Sermons on Taking Hold:

Recognizing Spiritual Backlash

Contributed by Jeff Hamric on Aug 17, 2002

When Christians do damage to the ememies kingdom, he attacks back. Do we recognize this as warfare? What forms can backlash take?

RECOGNIZING SPIRITUAL BACKLASH (Mat 11:12 NLT) And from the time John the Baptist began preaching and baptizing until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people attack it. I. We have done and usually are involved in numerous frontline advances A. Church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:19-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Song Of Solomon - Chapter 3 – The Bride's Dream Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Sep 28, 2024

The young Bride experiences Divine discipline. The Beloved withholds His presence from her because He wants her to discover that the only safe place in all the world is in rising up in partnership with Him. He holds out until we come to Him in obedience.

V.3:1 On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not. 2 I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not. 3 The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. “Have ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Price Of Discipleship

Contributed by Denn Guptill on May 17, 2015

We often preach on salvation given so freely, but do we take the time to look at the price we have to pay to be a disciple?

The Price of Discipleship Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, a journey that he knew would end with him being crucified, and yet many of those following him thought he was on his way to establish his Kingdom in the capital city. Sometimes I wonder if Jesus ever wanted to say: “What ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Wesleyan

From Death Valley To Grace Mountain Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Jun 10, 2019

In these verses Paul shows us how to move from Death Valley to Divine Victory. He tells us how to move from the graveyard to the throne room. Take off those grave clothes and put on the grace-clothes. Put on your climbing boots and let’s take a hike.

From Death Valley to Grace Mountain Ephesians 2:1-10 Introduction: Dr. David Dockery, in his excellent commentary on Ephesians, offers an insightful thought that illustrates well the simple meaning of this text. He relates that Mt. Whitney in California is the highest point in the lower ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Burden Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Jesus says, happy are those who take following me seriously enough to bear the burden of the cross. Take up the cross and follow me Jesus said, and His demand is still the same today, and the promise is still the same, that those who suffer with Christ shall also reign with Him.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A heavy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Thanksgiving Instead Of Bad Words Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Oct 1, 2016

Impure passions become vehicles we take for a joyride end up like self-driving cars that take us where we don't want to go. They become our lords. But if we pursue purity of action and speech, these same passions become angels that lift us to heaven

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:4-7

Denomination: *other

Kingdom Keys - Mark Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jan 12, 2024

Fear and confusion are normal when first encountering the risen Jesus. It's why there are so many who hear the word, come in contact with the power of God and retreat. It doesn’t take brilliance to understand God’s message to humanity after hearing the facts. It takes courage.

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:33, Mark 5:36, Mark 9:5-7, Mark 9:6, Mark 16:8, Mark 5:32-36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Jesus Volunteered To Die For You Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Mar 14, 2024

In John 10: 17 we hear Jesus say: “....I lay down my life---only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own accord.” Jesus was not a victim; He was a volunteer. Why did He volunteer to die for you?

America is filled with volunteers. Did you know that every year 60.7 million adults volunteer which means 23.2 % of Americans volunteer. On average Americans give up 52 hours a year volunteering. Most volunteering involves food collection and distribution. Our church is blessed to have several ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

Come To The Cross

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 15, 2016

An invitation to come to the cross should be ore than just an invitation to take something away. This is an invitation o bring something, when you come.

Come to the Cross 2 Corinthians 5:21 PLAY Video following the offertory prayer I want to invite you to come to the cross this morning and consider what the death of Jesus means for you, and for your world. If you accept my invitation to come to the cross this morning, I don’t want you to come ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Denomination: Baptist

The Mission Statement Of Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 19, 2006

In this study we take a wider view of the first 15 chapters of Luke, and see how Jesus mission in chapter 4 works out in His life, and in yours.

In a real way, the first 15 chapters of the book of Luke can be summed up in the statement Jesus made when He announced His ministry in the synagogue in Nazareth: Luke 4:18-19 8 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Is Truth?

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 15, 2021

Fact-checking rates claims as true or false. Someone cannot determine what is true unless they claim to hold the keys to truth. Civil unrest often stems from a clash of truths. It's important to know the "real" source of truth.

I’ve entitled our message this morning, “What Is Truth?” based on a question posed by Pontius Pilate toward the end of our text. In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “truth” is defined as, “the body of real things, events, and facts.” It is also defined as “a transcendent fundamental or spiritual ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-38

Denomination: Baptist

Going With The Flow, Embracing Change Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Feb 9, 2008

What God is about to do is so great, and so important and so impressive that what He has done in the past pales in comparison. If you persist in holding too tightly to the greatness of what He did in the past, you will miss the greatness of what He is goi

Going with the flow, embracing change Isaiah 43:16-21 God’s changelessness is a powerful and important doctrine in our faith. God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21

Denomination: Mennonite

The 7ups Of Life

Contributed by Deborah Naves on Jan 28, 2010

God wants you to be your very best. Take the 7Up challenge and find out what you need to do to be a better Christian.

Be Uplifted - The 7Up Talk. _ _ _ _ _ If you’ve ever read the book of Acts, you’ll know it chronicles the story of Jesus’ ascension into heaven [Acts 1:1-14]. It is the Bible’s detailed account of how Jesus departed from his disciples and returned to Heavenly Father. As ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Victorious King Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 24, 2013

When times are tough, thank the Lord for His timeless love; trust the Lord for His timely help; and take the Lord in as your triumphant King!

Our Victorious King Psalm 118 Three store owners shared adjacent storefronts in the same building. Times were tough. So in hopes of picking up sales, the owner of the shop at one end of the building pout a sign over his front entrance that said, “YEAR END CLEARANCE!” At the other ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical Free

His Name Is Wonderful Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 17, 2013

a message to help my audience understand the ways that God’s name is to be rightly used and to take deliberate action to make that happen in their worlds

Story - 2 elderly women in a church were discussing the problems of growing older. One said, "The worst thing is when your memory starts to go. I've known you all my life, and I can't think of your name. What is it?" The second lady thought for a moment and said, "Do you need an answer ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