Sermons on Thinking Ahead:

Words Of Christmas

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 14, 2001

What do you think about when you think of Christmas? What words pop into your mind? Home? Family? Gifts? Crowds? Jesus? Food? Santa Claus? All of these, & more, I imagine!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2014) Why does Christmas seem to be so much more important than all the other holidays of the year? Why is so much attention given to Christmas? Mother's Day, Father's Day, 4th of July are important holidays, but put ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:37-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Samson And Delilah Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 10, 2007

Samson’s hair was the secret to his amazing strength. Think how much power our hair has even in today’s society. Think about the many ways we give away our power in life.

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES Bridgewater United Methodist Church—Pastor Don Hawks SAMSON AND DELILAH Judges 16:4-6, 16-20 INTRODUCTION: In the Bible story, Samson is famous for his________________. 3 LESSONS SAMSON TEACHES ON HOW NOT TO LIVE LIFE-- 1. Samson did not. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:4-20

Denomination: Methodist

Like A Shepherd Leads Us

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Nov 1, 2003

Ever think of why we don’t follow God’s leading? I don’t know about you, but I can think of at least 3 or 4 GREAT reasons not to follow God -- but are they good enough?

Psalm 23 has a very clear and comforting image of God leading us as a shepherd leads his flock. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Which is to say, Since the Lord is my leader, I will not need anything else. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Love The Commercialism Of Christmas--No Joke!

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 9, 2007

I don’t think any of us are really ready to give up the traditions of this holiday season. So why not think about what we love about this time of the year? (Based on an article by Rev. Thomas Shepherd) ________________________________________

How do you like this time of the year? Shopping center parking lots clogged with car headlights like a starry night sky in the country. Mindless, but welcoming music drifting over hordes of harried, hopeful, hesitantly happy holiday hunters. Shop ’til you’re top-heavy, arms full of packages, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

What Is Faith? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 2, 2012

What is the real nature of faith? We often think it is blind trust in Jesus to give us what we ask for. In reality faith means a transformation of how you think of life, needs, and your relationship with Jesus.

In this portion of Chapters 7 and 8 Jesus puts His men into several situations to show them what it means to rely on Jesus. Sadly, they don’t get it, but it gives us some great direction on how to trust Jesus in our lives. We leave a situation where Jesus encountered the Pharisees who thought ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Gospel Of Christ Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Mar 30, 2016

What do you think the cross is about? Why do we think Jesus died? We must answer that question. It is the cross that tells us that we are not playing a game of religion. It is the cross that tells us that the stakes are real.

7/21/13 The Gospel of Christ 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 D. Marion Clark Introduction We have spent two Sundays exploring the gospel of man in its two forms. There is the gospel of law-keeping, which tells us that if we do our part in meeting the requirements of God, he will do his part in accepting ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Please Don't Feed The Fears

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Aug 8, 2016

A sound mind is very essential and important in living the Christian life. RIGHT THINKING LEADS TO CORRECT LIVING. The heart refers to our Emotions and Feelings whereas the mind refers to our Thoughts, Thinking, Imaginations, Comprehension and Logical Reasoning.

TITLE: PLEASE, DON’T FEED THE FEARS SCRIPTURE: II TIMOTHY 1:7 I don’t know how you feel about this Political Environment but it is beginning to wear on me. It seems as though there is something new going on and addressed in the media on a daily basis. To be honest I can’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Birthdays Are Special (Pentecost)

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on May 18, 2018

Pentecost is the birthday of the church...some may think Christmas should be, others think that Good Friday maybe a good day...(some thoughts from Rev. Ken Klaas) A brief intro to Pentecost and the work of the Holy Spirit

In Jesus Holy Name May 20, 2018 Text: Acts 1:8 Pentecost “Birthdays Are Special” This past weekend while Colleen and I were at the California Nevada Hawaii District convention we had a special dinner with our son’s family. It was our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

Experiencing God's Glory Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Oct 31, 2022

What do you think would happen to you when you experience God's glory? How do you think your life will be radically changed once you grasp the glory of His grace?

