Sermons on Thorny Places:

To Keep Your Ax (Ministry) Lesson 6 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 20, 2023

Fasting keeps God’s presence alive, and keeps God first to make you effective in ministry.

“They (the prophets) began cutting down trees. But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. ‘Oh Sir!’ he cried, ‘It was a borrowed ax.’ ‘Where did it fall?’ The man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

This World Is Not My Own Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 20, 2023

Message 6 in an overview series through Philippians focusing on the theme that joy is not based on circumstances.

[BUMPER: Clip of Dorothy from Wizard of Oz] There’s no place like home! How many of you have NOT seen that clip before from the Wizard of Oz? Even if you haven’t seen this movie clip before, can we all agree with Dorothy that there’s just no place like home? Listen, you can go on your fancy ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Live Like Elijah In The Secret Place With The Power Of God - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 30, 2023

The world is in a very critical time right now. How are we to deal with the proliferation of perversion and pornography? Can you hear the voice of God through all of it? Are you living in divine revelation from God and the Anointing of the Holy Spirit?

Here in the USA, we stand in the balance of righteousness and holiness before God. We are still amid a global pandemic that has crushed our constitutional and civil rights. Our Federal, City governments, and schools are on the brink of disaster because demonic principalities of deviant, perverted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-7, 1 Kings 18:18-19, 1 Kings 18:38-40, 2 Kings 1:9-12, Ephesians 6:11-18, John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Live Like Elijah In The Secret Place With The Power Of God - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 30, 2023

The Day of Pentecost - The Secret Place - Intimacy - Rebuilding Altars - Issues of the Heart - The Fire of God

PART 2 Why did Elijah move in miraculous power yet suddenly be filled with fear? It is because He did not have the Holy Spirit living within Him as those who are Born-Again. The difference between the Old and New Testament ministries of the Holy Spirit is that, before the Day of Pentecost, His ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-7, 1 Kings 18:18-19, 1 Kings 18:38-40, 2 Kings 1:9-12, Ephesians 6:11-18, Acts 2:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing For The Present Troubles And The Joy Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Nov 4, 2021

This message focuses around the events of John 14:1-6 when Jesus was preparing his disciples for the events ahead of them that night, throughout life, and preparing for heaven.

PREPARING FOR THE PRESENT TROUBLES, AND THE JOY OF HEAVEN John 14 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ September 20, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/6YY1guN-YIs I) JESUS WAS PREPARING THEM FOR THE EVENTS AHEAD THAT NIGHT. 1) Let not your hearts be troubled (14:1a.) A) In one sense there ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, John 14:15-27, Revelation 21:16, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The God Who Hides, Lifts, And Establishes You

Contributed by Akindele Opoola on Nov 28, 2025

Beloved, we live in a world filled with uncertainties—economic shaking, spiritual battles, emotional storms, and unpredictable challenges. But David, a man who faced lions, bears, Goliath, and Saul’s spear, gives us a powerful revelation:

“THE GOD WHO HIDES, LIFTS, AND ESTABLISHES YOU” Anchor Scripture: Psalm 27:5 (KJV) “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” --- INTRODUCTION Beloved, we live in a world filled with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:5

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

God Commands Material And Workmanship Of His Dwelling Place With Israel Series

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Feb 8, 2003

We will go over the inner, outer, and covering of the Tabernacle that God sets up with HIS separate nation, under HIS soverign leadership. Walk with us today as Moses gets the commands for this dwelling place.

God commands Material and Workmanship of HIS Dwelling place with Israel Material and Workmanship--Inner Material and Workmanship--Inner Material and Workmanship—Cover DBF Sunday Sermon, February 9, 2003, Exodus 26:1-14 God has created such an intricate design when HE created our bodies. We are ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 26:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"To Do Service In The Holy Place..." By Dr. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Mar 30, 2005

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has courage to lose sight of the shore. The lessons we can learn from God’s specific instructions concerning the Tabernacle are an adventure in itself. Let’s examine it together!

Introduction The first time we are introduced to the subject of a Tabernacle is when the children of Israel had left Egypt and in Exodus 26:1 we read "Thou shall make the Tabernacle..." For the most part, the Tabernacle was to be used in some cases as a mobile worship center. What’s most ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 39:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Presenting Eyes And Ears: Vantage Point From The Hiding Place Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 7, 2001

When we are overwhelmed, in our panic we do not see what is before us, nor can we hear any word of counsel; someone -- innocent, devoted to us -- needs to create a stable point, a hiding place for us. Ultimately that is what Jesus Christ in His cross does.

We have abilities that we barely even use. Our senses are capable of doing much more than we allow them to do. I want to try a short experiment with you. I want to test your eyes and your ears. First, I am going to give you thirty seconds to look around this room and take it all in. Many of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 32:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place O Lord Almighty

Contributed by Don Schultz on Oct 22, 2006

Building dedication sermon.

Psalm 84: “HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE!” The last time I was here in LaPorte, this place where I am standing right now was just a muddy spot on the ground. There was an open field here, and the place where you’re sitting right now – can you picture it? Just mud, dirt, some grass. It ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The Rich (Or The Poor If They Place The Wrong Emphasis On Material Things) Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 2, 2010

James warns that the rich or the poor, if they place the wrong emphasis on material things can Can Fatten Themselves For A Spiritual Slaughter - And They Can Be Guilty Of Murdering The Just!

INTRODUCTION #26 1. Open your bibles to James 5:5&6. 2. In a previous lesson we discussed the first four verses of this chapter. In those verses we discussed three warnings that James gives. 1) Warning #1: The Misuse Of Wealth Will Bring Miseries! Even the poor can misuse material things and ...read more

Scripture: James 5:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christ Deied In Our Place And Christians Should Sacrifice For Others! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 10, 2010

Isaiah 53:5&6 and other passages teach that Christ proved His love for man by dying for the possibilty of their salvation and other passages teach that Christians should sacrifice to show their love for others and try to motivate them to become faithful f

INTRODUCTION 1. Open your bibles to Isaiah 53:5&6. 2. Again, this being Valentine’s Day and the fact that many cards, candies, meals and gifts have been shared to express love to different ones, we want to for the evening lesson remind ourselves of the love that Christ has shown to us. 3. Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Prayerful & Careful Where You Place Your Stamp Of Approval Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Dec 22, 2008

Have you noticed how this world system is constantly trying to influence our decisions?

1. All of us have a STAMP OF APPROVAL. • That is, by our words & deeds, we either approve of things or we disapprove of things. I like that. I don’t like that. • When people ask our opinions, we often quickly share our feelings on a topic or 2 or 3. • I have to agree that there are times when this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:28-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is A Person Like You Doing In A Place Like This?

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Oct 10, 2007

Satan has tried to deceive us into believing that the choices make will not harm us in the future. But history proves that choices we make can have dire consequences

In a recent issue of Preaching Today (Sept/Oct 1998), Dr. Brian Harbour related the following story. Dr. Harbour, pastor of FBC Richardson and Dr. Duane Brooks, pastor of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston, were in Waco attending a Baylor Regents meeting. They were on the elevator and were going ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:23-30

Denomination: Baptist