusalem Series

Contributed by Doug Henry on Dec 30, 2006

A reminder about how we need to seek God.

Warnings, Exaltations, & Instructions – The Church in Jerusalem James 4:7 - 10 Did you ever read the Bible and become jealous of the relationship between God and the people you read about in it? Let me give you a few examples. Think about Adam and Eve. Not only did God provide a garden ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Holiness Series

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Nov 13, 2006

We want power. Everyone wants power. The pursuit of power is what got Adam in trouble and landed us in a fallen world – a creation groaning under the curse and a heart bent toward sin. And yet, what is it that Paul prays for in our text this morning –

The Power of Holiness Ephesians 3:14-21; 2 Corinthians 6:4-7 Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI March 13, 2005 Fourth Sunday of Lent Tim Allen, brought to life one the most beloved and most quoted television characters of all time. In fact, he played the man trying desperately to be “a man’s man,” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Is The Church All About? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Nov 21, 2006

The church is a community in which Christ is number one and believers worship together and love and serve others.

I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you when I say that many people have a negative view of the church. This negative attitude toward the church is captured in the following quotes. “I’m completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Prayer For Knowledge Pt. 2

Contributed by David Mcallan on Aug 8, 2008

As beloved children of God we must remember that we are in Christ & in God. It is through His power that we have become what we now are in Christ – through that same power which raised Christ from the dead.

Intro No less than a few years ago, you would have looked suspiciously at people walking down the street talking to themselves. You might have even crossed the road to avoid them. Today, however, we immediately assume that such people are on their cell phones and using a wireless Bluetooth ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All I (Really) Want For Christmas

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 23, 2007

Like Joseph, we think we want freedom from embarassment, but we really want love. We think we want an ordinary life, but we really want to be special. We think we want a little support, but we get the presence of the Living God

What do you want for Christmas? I hope there’s somebody in your life who is asking that question. I am not one of those who thinks we should do away with gift-giving at Christmas. Yes, it gets out of hand. And yes, it’s very commercial. But still, gift-giving is a part of the joy of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Modesty Series

Contributed by Merv Budd on Jun 6, 2007

While modesty is not mentioned directly that often in Scripture, it is core to Biblical spirituality. In this sermon we explore why.

Series: Vanishing Virtues Sermon: Modesty June 3, 2007 NBBC Intro A virtue is a moral standard which a society holds as something worthy to aspire towards. As such a society will bring subtle and not so subtle influence and pressure to see that virtues are adhered to. As a virtue becomes embraced ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

Created For Community

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 28, 2010

The greatest need for our time is genuine community.

Created for Community Big idea: As bearers of the image of the Triune God, the greatest need of our time is genuine community. I am convinced that the greatest need of our time is genuine community. For instance, I see it ozzing out in the world cup of soccer. I am seeing people spending money ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Stay Focused On The Goal Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Aug 31, 2010

God enables us to press toward the goal of the prize of the upward call.

Scripture Introduction Some humorist once said, “Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there” (Josh Billings). Luciano Pavarotti tells how when he was a boy, his father, a baker, introduced him to the wonders of song. “He urged me ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Holy Spirit, Victory's Vision

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 12, 2010

Memorial Day 1986: God is at work in history. He restrains evil and, in Christ, He absorbs evil into Himself and provides complete redemption.

All during this month, as we have thought together about the work of the Holy Spirit, we have been in familiar territory. It wasn't hard to think about the Holy Spirit in the heart, speaking to me, leading you, dealing with each one of us as individuals. That we know about, that's familiar ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

If Money Could Talk… Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jun 2, 2010

Selfish and dishonest gain invites God’s judgment and leaves a person in ultimate poverty.

If Money Could Talk… James 5:1-6 -Most of us have probably heard the saying, “Money talks.” Words are one thing, but when someone slaps down their money or writes the check, their words take on new meaning. Sometimes money produces results that seemed slow in coming with any ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Three Score And Ten

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 12, 2009

For 1989, 70th anniversary of the church. Three Scriptures with the number "70" in them ... life includes pain and conflict; but we are to forgive without reservation; God knows the plans He has for the next 70 years of this church.

We’ve reached a milestone, a real milestone. Seventy years old. That’s a good long while. That is, in fact, a lifetime, according to one of the Scriptures I’m going to read, the typical, average lifetime of a human being. And it’s not too bad for an institution like a church. We’ve been here, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

When Religion Steals Series

Contributed by Emile Wolfaardt on Sep 7, 2009

(PowerPoint Slides freely available by e-mailing Emile@Wolfaardt.com) Dealing with the spirit of religion so that Christ is glorified.

Journeying with John - It’s a Blast (JWJ-20) When Religion Steals John 5:9-17 Good morning! Today I want to start with something rather unusual - I want to identify a thief in our midst - I want to name this thief so you are no longer vulnerable to his attack, I want to expose him. That thief’s ...read more

Scripture: John 5:9-17

Denomination: *other

A Cup Of Cold Water

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 10, 2010

A message encouraging the saints to refresh others.

“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-41

Denomination: Baptist