Sermons on The Older Brother:

Your Character Arc

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jul 30, 2011

If you’re a person of faith, you are a person in process. It’s process guided by the Holy Spirit, of course, and what he’s doing is -- he’s transforming you from building your life around yourself to building it around God.

First Presbyterian Church Wichita Falls, Texas July 31, 2011 YOUR CHARACTER ARC Isaac Butterworth Genesis 32:22-32 (NIV) 22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Pit Knows Everything

Contributed by James Westmoreland on Aug 27, 2005

One of the great challenges in life is to deal with opposition and the knowledge that not everyone likes us. There are other experiences that are very hard for us to deal with and one of them is when we experience a sense of abandonment. It is then that t

Have you ever had the feeling that things were not going your way? That it was going to be a "bad hair" day and not much else was going to go well either? Robert Orben(1) was quoted as saying, "Sometimes I get the feeling the whole world is against me, but deep down I know that’s not true. Some of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-28

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

A Father’s Love

Contributed by Timothy Lucas on Aug 27, 2018

A different perspective on the parable referred to as "The Prodigal Son."

Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:22

Responsibility

Contributed by Jim Kane on Feb 28, 2010

The third message in the series based on the six pillars of ‘Character Counts!’

Today is the third message in the series based on the six pillars of ‘Character Counts!’ Two weeks ago, we started with the first pillar: trustworthiness and, as we looked at the Wise Men, we were informed that: (Slide 1) To Be Trustworthy is to be reliable-to do what you say ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:33-44

Denomination: Church Of God

A Family Kind Of Place

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Nov 5, 2010

God is keenly interested in children and in family life. God wants the family to be the true laboratory of life, where family members ... regardless of age ... live, learn, love and grow in the Christian graces.

The photo that was flashed across the country told the heartbreaking story of an American tragedy. A weary fireman held the limp, lifeless body of a little child. The little girl was killed in the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. Her name was Baylee Almon, and she was ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4, 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Saved Or Are You Redeemed.

Contributed by Chris Summers on Mar 4, 2008

Being saved and being redeemed , is there a difference?

Are you saved or are you redeemed? Good morning. The question for today is, “Is there a difference between being saved and being redeemed? “ The answer is yes, and no. Let’s look at this for a bit. Being saved is one thing, most of us proclaim to be saved but being redeemed is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Man Proposes But God Disposes

Contributed by Mark Roper on Apr 8, 2008

People can make plans; God determines how things will turn out

Man proposes but God disposes Thomas a Kempis. Wrote the second most widely read Christian text after the Bible itself the Imitation of Christ. It contains many sensitively and wisely expressed insights into spirituality and morals. In Chapter 19 of Book 1 we find: "For the resolutions of the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:9

Denomination: Church Of God

Without The Hand Of God Series

Contributed by Tim White on Jun 19, 2009

Without the Hand of God in our lives, we cannot believe God, will hate His Messenger, and will be gullible to any and every opinion.

• Who can ever forget Winston Churchill’s immortal words: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills." • It sounds exactly like our family vacation. • Family life is difficult for all of ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Wealth Of Contentment Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 17, 2013

I want my audience to become very conscious of the effects of covetousness and to replace it with contentment

I was doing OK. Really, I was. Life was pretty good. But then, I heard that if I want to feel right, I need to get a Bowflex. I don’t have a Bowflex, so, I suddenly realize I’m not as healthy as I should be. I can’t be. That guy in the ad has better abs than I do – ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are A Giant-Killer But Don't Know It. Series

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Sep 5, 2016

When God chooses a man, He will present that man with an opportunity to vindicate his call before men. David is called by God, but that call is private until God brings him to the surface. Goliath becomes that means of public exposure for David.

Series: David - A Man After God¡¦s Own Heart: Part 5: You Are A Giant Killer But Don¡¦t Know It (1&2) 1 Samuel 17: 1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-47

Denomination: Charismatic

Welcome Home!

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Apr 25, 2019

This first person sermon hears the account of the prodigal son from the prodigal son himself. His story is our story - a story of God's amazing grace!

This morning I would like to speak to you as if I was that prodigal, wasteful and reckless son that we heard about in our gospel lesson. I come to you this morning to share my story, the same story that Jesus shared with a rather diverse group of people who had gathered around him from every walk ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Gay, But Not Happy

Contributed by Brad Froese on Jul 18, 2006

An encouraging (but reforming) sermon for people who are ’gay’ but not happy.

Today, I will be using the term ‘gay’ in both its original form and its contemporary form, so let me define it both ways for you this morning. Originally, GAY meant: to be characterized by colorful and lighthearted excitement: MERRY. As in, “Have a GAY day!” In the old days, wishing your neighbor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Where Is Dr. Phil When Jacob Needs Him Series

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Feb 25, 2008

Jacob had periods in his life when he could have used some psychological intervention by someone like Dr. Phil. But in the end, he grew up, put his past behind him and became a great man.

Where is Dr. Phil When Jacob Needs Him? Genesis 25:19-34 February 24, 2008 Our son Matthew did his first two years of college (actually it took him three years to do his first two years) at Vincennes University. We were living in Elkhart at the time and VU had a satellite campus there. So Matt ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Methodist

Sharing The Journey

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2001

Funeral message for Mr. David Broadnax, a Broadway actor and filmmaker, who died in Spain. He was the brother of one of our members, who requested that we do the funeral.

I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. Our lives are journeys, with a beginning and a destination. Many roads can be used to take those journeys. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

This Group Must Somehow Form A Family

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Apr 2, 2002

This sermon explores ’family’ relationships through the Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers. Because of his relationship with God, Joseph has decided to engage in his relationships differently.

Bibliography: Culture Shifts, Lesson 6 What we have before us is a very touching scene. This family has hurt one another incredibly. Joseph’s story is one of the rich time honored stories that has been retold many times in life of the church. In recent years, an animated film about Joseph’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15

Denomination: Methodist