Sermons on Team Tension:

Jesus Is Your Number One Fan

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 19, 2021

Passion week is like watching a sports team have a good start to the season, then it goes sour, but in the end, they win the championship games. Jesus is your #1 fan who will never leave you no matter what you do.

Jesus is your number one Fan Mark 11:1-11 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 1 As they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, 2 and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Prevail Completely Over Every Difficulty, Demon, And Even Death

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Feb 20, 2024

Have you ever pulled off a lopsided victory—a volleyball match perhaps or a basketball game in which your team dominated from start to finish, or a race in which you finished minutes ahead of everyone else?

In last Sunday’s Super Bowl, the Chiefs prevailed over the 49’s. The first three quarters may not have been especially exciting, but the Fourth Quarter and Over Time were something else! Last Sunday’s game was sure a lot more competitive than Super Bowl XXIV. In that 1990 championship game, the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Spiritual Sleepiness: Shallowing Theology And The Church Growth Movement Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 16, 2025

We live in an age where worship teams rival pop bands, and the Sunday sermon has been carefully distilled into a 28-minute TED Talk with a side of Scripture. But beneath the gloss of production and the metrics lurks a growing hollowness.

Spiritual Sleepiness: Shallowing Theology and the Church Growth Movement July 13, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Revelation 3:14-16, 2 Peter 1:5-8 Introduction: Navigating The Fog of Modern Faith On September 1, 1983, Korean Air Flight 007 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Revelation 3:14-16, 2 Peter 1:5-8

Denomination: Brethren

The Kingdom Will Still Be The Kingdom Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Sep 29, 2024

Even in times of political tension, we can rest assured that God's kingdom is eternal and unshakable. Jesus is Lord over all earthly powers, and our true citizenship lies in His kingdom—a kingdom not defined by political leaders but by humility, servanthood, and ultimate allegiance to God.

#### **Introduction** Video Ill.: Kingdom Minded — The Skit Guys If there is any one thing that brings drama and division to our world, it is politics. It feels like unprecedented times — such division and discord over political views and opinions today. There is so much tension in our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:13, John 18:34-37, Matthew 18:2-5, Matthew 22:16-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No More Excuses

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Oct 18, 2003

Cubs’ fans blame curses and a kid but not their own team for their failures. We will blame anyone and anything rather than take repsonsibility for ourselves and our moral failures, teen pregnancy, violence, evil during Halloween. God says no more!

Please e-mail me with any comments or if you use any part of this at your church at Mail4ChrisR@aol.com. I would love to hear about it. God Bless! - Chris How many of you know about Billy Sianis’ goat? Sianis, a local tavern owner, tried to bring his goat into Game 4 of the 1945 World Series at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:25-32, Ezekiel 18:1-32

Denomination: Methodist

Suit Up! Series

Contributed by Robert Fox on Jan 29, 2007

It’s not enough to join the team and take your position, you need to put on the equipment and learn to use it so you don’t get taken out of the game on the first play. Student Ministry PowerPoint format.

[Suit Up] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:17) This material was originally presented to a High School audience in PowerPoint format. If you have any ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Thessalonica And Berea Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 25, 2005

Paul centres his message on the historic Jesus, arguing from Scripture that he’s the Messiah. He persuades people by careful argument, opening the Scriptures to allow people to discover the truth for themselves. And he works as a leader of a team, includi

It’s interesting that we think of Paul as someone who stands out on his own. He’s the great apostle to the Gentiles, a man who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Yet in reality he was a man who loved to work as part of a team. He started out with Barnabas, then joined up with Silas, then he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Anglican

Csi (Cross Scene Investigation) Week 3: Investigating The Cross Series

Contributed by Mark Canfield on Nov 10, 2006

friend’s betrayal, an illegal trial, an execution and an empty grave. What do these things have in common? Enter the world of CSI and search for the truth with the entire Cross Scene Investigation team. Delve deeply into the mysteries of four baffling cr

CSI: Cross Scene Investigation Week 3: Investigating the Cross [Before the message each week, a CSI style drama was performed to examine that weeks evidence] Last Two Weeks – Investigated the Betrayal of Judas / Learned -Betray Ourselves Investigated the Trial – Pilot’s ignored the Truth about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18

