Sermons on thorny ground: showing 841-855 of 44,185

Thorn In The Flesh

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 8, 2005

Some people become defined by their hardships while others rise above their pain. We may suffer broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations, but we don’t have to become broken people. Pain is inevitable--misery is optional.

No one knows for certain about the nature of Paul’s thorn, and there has been extensive speculation about the nature of his affliction. Explanations range from persistent temptation, dogged persecution, chronic malaria, migraine headaches, epilepsy, or a speech disorder. Because Paul dictated his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Congregational

The Life Of Abraham, Part 15: The Way Of The Philistines Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 18, 2014

How do we live our faith during the long periods of ordinary life between our mountaintop spiritual experiences?

The Life of Abraham, Part 15: The Way of the Philistines Genesis 21:22-34 Introduction In the last lesson we saw the expulsion of Ishmael and his mother from Abraham’s family and their harrowing exodus into the wilderness which nearly proved fatal. As the boy was dying, God heard the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:22-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fruits Of God's Word

Contributed by William Baeta on Jul 8, 2011

“But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” Matthew 13:23.

Theme: Fruits of God’s Word Text: Gen. 25:19-34; Rom. 8:1-11; Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23 A parable serves to reveal spiritual truths by using earthly illustrations. In the parable about the sower Jesus Himself explains the parable. Just as seeds are planted to yield a harvest so the word of God is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Submit To One Another Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Aug 12, 2021

Submission has to do with a “radical decision to act unselfishly toward others.”

-Building Up One Another - Submit to One Another Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. - Ephesians 5:21 Introduction Have you heard the old story of the ship captain who looked into the dark horizon one night and saw faint lights in the distance? Immediately he told his signalman ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Spiritually Blind Eyes Finally See The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Michael Dephillips on Feb 8, 2003

Opening our eyes to the activity and presence of God around us

"When Blind eyes see" John 9:1-11 (Prayer) The greatest of all healing miracles was the giving of sight to blind eyes and it was reserved as a testimony of the true nature and position of Christ Jesus. When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent his followers to question Jesus if he was ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Conflict And Choices Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 5, 2004

Abram’s leadership manifests itself in his ability to resolve conflict. Lot’s character (and downward spiral) is revealed in the choice he makes for himself and his family. We can choose to yield our rights when we’re secure in knowing that God will tak

“Conflict and Choices” Genesis 13:5-18 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts People can be difficult! They’re often unreasonable, stubborn, and self-centered. Working with people presents thorny challenges. We all want to get along, but personality ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:5-18

Denomination: Congregational

The Daughter Devoured The Mother

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jul 2, 2007

A sermon for Independence Day on Deuteronomy 8! (Outline adapted from material in Pulpit Commentary Volume 3 Page # 157- 158)

Sermon for 7/1/2007- Independence Day Deuteronomy 8:10-20 The Daughter Devoured the Mother! Introduction: In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln said: WE have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:10-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A World View From The Children's Table

Contributed by Michael Deaton on Nov 15, 2006

Thanksgiving

A World View from the Children’s Table Matthew 6:25-33 Had we lived in New England, we might very well have been the subject of a Norman Rockwell painting. We were part of the new middle class that followed the Korean War. Families that were reconstituted as men made their way home yet again ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Methodist

Are Your Satisfied?

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 23, 2011

God wants us to bless (and thank) him AFTER he blesses us. It is easy to be God-conscious when we are in need; it is another thing when we are satisfied.

Who said: “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

So Loved

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Apr 22, 2011

Let us all take out our towels from our drawers and kneel down before others, and serve them as Jesus serves us, by loving them unto the end. Let us each serve our Lord, by serving all people, in the grace of God’s ultimate and sacrificial love.

INTRO One of the neatest gifts I’ve ever received was this little, hand towel. I was given this during my seminary commencement, and have cherished it ever since. The towel has a little saying on it: “Blessed to be a blessing” Isaiah 61:1. Isaiah 61:1-2 says: “The ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1

Denomination: Lutheran

Now You Hear It, Now You Don't Series

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 10, 2007

Now you hear it, now you don’t is selective hearing and if we heard at all, before long it is gone away. What we really need is “Now I hear it… Yeah I still hear it.” Then the seeds of faith are growing in the richest soil of our lives.

Most of you know, we spent Fourth of July weekend with my parents. My father has some hearing difficulty, but his greatest hearing difficulty is convenient hearing and not paying attention to what is being said around him. That can be said of many of us. Sunday afternoon he and I were watching ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

The Parable Of The Sower Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Jul 8, 2009

This parable teaches that people have different responses to God’s word.

[For free weekly sermons by email, please contact jonrmcleod@yahoo.com] THE PARABLE The parable of the sower appears in all three of the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark (4:1-20), and Luke (8:4-15). 1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Thorns In Our Lives

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jul 27, 2013

To identify the thorns in our lives and let GOD and the LORD JESUS CHRIST remove it from us.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have thorns in your life? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To identify the thorns in our lives and let GOD and the LORD JESUS CHRIST remove it from us. IV. TEXT: Isaiah 27:4 (Amplified Bible) Wrath is not in Me. Would that the briers and thorns [the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 27:4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Getting From Here To There By Heeding Sound Advice Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 20, 2019

Jesus told parables to describe what God's kingdom is like, to advise how to become a part of it, then grow and develop in such a way that others might be led by example into His kingdom

GOOD NEWS PRESENTED BY MARK Study of the Gospel According to Mark As you read Mark, be aware that you are reading the very first written account of the ministry of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:14-29

Who Is God And How Can You Get To Know Him? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 18, 2012

Jesus had to answer some very complicated questions designed to trap Him. But being the master chess player, Jesus turned the traps into times of teaching and revealing much about His true identity.

Jesus is in the middle of debating the religious leaders who have come to challenge Him after He cleared the Temple. Last time they demanded that He prove His authority (He wouldn’t because they wouldn’t admit where John the Baptist got his authority) and then they tried to trap Him ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-37

Denomination: Calvary Chapel