Sermons on The Message Of Christ:

Back To School Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 22, 2007

’Tis the season, and we can see 3 schools God took Saul thru before he graduated as ’Paul.’ The schools of Solitude, Suffering, & Seasoning. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation w/ graphics and animations.

Back to School Acts 9:21-30 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BackToSchoolForSaul.html ILL.- Teacher to student, “What are you – animal, vegetable or mineral?” The boy replied, “Vegetable. I’M A HUMAN BEAN.” ILL.- It was the little girl’s first day at school and the teacher was making out her ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:21-30

Denomination: Baptist

First Thank God Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 14, 2007

Initial sermon of interim pastorate. As Paul lived into relationship with God prior to theologizing, I thank God for the faithfulness in the congregation’s history; for mutual enrichment in its diversity; and for coming victory when no one need be ashame

God is not a problem to be solved. God is a mystery with whom we are to live. God is not an equation to be worked out in mathematical precision; God is personal, with whom we connect. God is a who, a where, and a when -- acting, living, and doing; and if God is sometimes a what and a why, an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Getting On God's Agenda

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 16, 2007

God’s agenda is to give freedom to the oppressed, and He will not be stopped. But our disobedience can frustrate Him. The church needs to get on God’s agenda quickly.

A little book called “Kids’ Letters to Pastors” provides some fertile ground this morning for us to begin thinking about getting on God’s agenda. You see, you and I know the words we are supposed to say, whether we mean them or not. But kids say what they think, without editing. And so I suspect ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Is Refining Fire Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 22, 2007

Like Job they complain about howe God is treating them, but they get more than they bargained for. Their behaviour doesn’t stand up before the gaze of God’s righteousness.

I love courtroom dramas especially the ones written by John Grisham: The Pelican Brief, The Rainmaker, Runaway Jury. Then there are the TV shows like Perry Mason, JAG, Judging Amy, Law and Order and so forth. It’s great to see these great legal minds in a battle of wits trying to prove their case. ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

I Complained

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Nov 14, 2011

The fact remains that too many of God’s people like to complain. We especially like to complain in order to make the problems of life someone else fault. We need to turn our complaints into Praise.

TITLE: I COMPLAINED SCRIPTURE: PSALMS 77:1-15 Our main focus this morning will be upon VS. 3 – I am sure that we all can find ourselves in the midst of this verse. I lift up as a thought to you this morning – I Complained– I know we don’t like to admit it but Truth be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Warrior’s Spirit

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Nov 14, 2011

Notice how David honors God first. Then, there is no need for fearing his enemies.

A Warrior’s Spirit Psalms 27:1-14 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? 2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

When Worship Is Pointed The Right Direction

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 17, 2011

An examination of worship to help people better understand how meditating on the person of God is the basis of our worship, and to practice that before we leave the building Meant to be preached at the very beginning of a worship hour and then followed b

Isaiah 6:1-5, Ezekiel 1:22-28; Psalm 8,29,95; Titus 1:16 Introduction - Barbara McKeever, Urbana, Ohio -- Said that in the middle of a soloist's number at church, her young grandson Chandler tugged her sleeve and whispered, "She can't sing very well, can she?" She knew that the woman had a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Way Of Life

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 3, 2011

Are we living in the sunlight with Jesus or are we still stuck in a place of death?

The Way of Life Easter Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 Intro: Who would ever have dreamt that the place to find life was at a tomb? A tomb is not a place of life, it is a place of death. A place where people we loved and who have died are buried. I’ve stood at many gravesides, and they are solemn, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming Fruitful

Contributed by Andy Grossman on May 20, 2010

Producing Fruit of the Spirit

“Becoming Fruitful” May 9th, 2010 John 15:1-8 1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Finding God’s Comfort

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 29, 2010

In some of the storms of life, God intervenes and shelters us. In others, He allows us to be exposed so that we will be pressed more closely to Him.

Opening illustration: Whether we are reading the daily paper, listening to the radio, or watching TV, the news is filled with what one might call the fruits of discouragement and even despair. Life is like a continuous newsreel showing the futile actions of people trying to live without a biblical ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:25-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Countercultural Community, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

In this series, we’re talking about being a countercultural community. What does that look like? Last week, we saw that the early church was committed to one another, they had crazy courage and a deep rooted spirit of compassion. Today we find four more

Countercultural Community, Part 2 Acts 2:42-47 After the apostles received the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, it was all about the power of the resurrection and this mindset to go against the grain and do whatever it took to honor God and bless other people. They hadn’t been tainted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Methodist

Lead Us Not Into Temptation Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

sermon focusing on Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Lead Us Not Into Temptation Matthew 6:9-13 A boy was in confession: Bless me Father for I have sinned... Father, I had bad thoughts... PRIEST : Did you entertain them? BOY : No Father... but they entertained me! A mother told her son not to go swimming. However, when he came into the house his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Methodist

Head-On Collision Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Oct 26, 2009

Immediately after Abram gets "back to basics," a controversy develops. Did you know that "blessing" can lead to dissension? Did you know that walking in faith almost inevitably leads to opposition?

The Head-On Collision Text: Genesis 13:1-18 When a corporation has some bad financial reverses, you are likely to read a press release that says something about getting back to the company’s core business. When a sports team gets outplayed, the coach’s press conference will usually have a statement ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: *other

The World Turned Upside Down Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 5, 2009

An adaptation of the Seder service: Jesus turns upside down all our common values: sorrow for slavery becomes sorrow for sin; common issues become community; and wandering becomes salvation, all through the Cross.

When great crowds gather in city streets, it is either for a celebration or for a revolution. Throngs do not come together without a purpose; they come together either to celebrate a great occasion or to agitate for what they want. They come to see evidence of a world turned upside down. In ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Reflecting Images Of Rebellion Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Nov 6, 2007

God is just like any parent; his heart breaks when his children rebel. These are the images of his hurt and what he planned to do about it.

REFLECTING IMAGES OF REBELLION Someone has defined rebellion this way: “Reserving for myself the right to make the final decision.” Are you a rebel? How many of us think that it’s okay to go 110 km/h on the highway? As the pirates like to say, “It’s not a rule per se; it’s more like a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-31

Denomination: Mennonite