Sermons on Trouble Valley:

The Gift Of His Peace Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 30, 2012

Jesus said He offered a different peace than the world did. But what kind of peace does the world offer us and how is what Jesus gives better than that?

OPEN: How many of you have ever heard of a singer named Travis Tritt? Now he’s a famous Country singer, but before he made it big, Tritt spent years playing in small out-of-the-way bars and taverns. He said that (as you might expect) these were dangerous places. His fans were mostly drunks ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peace On Earth Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 25, 2016

Jesus was born to bring us peace - that's what Isaiah declared and angels sang. But what does that mean? What kind of peace did Jesus come to give me, and how can I receive it?

The past few weeks we’ve been looking at the gifts Jesus was born to give us. This week, we’re focusing on the gift of “peace” and (because today is Christmas) I wanted to start the sermon with a Christmas Carol that had peace as part of its message. But as I searched ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Is What My Peaceful Doves Have Taught Me – Will I Heed The Lessons? Part 2 Of 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 29, 2022

Nature is a great teacher and the creation is full of meaning. In studying the behaviour of small doves, I have gained an insight into their habits and lives. There are lessons for Christians we can learn from them. This is Part 2 and develops those lessons.

THIS IS WHAT MY PEACEFUL DOVES HAVE TAUGHT ME – WILL I HEED THE LESSONS? PART 2 OF 2 This is PART 2 of the message on doves. The peaceful dove (zebra doves in the USA – exotic bird) is an Australian native. See PART 1 for the introduction to this story. We have been looking at Lessons we can ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Matthew 7:1-5, Matthew 25:35, James 1:9-10, James 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12:21-25, James 4:1-3, Galatians 5:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do You Do With A Dead Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 20, 2021

When Jesus died, no one expected Him to rise from the dead. But if you don't believe Jesus is coming back from the dead, what do you do with a dead Jesus?

OPEN: Back when I was in High School, I had a poem by John Donne on a poster on my wall that looked like parchment paper. It was cool, and the words sounded impressive. The last few words of the poem read this way: “Each man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be A Brave Adventurer Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 9, 2014

God has called us to live our lives as Bold Adventurers. We are called to live a unique life, a bold life and life where we know who we are why we believe. How do we fulfill the adventure that God has set before us?

(We opened with a video by our children’s minister which integrated Stephen Curtis Chapman’s “The Great Adventure” with clips from the Indiana Jones movies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag4MXV8yqb4 till time stamp: 2:58) As Christians, God saved us to go on a great ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Merit And Mercy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 18, 2013

Why didn’t Jesus heal everybody at the pool of Bethesda? Why just one paralytic?

(I had the audience sing this hymn with me) “There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel’s veins And sinners plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains They lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains And sinners plunged beneath that flood Lose all ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

03 - Life Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Aug 23, 2021

This is the 3rd message in a series called Perspectives and this message is about looking at life with God's perspective, rather than with our own.

Hello and welcome back to another message on ‘Perspectives!’ This is the third message, and today I am dealing with the topic of ‘life’ itself. If you were to say to me, “How is life?” I’d say it’s wonderful, and for that I give praise to God. The question, “What is life?” has been asked by so many ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:14-15, Philippians 4:11-13, John 10:10, Matthew 10:29-31, Matthew 16:26, Psalm 90:9-10, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Timothy 6:6-7, Genesis 2:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Lion, The Lamb And The Throne Room Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 19, 2016

Almost everyone has a picture in their minds of what Jesus looks like... but almost no one visualizes Him the way He's shown in Revelation 5. Why does God paint us a portrait of a wounded lamb with 7 horns and 7 eyes?

A preacher was showing a child a painting of Jesus. Trying to explain that we didn’t really know what Jesus looked like he said: "It's not really Jesus. It’s just an artist's conception of him." The child looked long and hard at the picture and said; "Well, it sure looks like him," ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wild Waves Of The Sea Casting Up Their Own Shame – Jude 1:13 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 23, 2022

Have you ever seen a wild sea with wild waves casting up from the sea floor filth and debris and putrid things? That is the next image Jude uses to describe false teachers. That is what their doctrines and behaviour are like. We then look at wild waves in scripture.

WILD WAVES OF THE SEA CASTING UP THEIR OWN SHAME – Jude 1:13 Jude has been decrying false teachers and using quite stunning metaphors to describe them. In previous messages we did these and saw that each one paralleled what Peter also wrote, for he too, addressed those bring havoc into the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:13, Isaiah 57:20, Matthew 23:15, Revelation 16:11, Revelation 20:14, Jeremiah 51:42, 2 Samuel 22:1-7, 2 Samuel 22:5, Psalm 42:7, Psalm 107:23-29, Psalm 65:7, Matthew 8:23-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Sorry Is Sorry? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 25, 2015

The Bible never teaches us to say "I'm sorry". Why not? What is so wrong with saying that simply phrase when you've hurt someone?

OPEN: (We put a picture of a “Sorry” game board on the screen) How many of you recognize this game board? And how many of you have ever played it? Amazon.com says the game of Sorry is the #5 best-selling board game on their site. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is Christianity Reasonable? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 17, 2014

The question of whether Christianity is reasonable all depends on what answer you're looking for. What answers does the world seek and what is it about the answer the cross gives that is better than what many folks want?

OPEN: I once read about a dishonest manager who was wanting to hire someone for his accounting department who thought like he did. He ended up with 3 applicants for the job and he proceeded to interview them the next day. The first applicant came in and sat at the desk and he and the manager ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Led By The Star Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 24, 2017

What was the star that led the Wisemen to Jesus and what difference does that make to us today?

OPEN: Years ago I wrote a song about the Wise Men. The first verse went this way “Out in the fields, watching the sky. Looking to heaven, searching on high. Troubled by things I’d seen on this earth, I knew that my answer lay with a child’s birth. For the prophecy said that a star in the sky, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Have Much People In This City Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Aug 15, 2015

To establish that God's presence is significant in every city - and He uses us to call them unto salvation. We are reminded not to trust in our skills in preaching - but in the power of the gospel of Christ to save. We are charged to plant the seed and allow God to raise the plant.

INTRODUCTION Outline: 1. Paul’s Troubled Entrance 2. Paul’s Trusted Exhortation 3. Paul’s Triumphant Exit Introductory Remarks. 1. In our lesson today, we will be discussing God’s significant work in a city that was wholly given to idolatry and sexual immorality. Paul arrives in the city of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:8-11, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Protection

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Jun 19, 2018

How the shepherd protects the sheep

Psalm 23 - Part 3 - 1/30/11 Turn with me this morning to Psalm 23. If you open your bible right in the middle, you probably will land somewhere in the Psalms or just a little right of the Psalms. We are going to continue on looking at this Psalm that has been a source of comfort and blessing to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shepherd's Protection Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Nov 3, 2016

How God Protects Us

Psalm 23 - Part 3 - 1/30/11 Turn with me this morning to Psalm 23. If you open your bible right in the middle, you probably will land somewhere in the Psalms or just a little right of the Psalms. We are going to continue on looking at this Psalm that has been a source of comfort and blessing to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational