Sermons on Thorny Soil:

The Life Of Abraham, Part 15: The Way Of The Philistines Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 18, 2014

How do we live our faith during the long periods of ordinary life between our mountaintop spiritual experiences?

The Life of Abraham, Part 15: The Way of the Philistines Genesis 21:22-34 Introduction In the last lesson we saw the expulsion of Ishmael and his mother from Abraham’s family and their harrowing exodus into the wilderness which nearly proved fatal. As the boy was dying, God heard the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:22-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Benefits Of Unselfishness

Contributed by Greg Nance on Mar 24, 2011

Jesus gives us the ultimate gift and teaches us unselfishness as the path of true joy and victory.

Benefits of Unselfishness Romans 13:8-10 The following illustrations come from Sermon Central's Illustration collection. A fascinating study on the principle of the Golden Rule was conducted by Bernard Rimland, director of the Institute for Child Behavior Research. Rimland found that "The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Game Of Thrones - Pt. 4 - The Whole Pie! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 7, 2016

We talk, sing, and pray using the language of the Kingdom . . . words like Lord, King, and sovereign. However, citizenship in a democracy keeps us from understanding the throne.

Game of Thrones Pt. 4 - The Whole Pie Introduction After 1 year we have finally come to the final battle in the attack on the 5 principalities that I identified for us. We have fought isolation, poverty, hopelessness and apathy. Now we square off against compartmentalism. Compartmentalism is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:6-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Is God's Answer - Sermon I: Jesus Is God's Answer To Life's Supreme Quetions Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 4, 2020

While many folks today simply "add" Jesus to their lives as just another aspect of all that they have going on, mature Christians say "no" to this type of defamation of Jesus and say "yes" to the preeminence of Christ as Lord.

JESUS IS GOD’S ANSWER TO LIFE’S SUPREME QUESTIONS With declining church attendance, a church in Maryland used market research and focus groups to design its weekly services. They did this to determine what type of services people would attend. As a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:6-15, Isaiah 43:1-7, Colossians 1:15-17

Submit To One Another Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Aug 12, 2021

Submission has to do with a “radical decision to act unselfishly toward others.”

-Building Up One Another - Submit to One Another Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. - Ephesians 5:21 Introduction Have you heard the old story of the ship captain who looked into the dark horizon one night and saw faint lights in the distance? Immediately he told his signalman ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leaving Heaven

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

To think of Jesus in such a light seems almost irreverent. There’s something about keeping Him divine that keeps Him distant and predictable.

Summary: God in all of His wisdom hid the real date of His Son’s birthday and even His physical attributes ... “She will bring a Son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name Him Jesus--'God saves'--because He will save His people from their sins." (Msg.) v.22-23 “All of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sowing

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 22, 2007

Discusses the benefits of sowing seeds

Sowing Introduction Last week we took up a seed offering for our guest speaker. When I told the guests who came to hear him that they did not have to give in the regular offerings, they looked at me as if I was crazy. Most people plan to give once when they come to Church and I wanted that to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Root Of Righteousness

Contributed by Richard Reid on Dec 20, 2005

It’s time to grow deeper in God’s word.

Root of Righteousness Proverbs 12:3 12/9/05 A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous cannot be moved. Proverbs 12:12 - The wicked covet the catch of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit. Root - The part of a plant buried in and gaining nourishment ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

He Taught Them Many Parables… (The Parable Of The Sower) #1

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 15, 2022

Many ministers use poems, illustrations and humor to get across what they are wanting to teach. But a favorite tool of the Lord was parable

He used them frequently! The Bible says He taught them many parables. WHY DID THE LORD TEACH IN PARABLES? Notice, the Scripture explains the Scripture. Look at Mark 4:1-2, we read, “And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Nature Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 23, 2015

If the gospel is good news why doesn’t everyone respond with joy? Jesus says he tells parables to filter out those who can't understand.

Do you see what I see? When you look at this picture, I wonder what you see? A young lady in silhouette, or a cartoon man playing the saxophone? There’s only one picture, but people see different things. By the end of Mark 3, the disciples must be wondering the same thing about Jesus. How ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

Incredible Invisible

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Aug 24, 2022

Jesus used several illustrations about seeds to teach important truths on how his kingdom works. Today we will look at a parable that teaches His Kingdom has Incredible Growth and Invisible Increase.

Invisible Incredible PPT 1 Message Title Incredible Growth, Invisible Increase Jesus used several illustrations about seeds to teach important truths on how his kingdom works. Today we will look at a parable that teaches His Kingdom has Incredible Growth and Invisible Increase. I believe this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Parables Reveal About You

Contributed by Dean Shriver on Jun 1, 2006

In the Bible Jesus says, “I came to seek and to save what was lost.” Jesus came to proclaim good news to the captives. Jesus came to reveal the truth about God. Jesus came to be light in a dark world. But what if I told you that it’s not quite as simp

September 12, 2004 WHAT PARABLES REVEAL ABOUT YOU Matthew 13:1-23 In the Bible Jesus says, “I came to seek and to save what was lost.” Jesus came to proclaim good news to the captives. Jesus came to reveal the truth about God. Jesus came to be light in a dark world. But what if I told you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Seeds By The Sea

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 19, 2011

Sermon for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost and the parable of the weeds.

Matthew 13: 1 – 9, 18 – 23 / Seeds By The Sea Intro: The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what he said. One evening during a reception, he decided to try an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeds By The Sea

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 7, 2011

Sermon for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost dealing with spreading God's word.

Matthew 13: 1 – 9, 18 – 23 / Seeds By The Sea Intro: The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what he said. One evening during a reception, he decided to try an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Gps Stage 4: Harvest Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Nov 9, 2009

The last Message in the GPS series. Harvest is critical.

GPS Stage 4: Harvest Mark 4:26-29 * The word ‘harvest’ means much less today than it did in times past. Think about the First Thanksgiving. Our High School history text and class taught us that the first feast, while not particularly called “Thanksgiving”, was a celebration of the crops being ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

Denomination: Baptist