Sermons on The Older Brother:

How To Return To God Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 4, 2003

Prodigals still exist. These individuals rebel, stepping away from God’s blessings, indulging in reckless living and ruining their lives. But God runs to meet those who are at the point of total desperation and who are willing to repent and return home.

How to Return to God Luke 15:11–24 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION The parable in this passage focuses on the character and nature of the God of the Bible. It’s usually called the parable of the Prodigal Son but I prefer to call it the parable of the Loving Father. Jesus uses this story to teach ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph In The Pit Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Aug 24, 2020

Joseph’s story, as told in the Bible, is a beautiful illustration of how God’s purpose can be found in our pain.

Joseph in the Pit Genesis 37:12-36 His brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem. Israel said to Joseph, “Your brothers, you know, are pasturing the flocks at Shechem. Get ready. I’m sending you to them.” “I’m ready,” Joseph replied. Then Israel said to him, “Go and see how ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36

Denomination: Assembly Of God

See That Ye Fall Not Out By The Way

Contributed by Daniel Church on Aug 12, 2003

This sermon is a comparisson between what Joseph says to his brothers to encourage them on their way, and what the Lord has to say to us on our way in life.

Text: Genesis 45:24-28 Title: See That ye Fall Not Out by The Way Intro; Before we go into the message let us establish the character of Joseph. He was a young man who went through the school of life, and could say he knew some things about the facts of life. He knew about... 1. The Troubles of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58, Genesis 45:24-28, Genesis 45:24

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Looking For A Prayer That Works Part 4

Contributed by Ed Pruitt on Jul 23, 2007

This is the last part of this 4 part series. I would like to thank all of you who joined me in prayer for my brother Earl Pruitt

DISCLAIMER: Since there are a large amount of sermons and topics and illustrations that are posted on Sermon Central, I feel it is necessary to place this disclaimer on all of the sermons that I submit. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Church Of God

The Christian's Godly Responses Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Feb 17, 2006

In James 5:13-16a, the brother of our Lord teaches us how the Christian ought to respond in times of trouble, happiness, sickness, and sin.

Scripture James is the brother of our Lord Jesus. Since Jesus was Mary’s firstborn child (Luke 2:7), James was obviously a younger brother. In fact, it is likely that James was the second-oldest of the five sons that Mary had (cf. Mark 6:3). James eventually came to believe that Jesus was in fact ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Make It Right

Contributed by Mark Jones on Oct 3, 2011

EOLS: Jesus teaches us to address conflicts with our brother (sister) quickly and to follow four steps toward resolution. (sermon is preparation for Communion as written)

Matthew 18:15-20 (15) "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. (16) But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Methodist

Passing With Flying Colors Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 16, 2010

In this sermon, we see that not only Joseph, but his brothers, pass the tests with flying colors. The thing that made the biggest difference in Joseph's life was his attitude.

Introduction: A. How many of you liked taking tests in school? Not many of us, I’m sure! B. The story is told of a football coach who walked into the locker room before a game, looked over to his star player and said, “I'm not supposed to let you play since you failed math, but we ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Full Benefits Package, "There All Yours, Every Single One”

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Mar 1, 2012

Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus! And brother let me tell you, that’s as real as it gets! Praise God!!

The Full Benefits Package “there all yours, every single one” Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Person asked a young accountant who was fresh out of school, "What starting salary were you thinking about?" The Accountant said, "In the neighborhood of 100 to 150,000 a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Shall Not Murder Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 21, 2021

The Bible’s opening plotlines show the firstborn man, Cain, killing his brother Abel. Think of it: the firstborn person in the human race was a murderer.

Contrary to many people’s thoughts that civilization is more civilized, evidence suggests that murder is on the increase. In 1963, in Scotland, two people were convicted of murder. In 2000, there were 128 reported homicides in Scotland. In 1960, the District of Columbia reported 81 murders. In 1991 ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Genesis 9:5-7, Romans 13:14, Matthew 5:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

Submission To God

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Mar 8, 2020

James, the brother of Jesus, gives powerful direction and truth to this hearers about what it means to truly love God and live in submission to His love and authority

Sermon for March 1, 2020: James 4:1-12 - Submission to God 1. We’ve been looking at the letter of James, the brother of Jesus. He was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem and he loved and cared deeply for his congregation. In his day-to-day life he observed the congregation struggling with ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fourth Day Of The Creation Question: Chicken Or Egg Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Oct 27, 2019

Greetings In the Holy Name of Jesus Yahshuah, My brothers and sisters, I pray to the heavens up above for the knowledgeable we seek, in the fourth day of creation

The Fourth Day Of The Creation Question: Chicken Or Egg by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid “And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:19-20, Genesis 1:2, Jeremiah 4:23, Acts 21:21, Psalm 33:6, Psalm 33:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Friends

God Sent Me Here

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 17, 2019

When Joseph finally met his brothers again, he was able to say that, what THEY had meant for evil, God had meant for good.

GOD SENT ME HERE. Genesis 45:1-15. The Old Testament Joseph is very much a Type of Christ. Favoured by his father (cf. Genesis 37:3), Joseph was sold by his brethren for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28). Favoured by His Father (Luke 3:22), Jesus ‘came unto His own, and His own ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer In Time Of Need In Truth And Justice, For All Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Dec 18, 2019

Greetings In The Holy Name Of Jesus Yahshuah, My sisters and brothers, we pray for Christ’s sake, to heal us in our distress in trust and disbelief

PRAYER IN TIME OF NEED IN TRUTH AND JUSTICE, FOR ALL by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (December 18, 2019) “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13, Zechariah 6:12-13, John 15:5, Matthew 13:31-32, John 3:16, Matthew 5:22, Acts 3:6-16, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 6:12-34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Friends

Jacob

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2022

Who was one of the first men nicknamed Red, and why? Why was his brother named Heel Catcher? Let's look at the life of Jacob.

Who was one of the first men nicknamed Red, and why? Why was his brother named Heel Catcher? Jacob was born so soon after his twin brother Esau that he grabbed his heel and earned the name “heel catcher” or “supplanter,” a prophecy of Jacob supplanting the position of honor in the clan and the ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 12:3, Genesis 25:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

A Story Of Slow, Painful Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 16, 2023

The story of Joseph coming to a place of forgiveness with his brothers is a long story (four whole chapters!) but the story is a great illustration of how difficult forgiveness is.

HOW WE THINK YOU FORGIVE: Say “I forgive you” and move on. - Discuss the fact that “forgive and forget” is not in the Bible. PLOT POINTS: - This is a really long story – basically four chapters! But it’s important that we hit the various plot points because they show the back-and-forth, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist