Sermons on The Shepherd Goes Before:

A Time Of Focus Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Nov 8, 2021

As the days get shorter, and the nights get colder, fall is a great time to look deep into our souls. It’s a time to delight in the details of beauty around us, reflect on where we have been, and focus on where we are going.

(Introduction) source: http://www.jokes4us.com/miscellaneousjokes/weatherjokes/falljokes.html What did the tree say to autumn? leaf me alone. What did one autumn leaf say to another? I'm falling for you. Fall is a time of transition. Transitioning weather from the warmth of summer to the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1-2, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 6:19-21, Psalm 96:10-11, Psalm 111:2-9, Proverbs 16:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Tale Of Two Sons--The Prodigal Sons

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Nov 9, 2021

We may travel different routes to control our future but both paths end with us needing God in our lives. The Parable of the two sons and a loving father.

A Tale Of Two Sons 11/7/2021 Psalm 14:1-7 Luke 15:1-32 Suppose for a moment that you could write all the rules for your own life. Nobody could tell you what to do. You were in complete control without having to be concerned with what God thinks. Do you think your life would be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-7, Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sarah Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 7, 2022

Sarah (originally named Sarai) was one of several Bible women in the Bible who were unable to have children. That proved doubly distressing for her because God had promised Abraham and Sarah they would have a son.

ABRAHAM AND SARAH Sarah Sarah, born Sarai, is a biblical matriarch and prophetess, a significant figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a pious woman, renowned for ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:7

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of A Healthy Church Pt. 1

Contributed by Rob Watts on Feb 20, 2023

The church is in a sad state. Barna research group says 1.2 million will leave their faith in 2023. 70% of kids will lose their faith in their freshman year of college. The data isn't pretty. Radical secularism is winning the souls of our youth.

• The church is in a sad state • Barna Research says: 1.2 million will leave their faith in 2023. 70% of kids will lose their faith in their freshman year of college. The data isn't pretty. Radical secularism is winning the souls of our youth. "To move from religion to secularism is not ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2

Spur One Another On Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 26, 2023

In this final "one another" from our "One Anothering" series, we explore what it means to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. One of the challenging sides of loving one another, is our duty to provoke and challenge each other to be all that God has called us to.

A. I want to begin by sharing some actual excuse notes sent by parents that were collected by the University of Texas and include the original spellings. 1. “My son is under a doctor’s care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.” 2. “Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25, Galatians 4:16, Proverbs 27:6, Proverbs 18:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Danger Of A Dollar Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 19, 2023

Message 10 in a series through James that helps us explore the relationship between faith and works in our lives. James was the half-brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem.

Three little girls are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first girl says, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.” The second girl says, “That’s nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6, Luke 12:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Danger Of Playing Church

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 13, 2023

We all have had the similar experience of having our taste buds seduced by a delicious meal.

But the moment we took one bite of that delicious food that looked so good, we immediately knew that one of the main ingredient that would have made this dish taste good, such as salt or pepper, was missing. There are some ingredients that can be omitted and it will ruin the whole dish. There ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

Helping Children Heal From Divorce

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

Marriage is the foundation from which a family is created. Children are born, and grow up in the gentle care and training provided by both mother and father.

Introduction Marriage is the foundation from which a family is created. Children are born, and grow up in the gentle care and training provided by both mother and father. Marriage is sacred, a decree of God himself when he said, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28, Proverbs 23:26, Matthew 19:6, Genesis 2:24, 1 Corinthians 7:10, Luke 16:18, Romans 7:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

God Wants To Bless You! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 13, 2021

God wants to bless you: 1. Through His promises of answered prayer (vs. 7-8). 2. Through the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father (vs. 9-11). 3. Through the goodness of His Golden Rule (vs. 12).

God Wants to Bless You! The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 7:7-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared May 13, 2021) MESSAGE: *What kind of a God is God? There are many great ways to answer this question, but tonight know this for sure: We have a God who wants to bless His people. God wants to bless us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Benefit In Pain Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 2, 2021

To find benefit in pain, do not fear people; fear and follow Christ.

Joanna Lerud of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, was standing up to leave a restaurant when she hit her head hard on a lamp hanging above the table. As she staggered away, she heard an older gentleman, who was sitting nearby, say, “It will feel better when it stops hurting.” (Joanna Lerud, Steamboat Rock, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22, Isaiah 8:12-13, Genesis 3:15, Mark 10:38, Jude 1:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Why Does God Allow Suffering? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

God’s plan for your happiness includes a design for even your distress.

This evening, I want to speak with you on this topic, “Why Does God Allow Suffering?” It’s important different religions answer this question in vary different ways. N. S. R. K. Ravi was born in 1953 in India into a family of wealth as they were in the second-highest caste, lower only than the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

How To Give God's Best To Others Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

God wants to change how you feel. God wants to change what you desire. God wants to change how you work. God wants to change how you act. God wants to change how you love.

Today, I am praying for two families with rebellious children. Children who are now adults and addicted to drugs. These families need hope. I am praying for Breenan, a little preemie baby at a Little Rock hospital. Breenan was born seven weeks too early. I am praying for young newlywed husband ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Searching For Home

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 18, 2022

For many people, life seems dissatisfying. They are actually searching for home; but our true home is in heaven. Until we reach heaven, Jesus is our home. This is the expanded version of a funeral sermon I did called "Looking for Home."

Some say, “Home is where the heart is.” What is home? John Ed Pearce, long-time writer for the Courier-Journal, stated, “Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to.” I’ve entitled our message this morning, “Searching for Home,” and I’m addressing this topic ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-16, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, John 14:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual People Don't Cause Divisions/Factions (1 Corinthians 3:1-23) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 28, 2022

Paul couldn't teach the Corinthians cool Spirit things because they were fleshly-- and still are. How should we view ourselves, and our leaders?

In chapter 3, Paul seems to be responding to a criticism made against him by the Corinthians. The Corinthians are upset with Paul, because there are Spiritual things that he didn't teach them. Instead, they apparently learned them from Apollos. Let's reread 2:12-14: (12) Now, we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

The One Appraising Us Is Christ (1 Corinthians 4:1-21) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 29, 2022

Don't boast; don't become proud. Be faithful servants, and don't pick apart Christians' motives. You can't see in their heads. Also, stop navel gazing.

Let's start today, by rereading 1 Corinthians 3:18-23: (18) No one must deceive himself: if anyone thinks wise to be among you this age, a fool he must become, in order he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world, foolishness with God it is. For it is written, "The One catching ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, 1 Corinthians 3:18-23