Sermons on Thoughtful:

"overcoming Adversity"

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jul 5, 2022

Everyone deals with adversities! Everyone face obstacles in life. Winners and losers are separated by how they choose to respond with the adversities of life. Winners in the Christian race learn how to overcome their adversities by taking full responsibility of their opportunities.

Subject: "Overcoming Adversity" Text: Mark 10:46-52 “Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 37:4

Denomination: Methodist

Is It Time? Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 5, 2022

Ask 5 questions when you consider marriage: Is it the right time? Is it the best use of my time? Can I please God and my potential spouse at the same time? Is it my time? Is it for all time?

A married couple was celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. At the party everybody wanted to know how they managed to stay married so long in this day and age. The husband responded, “When we were first married, we came to an agreement. I would make all the major decisions, and my wife would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Denomination: Evangelical Free

To Whom Will You Liken God? Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Jul 11, 2022

To whom shall the LORD be compared? Who is his equal? There really is none like him! When we really see that truth, and we accept it, then we’ll be comforted in all our trouble, our sin and brokenness.

There’s a lot of power in a good question. Because sometimes a question is so pointed that it leaves no possible answer but absolute truth—there’s no wiggle room, there can be no hesitation, just plain truth. In the Bible there’s lots of questions like this. Think of the powerful questions in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:12-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Creation, And God's Word (Psalm 19:1-14) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jul 12, 2022

It's common to play off the two parts to the psalm. But they are both useful, and inspired. And creation and the Bible complement each other, in how they reveal God.

This morning we will read Psalm 19. This psalm breaks down into two (or sort of 3) main parts. They are related, and connected, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to pull them all together at the end. Or even how I'd do that. My plan, instead, is to approach this as two sort ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14

Treasure In Clay Jars

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 16, 2022

This sermon focuses on Paul's words to the Corinthians to remind them (and us) that even in the midst of pain and persecution (i.e, being hard pressed on every side), they carry within them the knowledge of God through Christ that can help them be victorious over any situation.

Good morning. Did anybody get to see the exhibit down at the Heinz Center called The Vatican Splendors? In case you were not able to see it, today is the last day and then it is going to move on. It was a traveling show across the United States that hit four or five cities where they took ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6, John 1:18

Denomination: Christian Church

Pharaoh's Heart Is Hardened. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 16, 2022

Paul and the other apostles refused to obey commands from people in authority to stop preaching the gospel, for instance (Acts 5:27–29). They did, however, submit to those in authority in all matters that were not in contradiction to the will of God.

Pharaoh's Heart Is Hardened. Exodus 7:13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said. – Exodus 7:13, NIV COMMENTARY God HARDENS Pharaoh’s Heart BECAUSE … 1. God Was Responsible for This Pharaoh Coming To Power. This Accords With Rom. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Mighty Saving Works Of God's Gentle Servant Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Jul 17, 2022

Christ will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax. None of his believers are disposable, none are useless to him. Be sure that when you go to Christ with your troubles, He will help. Be sure that when you repent and bring your sins to him, He will be gentle.

The book of Isaiah is sometimes called ‘the fifth gospel.’ In the New Testament we have four gospels, of course: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These tell the story of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. Well, you could say that Isaiah does the same thing, because his book is such a great ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Elisha's Ministry - Trample The Lord And You Will Be Trampled By The Lord 2kings 6:24 - 7:1-20 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 20, 2022

Times were desperate in Samaria. Because of its sin and wicked king, God allowed Aram to invade and there was a great famine. People suffered. God worked a miracle through Elisha - decency from lepers, and arrogance from a court official. Serious lessons are here, for our nations.

ELISHA'S MINISTRY - TRAMPLE THE LORD AND YOU WILL BE TRAMPLED BY THE LORD 2Kings 6:24 - 7:1-20 SERIES – MESSAGES ON ELISHA – HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY Number 18 SUFFERING IN SAMARIA 2Kings 6 v 24 Now it came about after this, that Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army and went up and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:24-33, 2 Kings 7:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Us Examine Injustice In The World - And Then God’s Perspective On It Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 25, 2022

Where is the God of justice? This world is plagued with injustice, and it will only increase. This message looks at justice, righteousness, examples of injustice in the Old Testament and in our governments. There is also a section aimed at dealing with injustice.

