Sermons on The Inner Court:

A Perfect Heart

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 25, 2014

Perfection does not mean a sinless, flawless heart. Man judges by outward appearances, by what he sees. But God judges the heart; the unseen motives. David was said to have had a perfect heart toward God "all the days of his life," yet he failed the Lord.

11-18-04 A Perfect Heart It is possible to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart! God said to Abraham, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1). God also said to the children of Israel, "Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 18:13). David ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Do No Harm (Be Better Than That)

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 2, 2014

To do no harm is to emulate the teaching of Jesus. Sometimes not making things worse is the Christ-like thing to do.

Title: Do No Harm (Be Better Than That!) Text: Matthew 5:38-48 Thesis: To do no harm is to emulate the teaching of Jesus. Sometimes not making things worse is the Christian thing to do… and makes things better. Introduction The ethical mandate to do no harm probably originated in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fig Trees And Phonies

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Apr 27, 2014

Is there more than merely an appearance of Christianity about us? Is there real substance to our lives as believers? Is there real fruitfulness for Jesus Christ?

Fig Trees And Phonies Mark 11:11-26 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. 12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing at a distance a fig ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:11-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Sackcloth And Ashes (Twenty-Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time)

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Sep 3, 2020

Reflection is on the grace of God’s forgiveness in our lives.

Sackcloth and Ashes (Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time) Matthew 18:21-35, Luke 17:4, Romans 14:7-9, Jonah 3:5-7, Jonah 3:9, Jonah 3:10, 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 30:11, Genesis 4:24. Reflection Dear sisters and brothers, Let us now listen to the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 18: 21-35): ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:24, 1 Samuel 16:7, Jonah 3:10, Jonah 3:9, Jonah 3:5-7, Romans 14:7-9, Luke 17:4, Psalm 30:11, Matthew 18:21-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

An Exposition Of 1 Peter, Part 15: Christ As The Example Of Submission And Suffering

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Apr 16, 2022

Jesus is the ultimate example of how to be a suffering servant. Let us follow His example

An Exposition of 1 Peter, part 15: Christ as the Example of Submission and Suffering 1 Peter 2:21-25 Introduction In the last study, Peter told those who were slaves how they should respond to unfair suffering because they were Christians. Slaves were supposed to adopt the religion of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We've Fallen And We Can't Get Up PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2025

Even in our darkest disappointments and brokenness, God’s hope and faithfulness remain, inviting us to trust Him when everything else falls apart.

Sometimes life feels like a city under siege. You plan, you pray, you press on—and then the bottom drops out. The letter arrives. The job shifts. The news blindsides. You look around and the familiar skyline of your world seems changed, scarred, and smoky. Have you ever stood there, heart in your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 24:18-20, 2 Kings 25:1-9

Topics: Ezekiel, Exile, Judah

Witness Protection Program Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Aug 2, 2024

Jesus offers us 3 witnesses: 1) human testimony, 2) the very things Jesus is doing, and lastly, 3) the Scriptures themselves. If you’re wondering if it’s crazy to believe Jesus is God, the same kinds of evidence they had is the same kind of evidence you have.

When your world is in chaos, do you think life is random? When your world is a snow globe shaken in every direction, do you feel as if there is no one who is in control? In the midst of chaos, Jesus steps forward to say, “I’ve got this.” We begin a series entitled “This Is Your Captain Speaking.” ...read more

Scripture: John 5:31-47

Denomination: Baptist

10000 Bricks: Open Doors Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 7, 2026

May we be open to the Lord placing a burden on our hearts so that when the time comes, we are willing to take the risky costly hard path to serve the Lord.

10000 BRICKS: OPEN DOORS Nehemiah 2:1–8 #10000Bricks READ NEHEMIAH 2 FROM THE MSG It was the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king. At the hour for serving wine I brought it in and gave it to the king. I had never been hangdog in his presence before, so he asked me, “Why the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tending The Fire

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jul 7, 2008

This sermon discusses three threats to our personal devotional life.

Tending the Fire Leviticus 6:8 -13 We have an altar in the human heart, on which burns a fire, kindled by the grace of God. On this altar rests the deepest allegiance of a life given to God. What ever else may be deferred, keep the fire burning. The flame must not go out. There is a passage from ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 6:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

A Supreme Gamble

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Jul 1, 2007

There is no resurrection before there is death

Long Branch Baptist Church Halfway, Virginia; est. 1786 Sunday, July 1st, 2007 Enter to Worship Prelude David Witt Meditation 1 Cor 15:51 – 57 Invocation Michael Hollinger *Hymn #553 “Nearer My God to Thee” Welcome & Announcements Morning Prayer [See Insert] *Hymn #807 “My Country Tis’ of ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Vote Biblically

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Apr 27, 2006

VOTE BIBLICALLY How should a Christian Vote? Should we just vote the party line or does God hold us to a different standard than the Democrats and Rebulicans? Let’s learn to let God direct us at the ballot box.

VOTE BIBLICALLY How should a Christian Vote? Philippians 3:20—Ephesians 2:19 As a Christian we have a dual citizenship. I believe all of us here today are US citizens (some who live in the US still retain citizenship of their home nation such as Canada, Mexico or other nations). However, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Have A Successful Year In Your Christian Life

Contributed by Ivan Casteel on Mar 3, 2004

Guidelines for having a successful Christian life.

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR IN YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE! Psalms 1:1-3. Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

May The Force Be With You

Contributed by Patty Groot on May 5, 2025

Comparison between the "Force" in the movie Star Wars and the power of Spirit living in Christians.

Good morning, church! How many of you have ever seen Star Wars? (Pause for a show of hands.) Even if you haven't, I bet you've heard one of its most famous lines: "May the Force be with you." It's a blessing, a word of encouragement. It's a way to say, "You're not ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-17

Released From Chains, Bound To The Word: Acts 16:25-34

Contributed by Christopher Metze on Jul 24, 2025

A sermon on the powerful, life-changing, and community-forging Word of God.

The guard at Philippi’s prison is on his routine patrol. He’s carrying out his duties as usual when two outsiders—Paul and Silas—are brought to him, already beaten and bruised. He’s commanded to confine them in the inner prison—the place designated for the most hardened, perhaps most dangerous ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Submission Starts At Home

Contributed by John Harper on Nov 11, 2008

Submission is first proved at home

I Peter 3:1-7 August 27, 2008 Pastor John L. Harper “Submission Starts at Home” I. THE CONDUCT OF SUBMISSION (vs. 1-2) A. You should submit to your “own” husband B. You should understand that your act of submission could lead to the unsaved husband’s salvation. C. When you treat your husband ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal