Sermons on Thinking Ahead:

Practical Principles For A New Year

Contributed by George Bannister on Jan 5, 2014

This sermon suggests some possible personal core values to guide individuals in daily living.

Practical Principles for a New Year Text: Philippians 3:7-21 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-21

Denomination: Baptist

Recognizing The Receptive Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 14, 2007

We are called to reach out those around us with the hope and message of the gospel.

Recognizing the Receptive Series: Spring Life - Identify Matthew 13:1-9, Luke 19:1-10 March 4, 2007 Morning Service This message was prepared using the Springlife materials supplied by the Wesleyan Headquarters. Introduction When I was young, we always planted a garden at my grandmother’s house. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Church Of God

A Donkey And God’s Correction

Contributed by Norman Bernad on Sep 27, 2022

A farmer who wanted to sell his donkey. A potential buyer showed up and looked the animal over. He asked if he could hitch him up to the wagon and see how he worked. The farmer did so and climbed up into the wagon with the customer handing him the reins.

1. Numbers 22:1-12 2. Numbers 22: 21-24 Psalm 141 Illustration A farmer who wanted to sell his donkey. A potential buyer showed up and looked the animal over. He asked if he could hitch him up to the wagon and see how he worked. The farmer did so and climbed up into the wagon with the customer ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:21-24, Numbers 22:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Prayer For God's Direction

Contributed by Tony Miano on Mar 10, 2001

We can use Jabez’s prayer like a compass...N-never ending favor; S-significant influence; E-enabling touch; W-wary of the enemy.

A Prayer For God’s Direction 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church March 11, 2001 Introduction: As some of you know, Mahria and I had the opportunity to go to a pastor/spouse retreat at the end of January. We spent a few days in Pismo Beach with other ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: *other

Pride And Prejudice Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jul 17, 2017

Jesus teaches humility and tells of future hardships but yet the disciples argue who's the greatest!

Let us continue to worship our God by continuing to learn from the Gospel of Mark; please open your Bibles to Mark 10…. We noted last week nothing is impossible with God but one must humble themselves before God. Look at v1 of Mark 10, a crowd of people came to Jesus, so Jesus taught them. In v5, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Independent/Bible

One Way We Accidentally Trip Up New Believers Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 14, 2018

The Christian life is challenging and one way we trip up new believers is by giving them false expectations about what the journey will be like. This passage details the difficulties Paul encountered and serves as a good summary of the struggles any believer may encounter.

HOW WOULD THEIR MINISTRY BE DISCREDITED? If their children in the faith didn’t continue the race. - 2 Corinthians 6:3b – “. . . so that our ministry will not be discredited.” - Paul talks elsewhere about his children in the faith being his joy. And certainly they were. Here we see another truth ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Ultimate Endgame Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Nobody’s perfect. The words are both true and of some comfort. But as Christ followers the Good News is far better. Jesus is perfect. and if we pursue him passionately, that rubs off on us in this life.

Introduction Billy Graham is now in his late 80’s and he suffers from Parkinson’s disease. His worldwide evangelism ministry has spanned more than sixty years. Awhile back, Billy was invited to speak at a luncheon in North Carolina. After many wonderful things were said about him, Billy stepped to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Taking The Risk

Contributed by Dwayne Brown, Phd on Jun 2, 2005

There are times in all of our lives when we must venture into the uncharted waters of life.

Taking the Risk Mt 14:28-32 Giving honor to God, our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ; who calls us together, that we may lift our voices and praise His holy name. To the Pastor, I thank you for affording me this opportunity to do what the Lord has called me to do. To the other preachers of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

Avoid The Pit-Falls

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Apr 10, 2022

Paul talks about pitfalls and how to move on from them.

Avoid the Pitfalls Philippians 3:4-14 1. Paul desires to Press on even during the pit falls of life • On the surface, Paul’s life looked pretty good. He writes about it in the first verses of this chapter:“...circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: Methodist

Wake Up

Contributed by Nate Barbour on Oct 25, 2006

Find out how to get over bad decisions in this wake up call!

Wake Up! How To Get Over Bad Decisions 4/13/05 I. Introduction Over the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about decision-making. The first week, I shared with you three keys to being confident in your decisions. Anybody remember the three keys? 1. Gather all the Info 2. Weigh the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Visionary View: What Happens When Your Focus Is On God Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 10, 2023

When our focus is on God, our lives are transformed. We become reflections of His glory, experience His peace, and find freedom from anxiety.

"Visionary View: What Happens When Your Focus is on God" Explore the transformative power of focusing our hearts and minds on our Heavenly Father. As always, we turn to the New Living Translation of the Bible. 1. The Power of Focus: Let's begin with a foundational truth from the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:25, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Joy And Pain

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Feb 14, 2024

How are your current trials (pain) preparing you for not only what you need today (or tomorrow), but what others may need today (or tomorrow) as well? This is a quick devotional that will encourage believers to "reframe" their pain.

Joy and Pain What do the words joy and pain mean to us as believers? How is it that these words go together? James 1 is a place to start in considering these questions. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3, Galatians 6:2, Romans 8:28

Why We Can Be An Optimist This 2017

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Jan 9, 2017

You can look pessimistically this New Year or you can look optimistically. We must choose to be optimistic. Our outlook will determine our ultimate destiny.

WHY I AM AN OPTIMIST THIS 2017 INTRODUCTION: Happy New Year to everyone. Welcome to 2017. A bright new year is ahead of us. I wonder if you have the same feeling or outlook in this year as I do. Many years ago, former President Reagan in his news conference at the start of the new year declared to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:27, Matthew 9:2

Denomination: Nazarene

Working Out Your Salvation Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 30, 2006

Considers the way godly living fits into the picture of our Christian lives and encourages us to hold each other accountable to be holy

1. Title: Working Out Your Salvation 2. Text: Hebrews 3 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd, fpr the series “Nothing Better Than The Best” 4. Objectives: -for the people to understand what it means to “work out your salvation”; to understand that the root of disobedience is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

16% Approval Rating Series

Contributed by E. True Neilson on Dec 15, 2014

At first glance the book of Numbers reads a bit like an operations manual. It’s got numbers of soldiers, lists of names, and a bit of repetition. Tucked between those lists and numbers are some stories of real people, dealing with real issues of faith!

BETWEEN THE NUMBERS 16% Approval Rating Numbers 12:1-16 INTRODUCTION -I am an Oregonian born and raised and so is my wife Laura. -When we were 17 we met working at TCBY in Gresham. -We went to youth group together which is usually a safe and appropriate dating practice for teenagers. (Hint, ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