Sermons on The Ultimate Gift:

Change Inevitable, Growth Optional

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 8, 2023

But our world seems bound to turn its back on God’s gift.

Fifteenth Sunday in Course (A) Originally 13 July 2008 edited 2023 “Farmers are the founders of human civilization,” said Daniel Webster. Farming and gardening are just the same the analogies chosen by the Lord to illustrate a profound truth about the loving mercy of our God. Moreover, if we pay ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Romans 8:18-23, Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65:10-13

Denomination: Catholic

Pentecost- Don’t Be "Holy Spirit Shy.”

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 11, 2022

The key is the realization that when the charis or gift of God is received, then the charismata should be in evidence.

To confirm is related to the word “firm” as in to strengthen and reinforce. God confirms our faith so we can withstand a certain amount of force, to stand in opposition to the falsehoods and challenges manifested by the devil, and more positively, to witness to the Gospel. e.g. Owen Phelps said ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Catholic

Advice For Comforters Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Nov 1, 2018

God grants us the joy of comforting someone. It is a gift of grace. Use it wisely.

15-year-old Douglas Maurer of Missouri had been feeling bad for several days. His temperature was ranging between 103 and 105 degrees, and he was suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. Finally, his mother took him to the hospital in St. Louis. Doctors diagnosed his symptoms as leukemia. They ...read more

Scripture: Job 28:1-28

Denomination: Other

Our Helper!

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Feb 18, 2013

The Holy Spirit is our helper, what a gift Jesus has given us.

John 14:25-26-“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 16:7-15-Nevertheless I tell you the truth. ...read more

Scripture: John 16:7-15

Denomination: Baptist

Sola Fide Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Mar 26, 2020

Salvation is a gift from God that we can only receive by faith in Jesus.

Sola Fide Text: Rom. 3:27-31 Introduction 1. Illustration: One of the most important events in both world and church history was the Protestant Reformation. People like Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox began to question the practices of the Roman Catholic Church and sought to bring reform ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:27-31

Denomination: Methodist

Lessons From The Movie "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 8, 2024

Is Christmas about decorations and gifts or about the love of God through Jesus Christ?

Lessons from the movie “The Grinch who stole Christmas” Luke 2:1-20 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 2:1 Now in those days a decree went out from aCaesar Augustus, that a census be taken of ball 1the inhabited earth. 2 1This was the first census taken while 2Quirinius was governor of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time- The Opening Up Of A Relational Space By Forgiveness.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 11, 2022

Forgiveness is a conditional gift offered that opens a relational space that expects a reciprocal response.

There used to be a sign in the Princeton University Book Store basement which said: "Love your enemies—it will drive them crazy." Clever but love of enemies and forgiving, commanded by Jesus in our Gospel this Sunday, is not hoping that the other person will change or trying to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Catholic

How To Persist In Our Faith Series

Contributed by Randy Hamel on Sep 29, 2008

sermon looks at Jesus as the ultimate mentor and how we can throw off distractions and unbelief that keep us off the purpose and Christian race that God has for us

HOW TO PERSIST IN OUR FAITH 50 Days of Faith Part 4 of 8 – Hebrews 12:1-3 Acknowledgement - Rick Warren We’re in this series “50- Days of Faith. The Bible tells us we have many mentors, witnesses who lived a life of faith. But the Bible tells us our ultimate witness and mentor is Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Romans 6:23: "a Badly Misunderstood Verse" Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 15, 2021

Romans 6:23 contrasts the ultimate fate of people who live as slaves to Sin, and those who live as slaves to God. The sermon reads 6:23 in the larger context of chapter 6.

When I was a teenager, my youth group taught me something called the Romans Road, which was designed as a tool to help me tell people the good news about Jesus. Romans 6:23 is part of the Romans Road. Let's start by just reading it, in the ESV: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

The Source Of Great Joy

Contributed by Brian Williams on Dec 17, 2023

Believers don't have to wait for everything to be good and perfect before we have joy because our ultimate source of joy comes from the Savior not the situation.

Today we are in our second week of this Advent season and will be looking at Luke 2:8-12. Here, Luke records the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. After He is born, the angels show up and share this good news of great joy to the humble shepherds in the field. Let’s look again at Luke 2:8-12: 8 And in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Talent"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Sep 9, 2004

We all have divinely endowed gifts for use in ministry. Is yours being multiplied, or buried?

Let’s begin today, just looking at some definitions so certain information can be established in your mind, to consider as we progress. Talent: 1. An ancient weight and money unit. The talent contained 60 minas of 60 0r 50 shekels each, but its estimated money value varied greatly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Orthodox

Temptation Avenue Series

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Oct 28, 2008

Temptation is not from God, who gives us good and perfect gifts and the resources to resist temptation

TEMPTATION AVENUE John 1:13-18 I think it is very clear that when we face trials, they are for are own good? Anybody question that? Because if you do, you will not face them the way God wants you to face them and the result is that you will never be the kind of mature Christian He wants you to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Why Speak In Parables Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Dec 4, 2025

The parables are more than storytelling devices to help people remember Jesus' teachings. The listener who pursues understanding will receive both healing and blessing, and ultimately come to know God.

I would like to open with an illustration by Lifeway author Christine Hoover. She tells of the time her husband, Kyle, used her in a sermon illustration and spoke of her inability to perfect a pecan pie. She testifies, “That particular Sunday, I was serving in the nursery, and as parents came to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17, Matthew 13:34-35

Denomination: Baptist

When Good Things Happen To Bad People Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 10, 2004

When unworthy people get good things, prayer helps us discover that we too do have good things, that the issue is not goods but our feelings, and that ultimately God is just and gracious.

There is, indeed, very little justice in the world. But that’s very old news. We established that last week. Last week we talked about that age-old problem of what you do what bad things happen to good people. We thought about how, when good people get into tough times, it just feels as though ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 5, 2021

The good news of Easter is that the power to conquer death is already available to those who will humble themselves to receive it as a gift.

For the man who has everything there is now a solar-powered headstone. John Dilks, a computer engineer for Western Electric designed this headstone with a recording device and a video display screen, which will display a biographical account and a computerized photograph. Dilks Creative Tombstone ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23