Sermons on The Criminal On The Cross:

Zechariah's Fourth Vision: Qualified For Service Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 21, 2021

Christians must know the basis of their acceptance before God if they are to successfully defeat Satan and his tactic of accusation. In this vision, we are given a beautiful picture of the grace of God removing our filthy garments of sin and clothing us with his Robe of Righteousness.

Today we will begin examining Zechariah’s fourth vision recorded in chapter 3. The vision can be divided into two-parts: I. Verses 1-5 is a revelation of God’s way of qualifying his people for relationship with him and for service to him. II. Verses 7-10 contains an admonition to faithfulness ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:6, Job 25:4-6, Ephesians 1:1-6, 1 John 1:7-10, Romans 11:17-24, Matthew 22:1-14, Romans 4:1-25, Ephesians 2:2-10, Romans 8:1-34, Philippians 1:6, Job 1:1-12, Ezra 5:1-2, 2 Peter 1:3-4, Exodus 28:36-38, Zechariah 3:1-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Not The Jesus They Wanted Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 10, 2021

The crowds were looking for a Christ who would "remain" and lead them into glorious earthly kingdom, but Jesus was talking about being "lifted up" and not being with them forever. The Jesus they wanted wasn't the Jesus they were getting.

I’m told these were actual answers that children gave in Sunday School: “Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark.” “The epistles were the wives of the apostles.” “Moses got the 10 Commandments at Mt. Cyanide.” “King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 porcupines.” “The men who followed the Lord were called ...read more

Scripture: John 12:28-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Judgment Of The Almighty Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 12, 2022

The Old Testament prophets predicted a day so alarming that even those who are religiously careless wake from their moral sleepiness. They frequently refer to it as “that day” when the nations are judged.

It is widely regarded as one of the best films of all time, Shawshank Redemption was released nearly thirty years ago in 1994. It became an instant classic telling the tale of an innocent man in prison who eventually gains his freedom through a satisfying escape plan. And if watched any TV in the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:33, Romans 12:19, Malachi 3:17, Malachi 3:2, Acts 17:30-31, Luke 6:23, Matthew 19:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Romans 2:5, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 1 Corinthians 5:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Unpardonable Sin Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

The Unpardonable Sin is a particular teaching that has really haunted people for a long time. As a pastor, people often ask if they have committed the sin that cannot and will not be forgiven. Some here today have a paralyzing fear they have committed the “unpardonable sin.”

Several weeks ago, I asked for your help in your choice of today’s sermon. Your top choice was “When Will Jesus Return to Earth?” But a little analysis of the results led us to understand that it was really only this early service that asked for this topic. So … at 9:30, 11 and at Cross Church, our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-32, Mark 3:29

Denomination: Baptist

Kadalisayan Ng Krus Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 25, 2024

Paano tayo magiging dalisay? Paano tayo makakaugnay sa Diyos? Malalaman natin sa Hebreo 9:14. Ang kadalisayan na iyon ay dumating sa pamamagitan ng krus. Walang maihahambing sa kapangyarihan ni Kristo sa paglilinis ng buhay.

Ang Diyos ay dalisay. Para siyang niyebe sa tuktok ng kabundukan ng Himalayan. Kami ay hindi dalisay. Para kaming putik na putik sa kalsada. Hindi mo maaaring pagsamahin ang dalawa. Ang mud puddle water ay makakahawa sa Himalayan snow. Kung gayon paano tayo magiging dalisay? Paano tayo makakaugnay ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:8, Hebrews 9:14

Denomination: Baptist

Escaping Your Prison Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 2, 2020

As Christians we're supposed to live a different life than those around us. But how can we do that when we're surrounded with so many temptations to do things we know we shouldn't do?

Back in the 14th century, in the region we now call Belgium, there was a duke by the name of Raynald III. Raynald had a nickname – Crassus. Crassus means fat, and he was fat because he really liked to eat. He liked to EAT … a lot! In the course of time, he had a violent quarrel with his younger ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Mark Of A Servant Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 5, 2012

The servant in Deuteronomy 15 accepted a special mark in order to belong to the master he loved. Is that true for us as well? How can we be marked for Jesus? And how does that mark change who we are as servants of the most high God?

