Sermons on Thorny Ground:

Sin Is Love

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jul 31, 2010

The essentially positive nature of biblical law is seen in Jesus’ dealing with the rich young ruler: "What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus met him on his own ground, saying, “Don’t do this and don’t do that... But if you are

The Conflict of the Ages series of books begin and end with the words “God is love.” That is the central issue in the great controversy. That is the issue that needs to be demonstrated to the universe. That is the core of God’s character. That is the core of all upright character. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Our Inheritance Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 15, 2020

Foreshadowing the completion when we enter fully into the Father’s eternal heavenly kingdom, Ephesians 1:11-14 shows us 1) The Ground (Ephesians 1:11–13a), 2) The Guarantee (Ephesians 1:13b–14a), and 3) The Goal of our incomparable inheritance in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:14b).

Ephesians 1:11-14 [11]In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, [12]so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. [13] In him you also, when you ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-14

Denomination: Other

Teacher's Pet Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 19, 2018

I want to be Jesus' teacher's pet. I want to be His favorite pupil. This passage gives us the key to pleasing Jesus and becoming more like Him in my life. (Spoiler alert - it has to do with how I treat people I don't like)

OPEN: A great scholar was once asked about a young man who was in his class. The person said, "So and so tells me that he was one of your students." The scholar just smiled sadly and said, "Well, he may have attended my lectures, but he was not one of my students.” What was that scholar saying? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Will The Righteous Do?

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Oct 27, 2022

This lesson establishes that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to every people. The righteous of God will do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God. This lesson clarifies the 2020 election results.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. David’s Question 2. David’s Observation 3. David’s Answer Introductory Remarks. 1. David’s question: “If the foundation is destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalms 11:3. 2. David’s observation: “I was young, but now I am old, yet have I not seen the righteous ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:3, Psalm 37:21-27, Micah 6:6-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Freedom On God's Terms Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 26, 2015

When Moses met God at the burning bush he learned that Israel's freedom was to come on God's terms... not his, nor anyone elses. What were those terms and what do those terms tell us about our Freedom in Christ?

In March 2013 - in Texarkana, Texas - a woman and her son were cleaning up their yard when they came across a black snake. Now, I don’t know if the snake was poisonous… but I do know it frightened them. In their panic they doused the snake with gasoline and then they set it on ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sower Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Feb 26, 2004

Which type of soil is your faith planted in? For many I am afraid that they are not planted in the good soil.

“Parable of the Sower” Introduction It seems odd to me that all Christians respond differently to God’s Word. It is weird to me that we can all come to church and hear the same sermon and even sit in the same pew, but some take something away from it and others don’t. We all respond differently ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalm 1 – This Way And That Way – Which Way Are You On? Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 5, 2022

Part 2 continues the examination of Psalm 1, the Psalm of The Two Ways. One is either in Christ or not in Christ; in the camp of the saved, or the camp of the unsaved; living with a glorious hope, or living with a fearful expectation. We draw out lessons from this Psalm.

PSALM 1 – THIS WAY AND THAT WAY – WHICH WAY ARE YOU ON? PART 2 PSALM 1 – THE TWO WAYS This message continues on from PART 1 THE TREE OF VALUABLE BLESSING VERSE 3. {{Psalm 1:3 “and he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, Jeremiah 17:5-9, John 10:27, John 21:19, John 21:22, Matthew 8:23-27, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Ephesians 3:16, Romans 12:1-2, Jeremiah 21:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Matter Of Life And Death Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 3, 2015

Cage fighting is a particularly gruesome way of fighting, and yet Paul used the fighting of his day (more brutal than MMA) to describe Timothy's responsibilities. What could we possibly learn from MMA that could make us better servants of Christ?

How many of you know the meaning of these letters used to describe a sporting event: MMA? (Mix Martial Arts). It’s kind of like boxing where the contestants not only hit each other with their fists, but also with their feet and knees and elbows. It’s also called “Cage ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:3-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Plant Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 16, 2015

Moses' burning bush experience is a pattern for God's work in our lives. He catches our attention in a variety of ways and watches to see how interested we are. The deeper our interest, the deeper he takes us.

1. Exodus 3.1-10 2. "Earth's crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God. And only he who sees takes off his shoes, the rest sit round and pluck blackberries." -- Elizabeth Barrett Browning 3. God uses a variety of ways to catch our attention and interest us in him 4. The Question is, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Time To Listen

Contributed by Jeff Krist on Jan 7, 2003

Illustrated sermon on the parable of the sower

It’s time to listen ILL: I read about a lady who had a hearing problem. One day she and her husband were driving from Tennessee to Little Rock, Arkansas. They were pulled over by a state trooper who asked if the husband knew how fast he was driving. The wife asked, "What did he say?” The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:5-8, Luke 8:12-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Why Were The Wisemen Wise?

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Dec 15, 2008

Why were the wisemen wise? This sermon reveals three characteristics of their lives and exhorts us to apply them to our lives.

WHY WERE THE WISEMEN WISE? Matthew 2:1-12 1. THEY SOUGHT GOD FIRST Matthew 2:1-2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Soil Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Aug 30, 2025

This sermon from Matthew 13 reminds us that while the Word of God and the Sower never change, the fruitfulness of our lives depends entirely on the condition of our hearts—whether they are hardened, shallow, crowded, or humble and receptive to the transforming truth of Christ.

The Soil of the Heart Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 To hear and truly understand the words of our Creator is no simple task. This is the One who knit us together in our mother’s womb. Who recorded every moment of our lives before one of them came to be. Who holds together the seen and unseen, past, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

"Fat” Is Where It’s At

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Aug 19, 2019

We need to feast on the Word of God much more than we do.

“Fat” is where it’s at! The state of Missouri is known as the “Show Me” state. The phrase, “Show Me,” was coined in 1899 by then Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver while delivering a speech in Philadelphia. “I come from a state,” he said, “that raises corn and cotton, and cockleburs and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:13-17, Jeremiah 15:16, James 1:1-4, Hebrews 12:1, Hebrews 10:38, John 14:23-24, John 6:63, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 138:1-2, Hebrews 6:13-19, Titus 1:1-2, Ezekiel 24:14, 1 Samuel 15:29, Numbers 23:19, John 20:19, John 20:26-29, Revelation 10:8-9, Job 23:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sower And The Soils Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jun 8, 2008

This message talks about the Sower and the soils and discusses true Christianity and how to produce more fruit

Tell Me a Story The Sower and the Soil Understanding the Parable What is your heart Like? Hardened Soil = Resistant Heart Rocky Soil = Party Heart Thorny Soil = Vacation Hearts Good Soil = Open Hearts How to Bear More Fruit? Cultivate the growth of your mind (Plow the field of your mind) Prune ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On A Wooded Glade

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 7, 2025

A wooded glade is defined as an open, often sunny clearing within a forest. Essentially, a small, treeless meadow that allows sunlight to penetrate the forest canopy.

Elizabeth Gaskell, an English novelist and biographer once remarked: "By the soft green light in the woody glade, On the banks of moss where thy childhood played; By the household tree, thro' which thine eye; First looked in love to the summer sky." Joshua 17:15 reminds us: And Joshua ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:25, 1 Samuel 14:25-26, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalm 96:12