Sermons on Traditional Barriers:

What Is Ash Wednesday For?

Contributed by Dorothy Lam on Jan 17, 2023

Having not grown up in the church tradition of Ash Wednesday and Lent, I had a lot of questions about what repentance as a practice could add to my devotion to Christ. I outline 3 benefits of repentance which helps us participate in God's salvation for his children.

If you spend any time with preschool age children, 3 year olds, 4 year olds, one thing they are known for is asking questions. They are at the age when the world is opening up to them. All day long they point and ask, What’s that? If you say a word they don’t know, which is most of the time, they ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:9-10, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 John 3:2-3, James 4:8-10, Ephesians 1:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

We Must Help Bring More People To Jesus! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 22, 2021

How can we help bring more people to Jesus Christ? 1. Find ways to be a friend (Mark 2:1-3). 2. Carry your corner of the load (Mark 2:1-4). 3. Break through the barriers (Mark 2:2-5). 4. Keep giving glory to God (Mark 2:5-12).

We Must Help Bring More People to Jesus! The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:15-26 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared September 22, 2021) BACKGROUND: *Think about how many miracles Jesus performed. In John 20:30-31, God's Word tells us that, "truly Jesus did many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:15-26

Denomination: Baptist

"o Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 16, 2018

I have always wanted to so an Advent series based on traditional Christmas carols/hymns. We've gotten so used to them that I think we miss the depth of the theology contained within in them. One of the most ancient is the beautiful hymn that contains the ancient names of Jesus.

I love the way that Pastor and author Robert J. Morgan describes hymns: “Hymns help us praise God. They’re shafts of brilliant sunlight through the clouds. They provide an almost mystical connection with the endless anthems of praise raising at this very moment before the heavenly throne. They ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 11:1

Denomination: United Methodist

Valentine’s Day—it’s All About Love Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Feb 7, 2023

Tradition has it that Valentine was a third century martyr who demonstrated his love through his life and sacrificial death. We all should aspire to this kind of love. When we love God with all our heart we can enjoy God's unconditional, sacrificial love.

We all need love; we all want love. We crave it; we work hard for it, yet all too often we come up short. There is only one kind of love that truly satisfies the deepest needs of the human heart. There is only one kind of love that actually makes a difference. There is only one kind of love that ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:8, John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of The Tomb

Contributed by Bret Bone on Apr 10, 2012

Today…Is Easter and we are here to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. By tradition...when people think of Jesus…They see a man…who lived a sinless life. A man who was nailed to a cross…then left to die a cruel death Three days lat

The Cost of the Tomb SLIDE: #1 Matthew 27: 45-46; 50 Today…Is Easter and we are here to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. By tradition...when people think of Jesus…They see a man…who lived a sinless life. A man who was nailed to a cross…then left to die ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-50

What Christmas Is All About--From An Authority Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 26, 2018

Though not one of the traditional Christmas stories we refer to when we consider Christmas, the prologue of John's Gospel perhaps offers the most complete explanation found anywhere about what Christmas is really about--the God-man came to earth to rescue us from this present darkness.

Christmas: What It's All About—From an Authority John 1:1-14 Christmas Eve, 2018 I know most of you this evening came expecting to hear another repetition of the Christmas story, focusing on the angels visit to Joseph or Mary, the virgin birth in Bethlehem, or even the Magi's visit. And ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14, John 1:18, John 3:3, John 3:16

Denomination: Bible Church

How Do I Live As A Christian In This World: 10 Areas We Might Not Normally Think About

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jan 27, 2024

The desire of my heart is to live as a true Christian, in a world that is broken. How do I do that? How do I live it out during my daily life? Let's look briefly at ten areas of our lives that we might not have thought about before.

The desire of my heart is to live as a true Christian, in a world that is broken. How do I do that? How do I live it out during my daily life? Let's look briefly at ten areas of our lives that we might not have thought about before. Group Dynamics / Social Climbing - In our friend group, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:5, Malachi 3:10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Finding The Faith Of Our Heroes - Part 9: Never Give Up On God! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 21, 2023

Never give up on God because... 1. He can break giant barriers down (vs. 30). 2. He can turn sinners into saints (vs. 31). 3. He can turn us into godly heroes (vs. 32-35a). 4. He gives us strength when we suffer (vs. 35b-38). 5. He promises us a perfect ending (vs. 39-40).

