Sermons on Thistles:

Christian Service

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Jun 28, 2017

Sometimes our zeal for evangelism and for secular service is so great that we neglect the need for service within the Christian family.

Christian Service Illustration A young child was sitting in class listening to the teacher explain a government generated lesson on what service means. The teacher carefully explained that, from a public standpoint, service is an important and useful action, which is performed to meet a specific ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:10

Denomination: Christian Church

Cross Purposes 6: New Life In Christ Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Dec 13, 2019

Jesus died AS A MAN to give life TO HUMANITY. Christ is the new Adam. New identity in Christ.

CROSS PURPOSES 6: NEW LIFE IN CHRIST In our study, “Cross Purposes,” we have asked, “Why did Jesus die on the cross?” The answer is multi-faceted, and every angle we take yields profound insight into the grace of God: The cross demonstrates the love of God. The cross is God’s answer to human ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21, Romans 3:23, Hebrews 2:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The First Palm Sunday And The Purge

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Mar 20, 2016

After praises from the Jerusalemites, Jesus curses the fig tree, which is symbolic of Israel, and then He cleans out the money changers in the Temple. Palm Sunday has a lot to do with purging out dead, fruitless people, and hypocrisy!

The First Palm Sunday and The Purge Kelly Durant Mark 11:1-25 2. How many of you like crime stories? It usually begins with a piece of the evidence in front of you, but all the pieces you have to put together so you understand all of what happened. What led up to the incident? Who are the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-25

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Enemy Part 2: The Flesh Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Aug 10, 2020

In the Spiritual battle we fight every day, sometimes the worst enemy we face is ourselves, our sinful nature.

We are in a battle. Every day, every hour, every minute. As we had already studied: Ephesians 6:12 (NASB95) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom In Christ

Contributed by Imelda Mesa on Oct 30, 2022

BORN-AGAIN IS NOT A RELIGION. IT IS A LIFE CHANGED BY THE POWER OF GOD, AND GOD WANTS YOU TO BREAK FREE FROM ALL THE HUNG-UPS THAT SLOW US DOWN IN CHRIST. LEAD US TO THE LIGHT THAT IS CHRIST.

(SLIDE 1) BREAK FREE: GALATIANS 5:1 – “IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST SET US FREE. STAND FIRM, THEN, AND DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE BURDENED AGAIN BY A YOKE OF SLAVERY. (SLIDE 2) THE OPPOSITE OF FREEDOM IS BONDAGE! BONDAGE – subjection or slavery restraints. The basic concept of bondage is “loss of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Foursquare

The Work Of Waiting Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 28, 2022

We are to wait neither so eagerly that we lose our patience, not so patiently that we lose our expectation, but eagerly and patiently together.

Some of you know that Steve and Susan Forrester are expecting a baby. On the other hand, some of you might not even know who Steve and Susan Forrester are. Steve’s the pastor of the Methodist church up the street, and Susan is one of the counselors at their counseling center. Anyway they’re ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Avoid The Crows: Strife Kills...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 14, 2023

Seems crows love to torment and aggravate eagles.The eagle refuse to be part of strife. The eagle just flies higher. We must refuse to be part of arguing, complaining and division. God works in unity and agreement.

AVOID THE CROWS! STRIFE KILLS! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (This is several part lesson.) (GO TO Youtube: Wade Hughes) THE LEECH WHEN ATTACHED TO THE HOST SUCKS OUT THE LIFE STRENGTH OF THE BLOOD. WE GO THROUGH THE VALLEY OF PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL ABUSE, SUFFERING ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:24, Proverbs 26:17, Galatians 5:25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Fruit Of The Vine Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 30, 2024

The vitality of our spiritual life is dependent upon our connection to Christ the “true vine.”

In Hampton Court near London, there is a grapevine which is about 1,000 years old. This grapevine has one root which is at least two feet thick, and some of the branches are 200 feet long. Despite its age the vine produces several tons of grapes each year. Although some of the smaller branches ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Hosea Part 3 (Nasb)

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Feb 23, 2025

Re: the N. Kingdom and Israel's judgement, written about 750 BC, notes by Marilyn Hickey Ministries, footnotes by biblegateway.com

Retribution for Israel’s Sin 10 Israel is a [a]luxuriant vine; He produces fruit for himself. The more his fruit, The more altars he made; FALSE ONES The [b]richer his land, The better [c]he made the sacred pillars. 2 Their heart is [d]faithless; Now they must bear their guilt. [e]The Lord will ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

20. David Saves Keilah (1 Samuel 23) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

“Why?” That tiny word rolls off our tongues with tears and trembling. Why the cancer? Why the betrayal? Why the silence of heaven when our world collapses? If you’ve ever whispered it in the dark night of the soul, you’re not alone—and you’re not unbiblical.

David Saves Keilah August 6, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 23:1-17 Introduction: Why Suffering? “Why?” That tiny word rolls off our tongues with tears and trembling. Why the cancer? Why the betrayal? Why the silence of heaven when our world collapses? If you’ve ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 23:1-17

Denomination: Brethren

Heard Any Good News Lately? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 20, 2011

A study of chapter 3 and chapter 4

Isaiah 3: 1 – 4:6 Heard Any Good News Lately? 1 For behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stock and the store, the whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water; 2 The mighty man and the man of war, the judge and the prophet, and the diviner ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Hang On To Hope Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 30, 2014

The Apostle Paul said if you take all of the suffering you’ve ever endured in this life, it is like a drop in the bucket compared to a vast, deep ocean of glory that’s going to come. Paul gave us three examples of why we ought to have hope.

INTRODUCTION In the English language the word hope is rather an anemic, weak word. Sometimes when we say, “I hope something happens,” we’re not too certain it will happen. For instance, you may say, “Well I really hope I get a raise next year,” or, “I hope I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Too Silly For A Funeral; Too Serious For A Party

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2019

Christians must be aware of becoming hypercritical of divine work and of other believers, ascribing what is done as unworthy of Christ. To explore this situation, the message is a study of Jesus' censure of the generation in which He then lived.

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Danger: Disguised, Deadly Deceivers! - Matthew 7:15-20 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 18, 2024

It is God’s design that we follow leaders. But the false ones deceive and lead away from the narrow road to hell. The way to see past the sheep’s clothing to the actual fruit is by watching for the things that come from the heart and that are not a part of the act.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

The High Cost Of Sin Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2023

Sin has infected the race. It contaminates our lives, ultimately ensuring our death. The Son of God was born to offer His life as a sacrifice, taking the sin of all mankind upon Himself. This is the neglected message of Christmas.

“To the woman [God] said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.’ “And to Adam he said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19

Denomination: Baptist