Sermons on Take Up Your Cross:

Episode I: The Phantom Menace Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jul 22, 2005

“Long ago in a land far, far away…” Welcome to the sermon series: “Seer Wars”. Have you been wondering how this Star Wars take-off will play out? Well I won’t dress up as Darth Vader. Like Yoda not speak will I. And I won’t tell you that the movie series

“Long ago in a land far, far away…” Welcome to the sermon series: “Seer Wars”. Have you been wondering how this Star Wars take-off will play out? Well I won’t dress up as Darth Vader. Like Yoda not speak will I. And I won’t tell you that the movie series is based on the Bible. Luke Skywalker is not ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Rev It Up, Hop It Up, Tone It Up, Tune It Up

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 21, 2003

Some things need to be revved up.

INTRO.- ILL.- One lady said, “I always do my exercises regularly every morning. Immediately after waking I always say sternly to myself, “Ready now. Up. Down. Up. Down!” And after two strenuous minutes I tell myself, “OKAY, NOW TRY THE OTHER EYELID.” ILL.- Mark Twain once said, “The only way ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Will It Take

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Feb 22, 2004

One thing we can be sure of, if the church is ever going to have an impact in the world, all we do must be surrounded by prayer.

February 22, 2004 Morning Worship Text: John 17:20-26 Subject: Jesus’ Prayer for Believers Title: What Will It Take? I look back on our 2-½ years here at First Assembly and a lot of good memories begin to flood my mind. I think about the newlywed game at our first Christmas party and I laugh at ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Call To Action – "Get Up! Pick Up Your Bed And Walk”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 12, 2024

I always enjoy reading the gospels and I regularly recommend to new converts to read the gospels for two reasons:

(1) Some parts of the scriptures are difficult for a new convert to understand, so I recommend they start off their Christian life reading the gospels that a child can understand. (2) Also, I recommend to new converts to read the gospels because it has many things to teach old converts and new ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Taking The Offensive

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 5, 2011

The body must be unified...we must be of one accord in our desire to serve our God in obedience to our specific call. Let's allow God to take us to the next level of victory. It begins at the place of prayer...will you come?

TAKING THE OFFENSIVE 2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-5 We've dealt with the six items of defensive armor listed in Ephesians 6...but as we mentioned last week, there is nothing in that list of defensive equipment that will enable us to deal with Satan's strongholds as described by Paul in 2 Cor. 10:4-5 where ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

God Will Make A Way Through Your Jordan

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 30, 2025

Whatever your Jordan represents — an obstacle, fear, sickness, financial hardship, or opposition — God is able to part it and take you through to the other side.

GOD WILL MAKE A WAY THROUGH YOUR JORDAN By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Joshua 3:1-17 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 43:2, Psalm 66:12, Exodus 14:21-22, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Romans 8:37 INTRODUCTION: Every believer will, at one point or another, face a “Jordan” — a challenge that appears too great ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Up The Creek Without A Paddle Series

Contributed by David Hill on Jul 8, 2004

Overcoming the obstacles to share your faith.

Up the Creek without a Paddle Matthew 4:19 I ONCE LIVE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA…THE BREEZE OF THE GULF…THE SOUND OF THE OCEAN COMING TO SHORE…TOPICAL FLOWERS & TREES IT WAS PARADISE! IT WAS THERE I MET A MAN NAME DON JACKSON A PREACHER WHO HAD RETIRED & LOVED TO FISH. ONE DAY HE INVITED ME TO GO ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19

Denomination: Baptist

"Take The Mark"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 25, 2015

The Bible teaches us in Ezekiel we need a mark that identifies us as his. So God desires us to be marked this ash Wednesday as one of His.

“Take The Mark” Ezekiel 9:1-11 (Ezekiel 9:4-6) "And the LORD said to him [one of the four cherubim], 'Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark [literally, "a tav"] upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 9:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Built Up, Bound Up, Lifted Up

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 16, 2010

We are so into upward mobility; but God's version is different. It involves building us up so that the powerless have power; binding up the wounded so that they can understand brokenness; and lifting us up so that we can use our power for others.

I can remember when the word "furlough" was a happy word. It was a happy word because it meant that somebody in your family was coming home from military duty for a while. "Furlough" for me brings up a memory of standing, as a small boy, in Union Station in Louisville, waiting for the train to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Old Rugged Cross

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 31, 2025

The cross is the central symbol of the Christian faith. It represents the greatest sacrifice ever made—Jesus Christ laying down His life for the salvation of mankind.

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Galatians 6:14 "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Supporting Texts: Isaiah 53:5, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Colossians 2:14, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:14, Isaiah 53:5, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Colossians 2:14, Philippians 2:8, 1 Peter 2:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Whatever It Takes Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 18, 2006

First of a 6 part series encouraging believers to do "whatever it takes" to deepen their walk with Jesus.

A recent study showed 40 to 45% of American adults make one or more resolutions each year. Among the top new years resolutions are resolutions about weight loss, exercise, and stopping to smoke. Also popular are resolutions dealing with better money management / debt reduction. The following ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12, Ephesians 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And The Cross In Mark Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on May 15, 2023

Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2) He surrendered his mortal body according to John 10:18, Just as he said: “No one takes [my life] away from me, but I lay it down of my own free will...” The cross is not a religious symbol but an instrument of death.

Mark 15:34-37 Jesus and the Cross in Mark Introduction: According to Mark, the "theology of the cross" (theologia crucis) is the only way to achieve glory by way of rejection and the cross as explained in the divine parabola in Philippians 2:5 by Apostle Paul. Mark is silent about the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:34-37

Denomination: Methodist

Wise Up About Alcohol Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jun 18, 2002

Three actions to take in order to wise up about alcohol and other kinds of drugs.

I always feel a little strange on Memorial Day weekend. You see, when I was as sophomore in high school, my parents went away for Memorial day and left me at home alone. Big mistake!  I threw the party to end all parties. There were people there I’d never seen before, a band, people drinking beer ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:29-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hurry Up, God!

Contributed by David Wilson on Nov 15, 2010

David's prayer is that God will hurry up and deliver him from persecution. However, his life also demonstrated submission to God by not taking matters into his own hands.

Psalm 70 As we begin, I want to advise you that this Psalm is a repetition, almost word for word, of the last part of Psalm 40. This theme was so important to David, he included it in two of his Psalms. VS. 1 Hurry Up, God! When we try to rush God’s Timing it is because we feel an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 70:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

When You’re Shut Up, Don’t Shut Up!

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Mar 27, 2020

What do we do when shut away during coronavirus Covid-19?

When you’re shut up, don’t shut up! Acts 16:16-33 Into Being shut up, is never nice on a long term. We can do it for a while. But we like freedom. We like to walk out. Do things for ourselves. It’s one reason why being in prison is a punishment: Freedom is taken away. Now we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-33