Finding the Faith of Our Heroes Part 9: Never Give Up on God! Hebrews 11:30-40; Joshua 2:1-13; Joshua 5:13-15; Joshua 6:1-5 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared October 21, 2023) BACKGROUND: *We have been going through Hebrews 11 to study the faith of our Old Testament heroes. And through them all, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:30-40, Joshua 2:1-13, Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua 6:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose Of Walls

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 23, 2015

God built His church to be ONE... but Satan builds walls to divide that church. How do we identify what the Devil does so that we can unify our church and challenge the power of the evil one?

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs. (You’ve heard this one, haven’t you?) The first little piggy built his house of straw, and the big bad wolf came and huffed and puffed and blew that house down. The second piggy built his house of sticks, and the big bad ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gift Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 4, 2016

The angel said that Jesus had come to forgive us of our sins... but why would the story of a baby be important to the Gospel message. What is there about a baby that would figure into God offering us forgiveness?

OPEN: Here it is the first week of December and people are already getting into the Christmas spirit. They’re decorating their homes, putting up Christmas trees and mistletoe and holly… and Christmas lights all over the place. We Americans are so used to our traditions of the season ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sola, Sola, Sola Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 12, 2017

I had never heard of the 5 Solas of the Reformation Movement till this last year. They are the founding principles of that movement and they're pretty good stuff... but we don't teach them. Why don't we?

500 ago, on October 31st, a very special thing took place in Church history. A Catholic priest named Martin nailed a challenge to the Catholic Church on a Church door Wittenberg, Germany. It was called the “95 Theses” (or 95 criticisms) of the Roman Catholic Church’s practice of selling ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Is Our Peace

Contributed by Russ Witkowski on May 6, 2002

This sermon was preached at Franciscan University during a unity service designated for the purpose of prayer for worldwide peace.

HE IS OUR PEACE! UNITY SERVICE – FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY 1/24/02 I would like to express gratitude to God for the occasion for we have gathered this evening and to those who have participated in the preparations. To Father Scanlan, Pastors James Edward Murray, Calvin McLoyd and to Catherine Heck ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 36:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lessons From The Memories Of England – With Applications Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 27, 2022

A new culture always means new experiences. Here are some thoughts developed from some places I saw in England, with Christian applications. The Church age hastens to an end. Be real for the Lord, because the Lord is real with us. God hates shams.

LESSONS FROM THE MEMORIES OF ENGLAND – WITH APPLICATIONS This is a message/talk that best needs photos or data projector material, but you have to imagine the scenes and a few of them you can look up on line for the photos. When you are in another country so many things can be different. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:5, Ecclesiastes 1:15, Isaiah 40:3, Isaiah 52:14, Isaiah 53:2, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:10-11, 2 Timothy 2:15, Jeremiah 18:15-16, Revelation 21:3-4, Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 52:14, Ephesians 2:13-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Walk The Talk

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Oct 26, 2007

So often, there is a huge disparity between what we say, and what we actually do. The Bible makes the connection or links “believing” to “behavior.” The two appear to be inseparable. When we try to divorce these two terms (as they relate to Christianity),

Title: Walk the Talk Scripture: St. Matthew 15:7-8 So often, there is a huge disparity between what we say, and what we actually do. The Bible makes the connection or links “believing” to “behavior.” The two appear to be inseparable. When we try to divorce these two terms (as they relate to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:7-8, Matthew 15:7-15

Denomination: Baptist

Can You See This Sign? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 2, 2017

The blind saw Jesus, but the Pharisees couldn't. What were the differences in their blindnesses and what can we learn from the man born blind?

(Before reading the text and opening with prayer, we sang the following chorus: “I saw the light, I saw the light No more darkness, no more night Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight For praise the Lord… I saw the light.”) OPEN: When I’m preparing for a sermon, a lot of times I’ll take little ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