Sermons on The Shepherd Goes Before:

The Goodness Trap

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 9, 2007

The goodness trap: 1- a human question 2- A human response 3- The divine way

INTRO.- ILL.- A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school take-home paper when the professor thought he would have some fun with the boy. "Young man," said the professor, "If you can tell ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

More And More Men And Women

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 6, 2007

What is it that brought these large numbers of people to the Lord? We find some answers in our text. 1- Fear of the Lord 2- Miracles of the Lord 3- Command of the Lord 4- Commitment of the people

INTRO.- ILL.- Jay Leno, popular host of The Tonight Show, may be one of America’s funniest comedians, but he is also a serious car enthusiast. His three garages near Burbank, CA, are packed with sports and special-interest cars, antiques and classics, and old motorcycles, etc. He hasn’t counted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Birth Of Christ

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 22, 2001

The birth is miraculous, the blessing is salvation, and the beauty is Christ.

The Birth of Christ Luke 2:1-14 INTRO.- ILL.- A boy said to his friend, "Does your baby brother talk yet?" His buddy replied, "He doesn’t have to. He gets everything he wants by yelling." Babies will be babies, won’t they? Babies come in all varieties, shapes, sizes and weights, but ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Feeding Five Thousand And Then Some

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 25, 2006

Our text reveals the difference of thinking in the disciples and the Lord.

INTRO.- When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. Crowds of people followed Jesus. That’s not surprising, considering what He did and how He ministered to the people. Have you ever ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's So Important About The Church?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 10, 2008

1- The church is a serving body 2- The church is a fortified body 3- The church is a growing body

INTRO.- ILL.- A little girl became restless as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?" I’m sure that’s probably how some people feel about most preachers and the church. "All they ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Those Who Love The Lord Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 28, 2013

If we love the Lord as we should what will happen to us? 1- God will guard our lives 2- God will shed light on us 3- God will bring joy to our hearts

INTRO.- ILL.- Knock, knock. Who’s there? Olive. Olive who? Olive love you too! Are you quick to say, “I love you” to anyone? It seems so natural to do this and especially, you’ve been raised in that realm of love. Is your love real? Is it genuine? Is it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 97:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shout For Joy Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jul 11, 2013

How should we respond to our great God? 1- We shout for joy 2- We worship with gladness 3- We know (or recognize) He is God

INTRO.- Shouting can be good but it also be bad. It depends on where you are shouting and to whom. ILL.- JACKIE KLEIN is a devoted mother of two little boys in the suburbs of Portland, Ore. She spends hours taking them to soccer and Cub Scouts. She reads child-development books. And she is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5, Colossians 2:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas: Why Jesus Came Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 15, 2012

Why did Jesus come to earth? Why did God send Jesus to earth? 1- To seek and save the lost 2- To serve and not be served 3- To destroy the devil’s work 4- To show us the Father

INTRO.- ILL.- On Christmas morning a woman told her husband, “I just dreamed that you gave me a beautiful diamond necklace. What do you think it means?” “You’ll know tonight,” he said. That evening just before opening presents, the husband came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A New Year Resolution Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 2, 2013

Paul’s writing to the Ephesians gives us some sound spiritual resolves for the next year. 1- Be more God-like 2- Shun the evil of this world 3- Use your time wisely

INTRO.- ILL.- Here’s what one guy wrote about a resolution he made: 1999: I will get my weight down below 180. 2000: I will watch my calories until I get below 190. 2001: I will follow my new diet religiously until I get below 200. 2002: I will try to develop a realistic attitude ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Born Of God Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 22, 2010

Being born of God means many things. 1- Being born of God requires belief in Jesus Christ 2- Being born of God surrenders in obedience to God 3- Being born of God gives victory over the world

INTRO.- ILL.- During the French Revolution, men were determined to abolish Christianity. One fine, clear night an atheist was loudly proclaiming his doctrine to a poor countryman. “Everything,” he said, “will be abolished—churches, Bibles, clergymen; yes, even the word ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Nobility Of You, The Nobility Of Me

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 17, 2008

1- We must receive the message 2- We must examine the scriptures 3- We must present the Word

INTRO.- The nobility of you and me. Nobility doesn’t sound like a big deal to us. Nobility sounds like someone who is royal, high and mighty, wealthy, great, powerful, or perhaps someone who is a celebrity. Do any of these adjectives fit you? Are there any celebrities here today? ILL.- When ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:10-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In His Mercy Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 6, 2009

1- In His mercy He has given us new birth 2- In His mercy He has given us an inheritance 3- In His mercy He has given us protection

INTRO. - ILL.- The story is told of a politician who, after receiving the proofs of a portrait, was very angry with the photographer. He stormed back to the photographer and said these angry words: "This picture does not do me justice!" The photographer replied, "Sir, with a face like yours, you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prepare For Action Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Apr 1, 2009

Our text speaks of preparation for living a successful Christian life. Prepare what? 1- Prepare your mind 2- Prepare your body 3- Prepare your heart

INTRO.- Prepare for action. Prepare for what? It could be anything. ILL.- A man said: One morning I went out to start my car to go to church. I had a flat tire. Luckily, I had a spare tire. I changed the tire quickly and was on my way. But I didn’t think to drop the spare off to be fixed. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Walk In This World

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Apr 4, 2011

In our text, God gives us some principles of our walk in this world. 1- Imitate God 2- Stay clean

INTRO.- Walk in the way of love, one version reads. What is your walk in this world? II Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” Occasionally, we need to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lost Matter

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Sep 9, 2022

In the heavenly realm all people matter.

The Lost Matter Luke 15:1-10 1. Jesus tells us in today’s reading about lost sheep and lost coin and a sinner • The brief parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin both illustrate Jesus’ mission to the lost. • Luke 19:10“… for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Methodist