Sermons on Thorny Ground:

Smyrna: Unto Death Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 17, 2021

Whatever the Christians were going through in Smyrna … whatever we are going through in our lives right now … Jesus not only knows what we are going through, He’s experienced it Himself.

Imagine having to hide to do what we’re doing right now because if we get caught, we would be arrested and tortured and made to renounce our faith publicly … or be executed. That was the situation and daily reality for the little church in the beautiful city of Smyrna. Smyrna is located 35 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Trials Are Life - Giving And Life - Changing

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Oct 16, 2002

James is calling us to a new way of thinking in times of trials. Consider it pure joy, because the Lord is there every step of the way

TRIALS “ARE” LIFE-GIVING AND LIFE CHANGING JAMES 1:2-4 Pastor Greg Mc Donald How many here have ever seen a golf ball...or held one in your hand? Probably all of you. Well, did you know that when they first manufactured golf balls, they made them smooth. But later on it was discovered that ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Baptism And Grace Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Apr 22, 2005

How is Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection related to your freedom from sin? What do grace and baptism have to do with each other?

We went to visit Jennifer and Brian earlier this week. It was great. They are both doing very well and our grandbaby is kicking. As some of you know, Brian and Jen have two dogs: Clint and Lou. Clint is Brian’s and Lou is Jen’s. They told me that when they leave the house they have to put Lou ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living While Dying Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jun 7, 2010

By remaining faithful even in the face of tribulation, we prove the genuineness of our faith and can be assured of eternal life, even in the face of physical death.

I’d like to begin this morning by reading a portion of an article from the January 2008 issue of “Christianity Today” titled “A Victorious Family.” [Read first part of article]. We’ll come back and finish this account of Necati and Semse a little later, but ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

God Brings Good From Evil Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Oct 29, 2008

God points us through the cross to the wonder of his glory in order to understand evil and suffering in this present world.

Scripture Introduction Who killed Jesus? The Apostles’ Creed says he “suffered under Pontius Pilate.” Or maybe the blame belongs to the soldiers who drove the nails? Or should we condemn the Jews who demanded freedom for the criminal Barabbas and death for this one called, “Christ,” and then ...read more

Scripture: John 13:18-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"The Testimony Of The Sheep.”

Contributed by Levi Wright on Jun 16, 2007

The Lord is the Chief Shepherd and we will never want for anything when we follow Him down the pathway of righteousness.

Banner of Praise Ministries Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Rev. Dr. Levi Howard Wright, Pastor & Founder Subject: “The Testimony Of The Sheep.” Text: Psalms 23:1-6 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mary Had A Little Lamb

Contributed by La Juana Morris on Jan 16, 2007

A Christmas Story

Intro: In our childhoods, most of us learned the little song entitled, "Mary Had A Little Lamb.” It went something like this, "Mary had a little lamb. Its fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went. That lamb was sure to go." There’s more to the story, but those few lines are enough ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:5-7

Denomination: Methodist

Be Careful What You Wish For Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

We often look forward to eschatological events as wonderful pie-in-the-sky times. While the fulfillment of those events will result in unimaginable blessedness, we cannot forget they are initiated by judgment. Are we ready for how they will arrive?

Be careful what you wish for. 1. Because it might not be what you expect. 2. Because you might not be as ready for it as you think. 3. Because your memory might not be as good as you think it is. 4. Because you might need to do everything you can in the present grace God gives you. AMOS ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:18-27, Amos 5:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Distinguishing Grace Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 9, 2009

The sovereignty of God helps us understand the distinguishing grace of God in salvation.

Scripture Last week, in Romans 9:1-5, we saw a glimpse into Paul’s heart of compassion, as he expressed concern for his fellow Israelites. And that’s important to remember for a couple of reasons. First, we need to remember that the Apostle Paul, as convinced as he was of the sovereignty of God, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:6-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When All Is Said And Done, It Isn't

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 10, 2009

We come to a point when we feel depressed and think our lives have no meaning. Then God blesses us with physical, spiritual, and emotional sustenance, and sends us out to bless someone specific.

"What are you doing here?" What a question! Has anyone ever asked you that? "What are you doing here?" You were some place where nobody expected to see you, but you turned up, and that was the reaction. I have heard it in the grocery store. I cannot go to this Safeway up here without running into ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Look What The Lord Has Done Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 14, 2008

After all the Lord has done for us, how can we do anything than be thankful.

Look What the Lord Has Done Text: Joshua 23:1-16 Introduction 1. Illustration: A forgetful husband thought he had conquered the problem of trying to remember his wife’s birthday and their anniversary. He opened an account with a florist, provided him with dates and instructions to send ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-16

Denomination: Methodist

Living In The Last Days: The Great Apostasy Series

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Jan 23, 2015

a topical sermon about the end time apostasy before the coming of the Lord.

Living in the Last days: The great Apostasy Introduction: As we look at another sign of the end of days is apostasy, many in the church will fall away and become apostates. There will be a great wave of people leaving the church in the last days. I recently read an article from the UK ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Look What The Lord Has Done

Contributed by Evangelist Stanley Baker on Jan 19, 2018

God would not leave His promise half fulfilled.

Joshua 23:1-23:16 Look What the Lord Has Done Text: Joshua 23:1-16 Introduction 1. Illustration: A forgetful husband thought he had conquered the problem of trying to remember his wife’s birthday and their anniversary. He opened an account with a florist, provided him with dates and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-16

Denomination: Church Of God

Similarities All The Way!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Feb 9, 2019

In this message of sub-headings beginning with the alphabet “D” Yours Truly endeavours to bring similarities between the “Church of the bygone Covenant” (Acts 7:38 KJV) and the Church of the existing Covenant!!!

SIMILARITIES ALL THE WAY!!! All these things happened to them as examples—as object lessons to us—to warn us against doing the same things; they were written down so that we could read about them and learn from them in these last days as the world nears its end-I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:38, 1 Corinthians 10:11

Denomination: *other

Believer Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 3, 2016

Acts 11:26 says that the disciples of Christ were first called “Christians” at Antioch. In fact, “Christian” is just 1 of many names for God's people in the New Testament. This sermon on the 1st and most fundamental name for God's people: “Believer."

Names for the People of God #1—“Believer” Series: Names for God’s People Chuck Sligh April 3, 2016 TEXT: Acts 11:25-26 – “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:25-26

Denomination: Baptist