Sermons on Swimming Upstream:

Freedom Day

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 5, 2023

All our days were given by God and belong to God; but on the Sabbath day he gives us freedom as well.

Leah didn’t know why she kept coming to the synagogue. She counted the days up in her head... every seven days for eighteen years, it had to be at least 400 times, she thought. At first people were sorry for her, and someone would take her arm to help her up the steps to section reserved for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't Quit

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 24, 2024

Our victory is assured because Christ was victorious. We are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Quitting is a shortcut leading to failure. We can finish strong when we focus on Christ.

Opening illustration: In 1952 Florence Chadwick attempted to swim 26 miles from the coast of California to Catalina Island. After 15 hours, a heavy fog began to block her view, she became disoriented, and she gave up. To her chagrin, Chadwick learned that she had quit just 1 mile short of her ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Supporting The Work Of Your Pastor

Contributed by Victor Yap on Mar 20, 2025

Ephesians 4

SUPPORTING THE WORK OF YOUR PASTOR (EPHESIANS 4:11-16) The young preacher had just announced to his congregation that he was requesting the dissolution of the pastoral relationship in order to accept another call. He was standing at the door after the service and greeting people, as preachers are ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Come Out Of The Wilderness"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 4, 2006

The wilderness is an important place to visit, but not a place to stay.

Mark 1:9-15 “Come Out of the Wilderness” By: Rev. Kenneth Sauer Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc.org Jesus’ wilderness time came immediately after His baptism and the powerful affirmation of Who He was: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: United Methodist

The Spirit Filled Church

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Jun 2, 2004

The church that is filled with the Holy Spirit is never dull!!!!

Acts 2:1-12 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Abraham An Example To Fathers Series

Contributed by James Mccullen on May 11, 2005

Father’s need examples to follow in order to become godly fathers. Abram serves as an example. We may learn several principals from this text.

ABRAHAM, AN EXAMPLE TO FATHERS Genesis: 12:1-8 and 22:1-13 Introduction Nektron are fish that can swim against the current. The name for fish who can not swim against the current is Plankton. This simple distinction divides all marine life. Nektron or Plankton. Mankind is also divided that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-8

Denomination: *other

The Angels Song

Contributed by Joe Harding on Dec 28, 2002

Jesus was born to bring Glory to God and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.

THE ANGELS SONG LUKE 2: 1-10 DECEMBER 22, 2002 INTRODUCTION: It’s all about singing! It’s all about the music! I don’t know of anytime within the year that calls us to sing like Christmas. Someone that found Jesus this year as her personal Savior sent me an e-mail I had seen before but just seemed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Measure Of A Man

Contributed by Brent Williams on Jun 19, 2001

The world we live in puts us on their scales, but God Measures us completely different. Let us see how God measures us!

Measure of a Man 1 John 2:15-17 Intro: The apostle is giving us a picture of what the world is like. A picture of how the world wants us to be, but God has so much more in store for you and I. The world measures us by it’s standard. I want us to look at some of the things that the world ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

How To Have A Mountain In Your Heart

Contributed by James O. Davis on Dec 5, 2001

How to live on the mountain while living in the valley.

James O. Davis is the founder and president of Second Billion (TM). You are invited to learn more about Second Billion by visiting www.billion.tv. TEXT: Numbers 13: 25-33; 14: 6-10; Josh. 14: 6-15 TOPIC: The Mountain Top THEME: How to live on the mountain while living in the valley. HOW TO HAVE ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Turning Point - 2 Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Oct 27, 2002

What the sacrifice of Jesus really means

Turning Point #2 Romans 3:25-31 Proud young man walked into a room looking for his friend. He passed two blond young women near the door who looked him over then looked at each other and said and the same time ‘NINE’. The prideful young man puffed out his chest and drew a big smile on his face ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:25-31

Love One Another Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 20, 2001

Helping a church remain healthy in its relationships requires paying attention to the "one anothers" of the Bible. (Sermon series originally published in Proclaim! The Journal for Biblical Preaching)

August 26, 2001 These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:17 Stop the first one hundred people you meet on the street and ask them this question: What¡¦s wrong with the church today? You will get plenty of answers! It¡¦s so easy to criticize what others are doing. If ...read more

Scripture: John 15:17

Denomination: United Methodist

The Race Of Life

Contributed by Mark Perryman on May 31, 2007

Running the race of life

INTRO: Pastor and I driving Josh football game, notice Shannon running. Thank the Lord that I was not out there running, but as I began to reflect came to the conclusion that we’re all in a race – the race of life. TITLE: The Race of Life TEXT: I Corinthians 9:24-27 (READ) I. Race of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Protect Yourself From Sin's Charge And Sin's Control

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Mar 8, 2005

Protect Yourself from Sin’s Charge and Sin’s Control 1) Inside Christ 2) With Christ inside

Some time ago when we were cleaning out our laundry room we found a number of iron rods like this. I don’t know where they came from or what they were used for but how do you think we could use them now? We could use them to bar our windows if we had a problem with robbers, or if I wanted to swim ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Is Better

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 3, 2009

If Jesus is better than anything else - what effect will that have on my life - in the marketplace - and at home as well as in church?

Hebrews 1. 1-4 and 2.5-12 I’d like to take a look at the epistle this morning from the book of Hebrews. Did it strike you as it did me that whereas God in the past spoke to his people through the prophets, he has spoken to us by his Jesus , his Son. We have direct access to God, through ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Learning To Trust

Contributed by C Jordan on Jul 22, 2012

Scripture tells us to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, but many people have a hard time doing that. This message explores how we can learn to trust God more

LEARNING TO TRUST WISDOM FROM CHILDREN: Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.” Michael, 14, said, “When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don’t answer him.” Josh, age 9, said, “Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: *other