Sermons on The Poor:

7 Woes On Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Why are we afraid to preach Matthew 23? Why does the Revised Common Lectionary leave it completely out? Are we afraid to let our churches know that we church leaders are weak, and fail, and also need to repent? Let's find out in Matthew 23.

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23. Hypocrisy Do we practice what we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Expect Persecution, Not Prosperity

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 13, 2022

You will be confused and doubting God when things fall apart if you are awaiting a golden age when God has promised persecution.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-13, John 15:18-20, 1 Peter 4:12-19, Philippians 1:29-30

Denomination: Baptist

Check Your Motive

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 11, 2018

Jesus contrasts the Teachers of the Law with the poor widow. In the former, we see people more interested in themselves than in God; hypocrites, pretending to be something they were not. In the latter, we see a lady who loved God authentically and completely.

Check Your Motive Mark 12:38-44 In March 2009 Bernie Madoff pled guilty to running the largest Ponzi scheme in history. Bernie’s last name is appropriate, because he literally “made off” with billions of dollars belonging to his investors. A Ponzi scheme is pretty simple in concept: you convince ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

The first step of a blessed life is the recognition that we are poor in spirit, that we have a deep need in our lives, a need caused by our sin. The second step is to mourn over our sin.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN Matthew 5:4 The first beatitude confronted us with our deep need. "Blessed are the poor in spirit." The first step towards God is the recognition that we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior. That idea is frowned upon by the world today. However it is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Mourning Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Dec 26, 2004

As much as being "poor in spirit" is diametrically opposed to the conventional wisdom of today’s culture, so to with the thought that happiness could be connected with mourning. If there is one thing that the world tries to avoid it is mourning. Everyth

Spiritual Mourning Matthew 5:4 #2 of 8 in series INTRODUCTION Last week we started a series of sermons on the Beatitudes of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We considered poorness of spirit and the role it plays in salvation. One must first realize that he is in sin before He can come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christian Charity

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Sep 29, 2007

Having the poor around us will be an unending condition for the world until Jesus comes back in glory to set up his kingdom. In the mean time what do we do about it?

The Rich Young Man 16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 18"Which ones?" the man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Downward Mobility Of Jesus Series

Contributed by David Smith on Sep 21, 2009

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although He was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich. “

I thought it was about time I began a sermon with a joke, and today’s passage did make me think of that story about the world’s leaders at prayer, asking God when their countries would repay their national debts. As the story goes, President Obama prays to God, asking when the US economy will ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Justice Versus Injustice Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 16, 2010

Jesus curses both the fig tree and teh temple for their fruitlessness. Rather than standing for justice and assisting the poor, the temple has sided with Roman Imperialism and in doing so has promoted injustice.

Mark 11:12-21 “Justice versus Injustice” INTRODUCTION What do you do if you do not reach a goal for which you were striving? Do you give up, try again, make a different goal, or do something else? What do you do if your children fail to live up to your expectations—your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Keys To Happiness

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Mar 20, 2010

It is the worldly who are poor, and it is believers who are rich. Our treasure is in heaven, and we should set our minds “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2)

Keys to Happiness 01/04/09 PM Reading: Psalms 37:1-11 Text: Hebrews 13:5-6 I was flipping channels the other night and I happened upon one of the many cable news outlets which was conducting an interview of someone who had suffered some amount of financial loss in one of the recently publicized ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Downward Mobility Of Jesus Series

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 5, 2009

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although He was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich. “

I thought it was about time I began a sermon with a joke, and today’s passage did make me think of that story about the world’s leaders at prayer, asking God when their countries would repay their national debts. As the story goes, President Obama prays to God, asking when the US economy will ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Entertaining Angels

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 4, 2016

Angels sometimes come in the guise of needy persons to test our compassion, greed, selfishness, and obedience to help the poor. We should be diligent to minister to those less fortunate: they might even be angels.

ENTERTAINING ANGELS Heb. 13:2 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: AN EMAIL FROM GOD 1. One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the evil that was going on. He decided to send an angel down to Earth to check it out. So he called one of His best angels and sent the angel to Earth for a time. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Church Under Pressure - Symrna Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 4, 2010

Afflicated and poor yet incredibly rich. The church would do well to look at what God calls rich and not hold to the world's opinion of riches. Even in the face of persecution, these Believers hold steadfast.

THE CHURCH UNDER PRESSURE – SMYRNA READING Rev 2:8-11 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Are You Going Up Or Down?

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 19, 2015

The rich man's sin was not his wealth, but his hard heart. Those who are rich have an obligation to help the poor. How we use what we have leads to God's judgment.

The Pope, Billy Graham and Oral Roberts all died on the same day and arrived at the Pearly Gates at the same time. St. Peter said to them, "I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is that we are full right now and I am going to have to send the three of you down to the devil. The good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Anglican

Matthew 6 – Part 7 – How Am I Expected To Live Without A Super Fund? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Feb 5, 2010

If on the one hand I am to believe that as many Christians do that I should not be rich, then why am I investing in a Superfund and why am I not in India right now caring for the poor.

Matthew 6 – Part 7 – HOW AM I EXPECTED TO LIVE WITHOUT A SUPER FUND? If on the one hand I am to believe that as many Christians do that I should not be rich, then why am I investing in a Superfund and why am I not in India right now caring for the poor, or even better - in Haiti? Why ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Six Informative Vineyards Of Scripture Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 19, 2022

From drunkenness in a vineyard, to murder by lust in a vineyard, and great failure in another vineyard; restitution in vineyards, and vineyards for the poor - these are considered in this message. Taking vineyards by greed, and abiding in the Vine in another vineyard - it is here.

SIX INFORMATIVE VINEYARDS OF SCRIPTURE VINEYARD NUMBER ONE:- THE VINEYARD OF HUMAN FAILURE {{Genesis 9:20-24 “Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard Gen 9:21 and he drank of the wine and became drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent. Gen 9:22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:20-24, Genesis 9:1-17, Isaiah 5:1-7, 1 Kings 21:1-16, James 1:14-15, Exodus 22:5, Leviticus 19:9-10, Nehemiah 5:1-7, John 15:1-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational