Sermons on The Soil With Thorns:

God Encounters: Ezekiel (Religious Experience Vs. Religious Action) Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 24, 2004

This is about Ezekiel’s God encounter. It explores the difference between religious experience and religious action. Religious EXPERIENCE means nothing without ACTION.

Read Ezekiel 1:4-3:15. This is a bizarre vision. Not all God encounters are alike. We see here two things: Religious Experience (ch. 1) and Religious Action (chs. 2 & 3). What is the difference between the two? * Religious Experience is… In chapter 1, we see Ezekiel’s strange religious ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Understanding Christ's Passion

Contributed by Lanny Carpenter on Apr 1, 2004

A look at the passion of Christ and how it is to be understood.

UNDERSTANDING CHRIST’S PASSION ISAIAH 52:13 – 53:12 INTRO: Centuries ago on the south coast of China, high on a hill overlooking harbor of Macao, Portugese settlers built an enormous cathedral. 1. Believed it would weather time, so placed a massive bronze cross as its centerpiece. 2. Mot too ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Prayer Of Jabez

Contributed by Arliss Beavers on May 12, 2008

One man who prays a prayer totally according to God’s will, and he has learned to leave selfishness out of his prayer.

5-12-08 The Prayer of Jabez 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 Jabez prayer gets answered Before we get to this verse there are other verses concerning getting prepared for ministry. Such as: 1.Lord, enlarge my heart Psalms 119:32 2.Present your bodies a living sacrifice, which is your reasonable service ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Church Of God

Big Shots? Really? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 23, 2017

No matter who we think we are, we are ultimately helpless, blubbering fools without God’s backing.

Big Shots? Really? (2 Kings 4:1-44) 1. A young businessman had just started his own firm. He rented a beautiful office and had it furnished with antiques. Sitting there, he saw a man come into the outer office. Wishing to appear the hot shot, the businessman picked up the phone and started ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Something Is Happening

Contributed by Richard Stevens on Feb 24, 2017

Easter

Introduction My Sister-In-Law gave me a set of books called the Mitford Series (10 books) Written by Jan Karon Jan Karon lives in Banner Elk and Mitford sounds a lot like Banner Elk. Tim Kavanaugh – brought up Baptist but now an Episcopal Priest (very biblical). The Turkey Club meets at the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Luke 27:27-54, John 20:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Discovering Christ In Exodus Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jun 15, 2013

Grace is God’s freely given, unmerited favor toward the sinful and failing, the expression of – forgiving, redeeming, restoring love toward the unworthy.

Exodus “Going Out” - Gen. ends with the death of Joseph and buried - To Moses - 430 yrs. – Ex 12:40-41 - Jacob went down to Egypt with 70 - POP time of Exodus – over 600,000 – Num 1:46 - Counting women & children = 3 million? - Type of the world in bondage to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fresh Start

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on Sep 16, 2012

Today at sunset (09/16/2012) starts Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" The first day of Tishri. It signifies a Fresh Start. We all need a "Fresh Start" from time-to-time.

Quotes: "The power of one man or one woman doing the right thing for the right reason, and at the right time, is the greatest influence in our society." ---Jack Kemp "Build upon strengths, and weaknesses will gradually take care of themselves." ---Joyce C. Lock "When faced with a challenge, look ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:8-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Turning The Facts Into Faith

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Jun 3, 2014

Just because it is a fact does not mean it has to stay that way.

Thank you Rev. Shane Giadrosich TURNING THE FACTS INTO FAITH TEXT GEN 17:15-17 Gen 17:15-17 15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:15-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

When We Suffer

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jul 18, 2013

Why Suffering & Pain? ...A. To Reveal Ourselves To Ourselves ...B. To Bring Us Closer To God ...C. To Show God’s Sovereignty

Rom 8:18 Philippians 1:29 (AV) 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 1. Hardening Steel - Iron coming from the earth - Harder than copper or bronze - Adding carbon to iron in a fire changes its strength - Steel must be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18

Denomination: Baptist

Lifted

Contributed by Clarence Clough on Aug 25, 2013

Christ is now the Lifter up of His people because he was lifted on the cross. He was lifted from the grave. He was lifted to the Throne in Heaven.

Title: LIFTED Text: Job 22:29 (KJV), "When [men] are cast down, then thou shalt say, [There is] lifting up; and he shall save the humble person." Truth: "When men act humbly, thou ...read more

Scripture: Job 22:29

Denomination: Church Of God

The Extravagant Giver

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Aug 19, 2014

1. You can’t out-give God 2. God will be no one’s debtor 3. He invites us to trust his Word 4. He challenges us to put him to the test

Extravagant - Expressing celebration - Lavish, Unrestrained - Spending much more than necessary Example Psalm 103:1–5 (AV) — 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Denomination: Baptist

The Curse Reversed Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jan 5, 2012

What makes Heaven great is not only what's there, but also what's not there! In order to fully understand what God has planned (in Eternity), we've got to understand what God had first planned (in Eden). The way it will be - will be the way it way origi

What makes Heaven great is not only what's there, but also what's not there! In order to fully understand what God has planned (in Eternity), we've got to understand what God had first planned (in Eden). The way it will be - will be the way it way originally intended. Revelation 22:3 is clear: ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Spiritual Rain Is Needed Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 8, 2010

Study of the book of Isaiah, Chapter 3-5. Continuing in Isaiah we see the continuing call (Chapter 3) for men to repent and return to the Lord while in Chapter 4 we see the beginning of hope that one day will come. Chapter 5 gives us strict instructions

A Spiritual Rain is Needed Isaiah 5:6 Introduction - We will take a small leap forward and discuss Isa 3 and 4, with 5 as focus - Chapter 3 continues with Isaiah speaking to the people to repent; change - Isaiah warns in Chapter 3 of impending judgment on Judah and Jerusalem - Consider the doom ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can Love Heal A Broken Heart?

Contributed by James Kirkland on Feb 14, 2011

The phrase “I Love You” will eventually bring up the response, “Why Do You Love Me”. Well now you can be on the spot. Why, Why, Why? What can I say, what should I say? Why do I love him or her?

Can Love Heal a Broken Heart? As you all know, it is Valentines time again. The candy makers have been working overtime, the florist have blisters on their fingers and band-aids on their hands from the rose thorns. And the greeting card printers have been producing hundreds of thousands of cards so ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Nazarene

Beyond The Turkey

Contributed by Chris Stevens on Dec 16, 2008

During this season of being thankful as Christians it goes beyond a table filled with food and turkey, making thanksgiving a part of our daily life.

The word thankful means to be glad or relieved about something, and to have a feeling or expressing of gratitude. How’s your thanksgiving this morning? How’s your joy? Is life weighing you down with worry? Doubt? Relationships in your life causing problems in your daily walk? You’re not ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