Sermons on The Criminal On The Cross:

Benefits Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 16, 2023

In this exposition of Jesus's 8th Beatitude ("Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake"), we explore biblical revelation as to why persecution is a blessing, more specifically, what are the benefits of persecution for God's people.

Intro We are considering the 8th Beatitude in Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Persecution is a major theme in Scripture. We see it in the first family; it runs all through the Old and New Testaments; and in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 John 3:12, John 16:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:12, Matthew 24:9-14, Acts 14:22, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Acts 8:1-4, Mark 13:11, 1 Peter 5:10, Job 23:10, Isaiah 43:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Go! And Live In The Peace Of Justification - Romans 5:1 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 30, 2025

Every generation searches for peace, not the kind the world gives through distraction or denial, but peace with God, purchased and guaranteed by Jesus Christ.

Go! And Live in the Peace of Justification - Romans 5:1 Romans 5:1 (NLT) — “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Introduction: The Search for Real Peace Every generation searches for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2, Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:14, Romans 10:9, Philippians 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

10. Message In 1 Peter – Number 10 – Let Me Share My Friend (1 Peter 3:22) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 8, 2025

Peter shares his memories of Jesus with those he writes to. Jesus was his Friend, and the Apostle loved sharing his Friend with others. There are selections here from his letter, all pointing to the Lord that Peter knew and loved.

10. Message in 1 Peter – Number 10 – LET ME SHARE MY FRIEND (1 Peter 3:22) INTRODUCTION TO THE MESSAGE {{1 Peter 3:22 “who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.”}} A first hand report carries more weight ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:22, Genesis 5:24, Genesis 6:9, John 1:3, Matthew 14:29-30, Matthew 26:33-34, 1 Peter 1:7-8, Hebrews 11:1, 1 Peter 1:19, John 14:26, 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:21, Mark 8:34, 1 Peter 2:22-23, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 10:11-12, John 21:18-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fear Not Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Feb 17, 2007

In the midst of your storm, don’t be afraid! He is here. “Lo, I am with you always,” he promised his followers (Mt. 28:20). The night before the cross he told his men, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you,” (John 14:18)."

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Fear Not! John 6:16-21 Two storms raged that night. The Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias, was actually a fairly small, deep fresh water lake, thirteen miles long by about seven miles wide. However, it ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What We All Have Felt: Betrayed Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 14, 2010

Betrayed. A word we might forget about during the Easter season—but it is how Jesus’ march toward Calvary is sealed. You know, you may have been betrayed in your life, but if you are honest, you have done your own betraying too! Because of the Cross, fell

“What We All Have Felt” (Betrayed) Text: Mark 14:10-11, 44-46 I want to talk to you today about something that is NOT funny. If we could have worked it out I would have showed you how NOT funny it really is on the screen by showing you a video clip from the PASSION OF CHRIST. I'll ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:10-46

Denomination: Methodist

The Blessings Of The Father Series

Contributed by Kevin Burden on Aug 1, 2010

When Jesus Christ wrote his last Will & testament for His church, He made it possible for us to share in His spiritual riches (Hebrew 1:1-3; Colossians 1:12-17). Instead of spending it all, Jesus paid it all. His death on the cross and His resurrection ma

THE BLESSINGS OF THE FATHER Ephesians 1:1-6 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Just Wait! Be Jesus! Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 27, 2016

Jesus is coming again! What do we do while we wait? 1. We stay awake and focused on Jesus 2. We grow deeper in our walk of holiness 3. We pick up our cross and towel. This is a message that asks the Church if it is really ready to meet Jesus

Scripture: Luke 21: 5-19; Psalm 98 and Malachi 4:1-2 Title: Don't Just Wait! Be Jesus! Scripture: Luke 21: 5-19; Psalm 98 and Malachi 4:1-2 Title: Don't Just Wait! Be Jesus! Jesus is coming again! What do we do while we wait? 1. We stay awake and focused on Jesus 2. We grow deeper ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Nazarene

Who Picked Up The Tab? Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jun 7, 2011

Let’s look at a few thoughts that will help us understand how faith can make us right with God – nothing else can! Trusting God that what Jesus did on the cross was enough to take away our sins – that is the faith we all need today!

