Sermons on Tension:

Sixteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle A; 16th Sunday , Year A-- Weeds And Wheat

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 21, 2020

This parable doesn’t mean that we tolerate all sorts of bad behavior. Jesus doesn’t condone weed (pun intended).

If we ask, "why is there evil in the world?" we must also ask "why is there good in the world?" We get our answers this Sunday: Beginning with pre-history “while everybody was asleep” (Matthew 13:24-30), the weeds represent the enemies of God, who are: Satan, demons, and humans ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Catholic

Between Faith And Uncertainty

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 12, 2021

A sermon for the second Sunday of Easter, Year B

April 11, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church John 20:19-31 Between Faith and Uncertainty Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Every year on the first Sunday after Easter, we hear the story about Thomas. Poor Thomas! He’s really gotten a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Silencing The Unforgiving Voices Series

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Sep 14, 2020

Sermon is second in a four-part series, it focuses on the parable of the servant who was forgiven by his king, but was quick to judge another. The sermon is an invitation to silence the unforgiving voices.

Series: Leaning into the peace of God. Sermon: Silencing the Unforgiving Voices Proper 19, Year A Series: Last week I started a series on leaning into the peace of God. The first sermon was how peace of mind comes when we work through conflicts. This week I’m continuing the theme of leaning into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Episcopal

Jesus Is The Hope Of Heaven

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Aug 11, 2019

Heaven is not just a reward for those who have remained faithful. It is the place where Christians hope to eternally dwell because Heaven is Jesus!

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines hope as “a desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment, or “success”, or “obtainment.” Hope is most often thought of as a way of thinking, feeling, and acting that may help a person find the means to live with difficult situations and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:12-13, 1 John 3:2-3, 1 Peter 1:3, Ephesians 3:17, Romans 8:24-25, 1 Timothy 1:1, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 4:21, Hebrews 6:11-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can We Escape Temptation?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jun 17, 2024

In a culture that is filled with so much moral depravity, how do escape or how can we escape from what the world puts around us?

The Scripture today depicts how the Israelites, who had gotten away from Egypt, were honored by God. But then they fell over and over again into the worshiping of idols. God seriously rebuffed a considerable lot of them, including those destined to meandering the desert until many of them died in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Champion Comes Series

Contributed by John Allen on Jul 11, 2025

If Jesus has really come into your life, you will be changed.

[Statements in brackets are for the preacher not the preaching. They are notes that reflect ideas based on the homiletics recommended in "Preach with No Pants" (https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/preach-with-no-pants-john-allen-sermon-on-inductive-250167) which proposes an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-22

Four Truths (And Four Promises) Regarding Christ's Second Coming

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 24, 2002

This message deals with the importance of being ready and deals with the difference between those who will be found faithful and unfaithful.

Introduction: This passage points out one of the central tensions that we feel regarding the Second Coming of Christ: the “watch for the indications” versus “it’ll take you by surprise.” - vv. 32-33 - “watch for the signs.” - vv. 37-39 - “things will look like normal.” These are not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:32-51

Denomination: Baptist

A One Step Guide To God's Grace

Contributed by Ricky Maye on Jan 23, 2011

A new look into the phrase "Is it I Lord?"

Jesus sat down at what the early church dubbed the Last Supper, for somereason they all sat on the same side of the table staring towards us the audiance as if we began to watch them. However Leonardo Davinci might have just painted under hope not as an observer. The traditional passover supper ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:22-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Renewing Spiritual Strength

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Aug 17, 2010

Burdens and trouble may slow us but we can renew our strength from our everlasting God.

RENEWING SPIRITUAL STRENGHT Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. I. THE STRENGTH DRAINER 1. L - Load or burden 2. O - Obstruction 3. S - Sinful ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Renewing Our Vision Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 7, 2002

Renewing our church’s vision for worship, prayer, service, outreach, and nurture.

I read a story recently about a little league coach who reminisced about his childhood years playing baseball in little league. He remember back how during his first year, his coach had called together the entire baseball team for a picnic, and he asked the team, "Who here wants to eventually play ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Class: Biblical Worldview Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 3, 2022

Worldviews – we all have one whether we know it or not – but we need to evaluate and discern what our worldview is.

Pursue School of Ministry: Teaching - Biblical Worldview Putty last week did a teaching on worldviews and today I want to follow up on that teaching focusing more on forming and having a Biblical worldview. Worldviews – we all have one whether we know it or not – but we need to evaluate and discern ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Acts 26:1-32, John 15:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Parable Of The Great Supper Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 14, 2007

Jesus’ sense of humor shows up in a big way during some awkward dinner table moments, esp. when He talked about people and the excuses they offer. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint template.

Parable of the Great Supper Luke 14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GreatSupper.html One of the chief Pharisees has invited Jesus over for dinner, and we’re gonna have some fun tonite! v. 1 “they watched Him” = laid a trap v. 2 this diseased man was deliberately planted so Jesus would heal him and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

"The Shepherd Who Loves The Sheep: Catholic Priesthood”

Contributed by John Sj on Apr 21, 2006

THIS IS A HOMILY I GAVE DURING MY ORDINATION THANKSGIVING MASS

“Jesus took pity on them because they were like Sheep without shepherd.” Today we ask ourselves what those words mean as we celebrate a birth in the priestly family. What could the Gospel be teaching us about the priesthood in that imagery of the sheep and the shepherd? More so as ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34

Denomination: Catholic

One On One With Jesus In Mark Part 4 Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 2, 2007

The death march of Jesus to Jerusalem in his final days reveals many disturbing things. You and I are in this parade as well. He led captives...

Present Mark 10-13 dramatically, by memory if possible. The Teacher’s Death March As Jesus nears and enters Jerusalem the conflict thickens and the tensions strain. Jesus is going to his death. We know that, he keeps teaching his disciples that, and in fact, that is his chief purpose in coming ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Being Under The Influence I

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 12, 2008

There are two ways to be controlled: Our minds are either under the influence of our sinful nature or the Holy Spirit.

Title: Being Under the Influence Text: Romans 8:1-11 The Big Idea: There are two ways to be controlled: Our minds are either under the influence of our own sinful nature or the Holy Spirit. Introduction The conflict between good and evil is as old as time… the earliest was a cosmic battle ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational