Sermons on Thinking Ahead:

Your Supreme Act Of Worship Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 30, 2014

Just as a caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, and just as a tadpole metamorphoses into a frog, God wants metamorphose each of us into a different kind of person who thinks differently and acts differently. Our job is to repent.

INTRODUCTION Open your Bibles, please to Romans 12. I’ve been preaching through the book of Romans, verse after verse, for a year and a half. In May, we took a four-week break to talk about families, and now we are back in Romans. We will go verse by verse through the rest of the book. It ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Have You Any Room Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 1, 2019

There was no room to be found for Mary and Joseph to stay in Bethlehem? Seriously? You'd think someone would have taken pity on a VERY pregnant woman that day, but no one did. Why not?

Several years ago, a church held a Christmas pageant with a group of 4 year-olds. Everything went along pretty well until Mary and Joseph “arrived” at the inn. The 4 year-old Joseph asked: “Do you have any room for us?”. “No,” replied the innkeeper, “the inn is full.” “But it’s so cold outside, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reflection B.1 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / How To Approach The Question

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

We should ask whether God has a purpose in coronavirus. It's a logical and reasonable question to ask. But we first need to think about how to even approach the question.

In my second Reflection I wrote: “Some Christians are asking why we’re experiencing this pandemic. Is coronavirus a judgement from God? Are we living in end times?” In my fifth Reflection I noted that the Daily Express [an English newspaper] had asked another question: “What does the Bible say ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Healing Grace

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Nov 17, 2017

This sermon looks at another aspect of God's grace, His healing grace, which comes by changing our thinking process. Because of God's grace we're acceptable, valuable, lovable, and forgivable.

God’s Healing Grace Psalm 147:3 If there’s one truism I have learned in my 64 years is that no one goes through this life without pain, hurt, and sorrow. Everyone has problems, hurts, and hidden wounds, emotions scars that we allow no one else to see. One of these hurts, wounds, and scars is ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

Nicodemus: The Scandal Of Grace

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Mar 12, 2017

The scandal of grace forces Nick to look for abundant life outside himself rather than within. Jesus challenges him to think outside the box; to allow God to regenerate him by his power.

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what belief, if any, was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Other

God Searches Our Hearts And Minds

Contributed by Bala Samson on Mar 19, 2013

There are men who think that God just watches only the daring and glaring sins but turns a blind eye to the others. Not so, let me very clearly point out that He watches all!

Psalms 7:9’Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.’ Some of the super-duper looters (government ministers) have said: ‘watch, I will come out clean.’ Well, we see umpteen of such cases ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 7:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Does Your Church Need You?

Contributed by Perry Anderson on Oct 6, 2013

We tend to think we go to church only to get, but in truth, we go to church to give. We don't go to church, we are the church and each member is valuable and needed.

Just as it takes every ligament to hold a physical body together, it takes each member in the body of Christ to do their part in order for the church to be strong and hold together. When each part functions the body grows and stays strong. When a part of the physical body fails to function or is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

My Enemy, My Friend Series

Contributed by Joe Tilton on Oct 7, 2013

What to do about disagreeable people! What did Jesus do? Must you think like me to receive my service to you? Does someone you hate need you?

My Enemy My Friend October 13, 2013 One afternoon a small boy was playing outdoors, using his mother’s broom as a horse, and he had a wonderful time until the sun went down. As he came in he left the broom on the back porch. His mother was cleaning the kitchen when she realized her broom ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: *other

Core 52 Week 24 - Our Calling And Election Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jun 14, 2020

Predestination. Election. Free will. These are some of the most hotly debated doctrines in the church. We think we have to be in one camp or the other. But is that true? Let's find out together.

You can listen to the audio of the sermon on my podcast at: https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Core 52 Week 24 - Our Calling • Threw away the rent check. Before you judge me, how many gift cards got thrown out at Christmas time in the wrapping paper at your house? • So easy to overlook or lose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:2-13, Matthew 22:14, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4, Acts 10:34, 1 Peter 1:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Strength Through Humility

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jul 7, 2014

The world thinks humility is pious weakness, whereas the bible says it is strength through submission, in fact true humility results in power, and honour and glory and majesty and strength. Who would not want that?

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Psalm 45: 11-18 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 “Please join me in my prayer.” Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength, and our redeemer. Amen. (Ps. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Episcopal

The Road To Emmaus

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on May 5, 2021

What did the two men on the road to Emmaus think about the resurrection? They had the opportunity to meet the risen Christ. Is it not interesting that Luke has two unknown men meet the risen Christ first?

The Road to Emmaus Luke 24:13-35 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 24:13 And behold, atwo of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was 1about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: United Methodist

A Prayer Of Praise Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

Our praise and adoration cannot exalt God objectively for He is already the highest and ultimate in majesty, but it does exalt Him subjectively by placing God in His rightful place in our lives and thinking

The point of interest in this passage is not the fact that Daniel and his friends prayed. This is neither unusual nor surprising under the circumstances. Their lives were at stake unless they had a direct revelation from God. One would be shocked if they did anything else but pray. One does not ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:19-23

Are You A Sower Of Discord

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Oct 28, 2020

God has called us to unity, but too many thinking they are sowing in His fields are actually tearing up the field causing malnutrition in the Body because there is no fruitful harvest only wasted seed.

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:16-19, Romans 15:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

A Vapor

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Dec 17, 2020

Even when we don't  say, “if the Lord's will,” but even if we don’t say it, we should think it!

James 4:13-Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14-whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Mind Lock Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Jan 22, 2021

The things Jesus said 2,000 years ago made people think he had lost his mind. If he were to speak to us today, would we feel differently?

Scripture Reading: Mark 3:20-21 Then he went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” Reflection Today’s passage is only two verses long, but is packed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational