Sermons on The Shepherd Goes Before:

Living Near The Light, But Not In It Series

Contributed by Mona Kartikasari Jonathan on Dec 29, 2025

Tonight, Christmas Eve is not about more decoration, more celebration, or more noise. It is about one honest question before God: Am I living in the true Light—or only close enough to feel its glow?

INTRODUCTION: CHRISTMAS, LIGHT, AND HONEST QUESTIONS Church, tonight we gather on Christmas Eve—a night filled with light and meaning. Wherever we go during this season, we see lights everywhere. Homes are decorated, streets are glowing, and Christmas trees are shining. We light candles and sing ...read more

Scripture: John 1:5-9

Grace Abuse?..is That Possible??

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jan 6, 2016

You can't fall from grace… You fall into Grace and you run in to Grace Grace is everywhere you are..before you even get there..

Grace abuse...Is that Possible?? Illus. From K. Edward Skidmore In a book called The Grace Awakening, Chuck Swindoll tells about a Missionary family who left their Work because of Condemnation from other Missionaries. What was the theological disagreement over? Peanut butter. You see, the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Office Of The Pastor

Contributed by Ed Warfield on Feb 29, 2008

Pastors are under attack today as never before. Many are overworked, underpaid, stressed-out & crumbling under the pressure of unrealistic expectations & constant crisis. Satan wants to destroy the church & he makes pastors special targets of his attack.

The Office of the Pastor Intro.: Pastors are under attack today as never before. Many are overworked, underpaid, stressed-out and crumbling under the pressure of unrealistic expectations and constant crisis of their flock. Many churches demand more of their pastors than any person could do. Many ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Charismatic

Blessings In Disguise

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 22, 2020

Sermon for the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving, thank God for all the things that He has done for you and given you ... and for all the things that He hasn’t done or given you.

The holiday season has once again rolled around and people are wondering where did the year go. It seems like Thanksgiving is over in most people’s minds. The stores are already filled with Christmas decorations, children and grandchildren are already making their lists and wondering what’s ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Marriage And Divorce Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 30, 2012

Divorce is a difficult subject to deal with, not merely because the issue is complex, but because divorce is so widespread and painful. We must consider it honestly before the Lord and examine our hearts in light of it.

Introduction Divorce is a difficult subject to deal with, not merely because the issue is complex, but because divorce is so widespread and painful. This is one subject I know that affects nearly everyone in any church. Some of you have divorced parents, some divorced children, or divorced ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Most Un-Fair Doctrine Known To Humanity

Contributed by Mark D. Stetler on Feb 24, 2009

The Fairness Doctrine? There is really nothing fair about it. It only goes so far. They won’t let us teach creation in the public schools. However, grace is really the most un-fair doctrine known to humanity. We get what we don’t deserve!

The Most Un-Fair Doctrine Known to Humanity Selected Passages First radio, now the Web-Internet? Media analysts and bloggers are warning that fresh efforts to bring back the so-called Fairness Doctrine could go too far, following a report that one prominent politician is looking into ways to apply ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Church Of God

"Survivor Or Overcomer?"

Contributed by David Henderson on Jun 25, 2017

What does it really mean to be a survivor? In our world today we talk about all kinds of survivors.... abuse, cancer and the list goes on. It’s a great thing to be a survivor but-I want to do more than just survive, I want to overcome.

Survivor or Overcomer? 1st John 5:1-6 Perhaps you’ve heard of the TV series called survivor. This program has aired 510 episodes and is now in its 34th season. When I read that this week my first thought was, that’s pretty remarkable because I’ve never seen a single episode. I don’t know about you ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Dabar: The Living Power Of God’s Word 1 Peter 1:24-25 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 31, 2024

The Hebrew word dabar reminds us that God’s Word is not static or limited. Dabar goes beyond mere sound or symbol; it represents a living, dynamic, and creative power that brings about change and reality. Dabar is spoken, and things happen - creation occurs, life unfolds, promises are fulfilled.

Dabar: The Living Power of God’s Word 1 Peter 1:24-25 (Understanding Dabar: The Power and Purpose of God's Word in the Hebrew Bible) 1 Peter 1:24-25 (NLT): “As the Scriptures say, ‘People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers, and the flower fades. But ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:24-25, Isaiah 40:6-8, Psalm 103:15-16, Psalm 33:9, Isaiah 55:11, Romans 10:17, Matthew 7:24-25, John 1:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Passion Of The Magi Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2008

Today, we look at the wise men. There is one thing which sets this God encounter apart from the others in the Nativity story. Mary, the shepherds and Joseph weren’t expecting or looking for anything special to happen in their lives. The Magi weren’t eithe

The Passion of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 Jeff Vanderhoof writes, Earlier this month I was privileged to fly to England with the incoming class of ordinands, the Bishop, and others from our Conference. It was an outstanding experience, one that I will treasure for years to come. Part of me expected ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

The Power Of Praise Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 22, 2015

Before Jesus comes again to conquer all of his enemies, all of heaven praises God, thus demonstrating the power of praise. So worship the Lord and win the war.

We live in a dangerous world today, so I thought you would appreciate Mark Moring’s advice on how to stay safe. After doing some “extensive research”, he suggests the following. Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20 percent of all fatal accidents. Do ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Shift, Part 2: Shift Your Attitude Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Oct 5, 2020

A popular song once said its changes in latitudes that result in changes in attitudes. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus showed his disciples exactly what that means.

Good morning! Please open your Bibles to John 13, as we continue our series called SHIFT. We are talking this month about areas in our personal lives as well as the life of our church where we might need to experience some shifts. Last week we talked about the need for our church to shift out of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

God And Our Suffering

Contributed by Philip Gill on Jan 8, 2003

A response to suffering is to follow a process found in psalm 22 (among others): Pour the situation before God, come to realization that God is with us, enter again into a relationship of praise.

God and Our Suffering When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Matthew 2.16 The murder of the innocents ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:7-16, Psalm 22:1-31

Denomination: Anglican

Introduction To The Book Of Titus Series

Contributed by Dr. Robert Crowder on Aug 29, 2022

Before the Apostle Paul wrote the epistle (letter) that bears the name of his trusted companion, many things happened that would be helpful to understand the “Who, What, When, Why, Where, and How” of the book.

Titus 1:1-3 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Being A Christmas Star Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Dec 17, 2017

The star of Betleham shown were all could see it. Christians are called to be like the Christmas star, sharing the light of Christmas before Christ's enemies, all their community and to all Kingdom seekers.

Being A Christmas Star Perhaps the best known symbol of this season is the star of Bethlehem. It is common for Christmas trees to be crowned with a star on the top, with lights which shine like stars wonderfully scattered all about. The star is often an important symbol of the Christmas ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Overlooked Question Of Jesus

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Nov 4, 2022

Belief in God is fading from all parts of society. The idea of faith is all but ignored. Jesus told us it would be this way before He returns. Is your faith in the Lord in the same shape as the world?

" Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8, NASB). This question should be a clear signal for anyone with "eyes to see" that any idea of some last minute "national revival", which many well-meaning brethren would like ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:8, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Romans 5:6-11

Denomination: Baptist