Sermons on Thorns And Thistles:

Part 1: Know What We're Here For: Maturity Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Churches that aren't clear on their purpose for being can hardly be effective. Our goal is maturity in Christ.

One of the deepest joys that I have ever experienced in all my life is the joy of watching our children turn into adults. I guess I always pretty much figured that would happen some day. But then, there were those times when they were upset with each other over the silliest things and the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Thanksgiving – An Attitude Of Gratitude!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 23, 2019

Today I would like to share with you 3 things we learn about thanksgiving from the Bible.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXTS: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalm 92:1, 100:4, 107:1; Romans 1:21 ILL. On Thanksgiving Day the family was seated around the table, preparing to eat their annual holiday meal. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 92:1, Psalm 100:4, Psalm 107:1, Romans 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lumberjack God

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 7, 2019

John threatened the Pharisees and Sadducees that God would cut them down. We are all cut down to size from time to time, and we need it.

12.8.19 Matthew 3:10 Already the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. God has compared Himself to a dove, an eagle, a lion, a tower, a fortress, a counselor and a friend. Today God puts on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17, Matthew 3:10

Denomination: Lutheran

Know The Love Of Christ

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 13, 2023

A woman named Phyllis W. Zeno, a contributor to 10 Chicken Soup books, wrote the following story: “One day a beautiful, but very troubled little girl came through the door of my day nursery.

Alba 3-12-2023 KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST Ephesians 3:14-19 A woman named Phyllis W. Zeno, a contributor to 10 Chicken Soup books, wrote the following story: “One day a beautiful, but very troubled little girl came through the door of my day nursery. From the very beginning I was captivated by ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gardener In The Garden

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Mar 29, 2023

(This drama/sermon involved the speaker dressing up as a gardener and sharing the story of the Risen Lord in an unusual way – looking back at a story from a family that originally served as the gardeners in the cemetery/garden where Jesus was buried.)

Scripture: Matthew 20:11-18 Title: The New Gardener (This drama/sermon involved the speaker dressing up as a gardener and sharing the Risen Story in a dramatic way – looking back at a story from a family that originally served as the gardeners in the cemetery/garden where Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:11-18

Denomination: Nazarene

Like A Palm Tree

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 2, 2023

[Palm Sunday.] Today we wave the palms as we come to this table … a sign that our sin has come to end. Today we wave the palms and come to this table as we profess our desire to serve God wholeheartedly.

Palm Sunday. A perfect example of the fact that Jesus’ Disciples and His followers get it … and don’t get it. They get that He is a king … a leader … a prophet and messiah sent by God … but … a king … a leader … a prophet … a messiah who rides into the Jerusalem on colt … not a great stallion or ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11, Leviticus 23:40-43, Mark 10:35-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Living The Loyal Life

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 12, 2022

We are going to have the opportunity to rekindle our own loyalty to Jesus as we try to live a life that is connected to Him.

Last week we started in a new direction as we began talking about being closely connected to Jesus. We said that in order to be more like Jesus, we need to exhibit a life of humble service. Today, we will talk about living a life of loyalty. When a couple is going to have a new baby, it is their ...read more

Scripture: John 13:21-35, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Simchat Torah - The Joy And Desire For God's Word

Contributed by William Akehurst on Oct 9, 2023

Simchat Torah – the Joy of GOD’s WORD (Torah). How do you respond to GOD’s WORD? Is it an integral part of your life? Do you find Joy in it? Or is it a burden to read it? GOD’s WORD gives joy and is a treasure chest that must be searched out and cherished. Allow GOD's WORD to change you forever!

2023.10.08.Sermon Notes. Simchat Torah – The Joy of GOD’s WORD - Torah William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: Simchat Torah – the Joy of GOD’s WORD (Torah). How do you respond to GOD’s WORD? Is it an integral part of your life? Do you find Joy in it? Or is it a burden to read it? GOD’s WORD gives joy, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-11, Jeremiah 15:16, John 15:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 13:44, Isaiah 55:8, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 13:16-23, Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 55:11, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:1-176, John 1:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Turtles Eat Bread

Contributed by Dr Kitty Bickford on Sep 25, 2022

Give us this day our daily bread

Turtles Eat Bread • 5-minute encounter this week • Reminded me of Jim • he always fed the wild animals several times a day • When we were out somewhere, Jim would slam on his brakes anytime he saw a turtle, even with cars behind him, and he brought turtles home. Couldn’t make him understand that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:31, Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:5-13, John 6:35, Matthew 4:1-4, 1 Kings 17:1-16, Matthew 12:1-8, John 6:31-35, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, 2 Corinthians 9:10, John 6:27, Lamentations 3:22-23, John 6:9-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Faith In Action: "When The Spirit Takes Over”

Contributed by Imelda Mesa on Sep 27, 2022

My success and your success depend on how much you and I let the Holy Spirit take the reign of our lives. When the Holy Spirit takes over, He changes everything. Nothing stays the same.

Last week was a challenge; today is encouragement. This year, you will face tons of mountain-like challenges, and you will be tempted to draw strength and strategies on your human force and intellect, and social connection that are readily available at your disposal. But it's an encouragement ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:6-10, Ezra 3:2-8, 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, John 18:37

Denomination: Foursquare

The Allegory Of The Large Pot March 2023 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 10, 2023

There was a large black pot and it became the focus of the world. Follow what happened as paint was poured into that pot. There are real meanings behind things here, and an analysis of the paint colour. I hope you enjoy this even though it has a serious meaning behind it.

THE ALLEGORY OF THE LARGE POT March 2023 PART 1 A large pot had been constructed and placed on public view. It was beautifully made and glistened in the sun but the pot was empty. No one was quite sure why it was empty. Then one day some people came along with a very large tin of paint. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 10:12-13, Isaiah 1:18, 2 Kings 5:27, John 19:1-3, Revelation 19:15-16, Genesis 1:11-12, Revelation 8:6-7, 1 Peter 1:18-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Follow The King Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Oct 25, 2022

Jesus is calling true worshipers from every nation and every tribe and every people to follow the only true God, the only King of kings.

Today we are continuing our study in the Gospel of John. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John wrote: “...these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Everything Jesus did was ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Things To Include In Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 14, 2022

Sometimes the circumstances of our lives are not always the best. In fact, they may be downright bad. We wonder about the future or our country and the downward direction it is going. But still, in all circumstances we are to look for something for which to be thankful!

Alba 11-10-13 (Revised 11-13-2022) THREE THINGS TO INCLUDE IN THANKSGIVING I Thessalonians 5:18 I Thessalonians 5:18 says, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Sometimes the circumstances of our lives are not always the best. In fact, they may be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas, Mary's Point Of View

Contributed by Lee Houston on Dec 14, 2022

We each have heard the story of Christmas many times: the angel Gabriel visits Mary and then visits Joseph, the shepherds, the Host Angels phrasing God, the Wise Men. Today, I want to concentrate on Mary’s part, the human part of the Christmas story.

Christmas, Mary's Point Of View Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, Mathew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-21, Isaiah 7:14 We each have heard the story of Christmas many times: the angel Gabriel visits Mary and then visits Joseph, the shepherds, the Host Angels phrasing God, and the Wise Men. Today, I want to ...read more

The Lord's Prayer, Part 2

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 1, 2020

How to use The Lord's Prayer in our own prayer time.

The Lord’s Prayer (2) We’re continuing our little series on prayer. I planned to do two talks on the Lord’s Prayer and today we have the second. Jesus doesn’t just dive straight into the Lord’s Prayer. He first gave some teaching about how we should not pray, and last week, we looked at what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Denomination: Baptist