Who Picked Up the Tab? Romans 4:1-8 Intro: Back when we were young, dumb, and kid-free, we rode AmTrak all the way from Southeastern Nebraska to Baker City. At some point on our return trip (which started in Portland), we realized that we hadn’t planned very well and were short on food and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus Became Sin For You

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 12, 2011

Just how did Jesus pay for your sins? To understand this will give you a new appreciation for just how bad evil is, how good God is, and the value of what Jesus did for you on the cross and bears for you each and every day. It also makes our job descripti

A few weeks ago we talked about the masks we as Christians put on that sometimes hides our true selves from one another. But those who do not know Christ also put on masks—to hide themselves from an awful reality that they don’t want to face—that we as humans are evil at the core. We distract ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Ruth Scene 4 Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 1, 2013

Christ died on the cross for you; he went to the grave for you; and even today he stands at the door of all people and knocks...notice he doesn’t crash the door, we have to invite Him in, take the gift of eternal life by faith. Ruth gave Boaz permission a

Ruth has come all the way from the land of Moab into the heart and home of Boaz. And we who were one time strangers, far from God, without hope in the world, are now sealed in the heart and home of Jesus. We today have been redeemed into the family of God, and one of these days we are going to live ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22

Focus

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jun 6, 2013

Each day, Jesus sought to know His Father’s will as He moved purposefully to the cross. There, He finished all that God had given Him to do. Today, our heavenly Father invites us to focus on Him for the wisdom and strength to complete the work He has give

Opening illustration: John P. Robinson often called America’s “time guru,” claims that people today sleep more than they think they do. He says that though they have more leisure time than ever, they still report feeling “stressed, rushed, and crunched for ...read more

Scripture: John 8:25-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Week Three Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Mar 15, 2021

Self examination is not intended as a form of self punishment, but a redirection of our love to God for what He did for us through the cross. It’s meant as a guidepost to living like “little Christs” in this world so we can be a blessing to those who may never consider His saving grace.

“Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. Like all Christian holy days and holidays, it has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same: self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter. Early church father ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 John 1:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Christ, Our Great High Priest

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Apr 13, 2022

On the last night of Jesus' life before going to the cross, He spent time with the Father in prayer, serving as our great High Priest making intercession with God the Father on our behalf (Hebrews 3:1, 6:20). This "high priestly" prayer warrants our attention.

So far in John's gospel, we have encountered glorious portraits of the life, work, and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ that give "many convincing proofs" (Acts 1:3) of HIs divinity and godly authority which no one else can ever claim. He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26, Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 6:20, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 2:5-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Lord’s Prayer 11: Forgiveness Of Sins Series

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Oct 30, 2024

Jesus died and suffered on the cross for us, to forgive us our sins and this is something we must never, ever take for granted. When we pray for forgiveness for the things we have done wrong to our neighbour or sinned in the sight of God our Father we must never forget the cost.

Lord’s Prayer 11: Forgiveness of Sins All his life, an old man had been a sceptic, especially about religion. Now he was dying and his friends asked him if he would like them to send for the parish priest to minister the last rites. 'No,' he said, 'God will forgive me - that's ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:5, Acts 2:38, Matthew 6:13

Sons Or Slaves? (Trinity Sunday 2024)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on May 23, 2024

Did you notice what Paul did in this text? Paul speaks about the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as he reminds that if we are God’s children, then we are also heirs---joint heirs because we are adopted sons and daughters of God through what Jesus did for us on the cross.

SONS OR SLAVES? Text: Romans 8:14 – 17 Rom 8:12-17 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— (13) for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (14) ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:12-17

Denomination: United Methodist