Sermons on Thick Darkness:

Trouble Tree

Contributed by Chris Surber on Sep 19, 2002

Message about finishing the race and pressing on inspite of our falures and the times when we struggle in our life.

“Trouble Tree” Introduction: Philippians 4:11-13 Illustration: I heard a story of a man named John who hired a plumber to help him restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13, John 4:7-14

Denomination: Christian Church

2 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Dec 4, 2001

Jesus comes among us in our time and in our place.

2 Advent C Luke 3:1-6 10 December 2000 Rev. Roger Haugen This is a great text. The majesty of the writing, what would Christmas be without the Christmas text from Luke? "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus . . . ." All the names and dates. Historical details that make ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

2 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

John the Baptist declares, "It is time!"

This is a great text. The majesty of the writing -- what would Christmas be without the Christmas text from Luke? "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus . . . ." All the names and dates. Historical details that make the story come alive. The event, marked in time and place -- in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Cutting Out The Dead Wood. Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

Those who are more than survivors stay alert to self-dimishint compromises

In the back of our lot is an old tree. I’ve been told by more than one person here how it was a playground for them as they grew up in these neighborhoods. For a couple of years I wasn’t sure what type of tree it was. In fact, it wasn’t we built a tree house, of sorts, that I found out it was in ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Maundy Thursday: Even If He Does Not

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Apr 3, 2007

Maundy Thursday. Short, to the point: Even though God does not intervine, though he can, He is Lord, He is God, He is our salvation. I also in context of the events that happend that nigh in addition to ps 27.

Psa. 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? These words had to be going through Jesus’ mind on this night; On this cold, dark, long and desperate night. This couldn’t have been easy for our Lord Jesus. Now ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Beyond The Veil: The Ark Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 26, 2008

We are ready to enter the Holy of Holies. But wait, for the Bible indicates we face certain death unless we are the High Priest, on that one day of the year. And look what’s inside! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

Beyond the Veil: The Ark Exodus 25:10-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BeyondVeilArk.html We are ready to go inside the veil into the Holy of Holies. But wait, for the Bible indicates we face certain death unless we are the High Priest, and it is that one day of the year. Fast forward to the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 25:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

He Will Be Your Peace

Contributed by Don Schultz on Jan 27, 2010

Jesus is your peace. Nothing else works.

HE WILL BE THEIR PEACE When will everything be OK? Have you ever asked yourself that question? You’re sitting on the couch, watching the news. You see that the economy has gotten a lot of attention lately. Banks are getting bailed out. Car makers are begging to get bailed out. So many ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5

Denomination: Lutheran

Work It Out: Turning Tough Times Into Personal Growth

Contributed by Mark Jobe on Sep 15, 2011

1) Start choosing an attitude of joy 2) Persevere so you can grow 3) Ask God for wisdom and he will give it 4) Don’t rely on your resources to get through 5) Remember there is reward and blessing in the end.

Which James? Author: There are several men named James mentioned in the New Testament (5), but reliable tradition assigns this book to the one called James the Just - the half-brother of Jesus. Jesus had brothers (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3), and brother of Jude (Jude 1:1), who led the church in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Isaiahs Challenge Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 17, 2015

Isaiah ends abruptly with a challenge: we must stay the course and not surrender our Biblical beliefs — even if those beliefs are not unpopular.

Isaiah’s Challenge (Isaiah 66:7-24) 1. A rich millionaire decides to throw a massive party for his 50th birthday, so during this party he grabs the microphone and he announces to his guests that down in the garden of his mansion he has a swimming pool with two great white sharks in it. 'I will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:7-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

(7) Jesus Wept Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 13, 2025

John 11 - At Lazarus’s tomb Jesus shows us that God enters our grief, but His voice at the grave and His resurrection promise assure us that He will come again to call His people to eternal life.

Introduction: A World in Mourning I have traveled the world and seen the weight and pain of death. I have stood by the Ganges River in Varanasi, where funeral pyres burn day and night, the air thick with smoke and ash. I have seen body parts drifting in the current, fragments of human lives ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26, John 11:43-44, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:52-55, Revelation 21:4, Ezekiel 18:20, Genesis 3:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

What Does It Mean To Grab Your Battle Rattle? Part 1 Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 7, 2022

When facing an enemy, we must be wearing the proper gear for battle.

You cannot stand against the enemy without your battle rattle. You must be wearing the whole armor of God. The battle is not a natural one, therefore natural weapons are ineffective. Spiritual battles are fought with spiritual weapons. The armor has a purpose, our responsibility is to put it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Exodus 19:1-15 The Holy Presence Of God

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 18, 2024

God is in the midst of His people. His holy presence comes with requirements of honor and reverence.

We are continuing through Exodus, our journey through Exodus. As you'll recall, this is the account of the Israelites being delivered from captivity in Egypt, but it's not really a story about the Egyptians, the Israelites, or Moses; it is a story about God. Today, we're going to be in ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thomas The Doubter Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 18, 2021

Thomas got tagged as the doubter because of his one experience. On this basis he gained a reputation as if he was a skeptic. The fact is we have as much evidence on record as we need to call him Thomas the dedicated defender.

Sometimes popular ideas about biblical characters are so accepted that one is compelled to go along with them almost as if they were inspired, but they are often arbitrary and superficial. No one ever calls John the Baptist John the doubter, yet his experience of doubt was far more serious than ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Holy Insomnia

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 4, 2023

God wants our major priority to be his kind of people even when he’s not looking.

This is a hard week for many of us here. I think all of you must have read of the murder-suicide that took place in our town just a week ago. By itself, it is one of the most tragic incidents to occur among our midst in quite a long time - certainly since I arrived. Two young men in their prime, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Narnia: Feeling The Icy Brip Of Evil Series

Contributed by Glenn Teal on Dec 10, 2005

Today we look at how C.S. Lewis used the symbols of evil -- Turkish Delight and the White Witch to remind us that evil is indeed real...

Feeling the Icy Grip of Evil CrossRoads Community Church Glenn H. Teal, Lead Pastor Sunday December 11, 2005 Why would anyone write a classic children’s fantasy tale and set the story in a lovely place called Narnia but then go and spoil it all by making it always winter there and never ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15

Denomination: Free Methodist