LET US EXAMINE INJUSTICE IN THE WORLD - AND THEN GOD’S PERSPECTIVE ON IT INTRODUCTION TO THE SUBJECT In the KJV of the bible, {{1 John 1 v 9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” In the Holman version it says, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Isaiah 10:1-2, Hosea 10:12-13, Micah 2:1-3, Malachi 2:17, 2 Timothy 3:13, Hebrews 13:5-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

As The King Goes, We Go (Psalm 20) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Aug 1, 2022

3 different applications: what do we trust in, how to view our leaders, and what it means that Jesus is our King.

Today we have the privilege of working through Psalm 20. This psalm is a little different from most that we've studied so far. The only one sort of like it, up to this point, is Psalm 2. This is a song that would've sung by the congregation-- by Israel-- for its Davidic king. Picture ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 20:1-9

Grant Me Wisdom Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 7, 2022

God, grant me the wisdom to know the difference … and, as we shall see, therein lies the problem. I don’t know about you, but I usually don’t know the difference and I usually do the most harm to myself and to others when I think that I do.

[This is the third sermon on Reinhold Niebuhr's "The Serenity Prayer," asking God to grant us the wisdom to know what to accept and what to change. This was also preached on Communion Sunday, hence the lead up to Communion at the end.] Wisdom. What is wisdom? Well, let’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-17, Acts 9:1-9, Romans 7:15-19, Philippians 3:5-6, Isaiah 29:13-14, Acts 26:9-11, John 9:30-33, 1 Corinthians 1:20-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

The Only God, The First And The Last Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Aug 7, 2022

It’s foolish to put our confidence in what we own, or in what we look like, or in the people we love. All these good things only spring from the Lord God, the overflowing fountain. And none of these things can save or redeem, for God alone is the First and the Last.

One of my favourite Bible stories is in 1 Kings 18. That’s the chapter where God has a showdown with Baal, a dramatic contest on the top of Mount Carmel. You remember how Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a competition. ‘Come up the mountain,’ he said. ‘Bring two oxen for sacrifice, wood to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:6-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Prayer Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 10, 2022

As Christians, we all want to be more like Jesus. We all know that this life is about seeking after that one goal every day so that others might see Jesus in us and want to come to Him. Here are some practical ways to achieve the goal.

PRAYER [part 1] My son-in-law asked me if I would tell him how to become a more Christlike person. I had already decided to write an article on the subject, 'How can I become a more Christlike person.' I responded with, 'I CAN; GIVE ME A COUPLE OF DAYS TO REVIEW THE INFO ON THE ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Baptist

The Error Of Balaam – Making Profit From The Work Of The Lord – Part 2 - Jude 1:10-11(B) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 13, 2022

Was Balaam a great prophet? Wonderful things came from the mouth of Balaam when he blessed Israel and did not curse them. Jude makes reference to him with "the error of Balaam" but how do we see that error in churches? That is what we will consider this morning.

THE ERROR OF BALAAM – MAKING PROFIT FROM THE WORK OF THE LORD – PART 2 Jude 1:10-11(b) Jude is the book that we are seriously considering. We did Cain and Korah In Part 1 from last week. Then we were introduced to this compromising man, Balaam who was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:10-11, Zephaniah 1:4-5, Matthew 6:24, Numbers 23:4, Numbers 22:1-41, Numbers 23:1-30, Numbers 23:19-20, 2 Peter 2:14-17, Revelation 2:14, Numbers 31:16, Deuteronomy 23:4-5, Numbers 25:1-5, Deuteronomy 23:5, Numbers 31:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faithless Piety

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Sep 1, 2023

Jesus did graciously proclaim the truth, but He also very strongly confronted those who twisted and perverted the truth. He pulled no punches when correcting those who intentionally used the word of God toward their own ends.

Faithless Piety Luke 11:20-44 Have you noticed that there are many people who picture the Lord Jesus’ earthly ministry as one of performing good deeds and miracles, while gently teaching love and peace and being surrounded by women and children? Well, you know, that’s only part of the picture we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:20-44

Denomination: Methodist