Sermons on Thrive:

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

Psalm 23 is probably the best known passage in all the Bible.

Introduction: Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the best-known passages in all the Bible. Most of us learned it as children and it continues to be a comfort to those who are dying, or those who have lost loved ones. Maybe it’s so well-loved because it is so personal and individual. When we read ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We Really Healing As A Nation? A Response To The 911 Anniversary

Contributed by William Yates on Aug 18, 2002

As people reflect on 911, my question is: Are we really healing as a nation? In this message we look at Jeremiah 8 and see some astonishing parallels between Judah and America today.

Are We Really Healed? Aug 11, 2002 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace. Jeremiah 8:11 One month from today will mark the one-year anniversary of 911. This day will be commemorated by numerous memorial services, many ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:4-22

God's Great Concern And Our Petty Concerns Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jun 23, 2002

God’s Great concern in the salvation of the lost. Is this our concern or are we more concerned about our own comfort?

Jonah 4 June 23, 2002 God’s great concern & our petty concern Have you ever got it completely wrong? Have you ever flown off the handle, and let someone really have it only to discover that what you thought had happened hadn’t really happened or that you were the one in the wrong? It’s the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: *other

Constantly Abiding

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Dec 20, 2001

Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

I.“Abide in Me”—Experience Life (verses 1-8) verse 2, “no fruit” verse 2 “fruit” verse 2 “more fruit” verse 5 “much fruit” Where are you and I? Are we still acting like people that are not saved. Are we just barely growing so that we are still struggling with swearing or lying or stealing etc.? ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

More Than Hatch, Match, And Dispatch Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 13, 2000

The church is for far more than empty ceremony on occasions demanded by tradition; it is the steward of new life, with a rich and full experience that employs the diversity of gifts God has given it.

Last week you seemed to get a big charge out of my little story about going to a wedding rehearsal and wasting time waiting for a key person to arrive. When I said that I didn’t know what we’d do on Sunday afternoon if he didn’t show up, you let out a belly laugh. You assumed I was talking about ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Who Hated Christmas

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

Today we are going to talk about a real person, an individual who plays an important part in the Bible's account of Jesus' birth, but who is seldom mentioned in Christmas programs or sermons. His name is King Herod.

The man who hated Christmas. Who am I talking about? Is it Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser whose motto for Christmas was "bah-humbug"? Or is it The Grinch, the creature who tries to steal Christmas because he can't stand to see people happy? Well, neither. Today we are going to talk about a real ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18, Luke 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

Looking Both Ways

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 22, 2000

We are going to look back at some of the obstacles and opportunities the church has faced the last decade, and look ahead at some obstacles and opportunities which may be in our path during the next ten years.

A few weeks ago I was sitting at my desk planning my sermon schedule for the holiday season. I came up with topics for Advent, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, but I really wasn't sure what would be appropriate for the first Sunday of the year 2000. So, I paged through my files and came across an ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Christians: Party Animals? Part I Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Oct 10, 2001

This sermon is part of a series I did on Nehemiah’s one holy passion, the glory of God.

One Holy Passion Nehemiah 8:1-8 April 29, 2001 “Christians: Party Animals?” Part 1 A funny thing happened on the way to the sermon! I had it all lined up and figured out, and then it became clear that God was asking me to change my mind and my approach to the remainder of this sermon series. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Walking By Faith Or By Sight?

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Feb 24, 2001

This sermon looks at the differences between faith based on experience only and faith based on the truth of God’s word. Experiential vrs. Truth.

Do We Walk by Faith or by Sight? To get a more completed picture of this biblical account, I will take this study from Matthew and John. Lets begin by reading from John 6: 5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-27, John 6:5-14

Denomination: Baptist

Praise In Persecution

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 10, 2001

An exhortation to praise when life hurts.

Praise In Persecution We often paint the Christian life as one of utter joy and prosperity when we witness to unbelievers. Christians spend their lives trying to live up to that sales pitch. They learn to ignore the pain in their lives or accept it as punishment for their sins. They wear ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Philippians 1:29-30

Denomination: Baptist

Going Where The Action Is--Perspectives On The Jabez Territory Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 16, 2002

When Jabez cried out to God “enlarge my territory” he was looking at his present circumstance and concluding, “Surely I was born for more than this"--this message will help us to see where to go where the action is in the Jabez territory.

Today is part 4 of 6 of the challenges of the prayer of Jabez. Going where the action is and some perspectives on the Jabez territory. We are examining the prayer of Jabez. Some of you may have it memorized by now: “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Methodist

Grumpy Old Christians

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 31, 2001

There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News!

Grumpy Old Christians Thesis: There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News! Texts: Phil. 4:8 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, 1 John 4:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holiday Attitudes

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 9, 2002

The parable of the good Samaritan reveals different holiday attitudes.

INTRO.- ILL.- An angry lady went into a grocery store and told a clerk that she wanted a half-head of lettuce and she wanted it right now. "Get going!" she screamed at the clerk. "But lady," said the clerk, "we don’t have half heads of lettuce." "Young man," she shrieked, "get a knife and cut a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We've Come This Far By Faith

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Sep 24, 2002

This sermon is the message delivered on the church’s 40th anniversary dealing with where the Lord has brought us from as a church.

We’ve Come This Far By Faith 9/8/2002 40th Celebration Deutoronomy 8:1-18 Hebrews 10:35-39 Toby Today we celebrate our 40th anniversary and declare that we have come this far by faith. The year was 1961. The United States had attempted to overthrow the new Government of Cuba. The attempt ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-18, Hebrews 10:35-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Loving One Another

Contributed by Andrew Hamilton on Sep 29, 2002

What it means to love one another in the church

10.2.2002amlbc Extreme Love Phil 2:4-9, Mark 12:29-31 Monk Story There is a story told of an old monastery that had fallen upon hard times. It was once a great order, but as a result of waves of anti-monastic persecution in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and the rise of secularism in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29-31, Philippians 2:4-9

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance