Sermons on Try Harder:

The First Baptist Preacher Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2014

“It’s not about me. It’s all about Jesus.” If you make that your motto, then you’re on your way to understanding what abundant life is all about.

INTRODUCTION Most towns in America have a “first Baptist church.” That means they were the first Baptist church organized in a particular city. For instance, First Baptist Church Tyler was established in 1848, two years after Tyler became a city. They are our mother congregation and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Essential Musts

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 25, 2015

We are going to look at some of the things that God says “MUST.” And when God says MUST we need to listen and do what He says. God’s Word is absolute truth, and as such it is undeniable.

5-25-05 Title: God’s Essential Musts Introduction This lesson is a very important one. We are going to look at some of the things that God says “MUST.” And when God says MUST we need to listen and do what He says. God’s Word is absolute truth, and as such it is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

"Glory In Tribulation" Series

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Sep 20, 2011

Praising God in all our tribulations. Breaking the cell walls with our attitude!

Date: September 25, 2011 Scripture: Acts 16:16-40 from the series Acts Sermon: Now, let me take a minute or two to remind you of the setting of our text. • Remember from last week this is 2nd missionary journey • Paul and his team members wanted to share the Gospel in parts of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Warfare: The Flesh Vs. The Spirit Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 1, 2019

Galatians 5:16–18 introduces the passage by setting forth the nature of Spiritual Warfare between the flesh and the Spirit. In this we see 1) The Warfare Command (Galatians 5:16), 2) The Warfare Conflict (Galatians 5:17), and 3) The Warfare Caution (Galatians 5:18).

One of the most tragic elements of warfare is the event of collateral damage. Often in military operations, civilians are caught in the crossfire. Whether it is in Palestine or Iraq, civilians often get hurt between two fighting forces. Sometimes, one side, usually the weaker one, deliberately puts ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-18

Denomination: Other

Weed-Free Gardening-Guaranteed!

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Dec 8, 2001

Every time we try to use worldy influence or power or scheming to get God’s work done we end up doing more damage to his kingdom than if we’d just let the weeds grow until harvest time.

Most of you are way too familiar with the problem of weeds. Even those of you who live in Covenant Village where the weeds are generally taken care of by the grounds crew can remember when you were children and you had to pull the weeds in the garden. I must have spent every Saturday morning ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: *other

The Gospel, The Power Of God

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 11, 2002

LISTEN – for 2,000 years people like Paul have given it ALL up for Christ and His Gospel – Why? That’s what I want us to try to answer today – in a message about divine weapon #2 - The Gospel – the power of God.

The Gospel, The Power Of God Divine Weapon #2 It was dark, it was cold – he had been in these cramped quarters for quit some time. He wasn’t sure whether it was day or night. Nor was he sure just how long he had been there. Now he had always wanted to come back to this city, but he had hoped it ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Your Motive? Series

Contributed by Mark Lennon on Apr 10, 2003

Sermon Series on Malachi #8 Have you ever watched crime scene investigation shows? The very first question they try and answer is what was his motive. People all around our lives are watching us wondering what is his/her motive?

Sermon Series on Malachi #8 What is your motive? Malachi 3:13-15 Have you ever watched crime scene investigation shows? The very first question they try and answer is what was his motive. People all around our lives are watching us wondering what is his/her motive? In the beginning here in ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Evang-A-What? Series

Contributed by George Alves on May 14, 2003

Evangelism can be a scary thing for some people but it doesn’t have to be. There are many bizzare views about this topic, many "programs" which try to "attact", trap is a better word, normal everyday people. Evangelism need not be a dirty word, nor shou

A Tree, net fishing, Seafood lasagna and 8,000 Krispy Kreme donuts! What does this have to do with today’s topic? What is today’s topic. Over the past 5 weeks we’ve been looking at what our purpose here on earth is. Our Mission on earth as a church and as individuals is 5 fold: Worship Community ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16

Denomination: Brethren

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Ii

Contributed by Glen Lawhun on Dec 12, 2004

Even today at this Christmas season people are still trying to kill Jesus with their words. They want Him removed from the schools. They want Him removed from the court houses. They want Him removed from the parades. They want Him removed from the news pa

Jesus is the reason for the season II. John 3:16 Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV) Last Sunday we discussed how Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, existed before the beginning ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Seasons Of Grief

Contributed by Ryan Sato on Dec 12, 2004

Here we try to understand how David coped with the loss of his best friend Jonathan. Through David’s reactions we are challenged to embrace our seasons of grief in ways that would show that we are relying on God rather than relying on ourselves.

Opener: This week we reflect on David’s real life struggle with grief. With last week’s teaching on fear, and this week’s text focussed on the theme of grief it seems like we’re wading through some heavy waters aren’t we? But this is good for us. Because I firmly believe that we (as followers ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

I Am

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 11, 2003

I love that song. The writer is grasping for things to call God. The singer is trying to see God as everything she needed Him to be throughout her life and everything that she needs him to be today. And after all of this, she finally comes to rest on one

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: “I Am” performed by Nichole Nordeman. Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn’t always this tall. You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed. You watched my team win, watched my team lose.You watched when my bicycle went down again. And when I was weak, unable to speak. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:14

Order Out Of Chaos

Contributed by Dean Morgan on Sep 10, 2004

I want us to take a trip through the Bible and see that God is a God who can bring order, peace and glory out of chaotic, confused and hopeless situations. The devil has been trying to bring disorder and chaos to our lives since creation.

TEXT: Genesis 1:1-3a TITLE: ORDER OUT OF CHAOS Chaos – (Web.) (1) The disorder of formless matter and infinite space, supposed to have existed before the ordered universe. (2) Extreme confusion or disorder. A state of utter confusion. Verse 2 could be translated that the earth was waste. TLB – ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Be Ready God Wants You

Contributed by Marcos Suazo on Jan 31, 2005

I know that personally, when I was in a jam, or in a rough spot, I spent too much time complaining about my problem and trying to get out of it, instead of focusing on the fact that God was only preparing me, and getting me ready for something....

Be ready, God wants you Daniel 1-3 Intro: Sometimes in life we find our selves in situations that make us wonder. “How come I am the only one who has to do this?” Or “how come he/she does not have to go through it?” Then we spend all of our time complaining, grumbling about our situation and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Contending For Your Destiny: An Introduction Series

Contributed by Marty Boller on Nov 2, 2005

#1 of 3 teachings. There is a great need for Christians to awaken to the unique call & destiny awaiting all those who follow Jesus. Yet how many treasures of God’s Kingdom are never claimed because we try to remain civilians in a time of war?

King Aragorn (from JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: ’The Return of the King)’: "A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Contending For Your Destiny: Leaving A Legacy Series

Contributed by Marty Boller on Nov 2, 2005

#3 of 3 teachings. There is a great need for Christians to awaken to the unique call & destiny awaiting all those who follow Jesus. Yet how many treasures of God’s Kingdom are never claimed because we try to remain civilians in a time of war?

We’ve been discussing the great need to CONTEND for YOUR DESTINY.Pick up the sword & FIGHT! Promises from God...that cannot be fulfilled without YOUR ACTIVE, INTENTIONAL PARTICIPATION. TODAY...I want to bring the point home personally…. WHY CONTEND? WHAT ARE WE CONTENDING FOR? Paul puts it this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational