Sermons on Thorns:

The Equipping Factor Series

Contributed by Lance Hostetter on Apr 15, 2013

This sermon examines how Jesus prepared his disciples after the resurrection and prior to the ascenion.

“The Equipping Factor” Luke 24:36-49 Introduction: Asking a man or woman to go to war to fight and possibly die for a cause is one thing. Sending someone to battle with the right training or tools to defend themselves is a whole other thing. Illustartions from the Korean War: NO ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-49

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of Weakness Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

The paradox that Paul proclaims here is that a handicap can be a help. A painful problem can be a powerful promoter of what is good. A weakness can be an asset and a strength

One of the most incredible biographies ever written is that of Robert Babcock. As a young boy he made a bomb out of some powder he found in his father's barn. He had a hard time getting it to go off, but when it finally did, it blew up in his face and he was instantly blinded, and remained so ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Use Your Freedom Of Speech By Speaking

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jul 2, 2021

In a world where Biblical truths are accused of being hateful and bigoted, we need to keep on speaking the truth in a bold and courageous way.

7.4.21 Ezekiel 2:1–7 1 He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2 The Spirit entered into me as he spoke to me and brought me up to my feet. Then I heard him speaking to me. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Strength To Stand-5 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 27, 2017

5 of 11. Paul closes his direction to the Ephesian church by encouraging them to find their strength in the Lord. But where or how can God's people find the strength to stand victorious? God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...

STRENGTH To STAND-V—Ephesians 6:10-20 Attention: But I Don’t Want To Be A Pirate: When Jordan was 6, he always told everyone he wanted to be a medical doctor when he grew up. One day he was running through the house & into the corner of a chair & hurt his eye. He cried for a while & ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Labor Day - "a Little Slumber, A Little Sleep"

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 31, 2017

There is no book in the Bible that has more to say about being ambitious & the lack of ambition than the book of Proverbs.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Proverbs 24:30-34 There is no book in the Bible that has more to say about being ambitious & the lack of ambition than the book of Proverbs. And one passage, written by Solomon, that deals with that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11, Proverbs 24:30-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Garden At Gethsemane

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 25, 2016

As we look at the Garden at Gethsemane , the place where Jesus prayed, may God help us to realize the power of prayer that He has so freely offered to us.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS OK TEXT: Matthew 26:36-46 Usually on Palm Sunday I preach a sermon about Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. But today I'm going to break with tradition & talk about something that occurred later in the week in the Garden at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sower Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Oct 21, 2014

The last in a series on the Parables of Jesus, this three-point expository sermon explores the parable of the sower and the four types of soil, focusing equally on the Sower, the seed, and the soil.

PARABLES OF JESUS ǀ THE SOWER Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 3/9/14 In 1886, after the state of Georgia passed prohibition laws, a young man name John Pemberton invented a carbonated non-alcoholic beverage which he thought would appeal to Americans given the prohibition ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:5-15

Denomination: Christian Church

The Danger Of Falling Away

Contributed by Gary Holt on Oct 5, 2022

This warning in the book of Hebrews speaks of: the impossibility of those who fall away from “being brought back to repentance.” The Hebrews are not in danger of having their salvation stolen, but are in danger of giving it away.

“The Danger of Falling away” Hebrews 6:4-12 Brent KerchevilleBrent Kercheville Credit: This sermon is an adaptation of Brent Kercheville’s sermon (West Palm Beach Church of Christ. I edited it for my use and added what I needed for my Church. Do you obey warning signs? When you are traveling and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Am I One Of These?”

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 13, 2022

God said, "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them . . . Away with the noise of your songs!" What happened? Why was God so angry?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Amos 5:21-24; Mark 4:15-19; Matthew 23:23; 3 John vs. 9; Hebrews 13:2; John 4:23 ILL. James Dobson ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:21-24, Mark 4:15-19, Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 13:2, Psalm 40:2, John 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blossom Time

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 30, 2023

Love and life are two sides of the same coin, that where love is life springs up, and life is a sign that love has been there.

This week the flowers decorating the altar are poinsettias. Do you know why? Pepita was a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve services. As she walked to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy. “I am sure, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Right Conduct: Judgement Is Coming Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Sep 1, 2025

“Living good” requires believers to live in a way that contributes towards people not being condemned to an eternity in the lake of fire.

You can listen to all NPBC sermons at https://www.npbc.org.au/podcasts/media NORTH PINE BAPTIST CHURCH Sunday 31st August 2025 1 Peter 4:7-19 “Right Conduct: Judgement Is Coming” I have attended many funerals, and I have also been the celebrant at many funerals. An interesting dynamic that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

How God Can Use Struggles For Good

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

God works all things together for His good and our good - even the worst struggles in life.

HELPING THE WOUNDED TO SEE HOW GOD CAN USE THEIR STRUGGLES FOR GOOD Illustration; When I hear my friends say they hope their children don’t have to experience the hardships they went through--I don’t agree. Those hardships made us what we are. You can be disadvantaged in many ways, and one way may ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trouble In The Tribe

Contributed by Royce Hendry on Feb 3, 2001

Identifying the problems within a family and the church family will enable them both to survive.

Gen.37 TROUBLE IN THE TRIBE INTRO: Sunday, right after the Super Bowl, over 25 million households tuned in to see the premier of Survivor II. Thursday night 29 million saw the second episode. Now, last summer I watched the very last episode of the original Survivor, and I made a comment that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

Squandering The Blessings Of God

Contributed by Ken Alford on Nov 25, 2001

WASTING GOD’S BLESSINGS STUNTS CHRISTIAN GROWTH. Here are three Facts regarding Christian growth.

SQUANDERING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD Hebrews 6:1-12 INTRODUCTION: 1. This morning the bananas in the fruit bowl were just ripe-right for making bread. Tomorrow they’d have been too soft. So I took the time to sift and stir, and now a special fragrance fills the air. Soon I’ll take from the oven ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Walk With Your Substitue Series

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Apr 13, 2003

Like Barabbas we are worhty of God’s death sentence; but we, the rebels, are released, and Jesus is suffers our hell on the cross in our place as our Substitute.

Walk with our Substitute Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God through which the Holy Spirit touches our hearts is record in Mark 15: Now, at every festival Pilate used to free a prisoner whom the people asked for. There was a man by the name of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:6-15

Denomination: Lutheran