Sermons on The Older Brother:

El Roi: Making Sense Of God Seeing Us

Contributed by Jessica Linde on Jul 21, 2025

By looking at the story of Hagar and how she gives God the name El Roi ("God who sees"), this sermon’s ultimate goal is to highlight that God being able to see us is not an indication of Him wanting to surveil us; rather, it's an indication of His boundless compassion and mercy on us.

Who here has ever read George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984? Or maybe seen the movie version of it with John Hurt…? Right, so for those of you who may not know (or need a refresher), Orwell published his work 1984 in the year 1949, and it’s really a speculation (perhaps a warning) of what the year ...read more

One

Contributed by David Mcbeath on Nov 23, 2011

One with Others: Love Them One with God: Love Him Unity and Love

Series: None Message: One Text: John 17:20-26 Date: Nov. 6, 2011 Pastor: David McBeath PRAYER INTRODUCTION—STEVE JOB’s VISION Anybody here this morning own an Apple product, an Ipod, Ipad, Itouch, Iphone, or a Mac? If you don’t most of you own technology originally ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

I Want The Church To Grow - But Do I Want Any More People? , #7 Series

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Feb 19, 2003

I want the church to grow because God desires that it grows but I may not want any of my family members who will take the spotlight away from me.

I received this idea from my mentor Jerrie Barber. I Want the Church to Grow – But Do I Want Anymore People #7 Philippians 2:1-8 For the last six weeks we have been looking at Church growth and some of the things that we do to sabotage that growth. I still believe that everyone here tonight ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

(When God Shows You Favor)

Contributed by Derrick White Sr on May 11, 2017

Joseph's brothers hated him because their father favored him. In fact, Joseph's father loved him so much that he had a coat of many colors custom tailored made just for him. The brothers were so angry and jealous

Genesis 39:1-6 (KJV) 1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness Is A Choice

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 9, 2022

Joseph had to choose to forgive his brothers. He saw God's sovereignty in the betrayal, he saw the same nature was in him and he tested their hearts with his brother. He forgave and never brought up the subject again.

FORGIVENESS IS A CHOICE Gen. 45:1-8 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: sometimes it’s better not to know so much 1. In France, in the 1790’s, a priest, a lawyer and an engineer were arrested & about to be guillotined. The priest put his head on the block, they pulled the rope and nothing happened. He ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

U - Ndergo Nonjudgmental Therapy (Part 7) Series

Contributed by Jeff Christopherson on Dec 23, 2004

Experience a faith that is respectful of others.

Undergo Nonjudgmental Therapy Series, “Being Spiritual without being Religious” – Part 7 Pastor Jeff Christopherson October 31, 2004 Start with Authenticity… Preserve my Personality… Investigate the Ground Zero of Faith… Recognize my Net Worth… Invest Myself… Take Sanctuary… Undergo ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-31

Denomination: Baptist

Welcome Home

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 16, 2006

Jesus told three parables about lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. The stories highlight the truth that missing people matter to God. God places tremendous value on every individual. All heaven rejoices when one person repents and turns to God.

“Welcome Home” Luke 15:11-27 Those of you who have had or currently have sons can closely identify with the story Jesus told about a rebellious son. The rebellious son was the teenager and the other son was obedient and probably in his twenties. In Luke chapter 15 Luke records that Jesus made ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-27

Denomination: Free Methodist

Oh, To Be Rich

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Aug 9, 2007

Man thinks of worldly riches but God thinks of heavenly riches.

Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me” (v. 13). People were always following Jesus; perhaps out of curiosity, perhaps they really believed in what he said, perhaps they were looking for a miracle or healing to take place, or for other ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Christian Church

Careful, Don’t Lose Your Empathy!

Contributed by Pastor Sam Georgis on Jan 15, 2023

People today are so unempathetic that we see people in trouble, we see people in distress, and we are so self-absorbed…so self-centered that all we care about is me, my and mine! but Jesus purchased us with His blood to be our Brother’s Keeper!

Open your bibles with me to Luke at chapter number 10 commencing in verse 25 through verse 37. Thank you, you may be seated. The grass withers and the flower fades but the word of our God shall stand forever! I want to talk this morning about the danger of losing our empathy …empathy is our ability ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-36

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gracious Father

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 22, 2015

Fathers are to protect their children from dangers, train, exemplify, and urge them to follow Jesus — but they must eventually release them and allow them to choose or not choose to follow Jesus.

The Gracious Father (Luke 15:11-32) 1. Marylu and I had a great time visiting Hannah and Clayton in Virginia, near DC. 2. They extended the Metro train station to about a mile from their condo, so Marylu walked to head for the National Gallery of Art in the mall in D.C. 3. The Metro station is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Better Sacrifice ! Part 2 Series

Contributed by Stephen Wright on Oct 13, 2007

Christ was our perfect, costly sacrifice.

Today we are going to look at the Sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, but we will also be touching on the sacrifice that Christian’s are expected to make as we follow Jesus. Sometimes we need to be willing to lose our own life on behalf of another. Sometimes that is the only way to go on living and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Church Anyone Can Come To

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 6, 2006

A sermon on how to be a church where anyone can come to. Points are based on the episode of the woman caught in adultery. (Title came from Barry McMurtrie; Outline came from Greg Nettle)

Sermon for 11/5/2006 John 8:1-11 A Church Anyone Can Come To Introduction: To paraphrase from his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis says, If anyone thinks that Christians regard sexual sin as the supreme evil, he is quite wrong. The sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of all ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Compassionate Father Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jun 18, 2020

Why Father was silent when he heard his younger SON demanded dividends? Why Father parted his property with his younger son knowing that he is going to leave him and live according to his plan? These questions are related to the foreknowledge of God.

Theme: Compassionate Father Text: Luke 15:11-32 The Lord is good! His love endures forever!! I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is an immense joy for us to meditate the Word of God Sundays after Sundays. The topic for this Sunday meditation is “A Compassionate ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Methodist

Parable Of The Vineyard Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Oct 18, 2022

11th hour faith gets the same retirement plan as the ones saved for decades.

That’s Not Fair! Matthew 20:1-16 Chenoa Baptist Church Pastor Jefferson M. Williams 10-09-2022 That’s not Fair If you have children, or ever worked with children, you have heard the following three words again and again - it’s not fair! It’s not fair that my sister gets to stay up later ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Lost Son - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 21, 2015

The parable of the lost younger son in Luke 15:11-16 teaches us about the consequences of sin.

Scripture We are studying chapter 15 in The Gospel of Luke. It is a marvelous chapter as Jesus explained the good news of salvation in the parable of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son. William Barclay says, “There is no chapter of the New Testament so well known and so dearly loved as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed