Sermons on The Branch:

If You Want To Move Forward Then Retreat

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 18, 2016

Let's talk more about the 3 disciples of solitude, community, and ministry (Material adapted from Henri Nouwen in Leadership Journal Spring 1995, article entitled, "Moving from Solitude to Community to Ministry")

HoHum: Bill Hybels- If we are involved in the marketplace at all, we are trained to believe that time is money. That’s why we talk about managing time, using it efficiently and profitably. Cram more in. Start earlier. Work later. Take work home. Use a laptop on the commuter train. Phone ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:12-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

My Cup Overflows

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 18, 2016

Let us think of some cups which never run over. If ours runs over, why it does so? And then, thirdly, what then if our cup runs over? (Outline and material adapted from Charles Spurgeon at: http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols19-21/chs1222.pdf)

HoHum: Charles Dickens book, Oliver Twist, is about an orphan who at the age of 9 goes to a workhouse. Oliver, who toils with very little food, remains in the workhouse for six months. One day, the desperately hungry boys decide to draw lots; the loser must ask for another portion of gruel. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where It All Starts Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Mar 29, 2016

Jesus deliberately enables Himself to be arrested, showing that He is totally in control of the situation. In doing so Jesus demonstrates that no one who is in God’s family will be lost.

Message John 18:1-27 “Where It All Starts”. For the next 8 weeks, and also on Easter Friday, we are going to focus our attention on the chapters 18-21 of John’s Gospel as we look at the Passion of Jesus and His willingness to give His life for us. We are entering the story at the point where Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Purging The Dross Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Apr 26, 2016

In light of God’s Word, we need to examine how well we are doing in the area not only of providing care for the needy, but of defending their cause and seeing that their voice is heard.

Isaiah 1:21-26 Purging the Dross 7/9/00 D. Marion Clark Introduction What we come to the Bible for is content. We value the Bible for what it has to reveal to us from God. But then there are times when you just can help but admire the way it is written. Isaiah is the acclaimed writer among ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:21-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Stay In The Light

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on May 16, 2016

Jesus stayed the day of trouble and delivered Jews and Gentiles for redemption to the LORD for salvation in grace.

Stay In The Light by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (May 16, 2016) “...They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay...” (Psalm 18: 1-50, King James Version [God's manifold blessings: To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1-50

Denomination: Friends

The Road To The Cross

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Apr 14, 2017

Palm Sunday message that talks about the dangers of following Jesus from a distant

The road to the cross Selected Scriptures Introduction- Today we celebrate Palm Sunday. A day that we look at the final week of Jesus ministry before He goes to the cross and then the celebration of the empty tomb. To race to the cross and the resurrection without seeing the final week ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-58

Denomination: Nazarene

In The Garden

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 29, 2017

This was preached for an Easter Sunrise service but can be used anytime. Theme is from the hymn "I Come to the Garden Alone" and topic is insomnia. (Material adapted from the book, "Sweet Dreams: A Guide to Productive Sleep" by Minirth, Meier)

HoHum: I have 4 teenage sons, two sets of twins, ages 17 and 13. When I ministered at a church in Indiana, every other month we had a worship service at the local nursing home. The worship consisted of singing favorite hymns of the residents and then I would preach. Well, one lady always wanted ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"A Message Of Offense: Jesus Said, "I Am”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 4, 2021

Leonard Sweet “The Bad Habits of Jesus” “From healing on the Sabbath, to eating with unwashed hands and touching unclean people, to declaring Himself God,” were acts of heresy to the Jewish religious scholars. Jesus was sinning against the God of the Sabbath.”

In Jesus Holy Name Pentecost 14 August 8, 2021 Text: John 6:28-29;35-51 “A Message of Offense: Jesus said, “I Am” Last Sunday our Gospel reading was from John chapter 6. Today our Gospel reading is from John Chapter 6. Our Gospel lesson next week is from John chapter 6. In staff this ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-42, John 6:43-51

Denomination: Lutheran

Iron, That Floats—even Swims.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 7, 2021

Again ax-heads don't float. Or do they? Maybe it’s time to pray a ridiculous prayer! The Bible say’s, “The iron did swim!” This ranks as one of my favorite miracles in the scripture for a couple reasons. First, this isn't a life or death situation. It's just a borrowed ax head.

Iron, That Floats—Even Swims. 2 Kings 6:1-7NLT Whenever I counsel people who are wrestling with the will of God. I remind them of a simple truth: “God wants you to get where God wants you to go, more than you want to get where God wants you to go.” I’ll read it once more—it should relieve you from ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Faith Is The Victory Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Sep 15, 2021

New Year's: Some things in life might feel like running a marathon when we’ve never run a mile before. We might feel this way about our New Year’s resolutions, or even our walk with the Lord. Faith can help us push ahead.

The hymn writer John H. Yates said, “Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world.” In athletics, many things are touted as helping win the victory, from sports drinks to athletic wear. But can that NIKE swoosh really do anything? There is only one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Disciple’s Marching Orders: The Great Commission Part 2 Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Sep 20, 2021

Final sermon in the "Being a Disciple" Sermon Series. We all, even a new believer, are called to go out and "make Disciples." All Scriptures quotes are from the NASB.

Opening Illustration: The Missed Opportunity in Mongolian History: A 13-year-old Mongolian inherited land from his father. Through great strategy and awesome fighting ability, he formed fighting bands that conquered village after village. Eventually he became known as Genghis Khan and ruled over 2 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding Of The Times

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Sep 27, 2021

Discernment in this hour, is the most critical requirement of all of our senses. Discernment and understanding of the times, will give us the advantage in this fight.

1 Kings 19:8-13 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. [9] And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:8-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rebellion Leads To Rejection

Contributed by Darell Houseton on Nov 6, 2020

Saul controlled his fate. He could have stayed on course and followed the Instruction given him by God through Samuel, but instead he gave us an example of the RESULTS OF REBELLION, and REBELLED against the Lord’s command.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:24-28New International Version (NIV) 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:24-28

The King Is Coming Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 2, 2021

Kaiser Wilhelm II entered Jerusalem through the Jaffa gate mounted on a beautiful white horse. Nearly 2000 years before, Jesus had entered Jerusalem through the Eastern gate mounted upon a humble donkey. Two dignitaries entered the same city in two different ways. Why the differences?

OPEN: The last emperor of Germany was Kaiser Wilhelm II and, in 1898 he decided to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. At the time, the once great Jerusalem was in serious need of attention. So 6 months before the Kaiser’s scheduled arrival, the Sultan replaced the mayor of Jerusalem with a more ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"I Am…. The God Who Quenches Thirst”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on May 15, 2020

“What is John trying to tell us about Jesus? What does John tell about the Holy Spirit #1 he is the "Intelligent Designer of the Universe" #2 He is te replacement for forgiveness of sins. Jesus Quenches Thirst for significance.

In Jesus Holy Name Easter VI 2020 Text: John 7:37-39 Redeemer “I Am…. The God Who Quenches Thirst” Each Sunday morning since Easter my messages have been shaped by the words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John. The question I asked ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39, John 14:16

Denomination: Lutheran