Sermons on Thorny Soil:

Global And Local: Sharing The Gospel Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 11, 2017

We should constantly ask God to reveal to us those ways in which we may be overlooking the opportunities to be like Christ and Mary in our daily lives.

Thursday of second week in Lent 2017 Joy of the Gospel Many people think that Jesus made up the parables, that He was a kind of novelist. I belong to a school of thought that sees Jesus as one acutely aware of what is going on around him, and who understands as nobody else does what is behind ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Catholic

The Knowledge We Have

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 13, 2013

Paul's answer to Gnostic tendencies in the Church.

THE KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE. Colossians 1:1-14. The Apostle Paul was in prison (Colossians 4:10; Colossians 4:18), probably in Rome. We can imagine that any bearer of news of the churches, and of the progress of the gospel, was a welcome visitor. Such was Epaphras a “fellow-servant, who is for you a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grain Of Wheat Principle

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 9, 2018

“Lord, protect me from the things I want. If they're not in accordance with your will. ~Amen.”

Lent5B You can tell that Jesus eat whole grains by his analogy of a kernel of wheat falling to the ground and dying to produce life. It was in reference to his sacrificial death, but he gives it to us as an over-arching spiritual principle of dying to selfish desires, e.g. like the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33, Psalm 51:3-15, Jeremiah 31:31-34

Denomination: Catholic

Healing All Things

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2021

Where are we going in our spiritual lives? Do we trust Jesus to lead the way? Let’s learn to follow Jesus wherever he leads. Let’s look at Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law in Mark 1:29-39.

Prelude: Where are we going in our spiritual lives? Do we trust Jesus to lead the way? Purpose: Let’s learn to follow Jesus wherever he leads. Plan: Let’s look at Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law in Mark 1:29-39. Mark 1:29-31 Simon’s M-i-L Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 1

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Sep 7, 2021

A short sermon exploring Psalm 1

Psalm 1 Charles Wesley wrote the hymn O for a thousand tongues in 1739 on the anniversary of his conversion experience. It was published in the first collection of Methodist hymns in 1780 where it was number one, and for two centuries it was number one in every Methodist hymnbook since then until ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grace And The Hidden Chains Of Legalism

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Jun 24, 2025

This sermon discusses the danger of slipping to legalism after being saved by grace.

Scripture: Galatians 5:1 (NIV) "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Grace is a glorious gift. It is the unmerited favor of God lavished upon sinners who cannot earn their way to heaven. The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Weeds And Seeds

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 20, 2023

God reserves the right to judge between weeds and seeds.

Weeds and Seeds – Matthew 13: 24-30 Intro: Gloria thought of herself as a good Christian mother. One day she allowed her son, Timmy to play in the back yard of their home. Afterall, it was fenced on all sides and nothing could really hurt him. When Gloria went outside to the backyard to take ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Can The Church Be An Obstacle To Discipleship For Jesus?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jun 1, 2021

Is it possible that some of the doctrine, rules, and regulations of the church be a stumbling block to becoming a disciple for Jesus? Yes, it was definitely one for me and I still struggle with it.

{You may want to read Mark 4:1-9, This is the actual parable that I am speaking about. } [Why parables?] 10 As soon as He was alone, 1 His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. 11 And He was saying to them, "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:10-19

Denomination: United Methodist

Light In The Spiritual Darkness Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 8, 2018

Our Lord forever is pouring out on us His grace and goodness so that we will learn to do the same thing for Him and for other people.

Feast of St. Lucy 2018 The constant temptation human beings face is to turn God’s intention for man upside down. Instead of us following the plan to be remade into God’s image, we are constantly trying the impossible. We attempt to remake God in our own image–venal and selfish and cruel and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-15, Isaiah 41:13-20

Denomination: Catholic

Love For God

Contributed by Jeremias Fababier on Apr 18, 2024

How we should value our love for God? In what way do we show it?

TOPIC: PAGPAPAHALAGA NG ISANG ALAGAD NI JESUS Text: Luke 14:25-35 Introduction: Jesus calls His followers to be true disciples. ANO ANG PALATANDAAN NG ISANG ALAGAD NI JESUS, ANO ANG KANIYANG MGA PINAHAHALAGAHAN? 1. LOVES JESUS ABOVE ALL (Pinapahalagahan niyang Mahalin ng Higit Kaninuman si ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Ain't The Ritz

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Jan 1, 2004

the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

This Ain’t the Ritz Scripture: John 6:35–40, especially verse 37b: . . . the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. Introduction: If we visited Paris and strolled like gaudy sightseers into the gilded lobby of the Ritz Hotel at the Place Vendôme, the concierge would look on us with ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

Kept From Falling

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Feb 28, 2002

The strength of God’s grace can heal inner weaknesses that would otherwise cause you to crumble.

It was at 5:30 a.m. on March 13, 1933 that a giant, vigorous redwood tree crashed to the floor of a california forest. Its fall ended a life of more than 1200 years. A section of the stump was removed and studied through the science of tree ring chronology and the life of the tree was ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-17

Denomination: Church Of God

Tragedy's Call To Repentance

Contributed by Dr. C. David White on Mar 25, 2002

True repentance is one of the few indespensibles of the Christian faith!

National tragedy has awakened a sense of need in millions of Americans. (9/11/01) Jesus used dillema of tragedy to teach those who listened to Him a very important lesson. Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

God's Promises For The Future

Contributed by Colin Coombs on Mar 18, 2006

An encouragement to trust the Lord, based on the scriptures. God has a future ahead of us, promised and secured by His Word.

GOD’S PROMISES FOR THE FUTURE Isaiah 30:18-26 18 The LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them. 19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We Are More Than Conquerors Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 10, 2006

Jesus did more on the cross than pay the price for our sins. Jesus also gave us the victory.

1 Samuel 17:8-9, 45-47 “We are More Than Conquerors” INTRODUCTION A week has passed since Easter. The chocolate Easter bunnies have been consumed (at least in our house). Only a few stray jellybeans remain in the once overflowing Easter baskets. Our nice, new Easter outfits have been soiled, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:8-47

Denomination: Lutheran