Sermons on thorny soil:

Christ Is The Vine

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 24, 2006

This sermon is about living vitally connected to Christ, the True Vine who produces awesome fruit in our lives.

We live in a world of concrete and metal, cars and skyscrapers. Our food comes from grocery stores, markets and McDonald’s. Jesus lived in a world of deserts and gardens, rocky clefts and fertile fields. The food that Jesus and his friends ate were the grains they saw growing in nearby fields and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trust The Lordship Of Christ

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 7, 2006

We say that we believe in God and His plan of salvation through His Son, Jesus. But, do we really trust God? Is our true motto, “In God we nearly trust?”

Trust the Lordship of Christ Philippians 2:10-11 Isaiah 43:2-3 Romans 10:9 How trustworthy are you? Can you be trusted? Has you life been lived in such a way that people naturally trust you? A New York City lab claims to have bottled trust. They say: After showering in the morning simply ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2-3

Denomination: Free Methodist

Finding Your Place In The Family Tree Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 23, 2009

The lineage of Jesus helps us find our place in His family.

“What’s Christmas All About? Finding Your Place on the Family Tree” Matthew 1:1-16; Ruth 4:13-17 Most of us, at some point in time, develop a curiosity about our heritage. We like to look at our family tree. Usually we find a mixture of good news and bad news. My family tree, for example, has on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Back To Church Sunday: Invite Someone

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Apr 17, 2014

Adapted from material from Outreach, I preached this sermon the week before Back to Church Sunday to encourage members to invite their friends, relative, associates and neighbor to church.

Back To Church Sunday: Invite Someone! Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church How many people do you know who “used to go” to church, but just don’t anymore? If you are like most folks, you probably know quite a few. Today there are 320 million people in America and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:39

Denomination: Christian Church

Sermon # 5 - Faith In The Midst Of Life's Storms Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 4, 2024

When we are faced with trials and hardships, we should not lose heart but must know that the Lord is with us. With Jesus on our side we can walk by faith without any fear because the Lord is in perfect control.

The question Jesus asked His disciples as recorded in Mark 4:40, Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?" (GNB) Let us look at the background to this verse. We read in Mark 4:1, Again Jesus began to teach beside Lake Galilee. The crowd that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:40, Mark 4:1, Mark 4:34, Mark 4:21-25, Mark 4:26-29, Mark 4:30-32, Mark 4:35-37, Mark 4:38-40, Romans 8:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Walking In Love PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 21, 2023

This sermon explores how to live a Spirit-filled life, manifesting the fruits of the Spirit, and maintaining steadfastness in walking in step with the Spirit.

Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, it is a privilege to gather with you today in this sanctuary of grace and worship. We stand on the threshold of a new understanding, a fresh perspective on the life we're called to live as followers of Jesus Christ. We are not here by accident, but by ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26

Topics: Fruit, Spirit

The House On The Rock

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: Only a life built on Jesus Christ will endure.

Thesis: Only a life built on Jesus Christ will endure. Intro.: Opening Illust. In 1174 the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: A separately standing bell tower for the Cathedral of the city of Pisa. The tower was to be eight-stories and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Why Jesus Expects Us To Be More Like A Farmer Than A Bumblebee

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Jesus equated the ministry of the His kingdom with farming in Mark 4:1-20 where He said, "The farmer sows the seed along the path, where the word is sown.

1. Jesus equated the ministry of the His kingdom with farming in Mark 4:1-20 where He said, "The farmer sows the seed along the path, where the word is sown. Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Stumble Series

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on May 29, 2002

Peter knew what it was like to stumble and fall He also knew what it was like to receive the grace of God after having falling

1 Peter 2:4-12 VCC August 30, 1998 Don’t Stumble Introduction Peter is written to those who were going through all kinds of trials (1:6) He has exhorted the Christians to personal holiness in chapter 1 After encouraging personal holiness, he commanded them to have sincere love for the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:10, 1 Peter 2:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Defending The Faith And Warning The Wicked

Contributed by John Harper on Feb 3, 2009

Those who enjoy being immersed in a sinful lifestyle are those whom we call reprobates. These reprobates are destined for destruction. We should stand up for the Word of God, but warn the wicked of their destiny.

II Peter 2:10-22 November 19, 2008 Pastor John L. Harper Warden Assembly of God “Defending the Faith and Warning the Wicked” Introduction: How do we faithfully hold onto biblical doctrine, and warn those who are in error? If we are critical of everyone and everything, then we are wrong in our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:10-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritual Growth In The Kingdom Of God Series

Contributed by Donald Rapp on Jul 24, 2010

By using the mustard seed as an illustration for the growth of the kingdom Jesus is demonstrating the amazing power of the gospel and its effect on people.

Spiritual Growth in the Kingdom of God The Book of Mark Mark 4:26-34 I. Introduction A. As we have seen the parables of Mark 4 primarily concern themselves with issues of the Kingdom of God. 1. Specifically they deal with the spiritual aspect of the Kingdom. a) That is the realm in which we live ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

A Tree Full Of Fruit

Contributed by Frank Ricketts on Oct 14, 2015

The fruit of the Spirit is at hand!

Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Here we have a familiar story of the wise men presenting gifts to the baby Jesus. Here we also have the story of dreams being told. But we are not going to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:12

Denomination: Apostolic

The Fig Tree In The Vineyard Series

Contributed by Paul Basehore on Aug 13, 2014

The time is short, so repent now to make sure you’re producing spiritual fruit.

Text 1: Luke 13: 6-9 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9, Matthew 7:19-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Seed And The Sower - Part 1

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 23, 2016

The parable of the Seed and the Sower is full of spiritual insight for us as we see the world as a place where the Lord wishes to plant seeds and to harvest souls. In this first part we look mostly at the Scripture between the parable and the explanation

Matthew 13:1-23 NIV Parable - “A short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson.” What might be an example of a simple, non-Biblical story that could be considered a parable? The Tortoise and the Hare (briefly describe) The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Nazarene

Four Traits Of A Growing Believer Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Feb 26, 2013

Solomon pursued the meaning and purpose of life. He asks relevant questions regarding our existence today.

Ecclesiastes 8:1-8 Four Traits of a Growing Believer Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? What’s the reason for my existence? 1a Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? bA man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist