Sermons on The Barna Group:

Christmas Eve/Day, Year B

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Dec 12, 2002

Christmas is a time to celebrate the meaning and mystery of the Word becoming flesh and living among us.

Sermon for Christmas Eve, Yr B 2002 Based on Jn 1:14 Grace Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson On this Holy Night, we gather together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christmas is, among many things, an occasion to focus on the meaning and the mystery of Jesus being ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Games We Play

Contributed by Ronald Hughes on Apr 11, 2002

What was the attitude behind the game of chance the soldiers played at the foot of the cross?

The Games We Play John 19: 16-30 Rev. Ronald. B. Hughes INTRODUCTION Entertainment! * We spend more each year on recreation than education, construction of new homes or national defense* Wonderland, Marine ...read more

Scripture: John 19:16-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

7 Tests For A God-Glorifying Ministry - 1 Peter 4:11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 30, 2025

When speaking, use the words of God. And when serving, do it in a way that shows God to be the source of the strength.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's multifaceted grace. 11 If anyone speaks, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:11

Going Out To Bring Them In

Contributed by Mike Hays on Nov 16, 2000

The followers of Jesus are called to go to the world with the hope of Jesus Christ.

Going Out To Bring Them In Mark 1:14-20 Along time ago in a land far away there was a church. The church had been founded by a handful of men and women who wanted nothing more out of life than to make a difference in their community for the Kingdom of God. They had read the Word of God and been ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Four Truths About Satan's Lies Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 3, 2021

Satan does his most deceptive work by having us treat the Bible like our high school yearbook. What do you do with your high school yearbook? You immediately turned to your picture. That’s how we treat the Bible: we make the Bible all about me, myself, and I.

Find Ephesians 6 with me as I want to speak to you about Four Truths about Satan’s Lies Here’s why you are alive: to gather around the throne of Jesus Christ at the end of history. All of life is about gathering around the very throne of God at the end of time – this is the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Outreach: A Partnership Of Trust Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 14, 2002

Outreach is a partnership of trust, where God trusts us and we trust God. Knowing which part we are responsible is essential for effective outreach.

Note: This sermon was introduced with a drama called "Conversion" In many ways, sharing our faith in Jesus Christ can feel like coming out of the closet with a dark secret. In our culture today, talking about your faith seems too personal for public discourse. People prefer that we keep issues of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:11-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bruce Almighty (Me Almighty) Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Nov 26, 2003

This is the first of a series of sermons based on movie themes, an idea I borrowed from West Family Church in the Kansas City area while I was visiting there this summer. We are not wired to play God.

SLIDE 1 BRUCE ALMIGHTY (ME ALMIGHTY) Stop Playing God and Discover God Almighty’s Plan Good morning and welcome to Bethany—greet guests, etc. SLIDE 2 How many of you have been to the movies this summer? It seems like I get to the movies more in the summer than any other time. How does that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Denomination: Methodist

Membership Has Its Privileges!

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on May 8, 2007

As a member of a church we have priviledges and responsibilities. Are we keeping the comittments we made to God?

Membership has its privileges! Romans 12:1-8 What a visual image Paul has crafted for our consideration. Because of God’s MERCY we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. Living, we are not to kill ourselves or be killed by others. We are to offer ourselves to God being holy and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Congregational

Behold He Comes: So What Were You Expecting Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Jan 4, 2012

JUST AS WHEN JESUS RODE INTO JERUSALEM, FEW OF US WILL GET MORE OUT OF A MODERN PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATION THAN WHAT WE WERE EXPECTING.

Behold He Comes: So What Were you Expecting John 12:12-19 April 17, 2011 INTRODUCTION Flashmob A flash mob (or flashmob) is a term coined in 2003 to denote a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and sometimes seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When Political Activists Take Over Your Church

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2021

Have you ever noticed how ministries can become politicized over time? It's a real concern in our day and age, where political ideology has the country polarized, that same political activism can push its way into the church.

Have you ever noticed how ministries can become politicized over time? It's a real concern in our day and age, where political ideology has the country polarized, that same political activism can push its way into the church. I've noticed this particularly in inner-city churches, where ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 16:19

Denomination: Salvation Army

A House Of Prayer

Contributed by David Dewitt on Feb 23, 2005

Jesus is calling churches to be places where prayer is the power source.

A House of Prayer Matthew 21:12-13 February 6, 2004 Morning Service Introduction Research at San Francisco General Hospital has revealed that victims of heart attack, heart failure and other cardiac problems who were remembered in prayers fared better than those who were not. Cardiologist Randy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-13

Denomination: Church Of God

Never Fish Alone

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Mar 25, 2008

A fishing adventure is always better when you share the journey. This lesson is about partnering with your church in this adventure.

Never Fish Alone Discussion Starter: We were all fish before becoming a “fisher of men”. Someone shared the message of Jesus Christ with us. Christ has called us to be His voice to a lost world. We have a clear message that must be told. A fishing adventure is always better when you share the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Walking In Unity Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 4, 2008

Let’s face it. We all get into conflict—sometimes. Even with those close to us. How are we supposed to handle it? Is it okay to hate people? Can we disagree without being disagreeable? Unity chooses to believe that there is good in every person who is a C

Opening Activity: Acting out—Fight! Stage a fight with one of your adult volunteers—prepare him ahead of time, of course. Have the volunteer interrupt you and continue to talk while you’re talking. Ask him to stop talking several times. Then just lose it and start yelling, telling him to leave the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sharp Contention Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Sep 4, 2008

Exposition of Acts 15:36-41 regarding the disagreement that Paul and Barnabas had over whether or not to take John Mark with them

Text: Acts 15:36-41, Title: Sharp Contention, Date/Place: NRBC, 9/7/08, AM A. Opening illustration: they called it the first church of laying on of hands and healing (see below) B. Background to passage: Theological conflict settled. Church rejoicing in unity and freedom. And the heart of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:36-41

Denomination: Baptist

Partnering With Your Chuch

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Sep 15, 2008

Questions to consider: 1. Are you vested in inviting people to “come and see”? 2. Are you serving strategically as a partner? 3. Do you have Christ like characteristics?

Discussion Starter: We were all fish before becoming a “fisher of men”. Someone shared the message of Jesus Christ with us. Christ has called us to be His voice to a lost world. We have a clear message that must be told. A fishing adventure is always better when you share the journey. This lesson ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18

Denomination: Baptist