Sermons on thorny soil:

Ow! That Hurts!

Contributed by Chris Talton on Oct 27, 2003

In order to get Christians to increase in their fruitfulness for Him, God cuts things out of our lives.

Oct. 26, 2003 John 15 “Ow! That hurts!” Introduction Indian Jones and the Last Crusade is one of my favorite movies—it’s great entertainment but it packs a powerful punch of a message about finding happiness and joy. In the climactic scene of the movie, Indiana Jones is grasping ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing Jesus Again For The First Time

Contributed by Chuck Warnock on Jun 26, 2007

The events of the past week were a blur for Mary Magdalene. Only a week ago, she and dozens of Jesus’ followers celebrated his entry into Jerusalem with an impromptu parade. Mary Magdalene remembered how the shopkeepers and pilgrims, in Jerusalem for th

Seeing Jesus Again for the First Time Chuck Warnock, Senior Pastor Chatham Baptist Church Chatham, VA www.chathambc.net Text: John 20:10-18 The events of the past week were a blur for Mary Magdalene. Only a week ago, she and dozens of Jesus’ followers celebrated his entry into Jerusalem with ...read more

Scripture: John 20:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is The Love?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 6, 2006

Christ said the demonstration of the reality of a relationship with Christ is the bond of love between believers. When the world sees true Christian love in action they will know it’s real. But the question that must be asked is “Where is the Love?”

WHERE IS THE LOVE? JOHN 13:31-35 Introduction: Christ declared that the demonstration of the reality of a relationship with Christ is the bond of love between believers. Note that Christ said when the world sees true Christian love in action they will know that a believer’s professed faith is not ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

What Hast Thou Done For Me?

Contributed by Paul Humphrey on Mar 19, 2006

This sermon centers upon three things that Jesus tells us that we must do if we wish to follow him.

What Hast Thou Done for Me? Second Sunday in Lent 2006 Dr. Paul G. Humphrey Mark 8:31-38 MK 8:31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

The Masterpiece Of The Gospel: The Resurrection

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 18, 2008

The only true masterpiece of man is sin, God’s masterpiece uses the centerpiece (the cross) to paint over the ugly and unacceptable work of man. God’s masterpiece is still the good news. It is still the greatest story ever told.

Intro: A masterpiece is the greatest work of an artist, or something superlative (the best of) its kind. Michelangelo had his Sistine chapel, Leonardo DaVinchi had the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, and Van Gogh had his self portrait. There is no work of art that compares to God’s masterpiece the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20

Denomination: Baptist

Human Praise Vs God's Praise

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Dec 12, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: What motivates you most? the applause of people or GOD's approval or praise? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To give more value to GOD's praises rather than people's IV. TEXT: John 12:43 (New Living Tran

I. EXORDIUM: What motivates you most? the applause of people or GOD's approval or praise? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To give more value to GOD's praises rather than people's IV. TEXT: John 12:43 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) For they loved human praise more ...read more

Scripture: John 12:43

Denomination: Pentecostal

Leader's Evil Associations

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Apr 6, 2013

I. EXORDIUM: Are you an evil leader? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that leaders have the responsibility to strengthen themselves in the LORD so they won't fall and bring lots of damage to their members. IV. TE

I. EXORDIUM: Are you an evil leader? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that leaders have the responsibility to strengthen themselves in the LORD so they won't fall and bring lots of damage to their members. IV. TEXT: Ezra 9:2 (New Living Translation, Second ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 9:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Grace And Passion For The Lost Series

Contributed by Martin Wiles on May 16, 2011

We need a passion to share our faith with those who don’t know God as well as the wisdom to know how.

Romans 9:1-13; 30-33 Introduction: A. This begins a two chapter section in which Paul deals with the nation of Israel: what God has done in their past as well as what part-if any, they still occupy in the future plan of God. B. Some eschatological interpretations have all the Jews-or at least most ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Prepare The Way Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 3, 2009

The church is to be on the offensive in preparing the way of the Lord in the lives of people!

Prepare The Way, Luke 3:1-6 Introduction There is a story of an Atlantic passenger lying in his bunk in a storm, deathly sick—seasick. A cry of “Man overboard!” was heard. The passenger thought, “God help the poor fellow. There is nothing I can do.” Then he thought at least he could put his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

10 Principles For Financial Agreement Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 16, 2015

10 principles for financial agreement in the family (Material adapted from Wayne A. Mack's book, Strengthening Your Marriage, Unit 5, pg. 113)

Introduction: We should be one in the area of our finances, but easier said than done. It is unlikely that a married couple will be free from conflicts over finances. Several reasons: 1) Each of us is a sinner and inclined to be selfish 2) Raised in different homes and have different ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unbelievers' Status

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 22, 2016

To show that GOD wants our eyes and hearts healed if we come to Him, so that we can understand Him.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have eyes that can see and hearts that can understand? Yes. JESUS healed me. Isaiah 6:10 (Amplified Bible) Make the heart of this people fat; and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Leaving Heaven”

Contributed by Bubot Parago on Dec 8, 2018

God in all of His wisdom hid the real date of His Son’s birthday and even His physical attributes...

“LEAVING HEAVEN” Matthew 1:21-23 “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 this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet: “Look! The virgin ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

More Than We Bargained For Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Mar 22, 2018

What happens when we try to bargain with God? We get more than we bargained for! We get to build our character, confront our past, and learn how to cope with difficult people.

MORE THAN WE BARGAINED FOR—Genesis 29:1-30:24 The young man gets into the car, and hits the steering wheel with his palm. His girlfriend—the light of his life—has dumped him. How could God let this happen? He has loved her well, and honored God in his courtship. What has it gotten him? The man ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

“he Was Tortured By The Romans” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Apr 20, 2015

The Romans tortured Jesus out of ignorance. But is that a justifiable excuse?

It’s interesting to contrast how the suffering of Jesus is portrayed. There are depictions that are rated PG. There’s hardly any blood; and Jesus looks more annoyed than in pain. There’s a heavenly glow around His head, as He gazes into heaven. Then there are depictions that more ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Seed Of Change Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 5, 2001

God brings change to our world slowly, one person at a time, but with dynamic results.

I guess the parable of the sower is a familiar one to most of us. It’s one of those stories that have been told and retold countless times. So the danger is that when we hear it again we can think we already understand everything that there is to learn from it. Yet God’s word is living and active, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-15

Denomination: Anglican