OPEN One night a teenage girl brought her new boyfriend home to meet her parents, and they were appalled by his appearance: leather jacket, motorcycle boots, tattoos and pierced nose. Later, the parents pulled their daughter aside and confessed their concern. "Dear," said the mother ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 15:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Believe And Be Baptized Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 1, 2023

Mark 16:16 seems to be a forthright desciption of how to become a Christian, but of the centuries people have "rearranged" the words to fit their theology. How have they done that, and why does it matter?

The Bible tells us that… at the tower of Babel, God confused the people’s language so they couldn’t understand each other. Language is how we communicate with each other, and how we communicate is VERY IMPORTANT. How we say things; the kind of words we use; and even the punctuation we use in our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Too Good! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 15, 2023

If you want to find real joy in the face of an uncertain future, renounce your own good and wise deeds; stop devising your own schemes. Instead, fear God and please Him through faith in His Son.

On March 19, 2003, the United States and its allies invaded Iraq to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and remove Saddam Hussein from power. A day later, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld held a news conference, where a reporter asked him “about the apparent failure to follow the war ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:15-29, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Deuteronomy 28:1, Deuteronomy 28:15, James 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Purposeful Living For Perilous Times Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Because the end is near… pray, love, and serve.

Honestly, many of us are little afraid of closely examining the Bible’s message on the future. If we focus on the end times too long, we are afraid of turning into a guy walking around the city with a sandwich board yelling about judgment and the end of time. We easily get confused when reading ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11, Luke 21:34-35

Denomination: Baptist

Mary And The Unusual Biblical Picture Of Motherhood

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Apr 7, 2015

Not roses, Not Teddy Bears but this ...I will buy you a round of beers if anyone can find me a Mother’s Day card with this particular image on it ....

Mothering Sunday According to Clinton Cards 27th July is Auntie’s day; 3rd October is Grandparents day, 21st June is Father’s day; 20th February is Pet’s day and today is Mother’s Day. In fact find a relative and the card manufacturers will invent a day for it. I am sure that very soon there ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-27, John 7:3-5

Denomination: Anglican

Trials Of Suffering

Contributed by Alexandria Jimenez on Jun 30, 2018

We aren't promised to never experience suffering, but how do we react and handle it, when our lives become the target to suffering?

Can you imagine the emotional state, along with the nerve wrecking distress that Jesus Christ himself felt the day before he was nailed to the cross? Can you imagine the hours, down to the minutes, and then the seconds, that our Father counted till his ultimate sacrifice, and our ultimate ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:35-36, Luke 22:42-43, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Mark 14:22-24

The Sacrifices We Make Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 16, 2023

Joseph sacrificed a lot because Jesus was in his life, and he never complained. Are we called to make sacrifices when we follow Jesus, and what kind of sacrifices could we make?

There was a Christmas play where a little boy desperately wanted to be Joseph. But when the parts were handed out, his biggest rival was given that part, and he was assigned to be the inn keeper instead. He was really bitter about this. So, during all the rehearsals he kept plotting in his mind ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Am Completely Confident In My God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 6, 2022

Have you ever had a problem and you get to the place where you just almost start to shout at/to God? Do you want to argue with God a little bit? You say, “God, why don’t You do something?”

It’s officially summer! The heat is on and the end is out. For many, this is the start of baseball season. A lot of you are big baseball fans – more so than me. I was a bigger baseball fan back when I was a kid collecting baseball cards. Share Your Baseball Stories We are majoring in the minor ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-6, Habakkuk 3:17-19, Habakkuk 3:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Love's Significance Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 8, 2022

Love people and be effective, excellent, and eternal.

A little girl stayed for dinner at the home of her first-grade friend. Her friend’s mother brought a bowl of buttered broccoli to the table and asked the little girl if she liked it. The little girl replied very politely, “Oh yes, I love it!” But when her friend’s family passed the bowl around ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Peter 2:23, Philippians 2:6-8, Hebrews 12:2-3, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 4:11-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free