Sermons on Thorny Soil:

Ecclesiastes Chapter One Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Dec 20, 2024

What if there was no God - what would life be like? It would be meaningless - Meaningless.... The book of Ecclesiastes looks at life from the view that there in no God. This is a verse by verse look into chapter one of Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One Ecclesiastes 1:1 (NASB) The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Verse one identifies the author as Solomon. The Hebrew word that is translated preacher is a word that means a collector of sentences. It can mean a preacher, a lecturer, a public ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Seek The Lord Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on May 12, 2023

What has driven the Psalmist to seek the Lord? It has been a brokenness that has them crying day and night. Something has happened in the life that has caused intense weeping. Our hope is in God.

My friend in college had a spiritual roller coaster journey. We were friends before I came to Christ. He was backsliding and left our college when he was kicked out of our fraternity. He went to another college to play college baseball. During that time, he became close to the Lord and appealed ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Is It Worth It?

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 13, 2023

This week it's 'Christian Aid Week' (in the UK). Christian Aid calls on Christians to 'give, act and pray.' All good things to do. But we might wonder, is it worth it? Isn't the situation for Planet Earth hopeless?

This week is ‘Christian Aid Week.’ Once a year, Christian Aid especially encourages us as Christians to think about how we respond to a great sea of need in the world. Since this is Christian Aid Week, I thought I should tell you what Christian Aid want to tell us. Christian Aid has prepared ...read more

Scripture: Joel 1:10-12, Joel 2:12-13, Joel 2:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Can Guide Your New Year

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 27, 2023

We are on the cusp of a new year - 2024 - and with that new year comes a multitude of unknowns. Rather than tiptoe into the new year in fear, however, we should stride in with confidence because of the Holy Spirit who walks with us into unknown territory.

Introduction In our studies we have visited the idea that the Holy Spirit is the answer of the promises of God made throughout the Old Testament, culminating at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is a divine person. The Holy Spirit is the source of enormous blessings in our life, and we walk daily with ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Peacocks And The Pride Of Life”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 18, 2024

This week I center on human pride using the illustration of a peacock. Illustration of Nebuchadnezzar of pride, and Johnny Appleseed who was humble.

In Jesus Holy Name January 21, 2024 Epiphany III Psalm 62:7,8 Redeemer “Peacocks and the Pride of Life” Today’s message is not about how you can eternal peace with God. Today’s message is not about how your broken commandments can be ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 8:13, Mark 1:14-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Keep Hoping! Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Feb 19, 2024

Based on Luke 15:11-24 - Encourages those w/ prodigals to not give up hope.

“KEEP HOPING” Luke 15:11-24 FBCF – 2/18/24 Jon Daniels INTRO – Life is all about relationships. They bring us great joy & happiness – b’day parties, holidays, vacations, special occasions, celebrations of accomplishments & victories. Happiest moments in our lives come in our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

A Branch On The Tree.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 16, 2024

Israel could not produce the type of fruit that God had intended because they tried to produce it on their own- and not God’s way. God expected to find peace, but instead He found bloodshed; He expected to find justice but instead He heard cries of oppression.

A Branch On The Tree. Charlie Brown, “Snoopy some day we will all die.” And Snoopy says, “True, but on all the other days we will not.” Here's my addendum, -The believer never dies! The grapevine has always been central to Israel’s agriculture and economy and was an important symbol for ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Daniel 12:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Call For Social Justice - The Role Of The Church

Contributed by Ivy Drafor Amenyah on Aug 8, 2024

The church has a role in preparing men and women, as well as children to speak against social injustice and increase our witness

Advocacy is at the core of the implementation of the Accra Confession which calls upon Reformed Christians around the world to engage injustices in the world as an integral part of their churches' witness and mission. Everyone has a voice but some voices are stronger and can support weaker ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18, Psalm 12:5, Proverbs 31:8-9, Micah 6:8, Isaiah 59:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Surrounded By His Love: Living In God's Blessings And Protection Psalm 5:12 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 22, 2024

Psalm 5:12 encapsulates the heart of God's relationship with His people, His boundless favour, and His protective love.

