Sermons on Thorny Ground:

Zacchaeus

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 13, 2019

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time — 31C Year C

Zacchaeus was a government contractor with the Roman Government in charge of all transported goods into Jericho, which gave him almost a license to extort money for big commissions. Luke 19:2 says he was a "chief toll collector" and that he was "wealthy," at his job at the toll ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

Fix The Dishwasher

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Aug 15, 2020

Don't set around when there are things that can be done.

ILLUSTRATION: A Mother and her son were talking. His mother lived for nearly 94 years. One day around her 90th year she said something like, "If I had known I would live this long, I would have fixed the dishwasher." It had stopped working. So there it sat quietly waiting to be fixed. ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7, Isaiah 64:4, Exodus 14:15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Grain Of Wheat Principle

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 9, 2018

“Lord, protect me from the things I want. If they're not in accordance with your will. ~Amen.”

Lent5B You can tell that Jesus eat whole grains by his analogy of a kernel of wheat falling to the ground and dying to produce life. It was in reference to his sacrificial death, but he gives it to us as an over-arching spiritual principle of dying to selfish desires, e.g. like the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33, Psalm 51:3-15, Jeremiah 31:31-34

Denomination: Catholic

The Flood Begins (Genesis 7)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 11, 2024

Is there geological evidence for a flood? Let's discuss this in Genesis 7.

Geological evidence for a worldwide flood is ubiquitous. There are sea fossils on the highest mountains. Complete fossils only exist when there is rapid burial. Some sedimentary rock layers cover whole continents. Some of those sediments were carried very long distances. There is no long-term ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Unless The Lord Builds The House

Contributed by Bramwell Hayes on Nov 2, 2023

The importance of building our lives on Christ

We quite often get flat-pack furniture, furniture that we have to put together. We got Skylar a new bedside cabinet last week. They all come with instructions, but just pictures, no words. I always say that, when it comes to self-assembly furniture instructions, a word paints a thousand pictures. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Voice Speaks

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Dec 1, 2020

The Voice of God cries out to humanity I forgive, I love you, I give you Hope, I offer Peace to all, and I give joy to all humanity.

“The Voice Speaks” Isaiah 40:1-11 1. Today is the second Sunday of Advent (Second Coming) today there is a Voice that Cries out • The Voice we hear is God. God voice says, “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem “Tell her I forgive her of her wrongs, her sins, her forgiveness has freed her she ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Adam And Christ. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 6, 2022

Contrasting the Fall and the Wages of Sin with the Free Gift which is ours in Christ Jesus.

ADAM AND CHRIST. Abridged. Romans 5:12-19. 1. THE ENTRANCE OF SIN. In Romans 5:12, Paul tells us that sin came into the world through one man. That man was our first father, Adam, the representative head of the human race and ancestor of us all. This is the teaching of the Bible, and needless ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Have The Serenity To Accept The Things You Cannot Change

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Although it may be hard to admit, there are many things that we cannot change.

Although it may be hard to admit, there are many things that we cannot change. No matter how hard you try some people resist change; some organizations refuse to admit problems and some leaders refuse to listen to advice. Instead, of consistently beating one's proverbial head up against a wall, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:31-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why God Made The Devil

Contributed by Robert Kerr on Jan 2, 2001

God’s purposes in the Creation of others

WHY GOD MADE THE DEVIL TEXT: EZEK 28:14-19 INTRO: Some will ask, If God made every thing, why did he make evil? 1. What is evil? Ans: The opposite way from God’s way. 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 2. Who is the Author ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 28:14-19

Denomination: Baptist

Brethren Of Christ Iv Series

Contributed by Chuck Cochran on Oct 26, 2000

This sermon examines the names of the brothers of Jesus.

“Brethren of Christ” Matt. 13:55 James = Supplant: Works, Wisdom, Willingness Joses = Sympathy: Nearness, Necessity, Neighbor (Jepthah) Simon = He that Hears: Hear of His Promise, Peace, & Priest “Judas” Jude 1 Praise of The Lord 1) We Will Remember 1A) The Regret v. 5 Luke 9:62 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:55

Denomination: Baptist

Do What?

Contributed by Bradley White-Findeisen on Oct 18, 2000

Mt. 9:27-29 Then He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you.

Mt. 9:27-29 Then He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you." Sometimes God has a perspective on issues that we don’t have Mk. 8:22-25 When he had spit on the man’s eyes As far as I know, there never has been a culture where spitting in someone’s face didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Scratch Like A Chicken Or Fly Like An Eagle

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Mar 21, 2003

Let us be resolved to allow God to train us, like the eaglet to soar in the areas of prayer, trust in him and preaching the Gospel.

Sermon: St Mary and St. John’s 06-02-00 I would like to focus this evening on one verse from our Old Testament lesson: Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings of eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Anglican

Growing Old Gracefully

Contributed by Keith Davis on May 5, 2003

A lesson honoring the aged.

Title: Growing Old Gracefully Text: (Leviticus 19:32) "Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD." Introduction: Honor is a precious thing. It is something that, in our deepest thoughts, we all desire and would like to have. --(1 Timothy ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Problem Is Not Me – Its You Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 26, 2012

A study of the book of Judges chapter 20

Judges 20: 1 – 48 The Problem Is Not Me – Its You So all the children of Israel came out, from Dan to Beersheba, as well as from the land of Gilead, and the congregation gathered together as one man before the LORD at Mizpah. 2 And the leaders of all the people, all the tribes of ...read more

Scripture: Judges 20:1-48

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

2 Samuel Part 3

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Aug 11, 2024

NASB

This is "one of the most famous and tragic events of David’s life. We will pay close attention to how the storyteller presents the narrative, taking care to learn as much as we can while focusing on the primary message being communicated. Perhaps the question is not whether we will fail, but ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard