Sermons on Thorny:

Racy Words

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 22, 2019

The Christian journey can be described as a "race." We choose the kind of race we run -- fun and games; obligatory; or the long-term run.

1. Last week we “passed the baton” in regard to teaching people the word of God from generation to generation and person to person. 2. It made me think of the ancient Roman Games and how they were used as illustrations for the Christian life. 3. The Games in Rome were a big deal. Although much of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Listen To God: The Good Soil - Mark 4:20-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 16, 2023

Why is Scripture hard and why so many different conclusions about Jesus? Because he hid the truth in hard sayings. Why make it so hard? This passage explains.

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. Immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:20-25, Matthew 13:12, Luke 8:16-18

A Will To Know Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Dec 28, 2002

It is only as we exercise a healthy will toward God and His Word that we will be able to know and do what is best for us in all of life’s circumstances.

Matthew 13:1-23 A Will to Know Introduction In last week’s message, I spoke about the human will and the role it plays in our lives as we move toward or away from the will of God for our lives. Each of us has been given a free will to exercise, and God’s desire is that we exercise it toward Him. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Why Scars? Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 11, 2017

Have we ever considered WHY SCARS? Scars witness we have survived and we are still pressing on. The scars of Jesus were a testimony to Thomas.

WHY SCARS and DARKNESS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com REAL DAILY LIFE CAN GROW TO THE POINT THAT IT IS EASY TO SAY, I QUIT, LET US THROW THE CLAY AWAY. Text: Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Parable Of The Sower

Contributed by Paul Davidson on Jan 26, 2021

I remember sitting, my face wet with tears, as I prayed for God to rescue me and change the soil of my heart into rich, fertile soil. I was tired of just pretending to be a Christian. I no longer wanted to be the person I had become. I surrendered my life to Jesus... and I was forever changed!

INTRODUCTION God has put a message on my heart to share with you from the Gospel of Matthew. This message is actually very special to me personally. It was April of 1993 when I heard someone preach on the “Parable of the Sower” from Matthew 13. We had just survived a very serious car ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23, 1 Corinthians 2:14, James 1:2, Galatians 1:6, Galatians 5:7-8, Matthew 7:21, Proverbs 24:30-32, 1 Timothy 6:10, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 19:23-24, John 15:5-8, Ezekiel 36:26, 1 Peter 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Teacher's Pet Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 19, 2018

I want to be Jesus' teacher's pet. I want to be His favorite pupil. This passage gives us the key to pleasing Jesus and becoming more like Him in my life. (Spoiler alert - it has to do with how I treat people I don't like)

OPEN: A great scholar was once asked about a young man who was in his class. The person said, "So and so tells me that he was one of your students." The scholar just smiled sadly and said, "Well, he may have attended my lectures, but he was not one of my students.” What was that scholar saying? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Crave

Contributed by Duran Johnson on Mar 3, 2003

A message for new members to encourage them to aggressively pursue the Word of God.

You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. (1 Peter 2:2-3, NLT) Introduction What a clear and concise message! It simply says that we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

A Kingdom Picture

Contributed by Don Baggett on Jan 31, 2008

I used to think the phrase, Kingdom of God, meant only some future time, but I have come to understand that it means the Christian experience under the Lordship of Christ.

I wonder what you think of when you read or hear the phrase, “Kingdom Of God?” Perhaps you think of some future time, when there will be perfect peace and no problems, when the ferocious beasts of the forest can be led around by little children. That’s what I used to think it meant, but I have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Just Emotion That’s Taking Me Over Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

How anger can be good and bad

...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

Don't Hold Back

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 14, 2015

Prayer, fasting and tithing are little gifts we give so that God's power can fill up our weakness.

First Sunday in Lent 2015 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” These words of Jesus, recorded by St. Mark for the Church at Rome, conclude the shortest of the accounts of Christ’s forty day retreat in the wilderness near ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12-15

Denomination: Catholic

A Kingdom Of The Receptive

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jan 9, 2001

The parable of the sower shows us how we are to receive the good news of Jesus Christ

A Kingdom of the Receptive Matthew 13.1-17 September 14, 1997 Morning Service Introduction I. Ben Franklin’s Field of Plaster: Ben Franklin was known for his outrageous experiments, one such experiment revealed that plaster could be sown with crops to help them grow, when he shared his discovery ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-17

Denomination: Church Of God

Of Seed And Soils

Contributed by Gary Roth on Jul 15, 2002

God is the good gardner, working his people into good soil, fit to plant in the seed of his presence.

"Of Seed and Soils" Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 I would like to fancy myself a gardener, although I’ve only been at it about thirty years, and am humbled at the presence of some of you Master Gardeners in the congregation. I am also finding out that gardening in the south is a different kind of animal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

The Parable Of The Four Soils

Contributed by Clark Frailey on Nov 10, 2002

A look at the Parable of the Four Soils using contemporary illustrations.

I. Seeds fell along the Path (v. 4) EXPLANATION: The Soil on the Path will not grow a seed. Or that part of the gospel message that can be sowed in us. This first seed falls by the wayside or on beaten path bordering the garden. This is sun-baked hard ground, completely useless for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

God Outside The Box!

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jan 1, 2011

Isaiah made it clear on behalf of God that his thoughts are way differant to ours and his ways are much higher than ours, so why would we limit God?

Isaiah 55: 8-11 This passage talks of a future servant who would save God's people as they returned from exile and followed him. An interesting time of the year, welcome to 2011, well I guess that many of you welcomed the New Year in yesterday. Many of you would have probably have made one of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Older Brother

Contributed by Joseph Neil Adams on Jan 1, 2008

A message that takes a look at the prodigal son parable from the perspective of the other son.

(This message was preached at a United Service with Anglican’s & URC from our town - including my old College Principal!) Luke 15 : 11 - 32 Religious people criticized Jesus because he ate with sinners & so He told this story. A story so familiar to us who have been attending churches – yes? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Methodist