Sermons on Thorny Ground:

Setting The Boundaries Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 8, 2007

In order for God to work within a congregation, His church needs to understand the critical importance of setting boundaries, and committing themselves to purity and holiness.

OPEN: One man told of the time that his company’s factory had received an ominous package. It arrived at the loading dock with this warning printed on it: Danger! Do Not Touch! “Management was called and we were told to stay clear of the box until it could be analyzed. When the foreman arrived, he ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:7-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A New Season

Contributed by Pastor (Dr.) Francesca Fajinmi on Sep 2, 2018

Whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, you will be victorious.

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 You see we serve a God of season. We see it in creation. God created the four seasons that are based upon the rotation of the Earth as it orbits the Sun. The seasons change as the earth moves, but the sun ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1, Matthew 4:18-20, Philippians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Will To Know Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Dec 28, 2002

It is only as we exercise a healthy will toward God and His Word that we will be able to know and do what is best for us in all of life’s circumstances.

Matthew 13:1-23 A Will to Know Introduction In last week’s message, I spoke about the human will and the role it plays in our lives as we move toward or away from the will of God for our lives. Each of us has been given a free will to exercise, and God’s desire is that we exercise it toward Him. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Seeds On The Rocky Soil Series

Contributed by Eric Lenhart on Aug 13, 2010

Differences between growing deep roots in the faith and having a shallow faith.

Seeds on the Rocky Soil (Matthew 13:1-23) 2nd in a series on: “The Parable of the Soils” Introduction: Over the past couple weeks I’ve been watching grass grow here at the New Song. Around the building, just like the Sower in the Parable of the Soils, I planted 120 pounds of grass seed. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Church Of God

The Wise And The Foolish At The Bridegrooms Coming - Pt.1 Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Aug 12, 2022

This is the first in a series on the ten virgins. Five were wise, five were foolish. Which are you?

The Wise and Foolish at the Bridegroom’s Coming (Part One) Text: Matthew 25:1-13 OPEN WITH PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING It seems like Eschatological talk (that is, talk about the end times) is ramping us these days. I’ve begun to hear more and more people talking about the rapture, and the 2nd Coming ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Are You Worried About? - Matthew 6:25-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

Your Father (not nature) feeds billions of birds every day and you are worth far more than the birds, therefore you have nothing to worry about.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-26

The Root Of The Problem Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Aug 2, 2007

Why Jesus spoke in parables, and a look at the Parable of the Sower

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM Series: Pursuing Meaning Most of us remember Aesop’s Fables... --The wolf in sheep’s clothing teaches us that appearances can be deceiving. -The town mouse and country mouse teach us that it’s better to eat beans and bacon in safety than cakes and ale in fear. -The goose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Your Mission--Stand Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2009

Christians are not appointed to take new ground from the enemy. Rather, we are appointed to occupy ground which the Master has already won.

EPHESIANS 6:11, 13, 14 YOUR MISSION – STAND “Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. “Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Inside Out - The Battle For Personal Holiness

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 5, 2001

Encouragement to recognize the battle grounds of personal holiness.

Inside Out- The Battle for Personal Holiness Various Scriptures I. Introduction Today we will continue our look at holiness, which, as we established last week, is very near and dear to the heart of God, and should, therefore, be near and dear to us as well. Before we get into today’s specific ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:21-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jesus: Believe Him Or Not?

Contributed by Joe Harding on Aug 4, 2001

Jesus must be accepted or rejected, there is no middle ground!

JESUS: BELIEVE HIM OR NOT? JOHN 10:22-42 AUGUST 5, 2001 INTRODUCTION: A fool is not necessarily stupid he just doesn’t recognize the obvious. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal they lay down for the night, and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-42

Denomination: Baptist

I Think I Married The Wrong Person Series

Contributed by David Mcclain on Jul 22, 2018

The bond of marriage is grounded in the covenant- not in the ideal person.

OPENING SENTENCE: Some years ago there was a popular movie whose message was that somewhere in the world is a perfect soul mate made just for you in heaven- you just have to find him/her. INTRODUCTION: The movie, called “Made in Heaven” tells the story of two people who had a few chance encounters ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Going Deep - Preparing The Heart Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Jan 13, 2013

Message about cultivating the heart so the Lord can work and the word can grow.

Title: Jesus and the Word Theme: To understand that Jesus puts emphasis in receiving the Word. Text: Mark 4 Offering 2Co 9:6-7 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (7) So let each one give as he purposes in his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-15

Denomination: Church Of God

Receiving The Word Of God

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Nov 5, 2007

Learning about receiving the preaching of the Word of God

Title: Jesus and the Word Theme: To understand that Jesus puts emphasis in receiving the Word. Text: Mark 4 Mark 4:1. And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-9

Denomination: Church Of God

Surely Not I, Lord!

Contributed by Harold Orndorff on May 11, 2004

The story of Judas Iscariot, and his betrayal of Jesus, should remind us to examine ourselves. We need to avoid betraying Jesus in twenty-first century style. As Judas attempted to re-make Jesus and then abandon Him when He was not the "Jesus" Judas wan

Surely Not I, Teacher? Those are the words of Judas as he was about to betray Jesus. We now approach the Easter season. In our culture Easter is a happy holiday with bunnies and candy. But the events leading up to what we could anachronistically call “the first Easter” were anything but happy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:3-8, Matthew 26:20-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Seeds On The Hard Path Series

Contributed by Eric Lenhart on Aug 13, 2010

Being hardened by life, or free in Christ.

Seeds on the Hard Path (Matthew 13:1-23) 1st in a series on: “The Parable of the Soils” Introduction: An old farmer who was about to die called his two sons to his bedside and said, "My boys, my farm and the fields are yours in equal shares. I leave you a little ready money but the bulk of my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Church Of God