Sermons on Tree Bark:

“simon Says” Or “savior Says”: Whose Salvation “game” Are You Playing?

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jun 21, 2010

Does Jesus teach that we are saved by works? Not at all! The woman's love for Jesus was not the price of forgiveness. It was the proof of forgiveness...

Kids, I want to play a simple game with you. The game is “Simon Says.” Ready? Simon says, “Touch your nose.” Simon says, “Raise yours hands.” Simon says, “Wave your hands.” Clap your hands! Oops. Simon didn’t say to do that, did he? In this game ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Lutheran

You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 30, 2008

For Graduate Recognition Sunday, June 1989. Christ promises that if we ask, we will do greater things than He. Trusting Him means that in this room there are those who can heal, can bring life, can teach, can exceed all expectations.

The most memorable line spoken by singer Al Jolson in the 1927 movie classic The Jazz Singer was the ungrammatical but prophetic word, "You ain’t seen nothin’ yet". I don’t remember what that line contributed to the story, but it was really there as a kind of canment about this wonderful new ...read more

Scripture: John 14:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Walking Through A Season Of Crushing/ The Death Of Expectation

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 5, 2008

We often find ourselves in A SEASON OF CRUSHING. I can’t seem to understand WHY we are going through this. We can’t allow our dreaming ability to be hindered! Dream on!

WALKING THROUGH A SEASON OF CRUSHING ... THE DEATH OF EXPECTATION... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I have rarely started a lesson with the conclusion, but I think I shall start with the end and then build up to the conclusion. CONCLUSION: AFFLICTION IS NOT ALWAYS CHASTISEMENT. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 4:4-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Destined

Contributed by Michael Walther on Jun 6, 2011

The doctrine of predestination and the comfort that it gives to believers

Destined "…You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.” John 17.2 Introduction: Destiny is an awesome thing. Some years ago a platoon of Marine trainees was double-timing out to the rifle range at Camp ...read more

Scripture: John 17:2

Denomination: Lutheran

Enemies - Part 2 - Intelligence Training Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on May 6, 2010

Enemies . . . you have them. You need them. You must be aware of them and handle them correctly. Welcome to the fight!

Enemies Pt. 2 –Intelligence Training Text Backdrop for Series: Remember the backdrop I set up last week. There is a time for peace, but there is also a time for war. Joel declares that farmers should turn their farming instruments into weapons to prepare for battle. Paul says we shouldn’t be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:98

Denomination: Pentecostal

Advent - Come All Ye Faithful

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Dec 15, 2008

Examines "Come All Ye Faithful" and Hebrews 1. Hymn speaks of much more than birth of Jesus, it calls us to worship Jesus because He is divine. YES, THE INTRO STORY IS ALL TRUE.

Christmas Eve 1990. I came this close to being physically thrown out of church. We were new to town and we heard that a certain church in town had a fantastic Christmas Eve service. So, we went with some friends, about ten of us total, to this church in downtown Princeton, New Jersey. The church ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:6-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Danger Of Drifting

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Sep 23, 2015

If we have no urgency, no vigilance, no time for quite listening or fixing our eyes on Jesus. The result will not be standing still, but drifting away. The Scripture do not provide for standing still

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; four Scriptures are read prior to the Message. The appointed passages for today are Job 1:1 & Job 2:1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1:1-4 & Hebrews 2:1-12; and Mark 10:2-16. An Eastern Proverb states.....Negligence produces ..... a lot ....of dirt. As in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 2:1-5

Denomination: Anglican

Active Waiting

Contributed by Monty Newton on Dec 2, 2013

We are to practice active waiting in the present, in light of the uncertainties of the future.

Title: Active Waiting (Ref. Israel waited for the Messiah; Mary waited for Jesus’ birth; We wait to celebrate his birth and in anticipation of his Second Coming) Text: Matthew 24:36-44 Thesis: We are to practice active waiting in the present, in light of the uncertainties of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Impossible With God Luke 1:26-38 Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Dec 18, 2013

Mary was willing to humble herself, accept the change of her circumstances, accept the shame and gossip and disdain she would face. In your life God wants to do something impossible for you, but possible for Him.

The Riddle I was at a Christmas party many years ago. A pastor and author was there who liked to play games with riddles. He had a good one which stumped everyone at the party. “what’s bigger than the universe . . . dead men eat it . . . if living men eat it they die”. You ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: *other

God's E. P. A.

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 4, 2013

Three words describe God’s solution: Expiation, Propitiation, and Atonement. All three are aspects of the redemptive plan through vicarious or substitutionary sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

God’s E. P. A. Romans 5:6-11 Paul in Romans explains fallen man’s dilemma and God’s answer to man’s problem. There are three words that describe God’s solution – Expiation, Propitiation, and Atonement. All three are aspects of the redemptive plan through ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Veterans Day 2012 Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 3, 2012

What it takes to be a veteran of the faith of Christ, something we all need to be and do. 1- Obey the Commander 2- Engage the enemy 3- Fight to the end

INTRO.- ILL.- When Dwight D. Eisenhower was President from 1953 to 1961, he received a letter from eight-year-old Keith Aiken of Trumbull, CT. Kevin wrote, “After listening to the news about the cold war, I am worried about the people in the world. In thinking it over, I have a plan. Get all the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8, Romans 13:8-14, Romans 13:8-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer Keys - Focus On God Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 17, 2011

Prayer is talking and listening to God. We must not be too busy to listne. God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice. He speaks to us that way, too.

Focus on God “Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Ps 46:10 In 1517, an obscure Catholic priest named Martin Luther placed his life in God’s hands when he nailed his 95 theses, his 95 arguments against the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Armed And Donkey-Ish Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Sep 16, 2012

The true hero of this story is not Samson but our patienty and gracious God.

This is the time of year when movie studios release the films they think have the best chance of winning the Oscar for Best Picture. How many of those hyped-up movies have you gone to see only to leave the theatre muttering: “I just wasted two hours of my life and twenty bucks”? Will we ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

I Am Third

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Oct 16, 2018

God first, others, and ourselves. Loving the Lord with all our hearts puts us in right relationship with everyone else including ourselves

I am Third Matthew 22:37 Deuteronomy 6:5 Prayer- Deuteronomy 6:1-9- Read from Bible Introduction- These are the words of Moses recorded to the people of Israel as they left slavery from Egypt and heading to the promised land of God. The Ten Commandments of God are laid down. They are told to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37, Deuteronomy 6:5

Denomination: Nazarene

Jesus’ Jailhouse Rock

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jan 4, 2015

Only Jesus can make a jailhouse rock as he puts a song in Paul's heart and a spring in the jailer's step.

In a 1957 movie, Elvis Presley made prison look like a rip roarin’ time when he sang “Jailhouse Rock.” The truth is Jesus made a jailhouse rock long before Elvis did and it was no staged production. It was a real-life event punctuated by an earthquake, a jail break, and a midnight ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Lutheran