Sermons on Tension:

Taking Laughter Seriously

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

Solomon was right, for laughter is not enough to give life ultimate meaning. But it is, nevertheless, a vital part of the meaningful life. Solomon is himself one of the key authorities in the Bible for supporting the value of laughter.

Tom Mullen begins his book, Laughing Out Loud and Other Religious Experiences with this story. An engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian were hunting in the wilds of Northern Canada. They came across a isolated cabin, and decided to check it out. When no one answered their knocks, they tried ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Mental Health In The Psalms: 28 Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 22, 2024

Mental health and spiritual health are not mutually exclusive.

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PSALMS: 28 PSALM 28:1-9 #mentalhealth INTRODUCTION 1… POOR BISHOP HOOPER PSALM 28 (EVERY PSALM)… youtube.com/ watch?v=Pcazsb9uGNs [3:08] INTRODUCTION 2… Tremper Longman III, How to Read the Psalms. IVP Academic; Inter-Varsity Press, 1988, 76–85. [adapted] We are beginning ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 28:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Is Wise And Understanding Among You? (James 3:13-18) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 24, 2022

The answer, in truth, is my mother-in-law. James redefines for us what true wisdom looks like.

Who is wise and understanding among you? (James 3:13-18) In our passage today, James opens up a new section by asking a question. So let's start, the same way. James 3:13: (13) Who [is] wise and understanding/knowledgeable among you? When you look around this room, at the people who are a ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Tapestry Or Tangled Mess?

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

Introductory Comments 1.

Introductory Comments 1. Today is your Crops and Industry service. A time when we ask God's blessing on our work - whether the planting of the fields or the work we do in the factory, office, home, or other place of employment. 2. It is a time when we affirm our belief that God is the one who is ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Help Resolve Conflicts With The Reactionaries

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Steps to Resolving Conflicts

Resolving Conflicts is a Matter of Perspective, Attitude and Replacing evil With the Good of God’s Acceptance. Rom. 15:7 Illustration:In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a routine baseball game. But what happened that day was anything but routine. The Orioles’ John ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eating At His Table

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 22, 2002

The Church at Corinth had a problem with communion. What was their problem and what can it tell us about our worship today?

OPEN: Author Max Lucado tells of an episode from his youth. He was part of a group of young people from his church who, as a service ministry, took the Lord’s Supper to homebound or hospitalized members of the church. He and his friends visited one elderly gentleman in particular who was in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have You Seen My Daddy?

Contributed by Robert Houston, Sr. on Jun 16, 2002

The discourse between Jesus and His Disciples focusing on the answer, "If you have seen me, you’ve seen the Father."

Sermon by Pastor Robert Earl Houston, Sr., Assistant Pastor Westwood Baptist Church, University Center Nashville, Tennessee - www.westwoodbcuc.org www.roberthouston.org Sunday, June 16, 2002 (Father’s Day) 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Text: John 14:9 Subject: “Have You Seen My Daddy?” One of ...read more

Scripture: John 14:9

Denomination: Baptist

Grice's Quality Maxim Series

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Feb 7, 2002

Generally good guidelines to follow in basic Communications, Grice’s Maxims can be used to improve our Evangelism skills and serve the Lord!

Using Grice’s Maxims for Optimal Evangelism 1 - Grice’s Quality Maxim Though Paul Grice was a philosopher and not a theologian, he had principles that can apply in sharing our Faith with others seeking and curious about Christianity. ’Grice’s Maxims’ were his ideas for effective ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2-6, Acts 2:1-41

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sown In Peace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 4, 2005

Funeral message for Velton H. Edmonds, former chair of the church’s Music Committee. Gentleness and wisdom together, without an ounce of envy or ambition, yields a harvest for those who survive.

The poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson has the ancient Greek hero Ulysses say, “I am a part of all that I have met”. More completely, I am a part of all that I have met; Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’ Gleams that untravell’d world, whose margin fades For ever and for ever when I move. How dull ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem Of Our Dark Side Series

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 1, 2002

We grope around in darkness but God has a way out of the darkness into His light.

The problem of our dark side Text: 1 John 1:5-2:6 Topic: How to cope with our dark side Big idea: We grope around in darkness but God has a way out of the darkness into His light. Intro: A fly was buzzing along one morning when he saw a lawn mower someone had left out in their front yard. He ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Cost Of Freedom Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 30, 2001

Freedom in Christ is one of the churches most valuable commodities.

THE COST OF FREEDOM – Romans 14:13-23  What is one of the churches most precious comoditys? What do we stomp on with a vengence in the eyes of the world? What does the world look for and rarely seen intact in the body of Christ? UNITY John 17 ‘That they may be one even as we are one’ ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:13-23

In The Middle

Contributed by Maria Saunders on Oct 27, 2007

Contrary to what many want to believe, people (saved and unsaved) will experience anxiety.

Contrary to what many want to believe, people (saved and unsaved) will experience anxiety. The Bible instructs us “not to be anxious for anything.” However, there are times when we find this to be impractical and unrealistic. The standard sermon on anxiety runs something like this: it is a sin ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2-19

Denomination: Baptist

"How Would You Answer This Question?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 18, 2011

Who Jesus is to us is reflected by our lives.

Matthew 16:13-28 “How Would You Answer This Question?” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN eastridgeumc.org How many of you remember “pop quizzes” in school? And for those who are still in school, are you fond of “pop ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-28

Denomination: United Methodist

The Road To Maturity Is A Road Marked With Suffering Series

Contributed by Nigel Heath on Jun 28, 2011

As much as we might like to believe otherwise, the road to maturity is a road marked with suffering. We all pass through its stations and we cannot do so without being affected.

INTRO THE ROAD TO MATURITY. So far in this series we have looked at: * Focusing on our identity as children of the Father (Micah 6) [What does the Lord require?] * Taking care of ourselves so that we are in a place where we can hear God building us up (1 Kings 19) * Today we are going to ask ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Real Good News For The Real World

Contributed by R. Joseph Owles on Jun 23, 2011

The Great Commission playing out in every day life.

Anchorage Presbyterian Church R. Joseph Owles August 16, 1998 [Based on Matthew 28:16-20] All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me; therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Catholic