Sermons on Thorns And Thistles:

Mother's Day 2022

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on May 6, 2022

In this Mother's Day message, I examine the in-law relationship between Naomi and Ruth and Jesus' request of John to take care of Mary after He died.

Mother’s Day 2022 Scripture: Ruth 1:8-17; 2:11-12; 4:17; Matthew 1:1; 16; John 19:25-27 Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers present here in the sanctuary, who are watching this live stream and who will receive this message via email. You are special in the eyes of God and it is a blessing ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:8-17, John 19:25-27, Matthew 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Second Journey Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jun 12, 2023

After preaching to Jews and Gentiles on his first trip, Paul takes off again, hoping to encourage the new believers. His plans, though, change when God has other ideas about where he should go. Acts shares with us what God had in mind for Paul on his second journey.

Introduction Video Ill.: Paul’s Second Journey - Graphe This morning, we are continuing our summer road trip, going along with Paul on his journeys as recorded in Acts. Last week, we journeyed with Paul and Barnabas as they traveled throughout the province Asia, teaching about Jesus. We saw that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus In The Lion's Den Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 3, 2022

Let’s fast forward in time around 550 years from Daniel’s day. As we leave our time machine, we have left the ancient land of modern-day Iraq because we now find ourselves in Jerusalem. We arrive at the Mount of Olives at night, just outside the skirts of ancient Jerusalem.

Daniel’s story is in your Bible so you’ll always know hope. Hope in the Christian sense is the confident and certain expectation of future blessings and the confidence that the best is yet to come. We need a hope that a virus cannot touch. We need a hope that a divorce cannot destroy. We need a ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:16-23, Isaiah 53:10, Mark 15:34, Luke 22:41-42

Denomination: Baptist

Hope For A Broken World Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Apr 3, 2022

The Root of Jesse will unite and heal everything in this world that has been broken and separated. Those who once were aggressive, hostile, and violent will live together in the harmony that only Christ can give.

When you look around the world, you see there’s a lot going wrong. People who don’t care at all about God are thriving. The tide of our culture is rushing quickly toward dangerous places. Just go to the public library, or onto Netflix or YouTube, and you’re confronted with many godless values. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Because He Lives

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Apr 16, 2022

On Easter Sunday we celebrate the central event of the Christian faith, the resurrection. We can live now and forever because He lives!

Because He Lives I. OPENING ILLUSTRATION: When It Was Dark I’m not quite sure how to say this. Many in the church have said that our faith is based on verifiable historical facts. It was a faith built upon evidence. Scholars like Josh McDowell wrote books like "Evidence That Demands A ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Is One Path To Glory (John 12:12-26) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 23, 2022

And it's through the cross, not the crowds.

Let's start today by simply rereading our passage from last week, John 11:55-12:11. This will help us remember where we are in the gospel of John: (55) Now, the Passover of the Judeans was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the surrounding area before the Passover, in order that they ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-26, Zechariah 9:9

When The Buck Stops With You--Deciding About Jesus Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Mar 23, 2022

The issue of principles for spiritual decision-making can make or break a life; make or break a destiny. Pontius Pilate faced a critical decision about Jesus. His mistakes provide wisdom when the buck stops with us.

We come to the fateful moment of decision for the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-Man, in his earthly sojourn—that moment when the judges among men are about to finally decide the fate of the One who will ultimately be their Judge for eternity. And we know, of course, it is going to be a fatal ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16, Matthew 10:28, James 2:1, James 2:9, Proverbs 29:25, Romans 3:10-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

The Physiology Of Faith - Class 3 Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 16, 2023

V. What Causes Sickness and Disease? VI. God wants To Heal His People VII. For The Glory Of God VIII. The Relationship Of Faith and Healing

V. What Causes Sickness And Disease? Good health is more than the absence of disease. It is a state of complete physical, emotional, and mental well-being on all levels. It has been estimated that approximately 33% of those living in the United States have a chronic illness. Virtually all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37-40, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 103:8-14, Proverbs 2:1-5, Luke 11:11-13, 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5, 3 John 1:2, John 11:1-44  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pray For One Another Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 13, 2023

Prayer is our privilege and responsibility as disciples of Jesus. Praying for one another can make such a difference in each other's lives.

A. The story is told about three men who were hiking one day and unexpectedly came upon a large, raging river. 1. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do so. 2. The first man prayed to God, saying, “Please God, give me the strength to cross this river.” a. Poof! God ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18, Acts 12:1-18, Matthew 7:7-11, Philippians 4:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas According To Matthew 2023 Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Dec 4, 2023

Matthew tells the story of the Messiah's birth

Immanuel - God with Us Matthew 1:18-25 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 12-03-2023 Losing Baby Jesus Churches that have a nativity have been finding that it is hard to keep up with baby Jesus. It has been given an official name, “Baby Jesus Theft.” In 2012, a church in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Accountable Stewardship Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jan 12, 2026

In the parable of the minas, Jesus uses recent events to prompt His followers to be faithful stewards.

Introduction Herod ruled over Judea in the decades leading up to the birth of Christ. He was the same ruler (Mt. 2) ruler who killed hundreds of babies in response to the visit of the magi. As he was nearing the end of his life, he divided his kingdom between a couple of his sons. Around 4BC, he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 1:8, John 14:15-17, Romans 11:36, Acts 17:24-27, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Revelation 2:10, James 1:12, 2 Timothy 4:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Broken Commandments

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 3, 2025

How many of the Ten Commandments have you broken in the past month?

Ten Broken Commandments “Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Angry ...at You

Contributed by James E. Mcintire on Aug 12, 2011

God is Angry at His Church and for good reason. It is time to fear Him and repent.

God is Angry … at You Introduction About a month ago I woke up with this message very heavy on my heart. God was angry and not just at some anonymous stranger, but specifically at His church. God began to give me things and I worked at writing them down, not knowing at the time just how ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:23

Denomination: Church Of God

David's Mighty Men Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 1, 2024

Unknown people of significance are the real heroes for many kings, kingdoms and presidents.

“David’s Mighty Men” “A band of brothers” Thesis: Unknown people of significance are the real heroes for many kings, kingdoms and presidents. The sacrifice of the nobodies is critical to the victorious wins in battles, their selfless sacrifice of their lives, their precious time, their loyal ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1, 1 Chronicles 11:9-47, 2 Samuel 23:1-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Healing For My Life

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 29, 2001

Healing is to be sought within the God given resource of the local church, but will we have the faith to use it.

God’s Healing for my life by Andrew Chan, Senior Pastor, PBC, Vancouver, BC A man was driving along a rural road one day when he saw a three-legged chicken. He was amused enough to drive along side it for a while, and as he was driving, he noticed the chicken was running at 30 mph. "Pretty fast ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free