Sermons on thorny soil:

Finding Your Identity

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 27, 2010

It is not so much that we find or create our identity but that we receive it... from God.

Title: Finding Your Identity Text: Colossians 2:6-7 Thesis: It is not so much that we find or create our identity but that we receive it… from God. Introduction: Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France has proposed a decree that would ban anyone from wearing religious symbols of any kind. The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surviving Life’s Storms

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 17, 2010

Calamities prompt us to ask, "Why?" There are no pat answers. Yet there are answers for how we can survive these sudden storms. It’s important that we anchor our attitudes in Scripture.

Opening illustration: It seemed like a regular day at the beach. When the blasts of billions of tons of water wrecked the coasts of more than a dozen Asian nations on Dec. 26, 2004, most of the people on the beaches were totally unaware of the looming danger. In its wake the massive tsunami claimed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Complacent Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 10, 2008

Do not place your security in the outward forms of church life and neglect your walk with the Lord. Cultivate an authentic relationship with Christ.

The message to the church in Sardis was distinct from those we have seen earlier. • No words of commendation. Just a blunt statement: “you are dead”. • Jesus says He saw their deeds. There were activities going on in the church. • Jesus says “you have a reputation of being alive” – they were ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Irrefutable Law Of Gardening

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Apr 17, 2008

Your God-given time, talents and treasures all fall under one general rule in life - You get out what you put in!

The Irrefutable Law of Gardening Griffith Baptist Church – 4/20/08 A.M. Service Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (Proverbs 3:9-10) Key verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6 - But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Living By Grace Is Not Freedom To Sin Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 22, 2008

The doctrine of grace is not to abused by living a life of sin

Our study of Romans takes us to the opening of the sixth chapter. From Romans 3:21 through the end of chapter five, we have been studying the doctrine of justification by faith. Now Paul moves to inform the Roman believers, and all other believers of the next step in the Christian life. It is the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are The Pure In Heart Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 27, 2007

God is concerned with the condition of our heart. We are to seek purity of heart in two ways: (1) be right, and (2) be true. Our words and deeds must be in sync with our heart.

Noticed Jesus did not say “Blessed are the pure…” which is correct too. • But He said, “Blessed are the pure IN HEART.” The emphasis is right. • Man concerns the outward – we want to look good, to make an impression. • We need to place more emphasis on what is unseen – the attitudes of our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lenton Season

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Oct 22, 2007

What was lent supposed to remind us of? What does lent remind us of?

Some thoughts on the Lenten Season Lent, known to be the oldest ritual in Church. It came into existence as early as 130 AD. The observation of lent began as a season of penance, driven by the example set by Lord Jesus Christ during his 40 days of fasting in the desert where he overcame the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Having A Religion That Is Worth Anything Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 31, 2012

Religion to most is external- what you look like. Jesus says that a religion that is worth anything begins internally with a relationship with Him and will be lived out to the widows and orphans that we meet in life.

Having a religion that is worth something James 1:19-1:27 Introduction- We are continuing to be in the series Nuts and Bolts of life. We have looked at relationships, both with God and others. We have looked last week at trusting God when we are in difficult times, and this morning we will look ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Nazarene

The Story Of My Heart Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Apr 17, 2012

Transparency, Christ's Love, Our testimony

THE STORY OF MY HEART 2 Cor 5: 11-21 (p818) August 14, 2011 INTRODUCTION: The word of God uses the Greek word "metamorphoo" four times in the New Testament. It's used in Matt 17: 2 and Mark 9: 2 to describe what happened to Jesus on a mountain when Moses and Elijeh appeared with him from ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

“god’s Ministry From The Sanctuary” Part 1 Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Feb 13, 2015

The “Bottom Line” in our Christian walk is not how well we sing, preach, teach, serve but rather how soft our hearts are before the Lord.

Manifest Presence Series “God’s Ministry from the Sanctuary” Part 1 (Inspired by Don Nori Sr.’s Manifest Presence: You Can Live Within The Veil) January 21, 2015 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A The “Bottom Line” in our Christian ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Sardis Church Of Christ

Contributed by Doug Conley on May 22, 2014

Are you clothed in white? What if you aren't? What will be your outcome?

(Rev. 3:1-6) I. Re 3:1 ¶ "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, A. In the context of these letters 1. The word “angel” means “messenger” a) Minister b) Evangelist 2. He who has a) Is speaking of Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do You Believe, Do You Truly Believe?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Apr 5, 2014

When Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life," He was clearly claiming that He was the source of both After He shares this truth Jesus turns to Martha and says ' Do You Believe This?" Beloved, Do you believe this? Do "You" truly believe.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four readings of Scripture prior to the Message. The Scripture for this day were Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11 and John 11:1-45 An elderly man who lived alone in Idaho.....wanted to till his sizable potato garden, ....but it was ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-4, John 11:1-45

Denomination: Anglican

Of Tamper And Hamper!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Apr 3, 2018

Focusing on some Biblical incidents which occurred away from public gaze where one would see how the omniscient God has justly judged covert sinful acts of some even while rewarding the noble deeds of others!!!

Of Tamper and Hamper It’s buzzing in the media! The video depicting the moral bankruptcy of the Aussie Cricketer Bancroft in first tampering with the ball with “yellow tape” (sandpaper?) and then shamelessly tucking it in his inner garments out of fear of ...read more

Denomination: *other

Incapable, Yet Faithful Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 28, 2017

When it comes to reaping a harvest, we are very limited in what we have control over. All we can do is plant the seed, share the Gospel, but the harvest rests in the Lord's hands. We are not called to produce life, but sow the seed that leads to life.

Incapable, yet Faithful Mark 4: 26-29 Our text today once again deals with sowing and harvest. While the sower must put forth sufficient effort in preparing the soil and sowing the seed, he has no control over the harvest. He can faithfully cultivate the ground, keeping the field free of weeds ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Age Of Un-Thankfulness

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 7, 2015

Paul warns us that there comes a spirit in the church that people will BE UNTHANKFUL. It is God's will for us to GIVE THANKS in everything. Do I really LOVE LIFE?

THE AGE OF UNTHANKFULNESS By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This week I went to Nashville to visit a man in the Medical Center at Vandy. I left the room and headed for home about 8 PM. I knew my wife would have supper waiting when I arrived home, so I knew better than eating. But I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God