Surrounded by His Love: Living in God's Blessings and Protection Psalm 5:12 Introduction: Today, we dive into the richness of Psalm 5:12. This verse encapsulates the heart of God's relationship with His people, His boundless favour, and His protective love. Let's read together from the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:12, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 91:4, Romans 8:38-39, Numbers 23:19, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 54:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Othniel Nails Leadership By The Power Of The Holy Spirit. May We Be Purged And Reformed. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Feb 28, 2025

What a mess the world is in, no seriously. We are under the judgment of God, are we going to cry out to him and be saved.

Entering into Judges. May we be purged and reformed. A couple of weeks ago when I last spoke on the last few verses of Joshua, and the inheritance of three people and their descendants. Joshua, Joseph and Eleazer. However, there is this great summery of the journey into the promised land that ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:14-16, Judges 3:7-11, John 14:16-17

Denomination: Salvation Army

Go! And Prepare Your Heart (Shrove Tuesday) Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 4, 2025

Shrove Tuesday is a day that, for many, is simply about pancakes. But for us as followers of Christ, it is much more—it is a time to prepare our hearts for a deeper walk with the Lord.

Go! And Prepare Your Heart (Shrove Tuesday) Introduction Today we stand at the threshold of a season that calls us to reflection, repentance, and renewal. Shrove Tuesday is a day that, for many, is simply about pancakes. But for us as followers of Christ, it is much more—it is a time to prepare ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9, Proverbs 28:13, Matthew 4:1-2, Joel 2:12-13, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 43:18-19, Romans 10:9, Romans 5:8, Romans 3:23, Psalm 46:10, Mark 1:35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Overcoming The Giant Of Worry Series

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Jul 5, 2025

Friends, we live in a world filled with uncertainties and challenges. It’s easy to find ourselves overwhelmed by worry. Yet Jesus offers us a path to peace. In Matthew 6:25-27, He gently invites us to trust God over our anxious thoughts.

Overcoming the Giant of Worry Terry Cavanaugh Overcoming Your Giants / Matthew 6:25–27 SERMON SUBTITLE: “Winning Over Worry” Matthew 6:25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-27, Matthew 10:29-31

Denomination: United Methodist

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 27 – Persecution And Oppression Against God’s People – Wicked Schemes - Chapter 3:58-60 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 25, 2025

We see increasing oppression and persecution in the world against God’s own, especially right now in Africa. Wicked schemes and godlessness increase. Jeremiah had to face the same evils and we look at verses dealing with this. Godly Christians WILL face persecution.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 27 – PERSECUTION AND OPPRESSION AGAINST GOD’S PEOPLE – WICKED SCHEMES - CHAPTER 3:58-60 Jeremiah pleads his case with the Lord and that we saw last time. He was delivered from the lowest pit and similar experiences met David, Jonah and the Lord. We looked at them. ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:58, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 2 Corinthians 7:5-6, 2 Corinthians 11:26, Job 33:28, 2 Timothy 3:12, Lamentations 3:59, Hebrews 11:36-37, Lamentations 3:60, Psalm 21:11-12, Psalm 37:12-13, Proverbs 28:5, Romans 12:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Miracle God Has For You

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 20, 2025

The greatest miracle is when a life is transformed by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Elisha's healing of the waters at Jericho is an analogy of God's healing of our fallen natures to bring sweetness and productivity.

A MIRACLE GOD HAS FOR YOU (The Miracle of The Water at Jericho) 2 Kings 2:19-2:22 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. The story is told that between heaven and hell there was a fence. The inmates of hell had a big fight and damaged part of the fence. 2. Peter called the devil and said, “It was fighting ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:19-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Urgency Of The Emergency Series

Contributed by Larry Johnson on Sep 13, 2025

I woke up with pain so sharp I could hardly walk, sit, or even sleep. Finally, my wife insisted we go to the emergency room. That day I learned something: just because something is an emergency does not mean it is urgent, and just because something is urgent does not mean it is an emergency.

“The Urgency of the Emergency” Mark 5:21-42 Dr. Larry D. Johnson Introduction: A few weeks ago, I woke up in excruciating pain. My back was giving me a fit. I could not walk; I could not stand. It hurt me to sit; I could not sleep. I mean, I was hurting. When I had gotten to a point where the pain ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-42, Mark 5:36