Last week, we spoke about “Following the King” from John 12:12-26. We spoke about Christ’s triumphal entry into our hearts, but then we spoke about going beyond simply thanking and worshiping Him for all He has done to taking steps of faith to follow Him. Following Jesus means no longer following ...read more

Scripture: John 12:27-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are The Meek Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 1, 2022

I think that when it comes to meekness, it’s not something that many of us desire, OR – for that matter even think about all that much....when is the last time that you prayed for meekness? Have you ever prayed for meekness?

Blessed Are The Meek Matthew 5:5 OKAY MGCC - welcome to week 10 in our series on Matthew’s Gospel “the King and His Kingdom.” NOW WE - are currently at the beginning of Jesus’ sermon on the Mount, specifically the Beatitudes, the blessed are you… who. (btw the word Beatitudes comes from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Even The Dogs Qualify

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 3, 2019

I would like for you to think with on the subject, “Even the dogs qualify.” Think of a dog as the lease likely person, in the worst position, at the most inappropriate time, who discovers the power of faith. Faith in God is a qualifier that cannot be ignored.

Subject: Even the Dogs Qualify Matthew 15:21-29 Introduction: The Scriptures refer to four seasons during Jesus’ earthly ministry where He sought solitude and rest. No matter how gifted or anointed we are, we all need rest. We all need places to be refreshed. The unusual story of our lesson occurs ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-29

Denomination: Methodist

The Man With The Pitcher, Not The Picture, Just The Pitcher Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 14, 2022

Guidance can be difficult and we may struggle with it. God often send to us the man with a pitcher. We don't have much of a picture of what lies ahead, but the Lord is there. Just take note of the man with a pitcher.

THE MAN WITH THE PITCHER, NOT THE PICTURE, JUST THE PITCHER [1]. THE MESSAGE FROM PILGRIM’S PROGRESS Who has read Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan? I love that book. Many decades ago, and all through the 1800s etc., nearly everyone read Pilgrim’s Progress, even non-Christians. Sometimes in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18-21, 1 Kings 17:2-9, Mark 14:13-17, Psalm 119:105, Acts 1:4-8, Mark 6:44-45, Acts 10:19, 1 Corinthians 13:10-12, John 16:13, John 15:26, 2 Peter 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Survive Family Flaws - The Ultimate Guide To The Perfect Family Series

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Mar 10, 2020

Let me tell you about a man with lots of flaws who managed to survive! He lived his life deceiving others around him. He was always looking to get ahead, even if that meant that he had to trick others.

Let me tell you about a man with lots of flaws who managed to survive! This man lived his life deceiving others around him. He was always looking to get ahead, even if that meant that he had to trick others. One time, he tricked his brother into giving him all of his inheritance. Another time, he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:7, Hebrews 11:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Faith Requires: Belief Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Feb 1, 2020

Christians are called to live a life of faith. When we have faith in Jesus Christ we are saying that we trust Him, that our life belongs to Him, and that we may not know what lies ahead, but we know that He is there.

WHAT FAITH REQUIRES: BELIEF Mark 5:21-43 Introduction Christians are called to live a life of faith. When we have faith in Jesus Christ we are saying that we trust Him, that our life belongs to Him, and that we may not know what lies ahead, but we know that He is there. As we journey through ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Reunion Of Saints

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 7, 2016

On All Saints Day, we join in a family celebration made possible by our Triune God. All Saints Day is not a day of mourning the dead, but a day of celebrating the life we have in Christ, and a chance to look ahead at the joys before us!

Some kids were outside at recess playing on the school playground, as kids do. And, as kids do, they began teasing one another. But the thing is, kids, you know, when they’re teasing, don’t always have a good understanding of how far is too far. And so, these kids start to pick ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran