Sermons on Thorny Places:

Overcoming Series

Contributed by Larry Grant on Oct 16, 2021

We are commanded to see that there is peace in the family of God. Paul teaches that each person is responsible for their own actions in this matter. “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Romans 12:17-21 “Overcoming” (Prevailing or Conquering or Defeating) I. V.18 Live Peaceably - Here, we are commanded to see that there is peace in the family of God. Notice that God says that each person is responsible for their own actions in this matter. “If it is possible, as much as depends on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Exodus Part 8 (Nasb)

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jan 12, 2025

Israel's obedience of Yahweh's instructions; the offering of the materials and the recognition of the artisans (c/o Word Biblical Commentary)

The Tabernacle Underwritten 36 “Now Bezalel, Oholiab, and every [a]skillful person in whom the Lord has put [b]skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work [c]in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with everything that the Lord has commanded.” 2 Then Moses ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Sermon On A Round Peg In A Square Hole

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 14, 2025

The idiom and literal definition of “A round peg in a square hole” suggests a person who is unsuited or lacks congruence or affinity for a particular job, situation, or environment.

Steve Jobs, the California-born former CEO of Apple once remarked: “Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-2, Ephesians 4:29, Romans 12:2, John 3:16

Come Rest A While Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on May 31, 2022

There are two dangers in Christian life. First, is the danger of excessive activity, work without rest. Second, is the danger of too much withdrawal. Jesus calls to balance it.

Mark 6:31-32 Come Rest a while He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while” —for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat. (AMP) Joke: A husband checked into the hotel. Then he decided to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31-32

Denomination: Methodist

Two Heavens And Two Earths?

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 10, 2024

This morning I want to cover three misconceptions and three foundations for our study, then a final comparison

Background to passage: Beginning our new summer series on Heaven. Some of the material will be based on Randy Alcorn’s study called Heaven if you are interested in further reading. One of his opening hypotheses is that the subject of heaven is rarely and only casually dealt with in church life, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Taking No Chances

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 24, 2023

Incomplete obedience is disobedience. And yet, many fellow Christians attempt to serve God while living for the world. We need to discover the will of the Lord and courageously do that will.

“In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 15:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

How To Stay In Hope In A Dark World

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Nov 28, 2022

One could say we all have a hope meter inside each of us, the amount of hope we have in any given moment. Maybe my hope meter is at 100% full up, I’m centered on hope, this is where jesus wants me to be, in my mind and heart.

Showing up at the first pastor’s job 3 years ago was pretty scary stuff. It was me, a cook, a caseworker, and a driver. That was it. New officer, scared, unprepared, hoping that somehow, he can make a difference in this crazy world. Not knowing a single person in the city, driving in late at night. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-2, Romans 15:8-13, Romans 8:22-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

Parables Of The Kingdom – The First - The Sower Or Rather The Soil – Part 3 Of 5 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 31, 2025

We continue the Sower, considering the seed that fell into rocky ground, the shallow soil, with a warning. Temptation plus affliction and persecution will in time burn and kill off any mere profession. These hearers are only temporary. Then we begin the seed choked in the thorny soil.

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM – THE FIRST - THE SOWER OR RATHER THE SOIL – Part 3 of 5 Last time we finished thinking about the good seed that was wasted on the barren pathways and beside the roadway. There was nothing wrong with the seed, but the reception was nil because men closed their hearts to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:5-6, Matthew 13:20-21, Mark 4:17, Luke 8:6, Luke 8:13, Luke 8:14, Matthew 13:7, Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:18-19, Genesis 3:17-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Parables Of The Kingdom. Conditions Of The Heart. Matthew 13.1-23 Part 1 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on May 24, 2025

Using the Parable of the Sower, Jesus teaches that the condition of your heart determines the fruitfulness of your life in response to God's Word.

2025.05.25.Sermon Notes. Parables of the Kingdom. Conditions of the Heart. The Heart of the Matter_Matthew 13.1-23 PART 1 William Akehurst, HSWC Scriptures: Matthew 13:1-23, Isaiah 6:9-10, Galatians 6:7-8, Jeremiah 4:3, Colossians 2:6-7, Psalms 1:1-2, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Isaiah 55:6-7 Big Idea: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Isaiah 6:9-10, Galatians 6:7-8, Jeremiah 4:3, Colossians 2:6-7, Psalm 1:1-2, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Isaiah 55:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Just Emotion That’s Taking Me Over Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

How anger can be good and bad

...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

We Are Farmers

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jan 15, 2015

Looking at the four types of spiritual hearts and our role as farmers in sowing God's word.

A New York City businessman moved to the country and bought a piece of land. He went to the local feed and livestock store and talked to the proprietor about how he was going to take up chicken farming. He then asked to buy 100 chicks. "That’s a lot of chicks," commented the proprietor. "I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:5-15

Denomination: Foursquare

The Meaning Of The Empty Tomb Of Jesus.

Contributed by Phil Dyar on Apr 14, 2003

I AM SO GLAD THAT THE TOMB OF JESUS IS EMPTY; HE"S A LIVE; HE"S ALIVE, PRAISE GOD HE"S ALIVE. THE MEANING OF THE EMPTY TOMB OF JESUS? NEW"S FLASH A EMPTY TOMB WAS SPOTTED IN JERUSALEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE BIBLE SAYS IN LUKE 24:39 BEHOLD MY HANDS AND MY FEET THAT IT IS MYSELF’"KJV. THE BIBLE SAYS IN MATTHEW 28:6 HE IS NOT HERE FOR HE IS RISEN AS HE SAID COME SEE THE PLACE WHERE THE LORD LAY. KJV. TITLE THE MEANING OF THE EMPTY TOMB OF JESUS? IAM SO GLAD WE HAVE A LIVING GOD;JESUS AROSE JUST ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:39

It's Time To Move

Contributed by Keith Maynard on Feb 17, 2009

This was a turning point message for the church I’ve been Pastoring for 6 months. It’s time to move on with God.

IT’S TIME TO MOVE I SAMUEL 16:1-13 • GOD HAS PLACES • GOD SOVEREIGNLY SELECTS SCENES AND SETTINGS IN ORDER TO INSTITUTE AND INITIATE HIS WILL • GOD IS GEOGRAPHICALLY STRATEGIC • HE CONNECTS HIMSELF TO MAN NOT ONLY THROUGH HISTORY, BUT ALSO THROUGH GEOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY • PLACES HOWEVER DO NOT ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

That I May Dwell Among Them Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 4, 2008

The Tabernacle is a wonderful picture book, full of object lessons...a graphic, vivid experience of God’s presence with man! The MEANS, the MATERIALS, the MEN, and the MEETING. Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

That I May Dwell Among Them Exodus 25:1-9 Special ’fly by’ video, PowerPoint, & 3D Tabernacle links can be found for free at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DwellAmongThem.html In Genesis 1 & 2 we read about God’s creation. And right in the middle of that account, the Bible refers to God creating ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 25:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

What Dreams Are Made Of

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Dec 14, 2000

Following the example of Joseph we can see how a dream becomes a reality

I believe each one of us has a dream placed in our hearts, not the kind of dream like winning the lottery which is really the desire to escape our present circumstances. I am talking about a vision deep down inside that speaks to the very soul. The thing we were born to do, that draws from ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal