Sermons on Thinking:

Annas And Caiaphas: Stuck In Responsibility Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 20, 2010

We feel stuck in responsibilities, trying to maintain something just because we’ve inherited it, and are tempted to think of leadership as image. In a relationship to Christ, responsibility is transformed into freedom.

He was tired to the bone, but rose to go trim the wicks and boost the light again. How many times had he been to these lamps tonight? How many times had he wanted just to give it up and go to bed? How many times had he hoped that some magic answer would swoop in his open window and land on his ...read more

Scripture: John 18:12-32

Denomination: Baptist

A Mutual Assurance Company

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 23, 2010

In order to feel fully at home in the church, we begin with praying for one another, we learn both to receive and to give to one another, and we abandon top-down thinking.

Isn’t it astounding, the power of the group? Isn’t it amazing that an otherwise normal, there, healthy, together person can be in a group and feel so wrong? Have you ever been in a group that was sending out such negative vibes that you just wanted to get out of there? Somehow you even felt ashamed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Satan's War Against God's Creation I Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Feb 2, 2009

Having taken the scroll from the Father, the Lamb now begins to open the seals. As each seal is opened, (think of it as different chapters in a book) a new judgment comes upon the earth.

Part I Revelation 6:1-2; 12:1-2,6a Purpose: To show Satan’s true nature. Aim: I want the listener to see Satan as he really is and avoid his allurements. INTRODUCTION: Having taken the scroll from the Father, the Lamb now begins to open the seals. As each seal is opened, (think of it as ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Because Mama Says It Doesn't Make It Right"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Jul 12, 2009

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that adult Christian children are to pay attention to the advice of Christ-like parents and think twice about the guidance given by unbelieving parents.

12 July 2009 Pentecost Sunday U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fortress Chapel Contingency Operation Site (C.O.S.) Sykes Tall-afar, Iraq BIG IDEA: Adult Christian children are to pay attention to the advice of Christ-like parents and think twice about the guidance given by unbelieving ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:16-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Can I Ask God?

Contributed by Bledar Valca on Dec 24, 2008

Some people think that is wrong to ask God for troubles that come our way. While it is wrong to complain, this sermon argues that you can approch God with a right attitude to understand.

How Can I Ask God? Psalm 13 “If God is a God of love, how can He allow bad things to happen?” This is a question asked often by non-believers and believers alike. At times this is more likely an excuse rather than an honest question. Other times this is a heart-felt question. Children of God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Manna - Waking Up To Reality Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Apr 5, 2008

Getting through dry times, is not done by the use of your wits, your education, your determination, or the power of positive thinking. Getting through dry times requires a supernatural solution.

So, I get a call late one night, it is the sister of a good friend of mine – she never calls. There is a long pause after I answer. Then a little chit chat, then quickly comes the news: A childhood friend of mine, her sister, has just died of lung failure, she was only 38. I’m floored. I’m not sure ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living The Good Life

Contributed by George Mclaughlin Jr. on Nov 15, 2009

In Philippians 4:4-9 Paul gives us 5 tips for experiencing an authentic, satisfying Christian life, such as what we envision when we think of the Pilgrim fathers.

Intro. Tell of the old New England tradition of setting five kernels of corn on the plate, on Thanksgiving day and of Governor Bradford giving thanks to God when, one winter, times were lean. Five pointers towards an authentic Christian life. I. Set your sights on God, 4. A. The point is Rejoice ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Blind Spots

Contributed by John Vella on Feb 5, 2007

Most of us have blind spots, presumptions, ideas and perceptions that we don’t even think about changing. These blind spots are major roadblocks in our spiritual journey.

Seeds for Sowing, Vol. VI, Issue 2, No. 16 Fourth Sunday of Lent- Year A March 10, 2002 Readings: * 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 * Ephesians 5:8-14 * John 9:1-41 Blind Spots Helen Keller Someone once asked Helen Keller, who had been blind since the age of nineteen months, if blindness were the ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Catholic

Lessons From The Graveyard

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Nov 8, 2011

Lessons to learn as we think about death and the rest of our lives - am I ready and are those around me ready? What will I do with the rest of my days?

Tuesday was All Saints Day and therefore this Sunday is All Saints Sunday. I don’t know if you realized it. I remember how it was in Poland – a national holiday – one of the big ones. Mostly people spend the day with relatives, walk in the cemetery, clean the graves of family ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Is The Judge Unjust?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 19, 2011

Why does a just God delay justice? How can a loving God allow evil? Why do we think we can judge God by our standards?

Have you ever felt that God was just like the judge in Luke’s parable? Perhaps you have a problem, a need, a pain, a burning question; you bring it before God, and - nothing happens. You remember what Jesus said about persisting in prayer, so you go on battering at the heavenly gates - for ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

This Life...that Life

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Aug 3, 2010

We can live the new life in Christ by continually working at three changes: in our thinking (our minds), in our doing (our bodies), and in our being (our spirit).

THAT LIFE...THIS LIFE August 1, 2010 Colossians 3:1-17 (NRSV) 1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Prayer + Faith = Healing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

When should we pray for health? When should we confess our sins? James compels his readers to think about their relationship to one another as a cause of their discomfort.

JAMES 5:13-16a PRAYER + FAITH = HEALING “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is This? A Message For Palm Sunday

Contributed by Steven Buhr on Apr 7, 2009

Do we get caught up in the ’crowd mentality’ of today as people did on the day Christ rode into Jerusalem? How does society influence our thinking and our actions?

Who is This? Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009 Matthew 21:1-11 Matthew 21 The Triumphal Entry 1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Don't You Get Weary, Children

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 30, 2010

Revised for use at the Chapel of a retirement complex: Life is burdensome if it is merely obligation and not love, or if we think our work means nothing. Christ's victory shows the power of a meaningful life.

Riderwood Village Chapel, Silver Spring, MD August 8, 2004 In May our son got married. He and his bride passed out little bottles of soap to be used instead of the traditional rice, so we all celebrated at the end of the wedding by blowing bubbles. Well, my daughter’s child, his niece, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Barzillai Series

Contributed by Darren Rogers on May 18, 2008

What character of the Bible best describes you? Do you start out well only to finish poorly and offer God every excuse you can think of?

Barzillai – 27th April 2008 am 2 Samuel 19:32 Background – David running from Absalom Bar-zil-lah-ee The Holy Spirit says something of Barzillai that He says of very few people. He says that he was “a very great man.” The Bible does not hand out this kind of praise openhandedly. It marks ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 19:32

Denomination: Baptist