Sermons on Thorny Soil:

Is Your Life Built To Last?

Contributed by Philip Gunther on Sep 1, 2001

A life built to last is constructed upon the person of Christ and by means of putting his words into practice.

The Parable Of The Two Builders Rev. Philip A. Gunther Cathedrals & Towers Dedicated in 1093 AD, making it some 908 years old, Europe’s oldest gothic church stands proudly as a magnificent and massive architectural creation. Situated in the city of Winchester, in the county of Hampshire, in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:46-49

Denomination: Mennonite

"God Is Bigger Than Any Terrorist"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 13, 2001

What Christians are to do in the face of terrorism

1 Timothy 1:12-17 “GOD IS BIGGER THAN ANY TERRORIST” BY: Reverend Kenneth Emerson Sauer Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church in Newport News, VA As you all know, our world was changed this past week--changed by unbelievable and hideous evil--we have all been affected, we have all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Prepared For Good Works

Contributed by Gary Griffith on Sep 27, 2001

How do we prepare ourselves to do good works?

Prepared for Good Works Text: Titus 3:3-8 Proposition: The Christian must be ready at all times to do good works. While serving in the Persian Gulf, our entire battalion discovered that we were unprepared because of deficient gas masks. I believe that many believers are like that, unprepared ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:3-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Talk Just Is Not Enough

Contributed by Tony Clarke on Sep 30, 2001

Sermon Preached in April 2000 as part of our discipleship focus month.

Text: Luke 9:23-24 Theme: When Talk Just Is Not Enough Luke 9:23-24 Then he said to all, "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! 24Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

John Chapter 20 Series

Contributed by Jimmy Davis on Oct 1, 2001

John Chapter 20 explores the appearances of Jesus immediately following His resurrection.

John Chapter 20 John 20:1-9 The first day of the week, that’s Sunday. This is the best explanation I know for when the Sabbath Day changed! The Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday when Christ arose from the dead. Christ was dead during the Sabbath Day; He became alive on Sunday, and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Payday For Mom

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 13, 2002

Not working outside the home? There’s enough to be done within the home to keep ten women busy (and probably twenty men). Consider the wages...

May 12, 2002 Erma Bombeck writes; For the first 4 or 5 years after I had children, I considered motherhood a temporary condition -- not a calling. It was a time of my life set aside for exhaustion and long hours. It would pass. Then one afternoon, with 3 kids in tow, I came out of a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:9, Exodus 2:2-9

Denomination: United Methodist

"Christ Speaks To His Churchs--Ephesus" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 6, 2002

Introduction to the series, then Ephesus--in spite of their orthodoxy, the spiritual vitality of the church at Ephesus was gone.

Christ Speaks to His Churchs--Ephesus Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts We all dread performance appraisals; they can often make or break a career. In the Book of Revelation we read our Lord’s spiritual evaluation report to His churches. While specific ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

Before And After The Flood

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 5, 2001

Conditions and Consequences involved with the Great Flood

During and After the Flood – Genesis 7:6-9:17 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand God’s covenant with Noah and the significance of the command, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” 2. Explanation of the Aim: God created mankind to give Himself glory. As holy men and women of God ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

19 Pentecost A

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 27, 2002

Doing the will of God, even though not exactly as quickly as God had hoped, is still better than saying we will and never getting around to it.

19 Pentecost A Matthew 21:23-32 29 September 2002 Rev. Roger Haugen Do you remember what happened 30 years ago this week? 1972. Does the name Paul Henderson help out? Yes, 30 years ago this week Paul Henderson scored arguably the most famous goal ever scored in the history of hockey. It is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Not As Clean As You Think

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Oct 1, 2002

Based on the Dial commercial, you’re not as clean as you think, we take the congregation to a realization of our need to experience forgiveness. I have a powerpoint available with video clips, via email upon request.

From late-night, insomnia-driven infomercials to risque nude shower commercials, we are bombarded with the marketing mantra of cleaners claims as they try to siphon money out of our wallet. Listen to a few examples of these messages that have been rehearsed into our memory: New Ultra Clorox ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-21, 1 Peter 1:18-19

Denomination: Church Of God

Your Faith Provision—part 1 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 28, 2001

This is part 1 of 3. The 1st installment in a 5-sermon series describing God’s Provision for the people of Israel as it applies to His Church today. This installment deals with a Faith that warrants God’s attention & provision or A Faith that moves God

Your Faith Provision-I—Josh. 14:6-15 Caleb’s faith was granted God’s special provision. Personal faith is granted God’s special provision. When does personal faith warrant God’s provision? 4 traits/features of a personal faith that holds/warrants God’s attention/provision. 1—Faith that ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

Three Parades

Contributed by Mark Winter on Mar 14, 2001

The parade that wound into Jerusalem on that long ago Sunday was exciting -- but it can’t hold a candle to the parade that took place on Friday.

The parade route begins near the twin towns of Bethpage and Bethany, less than two miles from Jerusalem and winds into the Holy City. The Grand Marshal is an unlikely hero – a rustic from a blue-collar town up north, the son of a woodworker. In keeping with his “common man” image, he decides to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:13-15, Mark 11:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Of Pride And Prejudice Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 23, 2002

Aaron and Miriam lead a rebellion against Moses’ leadership that incenses God. What did they do wrong, and what can it teach us?

OPENING: Joe had ordered an expensive suit for a banquet, and the tailor finished alterations just in time. But as Joe left the shop, a sudden rainstorm doused the jacket and shrank one of the sleeves. "We can’t do anything about it today," the tailor told Joe when he returned to the shop. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Truth From Tragedy

Contributed by Richard Deem on Oct 29, 2001

We are in a time of crisis and calamity in our nation. In a swift attack, we were brought face to face with our mortality. No longer can we say “Those things only happen over there.” On September 11, 2001 we lost our innocence. America will be forever

Text: Various Introduction: On Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 7:59 AM an American Airlines Jet Liner lifted its wheels from the tarmac at Boston’s Logan Airport. Only 5 of its 92 passengers had any idea of what was being set in motion. American Flight 11 was a routine daily flight heading for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:7, James 4:14

Denomination: Church Of God

Seeing The Harvest

Contributed by Michael Belcher on Nov 26, 2001

A challange to look at the harvest through the eyes of Jesus.

Introductory: The Barna Research Group has been involved in gathering and analyzing information concerning the church since 1984. Many of their findings are startling and eye-opening. They have found that 33% of Americans are unchurched; they have no church affiliation whatsoever. While it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Baptist