Sermons on The Soil With Thorns:

Participation In The Process Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

Since we are God’s method, we need to be aware of God’s process. Sometimes He uses us to cultivate the soil of people’s lives. Other times, we have the opportunity to sow by sharing the gospel message. And, on occasion, we have the privilege of partici

Participating in the Process Rev. Brian Bill 2/18/01 I want to begin with a test this morning. Q: Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on earth? A: Mount Everest, it just hadn’t been discovered. Q: A child is born in Boston to parents who were both born in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Plough Ahead!

Contributed by David Zachrich on Jun 7, 2022

In his senior year of high school, my father, Ron Zachrich, was elected president of the Future Farmers of America club at Napoleon High School. It was Dad’s fondest wish to become a farmer. He understood tractors, soils, seeds, and best practices. He loved the work and especially the harvest.

Luke 9:51-62 “Plough Ahead!” Friends in Christ, In his senior year of high school, my father, Ron Zachrich, was elected president of the Future Farmers of America club at Napoleon High School. Since he was raised on a farm by his German immigrant grandparents, it was Dad’s fondest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Lutheran

Increase Our Faith

Contributed by Sunitha Justin on Jul 8, 2019

Whether it’s deep-rooted habits in your life that refuses to move, whether is mountain-like problems that your facing that you cannot move or you are having a challenge so great like planting something where there is no soil, God says, your faith is enough to solve those problems.

There are several kinds of prayers that we find in the Bible. Long prayers, short prayers. three-word This afternoon I want to particularly turn your attention to one prayer that the disciples made. The prayer has profound significance. The prayer and the answer to that prayer probably impacted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5, Matthew 17:19, Matthew 17:20, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6, James 2:14-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

It’s Worth The Cost

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Sep 27, 2022

If we are truly going to be Jesus’ disciple, there will be a cost involved. And for those willing to make that sacrifice, God will be able to pour out His power and glory through that person.

Please turn with me to Luke 14. Sometimes when I say the word “Luke” I want to go all Star Wars! L-U-K-E. (Laughter) The more I spend time in the gospels, the more I see that what Jesus asks of us, He has already had to do Himself. When Jesus taught what He taught, He not only spoke from a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-33, Matthew 6:33, Mark 1:35, Luke 4:26, Daniel 3:8-18, John 19:30, Hebrews 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unanswered Prayer

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 7, 2024

What do we do when we have prayed and prayed for something with seemingly no results? Do we just keep repeating the prayer? Or is there a better way? In this message, we examine Jesus's teaching about prayer to discover answers to those questions.

Intro Unanswered prayer is an issue we all face at one time or another. What do we do when we have prayed and prayed about something, and seemingly there are no results? I have a couple of situations like that going on in my life right now. Some of you may be dealing with the same thing in your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Isaiah 56:7, Ephesians 2:1-10, Proverbs 9:10, Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 John 5:1-15, Matthew 5:23-24, Mark 14:38, 1 Peter 3:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Seated At The Table Of Brokenness

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 22, 2019

Is there purpose in my pain? Does God care when I hurt? By examining the life of the Apostle Paul, we can gain an eternal perspective of why God allows us to be broken by the trials of this life.

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: Baptist

Strength Training Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 28, 2010

How could my weakness be a good thing? Why would this truth be necessary for me to understand God’s will for my life?

OPEN: A work crew had been working at a construction site for about a week when the company hired a new man to replace a man who’d been hurt the day before. He was a broad-shouldered, powerful young man and was a good worker… but he was also annoying. He was always bragging that he was stronger ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Refining Fire Of Testing And Trials Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Oct 20, 2025

The Bible teaches us that trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of the Christian journey.

The Bible teaches us that trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of the Christian journey. It is through these challenges that our faith is tested, refined, and strengthened. As the Bible says, "God will test you with pain, with problems, with patience, struggles, hard days not when ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14, Daniel 6:1-28

An Unusual Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 5, 2010

Leviticus is probably the most "boring" book of the Bible (even Jesus doesn’t quote from it), but in it’s pages are some of the powerful stories of forgiveness you’ll read.

(This is the 2nd in a series dedicated to the most boring Scriptures in the Bible. At least… the things many people regard as boring) For some people, there’s nothing more boring than the tedious, almost unending regulations that God gave His people in Leviticus. In fact, when most people attempt ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 14:1-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Death Of Deliverance-1(2025)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 9, 2025

1 of 2. Mark related/described the chain of events surrounding Jesus’ death on the Cross. Certain events transpired in bringing about the death of Deliverance. BUT: ?What causes Deliverance to die? ?How does Deliverance die? 10 delusions ensuring the death of Deliverance.

The DEATH Of DELIVERANCE-I—Mark 15:1-25(15:1-47) *This 'bare-bones' sermon was delivered by 1)focusing on the historical aspects presented thru reading the verses themselves, 2)presenting the bare divisions, & 3)commenting from memory in the moment.* Need: To examine the historical ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-25, Mark 15:1-47

Denomination: Baptist

How Much Is It Worth? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 25, 2018

Freud once noted that people (with a few exceptions) were worthless. God said that we were worth the price of His Son. How much you think people are worth will determine who you agree with.

Several years ago this advertisement was placed in a New England are newspaper: "Unknown item for sale. We know it's valuable; we just don't know what it is. If you can identify it, we'll sell it for $250.” (Reader’s Digest 9/02 p. 145) Sometimes it’s hard to decide what something is worth. My ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Ultimate Christian Attainment: Union With God Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 19, 2024

We do not easily submit to all this burning up of dross within us. We do not want to be buried with Christ in his cross and alive with Christ in His resurrection. We naturally resist the death of self. Yet God helps us submit to the refiner's fire.

Many great saints I’ve known, even in the Salvation army, many are retiring now, and they say that when they retire, they are grateful that God did not show them the entire path all the ups and downs because they would not have been able to handle the thought of it. But step by step, along the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:7, John 6:63, 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Salvation Army

Tending Your Garden Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 16, 2012

God created man and planted a garden for him in Eden. What lessons can I learn about what God expects of me from what God did for Adam?

Someone once wrote a poem about their garden: "Our radishes are puny things; Our peas and beans are dying; And as for the potatoes, well, those things aren't even trying And that's the way our garden grows - I tell myself, "Who needs it?" But down inside, it hurts to have it bite the hand... ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Eternal Death That Sounds So Good

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Nov 25, 2019

Wrong doctrine can sound so good but, if believed, it can lead to the person missing heaven. In this message we see how this plays out in Genesis 3.

There are men and women of the cloth in our country, and countries across the world, who are starting to teach things that are different than what we find in Scripture. It may seem like all of these things that they are teaching is new, and some of that is true. Turn to John 16. We’re hearing ...read more

Scripture: John 16:13, Matthew 24:3-4, 2 Corinthians 11:1-3, Genesis 2:8-9, Genesis 2:15-17, Hebrews 9:23, Ezekiel 28:14, Genesis 3:1-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

27 The Book Of Galatians – Chapter 6:9-10 - Message 27 – Do Not Grow Weary In Doing Good To All - Especially To Fellow Believers Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 9, 2025

We study an essential truth here today. Paul stresses we are not to grow weary or lose heart in doing good to all, especially to fellow Christians. Perseverance and endurance are essential biblical words. We speak on sowing and reaping also.

27 THE BOOK OF GALATIANS – CHAPTER 6:9-10 - Message 27 – DO NOT GROW WEARY IN DOING GOOD TO ALL - ESPECIALLY TO FELLOW BELIEVERS Galatians chapter 6 is full of instructions for practical Christian living. They may look simple but they need a lot of help from God to perform correctly in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6, Galatians 6:9, Matthew 13:20-21, Matthew 13:5-6, Romans 10:17, 2 Timothy 4:10, Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11, Acts 15:37-39, John 4:37-38, Matthew 25:22-23, 2 Kings 5:13, 2 Kings 5:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Hebrews 12:1-3, Revelation 2:3, Galatians 6:10, Acts 2:44-45, 1 Corinthians 15:58, James 5:7-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational