Sermons on Thorn In Side:

Jesus Uniting Enemies Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Apr 9, 2018

In this section of Luke we find individuals and groups of people – the Roman Soldiers, the Sanhedrin, Pilate and Herod – all uniting together against Jesus. In the face of such unity we need to ask the question – “Are we on the wrong side?”

Message Luke 22:63-23:12 Jesus Uniting Enemies Example Uniting for a common cause. Describe a bad car accident • People will rush to help. • No-one really votes on a leader, but everything just gets organised. • Blankets, water, shade. • People comforting. People who are not normally working ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Chasing The Wind - Work? Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 19, 2017

Is work meaningless? Is it like chasing after the wind? According to Solomon it is if you are working for the wrong reason and for the wrong person. We need to work for God not men or money and we need to keep it proper balance and be on the side were the

Opening Illustration: From Blue Fish TV – “Wake” Series: Chasing the Wind – Ecclesiastes Transition read before song: Solomon states in Ecc. 1:2-4; 8; 14: “Meaningless! MEANINGLESS!” SAYS THE TEACHER. “UTTERLY MEANINGLESS!” Everything Is meaningless.” What does man gain from his labor at which he ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Atheist: Shame Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 7, 2015

what do we do? How do we break through shame and come out the other side? How do we smash out of self-recrimination and move on with our lives basking in the forgiveness of God?

This sermon is based off of a few ideas in Craig Groeshel’s book “The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as if He Doesn’t Exist.” Zondervan, 2010. ISBN: 9780310332220 CHRISTIAN ATHEIST: SHAME PSALM 51:1-12 INTRODUCTION… Smack in the face (p) Last January, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The High Cost Of Unforgiveness

Contributed by Darrin Fish on Sep 2, 2015

We need to remember / Never Forget that Someday we will be “summoned” / To give an account. • This does not necessarily happen on the other side. • It can happen any day as God responds to our unforgiveness.

The High Cost of Unforgiveness Matthew 18:21-35 Several years ago, we were looking to buy a new car. • We found one we wanted, but we discovered that it cost more than we could afford. • Most of us in life find that we have a limit to what we can or will pay for an item. Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian Church

When Righteousness And Peace Embrace

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 21, 2025

We've all seen stories of people who think they are on God's side, identify evildoers, and confront them with force. But in God's kingdom, initiated in Jesus Christ, things are otherwise.

Friday of the Second Week in Course 2025 The Church has no definitive teaching on who wrote the Letter to the Hebrews, but we know that the Holy Spirit inspired the author, and he or she was very familiar with the liturgy of the Jewish Temple, especially the annual Day of Atonement, when the High ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-19, Hebrews 8:6-13, Exodus 24:10, Luke 1:37, Jeremiah 31:33, Psalm 85:8-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

The Value Of A Child Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Dec 31, 2021

Pro-life advocates use this Bible passage to show how God values the life of the unborn, while pro-choice advocates use this same Scripture in an attempt to justify abortion. This message looks at both sides of the debate.

Today, January 23, 2022, is recognized as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday in the Southern Baptist calendar; and so, I’m going to be discussing the value of the unborn child and have us look at the abortion debate. The abortion argument centers on human rights – namely the right of a person to make ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Isaiah 53: Peace Treaty With God Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 27, 2024

Sin creates a broken relationship between our Holy God and sinful human beings. We are on opposite sides. Isaiah 53 predicts that this Suffering Servant would bring a peace treaty between God and His Creation.

ISAIAH 53 SERIES: Peace Treaty with God ISAIAH 53:5 | #Isaiah53 PERSON IN THE CONGREGATION READS ISAIAH 53 READ ISAIAH 53:1-12 (ESV) “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Forsaken For Us

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Mar 18, 2021

Jesus felt forsaken in the Garden of Gethsamanae. He went into the garden in order to be forsaken by the Father so that we would not have to one day be forsaken because of our sin. We see a different side of Jesus in the garden.

Forsaken For Us Life Swap 3/12/2021 1 Samuel 19:1-10 Matthew 26:36-45 We are in part 2 of our series Life-Swap in which we are acknowledging that Jesus voluntarily took our place and had things happen to him that rightfully should have happened to us. There four messages are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1-10, Matthew 26:36-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It Is Really Your Choice

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on May 9, 2023

John 12:44-50 says that each person has the choice to follow His word or not. The problem in the church over same-sex marriage is one of those choices. It is difficult for the Preacher to be on one side or the other.

It is Really Your Choice John 12:37-50 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE ...read more

Scripture: John 12:37-50

Denomination: United Methodist

The Greatest King Of Israel You've Never Heard Of: King Hezekiah

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 24, 2021

Archers fire volleys of arrows on the incoming hoards of Assyrian troops besieging the city of Samaria. The cries of dying soldiers on both sides is heard in the hot morning air. Assyria is a powerful kingdom invading Israel from the north.

Archers fire volleys of arrows on the incoming hoards of Assyrian troops besieging the city of Samaria. The cries of dying soldiers on both sides is heard in the hot morning air. Assyria is a powerful kingdom invading Israel from the north. King Hoshea of Israel was an evil leader, and so Israel ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:5-6, 2 Kings 19:1-4

Denomination: Salvation Army

Forget Me Not

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Feb 7, 2025

To keep faithful to our faithful God we set aside time to remember. We must regularly turn our attention back to God, up to God, forward to God to keep our side of the covenant agreement.

DO NOT FORGET God of our fathers, known of old – Lord of our far flung battle line Beneath whose awful hand we hold dominion over palm and pine Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, lest we forget - lest we forget! About 100 years ago, the British poet Rudyard ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Deuteronomy 8:11-14, Malachi 1:6-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Transfiguration: A Preview Of Christ’s Glory (Matthew 17)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 6, 2026

Peter, James, and John, the” inner circle” of Jesus’ disciples, saw Christ in His Divine persona, with Moses and Elijah, “the Law and the Prophets” by His side, representing the whole of Scripture and a preview of His redemptive mission.

Verses 1-13: J. Vernon McGee, teacher and author of the “Through the Bible” commentary, called the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ a “miniature” portrait of the Kingdom of God, later confirmed by Simon Peter in his second letter to the churches (2 Peter 1: 16-18). Dr. W.A. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-27, Mark 9:2-12, Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

It’s The Times In Between

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Apr 25, 2021

Take note here as how we read the entrance to self effort! This is when David is only relying on David! How many can relate to the words David is using to describe the condition of his life?

It’s the Times In Between... 1 Samuel 21:10-15 NKJ 10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3, Psalm 56:1-13, 1 Samuel 21:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

For Those Just Joining Us

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 22, 2018

A study in the book of Numbers 33: 1 – 56

Numbers 33: 1 – 56 In case you are just now joining us 33 These are the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2 Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the LORD. And these are ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

"The Parables Of Contrast: Matthew 13”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jul 19, 2023

Most scholars believe Matthew was written between 70 and 85 A.D. (C.E.) He combines the 7 parables to explain the reality of why "good" exists along side of "evil". (movie Sound of Freedom) an example. Why are believers even in the church failing?

In Jesus Holy Name July 23, 2023 Text: Matthew 13:24,31 Pentecost VIII – Redeemer “The Parables of Contrast: Matthew 13” Last Sunday I began with Matthew 13:1-2. Matthew tells us that Jesus was sitting by the sea. A large crowd gathered around him to hear him speak or see him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-35, Matthew 13:36-52

Denomination: Lutheran