Sermons on Swimming Upstream:

"Live With The Endgame In Mind

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Sep 9, 2012

For those of you who play chess or who have mastered games of strategy you know that you must play with the Endgame in Mind. Understanding the “Endgame” I’m sure shows up in business and sports. How you want to finish is related to how you begin and

Cornerstone Church September 9, 2012 “LIVE WITH THE ENDGAME IN MIND” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 For those of you who play chess or who have mastered games of strategy you know that you must play with the Endgame in Mind. Understanding the “Endgame” I’m sure ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When The Good News Isn't Good News

Contributed by James May on Feb 27, 2013

Ahab and Jehoshaphat sat and listened to the good news from Ahab's prophets, but their good news was bad news because it came from deceitful lips. Let us have the Spirit of discernment to know the will of God in all things and not fail to uphold the trut

When the Good News isn’t Good News By Rev. James May Good news is hard to find in the media of this world. Sensationalism, bad news, murder and mayhem are what sells papers or keeps the public tuned in to their favorite news channel. I discovered a long time ago that if I listened to too ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:1-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Genius Of Genesis Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 4, 2022

To move forward in our faith, we must go back to the beginning.

Last spring, while we were crossing the new I-74 bridge, Beth made an astute observation about the old bridge. While our community was excited about the opening of the new bridge (and rightly so), the old one was being dismantled piece by piece, without anyone really paying attention. She said ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 50:20

Denomination: Baptist

Somebody's Watching Us (Sin And Temptation) Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 26, 2022

The world is watching us to see how we handle temptation and sin…

Somebody’s Watching Us Living – Hope part 6 1 Peter 2:11, 12, 24, 25 You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12, 1 Peter 2:24-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Paradox And The Ultimate Victory Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 25, 2020

The only way to win the war with sin is to allow Jesus to be the Lord of our lives.

THE GREAT PARADOX AND THE ULTIMATE VICTORY Text: Rom. 7:14-25 INTRODUCTION 1. Illustration: I love the story of Charles Spurgeon when he was a speaker at a conference along with another man, who publicly proclaimed that Christians could reach a place of sinless perfection where they no longer ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Methodist

Differences Make A Difference Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

We do not have to like everything about Paul, for he didn't like everything about himself, but we do have to recognize that differences are not defects. They are the key to the churches having the diversity necessary to reach a very diverse world.

Sometimes a man can be so different that nobody can agree with him all the time. Such was the case with Roger Williams, who was the founder of the first Baptist Church in America. He came to America for religious freedom, and he expected to have more of it than anybody was willing to give him. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:1-11

Joy - Psalm 126 Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 10, 2002

How do we sustain joy in the midst of difficult circumstances? By reflecting on God’s blessings and promises.

Right now in Texas, a woman named Andrea Yates is on trial for the crime of murdering her five children, ages 7, 5, 3, 2, and six months. According to news reports, she confessed to police that she led them one at a time into the bathroom of their family’s home and drowned them in the bathtub. When ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:4

Denomination: Baptist

"The Way That Seems Right..."

Contributed by Tony Searles on Jul 25, 2002

The Bible tells us that there is a way that SEEMS right to man, but in the end it leads to destruction. How do we avoid doing it? There are a few simple principles.

STAND & READ - Proverbs 14:12-14 ?There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. [13] Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief. [14] The backslider, in heart, will have his fill of his own ways; but a good man will be satisfied ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:12-14, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Other

What Jesus Said About Pursuing Peace And Planning For Persecution Series

Contributed by John White on Mar 21, 2008

A review of what a faithful Christian should expect in a world at war against God and His people.

What Jesus Said About Pursuing Peace And Planning For Persecution Matthew 5:9-13 "Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when [men] shall ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Somebody’s Watching How We Respond To Authority Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 7, 2022

The world is watching how we as Jesus-followers respond to those who have authority over us. Does what they see enhance the cause of Christ or damage it?

Somebody’s Watching How We Respond To Authority Living-Hope 1 Peter 2:12-23 We are in this section of our study of 1 Peter called, ‘Somebody’s Watching Us.’ The theme verse in 1 peter 2:12. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Be Used By God

Contributed by Don Hawks on Feb 26, 2002

Learn about your life’s mission and then do it!

(Power Point presentation and audience outline available for $10 Contribution to my church’s worship fund and to cover shipping) "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous... You were there while I was being formed... You saw me ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:14-16, Job 10:8, Job 10:8-10

Denomination: Methodist

Sell Out And Buy Up! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 17, 2012

How the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl represent two different ways people come into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION Matthew 13 contains seven parables about the Kingdom of heaven. Today we’re going to examine the short twin parables of the treasure buried in the field and the valuable pearl. As we talk about the Kingdom of heaven, you must remember only thing necessary for a kingdom is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Baptist

Asking According To His Will (Part Ii) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jan 25, 2016

What are the keys to an effective prayer life? Perseverance! We are sometimes tempted to lose heart in our pursuit of an answer from God. This message explores four observations from Scripture about persisting in prayer.

Asking According to His Will (II) (12/13/15 www.lifechurchspringfield.org) Our ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-15

Denomination: Charismatic

Hallowed Be Your Name - Part One Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 3, 2023

In part of one of unpacking 'hallowed be Your name,' we will look at what pursuing holiness is not and why we must pursue it.

Hallowed Be Your Name Matthew 6:9 OKAY – so we are in an in-depth verse by verse study of the Gospel of Matthew... (The King and His Kingdom)... AND CURRENTLY – we are doing a deep dive into the most well-known prayer in the world, a prayer that Jesus unveiled in His Kingdom Manifesto, a prayer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hallowed Be Your Name (Part Two) Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 16, 2023

in part two of the message we will (after some review) answer 2 questions... #1 - What does pursuing holiness look like #2 - How do we pursue holiness

Hallowed Be Your Name Matthew 6:9 OKAY MGCC – it is October 9th 2022.... AND – as we gather together (on this beautiful Fall morning) I want to remind you of a few things, that... God is real. Jesus is alive. His word is true His promises are certain We are His church, His people, and ‘in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