Sermons on Thinking Ahead:

Roots

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jan 5, 2010

Counteract lies with God’s truth that we are loved by Him and that His love is powerful.

Intro: I used to always identify with the first snowman. Part of my personality is idealistic, sees the good, believes that things can improve, people can change, and greater things are ahead. But this year, for a number of reasons yet un-examined within me, I feel more like I’m in the second ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

Encountering Jesus (4) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 11, 2019

In Luke 19, Zacchaeus encounters Jesus. Zacchaeus may have been a wee little man, but he was more than a little charged, charitable, and changed by Jesus.

Encountering Jesus (4) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 1/25/2015 How many of you remember the story of Zacchaeus? Of course, you remember. Anyone who hears his story never forgets. Zacchaeus is one of those memorable Bible characters we learn about in Sunday School. In fact, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church

Spring Forward - Living Intentionally For Christ

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Mar 9, 2012

We have the promise of eternal life while we live intentionally for God today.

March 11, 2012 Morning Worship Text: Philippians 3:12-21 Subject: Looking to Eternity Title: Spring Forward – Living the Intentional Christian Life We had a great night with our youth on Thursday evening. It was so good that I really felt the Lord telling me that I needed to continue with ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Welcome The King Of Glory!

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Nov 17, 2025

As we begin another Advent season let’s turn our thoughts to a portion of God’s Word that will guide us in our preparation for Christmas. Psalm 24 will also provide us with correct expectations for our celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Preparation. Expectation. From today until the “big day” in December those are the two things most of us will be experiencing. If we are adults, we will probably put some time into preparing for Christmas. Maybe we have already invested a few hours in the upcoming holiday. Many of us did that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Putting Things Before God

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 15, 2023

Jesus was tempted to exalt Himself in a way that was not right. Today we're going to talk a little bit about exalting ourselves above God or putting something else before God.

If you don't toot your own horn, who will? Have you ever heard that before? Let's face it, we really enjoy those moments when good things happen to us. We feel good when we've accomplished something. And with those good experiences, we naturally want to tell others about it. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:8-11, Deuteronomy 6:10-15

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Really Want God To Do? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 30, 2010

Often we pray for God to act, but what do we really want God to do? Do we pretend to want change when really we want to stay as we are? A challenging message at one of our special healing services.

A man was driving along a road one day when he saw a three-legged chicken. He was amazed enough to drive along side it for a while, and as he was driving, he noticed the chicken was running at 20 mph. “WOW Pretty fast chicken,” he thought, “I wonder just how fast it can run.” So he sped up, and ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Have Circled This Mountain Long Enough!

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 18, 2002

Coming to Mt. Seir, Israel covetously circled the mountain, desiring to intimidate the inhabitants causing them to flee...hence God’s admonition.

“YOU HAVE CIRCLED THIS MOUNTAIN LONG ENOUGH” “Then we turned and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and circled Mount Seir for many days. And the Lord spoke to me, saying, ‘You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.” Deuteronomy ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Pressing On When The Pressure's On Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 18, 2025

You will never coast into Christlikeness because spiritual growth is intentional, not automatic.

Pressing on When the Pressure’s On Philippians 3:12-4:1 Rev. Brian Bill March 15-16, 2025 A little over a year ago, I celebrated how God is using Pastor Ed Hedding from Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bettendorf. He’s a man on mission with a genuine love for the lost in our community. One of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Number One? Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jan 31, 2003

Commandment number 2

INTRODUCTION • Priorities. In the hustle and bustle of life it is sometimes difficult to keep our priorities in the right order. • Most of us live a pretty fast paced life. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of making a living and raising a family that we can very easily forget ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Counting The Cost Of Discipleship

Contributed by Stephen Boldin on Nov 2, 2006

We tend to forget the cost of Discipleship and this is a reminder of what Christ expets of us to follow Him

Now, I don’t endorse his political objectives, but I have always admired one thing about Jesse Jackson B his slogan "Keep your eyes on the prize," which he used during his unsuccessful run for the Democratic Party’s nomination for president of the United States in 1988. I mention this because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19

Denomination: Baptist

Palm Sunday

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Apr 12, 2011

The key to understanding how the crowds turned on Jesus between Palm Sunday and Good Friday is found in the ownership of the donkey

TAS / WSM 17-04-2011 Palm Sunday 2011 This morning’s Gospel reading is the beginning of one of the most momentous weeks in Antiquity – in AD 29. Indeed one of the most important weeks in history. We know the story so well that it is hard to find something new to say. So I would like to ask ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Christ Is Our Perfect Sacrifice

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Apr 25, 2011

LENT 5 - God's Son, Jesus Christ, is our perfect Sacrifice. More than just the outside Jesus cleanses even the inside of mankind.

CHRIST IS OUR PERFECT SACRIFICE (Outline) April 10, 2011 - Lent 5 - HEBREWS 9:11-14 INTRO: What is important in your life? What do you consider as the most valuable to you at this time? In our youth the little things held our attention. Pets, bikes, and good grades seemed to be the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Letting The Gospel Shine Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 25, 2011

1st Corinthians 11 is one of the most controversial and misunderstood sections of Paul's writings. We'll explore it using culture, context, character, and language to find out what Paul is and is not saying to the Corinthians and to us today.

The first thing to know about this section is that it is not about marriage or the role of women in the church. It is about having respect in worship for each other within our culture. Just prior, Paul was telling us to have respect for the conscience of others who are weak in terms of the freedoms ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

I, Too, Must Die!

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 10, 2017

In this Scripture Jesus confirms that He IS the Christ, the He must die and that He will rise again. Also in this Scripture we see that we must believe Jesus is the Christ, that we must die and be raised; raised to eternal life or eternal death.

Mark 8:27-38 (Please open your Bibles so you can read along) Today we will start following Jesus down the road to the cross and then finally to the resurrection. This, of course, is not something we speak about only at this time of year. This great act of mercy and salvation is the pivotal event ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Nazarene

Does God Do Anything Exciting Anymore?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 26, 2018

The shepherds were excited to go see the baby Jesus. Have we lost our enthusiasm for what God is doing in the world?

COULDN'T WAIT: The shepherds were eager to go see what God was doing. - Luke 2:15-16. - Consider for a moment the eagerness, curiosity, and enthusiasm of the shepherds. They’re genuinely excited to go look into what God is doing. - They were deeply affected by the good news. - I want to talk ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18

Denomination: Baptist