Sermons on Tensions:

Bitter Complaints: Born To Trouble Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 10, 2021

Job speaks his prayers out loud in our text for this week. He shares his brokenness and mostly his feeling that God is not listening any longer.

MAIN TEXT: In a way, a lot has transpired between last week’s reading and this one. In another way, nothing much has changed. Job is still on the ash heap. Job is still iN A place of bitter complaints. The companions who sat in silence with Job for seven days (2:13) now try and blame Job for his ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-9, Job 23:16-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Harmony Through Humility Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

HOW CAN YOU ACHIEVE HUMILITY? BY CONTINUALLY CASTING YOU CARES UPON GOD.

Humility is Self-effacing and it is Modest. It is quiet, reserved, shy, gracious, mild-mannered, and doesn’t believe it’s own press clippings. Humility is essential if you are a follower of Christ. Today’s Big Idea: Be Humble if You Want God to Work for You. “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-11, Luke 14:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Under The Mercy

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 27, 2020

We're all sinners, saved only by the great mercy of God.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (Greet the congregation with “Good morning, saints.” After they reply, greet them again with “Good morning, sinners.” They’ll probably miss a beat before replying, but the point will be made.) We’re both saints and sinners, aren’t we? We’re saints seeking God, and sinners ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

For God And Country

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 29, 2017

When his enemies sought to trap him, Jesus showed his followers, including us, a balanced allegiance to earthly authorities and to our ultimate Heavenly Authority. We give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and we give back to God...our very selves!

Matthew 22:15-22 For God and Country My sermon title today comes from the Army chaplain motto: “Pro Deo et patria,” “For God and country. Politics and religion are the two taboo subjects at any cocktail party, but let’s talk about both today! Dave Barry noted, “People who want to share their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Messiah Will Save Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 23, 2015

In a time of great fear, Isaiah prophesied, "Your God will come!" These prophetic words offer hope for our lives today.

Messiah Will Save Isaiah 35:1-10; 45:21-22; Matthew 1:21: Hebrews 12:12-13, 18-24 “Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” These words, recorded by the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Let It Go Out! Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Nov 22, 2017

Jesus warns us to be ready for His return. He warns us because the danger and threat is real. To do so, He tells us story about 10 virgins who are waiting for the return of the Bridegroom. The parable is explained and applied to the hearer.

In Annie Dillard’s Teaching a Stone to Talk, she talks about a British Artic expedition which set sail in 1845 to chart the Northwest Passage around the Canadian Artic to the Pacific ocean. Neither of the two ships and 138 men on board returned. Why? They packed their ship like they were going ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Serving Those In Need

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 26, 2017

Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats reminds us of some important truths: people matter, faith works, and Christ judges. Jesus points us to a God who doesn't want anyone to go to hell but all to come to eternal life.

Matthew 25:31-46 Serving those in Need Have you ever seen that TV show, “Undercover Boss”? It’s when the boss of a large company goes undercover in his or her own business and discovers what’s really going on—for better or for worse—in the company. While Jesus already knows what’s going on—he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

And Now A Few Words From Our Nation's Founders

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Jul 28, 2017

The men who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence and who framed our nation's Constitution, did not work in a moral vacuum. Here are some important observations they made.

And Now a Few Words From Our Founders Pastor Eric J. Hanson. July 2, 2017 Proverbs 14:34: Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Psalm 33:12: Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. Proverbs 29:2: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. 1 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:34, Psalm 33:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Invitation To The Thirsty

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 2, 2016

Isaiah the prophet gives us an invitation to break free from the life of indifference and into wanting the thing of God.

Invitation to the thirsty Isaiah 55:1-13 Introduction- Last week we took a look at the word of God about judging others and what God’s word really says about it. It was one of those messages that brought some comment. We could if we are not careful, take God’s word out of context ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13

Denomination: Nazarene

Stop The Killing Spree!

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Feb 12, 2017

Killing sprees shock us with their cruelty to human life. Yet, how often do we engage in our own killing sprees, mentally murdering those with whom we are angry. Jesus calls us to stop it, and to bend over backwards to make things right with others.

Matthew 5:21-26 Stop the Killing Spree! William Boyette, suspected of killing four women in two states, died Tuesday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a police standoff at a Georgia motel. Police arrested Mary Rice, his accomplice. As appalling as their little Bonnie and Clyde killing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 12:18

Denomination: Baptist

Finishing The Race

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 1, 2022

From the time we come to know the Lord, we are running the spiritual marathon He has marked out for us. Our concern is both to run the race well and to develop the next generation of runners.

Finishing the Race (2 Timothy 4:1-8) [Note: this was Pastor Ed Vasicek's retirement sermon after 43.5 years in continuous full time ministry and 39 years at Highland Park Church in Kokomo, IN) 1. People can justify just about anything, if they are quick enough. Today I have two ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Experiencing Supernatural Peace, Protection And Provision

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Dec 30, 2022

God is faithful and committed to His word, if we can turn to Him and be pleading to Him, He will give us Supernatural Peace, Protection and Provision all through the year and beyond by His grace.

Experiencing Supernatural Peace, Protection and Provision Study Text: Isaiah 54: 10 - 17. Introduction: - Because of God’s great love for us, He has made a covenant with us to take care of us: to bless us, protect us, and provide for us. -. Covenants are never one-sided. They require the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 54:10-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Another Essential Christmas

Contributed by John Huyser on Jan 3, 2023

Compared to the other Gospels, John's version of the Christmas story is far more cosmic in scope and captures much of the Old Testament anticipation.

Building the day after Thanksgiving, more than any other holiday, the pending arrival of Christmas marks the start of a marathon. By the time December 25, Christmas Day, rolls around, Christmas Day, the finish line is in sight. Except this year, a well-timed blizzard forced us to pause. The ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Is There A Word From The Lord? Series

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Jan 17, 2023

Does the Bible really have the answer to everything we are facing today?

Zedekiah was the last king of Judah. These were dark days for God’s people. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had already gone into captivity, and Judah was on the precipice of the same fate. King Nebuchadnezzar had made Zedekiah king of Judah in the place of Coniah, Zedekiah’s uncle, who had only ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 37:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

"nevertheless"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 6, 2020

A sermon about experiencing the peace which transcends all understanding.

"Nevertheless" Philippians 4:4-9 Joy and peace are often elusive, are they not? Loneliness, family tensions, unexpected crises, grief and national events make them seem just beyond our grasp. The COVID-19 pandemic brushed away any sense of normalcy that 2020 had any potential of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: United Methodist