Sermons on Tax Collectors And Harlots:

Fear Factor - Failure Series

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Oct 5, 2007

Encouragement to active service rather than freeze due to fear especially in view of the second coming of Christ

Fear Factor - Failure Matt 25:14-30 ’fail-ure’: 1. the state or fact of being lacking or insufficient 2. a losing of power or strength; weakening, dying away. 3. not doing; neglect or omission. 4. not succeeding in doing or becoming. 5. person who does not succeed. Webster’s dictionary ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Judge Not? Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 8, 2007

How do we as Christians make judgments without being judgmental? Jesus continues to teach his disciples the way of the heart.

INTRODUCTION 1. ILLUSTRATION: A few years ago, a church in Oklahoma expelled a woman for immorality. When she filed a lawsuit against the church, the story made all the national news media. One of the shows to give the lawsuit coverage was Phil Donahue and on that show, I think the attitude of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

No Christians Allowed Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 16, 2007

247 millions call themselves Christians yet Jesus calls us to be disciples. what is a disciple and what are the cost and sacrifices to be a disciple? (Taken from a series by Pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv)

Hello COTR- talk about being a Christian. Today’s message called- No Christians Allowed. What do I mean by that? Let me ask a question ... When you hear the word dog- what think about? What about when you hear the word cat? What do you think when you hear the word Christian? Republican, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Charismatic

The Hero, The Knight And The Good Samaritan: There's One Big Difference

Contributed by Philip Gill on Jul 13, 2007

From time to time we hear of many heroic actions of those who risk themselves to help others. These people are often called ’Good Samaritans’. This sermon explores Jesus’ challenge to act positively in the lives of the despised and rejected.

The hero, the knight, and the Good Samaritan: There’s one big difference. As our Gospel this morning we have heard a story that has seared its characters onto the consciousness of countless generations. Only recently we have had cause to use the term “Good Samaritan” in relation to the events of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Anglican

Beyond Strict Morality

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Apr 3, 2007

Morality is more than "strict" or "lax". It begins in the heart, develops moral principles and guidlines, and ultimately is in the context of a relationship with God who cares

Beyond Strict Mark 2:23-3:6 Illus: I placed signs on the wall on either side of the platform: "strict" and "lax", moving back and forth toward one or the other at appropriate times. How strict should you be? How strict should you be with your kids? How strict should you be ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

To Err Is Human. To Forgive Is Crazy! Series

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 18, 2008

Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22)

Jesus said, “the Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.” And he found a guy who owed him 50 billion dollars! Now that’s a round figure of course. I may be a few dollars out. The original text says the man owed him ten thousand talents, which is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

It's Better To Be Good Than Fair Series

Contributed by Phil Smith on Dec 21, 2008

We spend WAY too much energy trying to balance the books of our relationships. Jesus did not teach us to be fair, but to be good. His birth beautifully illustrates the lesson.

Php 2:5-11 – ...Christ Jesus: ...being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hitting Bottom Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 16, 2009

Sometimes we refuse to bear down spiritually until we or our family hits bottom.

Hitting Bottom Genesis 34:1-35:14 1. Jim Lopardo tells this story: I was a percussion major when I was in college, and during a rehearsal of the student orchestra, my section kept making mistakes. "When you’re too dumb to play anything," the professor conducting us sneered, "they give you a ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

James, "When Less Is More" Series

Contributed by Rik Wadge on Oct 5, 2004

Sometimes the lack of words concerning a believer’s life is a reminder of the Spiritual Paradox that "Less of us is More of Him."

The 12 Apostles Week 9 – James "the less" Dr. Rik B. Wadge, Ph.D. "When Less is More" Preparatory Introduction: Joel Olsteen’s declaration “This is my bible... I am what it says I am... I have what it says I have... I can do what it says I can do... Today I will be taught the Word of God... I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:4

Denomination: Bible Church

Zacchaeus: A Sinner In A Sycamore

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Oct 19, 2004

The biblical account of Zacchaeus is far more than an exciting tale to be told to children in Sunday School. This wonderful story is packed with theological truth concerning sinners, the Savior, and salvation.

ZACCHAEUS—A SINNER IN A SYCAMORE Text: Luke 19:1-10 Intro: I could ask almost any child present today to tell me the story of Zacchaeus and receive a pretty detailed account. Perhaps this story is so popular with children because it involves one of their favorite activities—climbing trees. Or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

What The Lad Had

Contributed by Jack Harris on Nov 25, 2004

We have a story before us that has been told and retold, and from which numerous lessons have been drawn. It is the only miracle which Jesus did that is recorded in each of the four Gospel accounts, Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9 and John 6.

WHAT THE LAD HAD. John 6: 1-14 Int. We have a story before us that has been told and retold, and from which numerous lessons have been drawn. It is the only miracle which Jesus did that is recorded in each of the four Gospel accounts, Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9 and John 6. Luke tells us that it ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Making A Difference

Contributed by David Hill on Jul 8, 2004

How to make a difference for God in life.

MAKING A DIFFERNECE JEREMIAH 29:10 INTRODUCTION: I read a story of a man traveling through Atlanta who noticed in the Yellow Pages, in the listing of restaurants, an entry for a place called Church of God Grill. The peculiar name aroused his curiosity and he dialed the number A man answered ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is First, The Person Or The System?

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 11, 2004

Jesus changed people everywhere He went. He always reached out to those on the outside and loved them.

WHO IS FIRST, THE PERSON OR THE SYSTEM? Text : Luke 13: 10-17 “A daughter complained to her father about how hard things were for her. "As soon as I solve one problem," she said, "another one comes up. I’m tired of struggling." Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Thank God Jesus Didn't Take His Own Advice

Contributed by Robert Eggers on Sep 18, 2004

Luke 14:25-33 is usually seen as Jesus’ advice to his disciples to be committed to him above all. But Jesus didn’t follow that advice and we thank God he didn’t because he went way beyond human logic and calculation to become our Savior and Lord.

Luke 14:25-33 Thank God Jesus Didn’t Follow His Own Advise Jesus said, “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus: The Life Of The Party Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jun 1, 2009

This message looks at Jesus’ life and how ministered through social engagements.

Our text opens with Jesus and His disciples receiving an invitation to attend a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee. This event often leaves us scratching our heads. We picture Jesus as being a man on a mission, focused and always serious. We have a very difficult time picturing Him having fun ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