Denomination: Christian Church

Csi (Cross Scene Investigation) Week 4 - Investigating The Resurrection

Contributed by Mark Canfield on Nov 10, 2006

A friend’s betrayal, an illegal trial, an execution and an empty grave. What do these things have in common? Enter the world of CSI and search for the truth with the entire Cross Scene Investigation team. Delve deeply into the mysteries of four baffling c

CSI: Cross Scene Investigation Week 4: Investigating the Resurrection [The message began with a CSI sytle drama that investigated the evidence of the Ressurection] For Most People in Our Culture – SEEING IS BELIEVING! [Show me the Money] BUT . . . For Eric Weihenmayer [WHY-in-Mayor] SEEING ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:17-20

Denomination: Christian Church

"Keep The Unity Of The Spirit” Part 3 Series

Contributed by George Yates on Sep 26, 2006

Unity in Spirit occurs as the whole body matures and disunity happens as we let the immature wreck havoc. Speaking the truth in love means words of exhortation. Unity comes as Christ is exalted. Unity means each member serving the team.

EPHESIANS 4:1-16 September 24, 2006 New Covenant EPC “KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT” Part 3 Body Life - The Book of Ephesians I. The last 2 weeks we have been focusing on this “Keep the Unity of the Spirit” A. Two weeks ago 1. (vs 1-3) Live up to your calling - humble, gentle, bearing with ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

John’s Question

Contributed by Dan Finch on Dec 25, 2010

Everybody wants to be a winner and be on the winning team. John the baptizer was afraid that he was mistaken about Jesus because he saw him headed toward a cross. We are still a lot like John. Following Jesus is often not about winning.

It’s hard to be sure when you are in pain It’s easy to be confident when things are going well – when you are young, strong – LeBron James for instance, went on TV and had a whole show just to say that he was going to the Miami Heat. Look at me, look how confident I am. This is going to be great. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Methodist

The Word At Work … In Love

Contributed by Clive Broadbent on Sep 19, 2017

We're the good guys. We want to save people, but the public don't want to know. Act like Paul's team: * Trust the gospel message and deliver it * Do it for God * Draw people to Christ through a Godly lifestyle

In Walt Disney's Pixar-animated movie, called The Incredibles, Mr Incredible is a super-hero in hiding. Mr Incredible saved a guy from an exploding building, but the guy sued Mr Incredible because the guy’s neck was slightly strained during the rescue. The guy was about to die! The guy exchanged ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:2-16

Three Kinds Of Peace

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 8, 2022

A Christian man got very involved in collegiate football. He had one team in particular that he pulled for each week. When they won, he had a wonderful week-end, but if they lost he had a terrible week-end.

His joy and peace within his heart each week was determined by the football team that he supported. He was allowing a couple dozen college boys that he did not know personally decide on what kind of week end he was going to have. The fact is, many folks allow THINGS and PEOPLE to decide what kind ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27

Denomination: Baptist

Will You Not Revive Us Again? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 13, 2024

My basketball coaches would ask our high school team, “Who wants it?” Again, I want you to personally experience a revival. Here is a fork in the road kind of question: Do you want to experience an awakening?

I want you to personally experience a revival. I want our church family to experience a spiritual awakening. And most importantly, God Himself wants you to experience Him in all His fulness. A revival is a time when God hits the fast-forward button for you. It’s a time when you experience a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:29-33, 1 John 4:4

Denomination: Baptist

United We Stand: The Power Of Teamwork

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Nov 25, 2024

Words of King David in 2 Samuel 23:1-7. David was not only a king but also a warrior, poet, and musician. He knew the importance of working together as a team, and in our lives today, teamwork can make a significant difference.

1. The Power of the Team: David’s Mighty Men Let’s start by talking about David’s mighty men. They were a group of his most loyal and skilled warriors who fought side by side with him. Together, they accomplished incredible feats that no single warrior could have achieved alone. Even in this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:1-7

Denomination: Methodist