Sermons on Synthetic Self:

Be Humble, Everyone.

Contributed by Neal Gracey on May 15, 2016

How do you and I avoid self-exaltation? How does your church avoid it? Beloved, humility is a matter of the heart and a complete understanding of our relationship with the Lord.

Be Humble, Everyone! This story told by Jesus is a familiar one to many. It’s the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18:9-14. I won’t go into the parable itself; we can do that in class, but this story does remind me of several people I know and you probably know ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Brevity Of Life

Contributed by Shawn Miller on May 20, 2016

A reflection on how short our lives really are and the importance of making the greatest impact for God out of the short time that we have.

The Brevity of Life Introduction: In case you don't know brevity means shortness or briefness. Memorial Day weekend is a time to reflect on those who have passed away, mainly from military service. But the holiday has been broadened recently to remember loved ones who have also passed away. This ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Little Children, Love One Another Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 23, 2014

John believed, and spent the rest of his life preaching agape love.

St John’s Day Mass 2014 (December 27) Thirteen Days of Christmas Tradition tells us that of the three first witnesses to the empty tomb, St. John lived the longest. That is not surprising, since Tradition also holds that he was the youngest, perhaps a teenager during Jesus’s ministry. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

Rubbing People The Wrong Way

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 27, 2015

Jesus asks us the same question he asked Peter long ago at the shore of the Sea of Galilee; namely “Do you love me?” What he is really asking is “Do you love me more than anyone or anything else?

There was once an evangelist named Billy Sunday. He was the Billy Graham of his generation. He was conducting a crusade in a particular city, and in one sermon he said something critical of labour conditions for workers in that city. After the service, several businessmen sent him a message which ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: Anglican

Lessons From The Four Views Of David

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 2, 2013

An exploration of how others viewed David before and after he killed Goliath and the lessons we can learn.

Perhaps the best know story from the life of David is the account of him slaying the giant Goliath found in 1 Samuel 17. There are many valuable lessons to be found in this great passage. However, I would like to focus on how David was viewed by the other characters in this passage and make some ...read more

Denomination: *other

Overcoming Fear Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jan 5, 2015

Is fear paralyzing your witness? Has the Enemy been able to hurt your walk with Christ by using fear? We are not called by God to live in fear...but we have IN HIM power, love and self-control!

SERMON BRIEF Date Written: January 5, 2015 Date Preached: January 4, 2015 Church: OPBC (AM) Sunday FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Title: Overcoming Fear Text: 2 Timothy 1:7-9 ETS: Paul told Timothy fear is NOT an option in serving God. ESS: Today’s passage is clear to the believer today, that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Have You Been To Your Cave? Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 11, 2015

There needs to be a place where we meet with God and look deep within ourselves. For David, it appears to be a cave.

Have You Been to Your Cave? Psalm 37, 142, 57 and I Samuel , 21 and 22 "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Tensions Of Choices Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 23, 2015

At every turn Jesus faced down the tensions of his choices... and did the right thing to the glory of God and the good of others.

Title: The Tensions of Choices (Someone introduced me to DQ Orange Julius Smoothies this week… Text: John 12:220-33 Orange, Strawberry Banana, Berry Pomegranate, Mango Pineapple. Oh, the inhumanity!) Thesis: At every turn ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Key To Happiness And Eternal Life

Contributed by Craig Condon on Sep 12, 2015

Our attitude as children of God must centre on a life that is lived in him. In return for his sacrifice we need to make good use of the opportunities Christ sends our way.

The scene in Mark 8:27-38 is the climax of the first half of Mark’s Gospel. This first half focuses on miracles and gradually reveals Jesus as the Messiah. The second half explains the nature of that Messiahship and has far more teaching and far fewer miracles. Caesarea Philippi was located ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Anglican

"Is This Thing On?"

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 14, 2015

When we have the mind of Christ, our words reflect the life of Christ within us.

Title: “Is This Thing On?” Text: James 3:1-12 (1-2) Thesis: When we have the mind of Christ, our words reflect the life of Christ within us. Introduction We should always assume these three things: • “The mic is always hot and the camera is always ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Focusing On God And His Glory Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 25, 2017

Fast and pray to expand God's kingdom

A. FASTING FOR GOD’S GLORY Pray after this manner: “Lord, when I pray, I’ll follow this pattern: My Father in heaven, may Your name be holy, in my life on earth as Your name is holy in heaven. May Your kingdom come in my life on earth as Your kingdom rules in heaven. May Your will be done in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Forgive Yourself?

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Apr 10, 2016

So often we wallow in guilt and shame, long after we have asked Jesus to forgive us. What if we could be free of that for good? Is self-forgiveness biblical? If not, how can I move forward out of my despair? Peter is a case in point.

John 21:1-19 Can You Forgive Yourself? Self-forgiveness is the big rage in pop psychology today. I did a quick search on Amazon.com this week, and came up with over 12,000 hits on the subject of self-forgiveness. Yet, the interesting thing is, the Bible has absolutely no mention of it at all! ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Less Is More

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on Apr 5, 2013

We are to live as dead men; Dead to fleshly desires. Jesus said, “Follow Me”. To “follow” Him, you must “take up your cross”. We “must” become Less so that we can become oh so much more!

Quotes: “Sin is basically a denial of God's right of possession.” - Edwin Louis Cole “The first lesson in Christ's school is self-denial.” - Matthew Henry “Self-denial is indispensable to a strong character…” - Theodore Parker “If we do not die to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:8-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Repentance #2

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 30, 2013

A sermon on what repentance is not (Material adapted from Richard Own Robert's boo, Repentance: The First Word of the Gospel, chapter 4 Seven Myths of Repentance

HoHum: "Man is born with his back toward God. When he truly repents, he turns right around and faces God. Repentance is a change of mind." WBTU: Acts 26:19, 20, NIV. Repentance with many is not the repentance that God finds pleasing. Must prove their repentance by their deeds. Paul also warned ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Getting Spirtitually Fit

Contributed by Kelly Benton on May 1, 2013

To share the importance of staying fit not only physically but most importantly spiritually.

Today is the first Sunday in May. It’s the time of year in which many will try to slim down and get fit, trying to shed off all of those unwanted pounds that we have accumulated over the past winter. A few weeks ago I went to the VA Hospital for my yearly check-up and I was a little shocked ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25-26, Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Other