Sermons on Thorny Soil:

Plainness Is Not Painless Series

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Oct 28, 2007

You can’t handle the Truth! But God can make you so that you can.

SERMON NOTES: THE POINT OF PARABLES Why isn’t God doesn’t God speak more “directly?” 1. Because hearing implies doing [Deuteronomy 5:1 – 29; 1 Cor 10:13; Jude 24] 2. Because Coercion isn’t Conviction [2 Sam 23:15 – 16 / 1 Chronicles 11:16-19] 3. Because He already has [Luke 16:19 – 31] ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Tall Strong Trees With Deep Wet Roots

Contributed by Mark Jones on May 29, 2003

Psalm 1 Gives God’s plan for success and happiness; the growing Christian is a happy Christian.

Tall, Strong Trees With Deep Wet Roots! Psalm 1 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Forgiveness

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Nov 5, 2002

This sermon deals with the reality that forgiveness is a choice on all levels.

Forgiveness 10/13/02 GNLCC 1 Samuel 25:1-30 Matthew 6:9-15 Forgiveness is one of the most precious ingredients needed in building loving and lasting relationships. Let’s suppose for a moment you were the owner of a store and your product was bottles of forgiveness. What marketing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15, 1 Samuel 25:1-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How You Can Have The Power Of God Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Dec 4, 2002

God wants to fill our powerless lives with His power and strength.

Danny Simpson, a 24-year-old Canadian, was sentenced to 6 years in jail for robbing a bank in Ottawa, Canada of $6,000. The gun he used in the robbery, however, ended up in a Canadian museum. The .45 caliber Colt semi-automatic turned out to be an antique made in 1918 by the Ross Rifle Company of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Seats Become Set-Ups

Contributed by Norris Harris I on Feb 6, 2003

IT IS A fact THAT You have been SET UP for FAILURE, FRUSTRATION and the FORFEITURE of all that which you have FORCLOSED! In practice, your FAITH has FAILED to FUNCTION in the FACE of SET UPS. YOU JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN SEATS BECOME SET UPS.

Perhaps you are wondering, ’Why it is that your Service always seems to SET YOU UP?’ I don’t know, but I’m Speculating. I’m not sure, but its possible that you might be puzzled as to Why your SERVICE ultimately SET YOU UP for FAILURE? I can’t be absolutely certain, I have a sneaking suspicion ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

"I See Dead People..." Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Nov 7, 2006

The letter to the church at Sardis.

AM Sermon preached at Central Christian Church October 29, 2006 "I See Dead People..." (The letter to the church at Sardis) Rev. 3:1-6 [SERMON SERIES SLIDE…IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY ADVANCE TO TITLE SLIDE THEN A BLANK SLIDE] All I’ve seen of the movie, The Sixth Sense starring Bruce Willis are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Book Of Acts, Part 12- Counterfeit Faith; Simon The Sorcerer Series

Contributed by Mark Strauss on May 4, 2006

In Acts 8 we meet just such a leader. •A man with a following; a man who is viewed by those around him as powerful and dynamic and charismatic. •Yet whose spirituality is just as phony as David Koresh or Marshall Applewhite.

Counterfeit Faith Simon the Sorcerer; 8:9-25 It was Nov. 18, 1978. Congressman Leo Ryan from San Francisco had decided to fly a fact-finding mission to a place called Jonestown Guyana, South America. His mission is to investigate alleged human rights abuses at a religious cult known as the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Paradox Of God's Kingdom Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 16, 2003

Four paradoxes of God’s kingdom from the parables of Jesus.

Life is filled with paradoxes. Now a paradox is simply a statement or idea that appears to be contradictory. One of the most famous ancient paradoxes was described by a Greek author named Epimenides. Epimenides tells us of a Cretan who utters the words, "All Cretans are liars." Can you see the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of The Harvest

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 12, 2009

If we ever want to see the harvest, we must faithfully plant the seeds and tend the garden!

The Joy of the Harvest Acts 17:1-15 Intro: Someone in Elgin once had a neighbor named Jack. Jack was a tough man. He worked hard, he drank hard, he fought hard, and he was harsh and gruff in his manner. Most people were afraid of Jack. But this one neighbor got brave and said hello to him over the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Wild Olive Trees

Contributed by James May on Feb 16, 2014

We were once all Wild Olive Trees in God's Eyes. First he created the Good Olive Tree in Israel through the promises of Abraham. Then God sent His Son, Jesus, so that we Gentiles, who were still Wild Olive Trees, could be grafted into the Good Tree

Wild Olive Trees Sunday, February 16, 2014 By Rev. James May Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:17-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who Made You Judge? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 10, 2016

A study of the book of Job 8: 1 – 22

Job 8: 1 – 22 Who Made You Judge? 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: 2 “How long will you speak these things, and the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? 3 Does God subvert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice? 4 If your sons have sinned against Him, He has ...read more

Scripture: Job 8:1-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Blood Of Christ Speaks Better Than The Blood Of Abel

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Mar 8, 2011

The blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin.

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST SPEAKS BETTER THAN THE BLOOD OF ABEL Genesis 4:1-16 Whenever anyone does something wrong God speaks to them through their consciences and convicts them of their sin. “What have you done?” He has placed in every person a conscience, the divine assessment which ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Joy Of The Harvest Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 10, 2009

If we ever want to see the harvest, we must faithfully plant the seeds and tend the garden!

The Joy of the Harvest Acts 17:1-15 Intro: Someone in Elgin once had a neighbor named Jack. Jack was a tough man. He worked hard, he drank hard, he fought hard, and he was harsh and gruff in his manner. Most people were afraid of Jack. But this one neighbor got brave and said hello to him over the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

World Hunger Offering Day

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 12, 2010

The OT Law of Israel presented the principle of solicitude for the needy thru concrete actions. Christians must adapt these tutorial lessons by the heart of Christ. The Church must exercise the principle of solicitude for the needy concretely.

The Causes of Hunger: From NAMB—Issues & Answers: Hunger The causes of hunger are multidimensional & deny the temptation of simple answers. Hunger does not result simply from the lack of rain or overpopulation. It is not just a matter of poor economic choices. Hunger is complex & often ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Devoted To The Fellowship

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Apr 11, 2012

The early church was devoted to the fellowship - i.e. their local body of believers - what does this mean for us?

Devoted to the Fellowship TCF Sermon February 12, 2012 Let me start this morning by reading the Super Bowl translation of our primary text for this morning. Giants 2:42 (NFLV) – They were fans of the Giants story, and were always together with other Giants fans for the Big Game, and shared ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational