Sermons on Try Harder:

Why Did Jesus Die On The Cross

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 8, 2004

When we read the four Gospel accounts of the Life of Christ we try to think what it might have been like to have lived during the time of Christ. We know that Jesus was arrested and condemned to die on the cross, but we have a hard time picturing the suf

Why did Jesus Die on the Cross? Isaiah 53:1-9 When we read the four Gospel accounts of the Life of Christ we try to think what it might have been like to have lived during the time of Christ. We know that Jesus was arrested and condemned to die on the cross, but we have a hard time picturing the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Body Talk" Series

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Jan 29, 2002

Paul is trying to get his readers to take a holistic approach to faith and to recognize that we don’t just honor God with our words, or our songs, or attitudes, or our spirits – but honoring God also has to do with how we manage our bodies.

“Honor God with your body,” says the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NLT) I don’t know how many times I’ve read through and studied 1 Corinthians over the years – dozens, hundreds? I’ve preached on it and led Bible studies through it. But as I was reading it again this week, this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: *other

Why Do Some Individuals Get Their Prayers Answered And Others Do Not

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

A familiar slogan about prayer is, "Prayer changes things." But prayer doesn’t do this—God does. Some people think that prayer itself is the source of power, so they "try prayer," hoping "it will work" for them. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us according

Why Do Some Individuals Get Their Prayers Answered and Others Do Not (Heb 4:15-18) Have you ever known some people who seem to get their prayers answered when others do not? What is the reason why some people seem to have an inside track into God’s favor, blessings and solutions? An unknown ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Conduct Cross-Cultural Research

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 13, 2001

The decisions we make are only as good as the information we based them on,’’ said a famous man. If we are trying to catch fish it makes sense that we will want to know something about the animal. What type of fish are we looking for? What are his feedin

HOW TO CONDUCT CROSS-CULTURAL RESEARCH Learning Objectives 1. Analyze why we should conduct cross- cultural research? 2. Learn the components of research. 3. Discover the Biblical basis of research. 4. Describe some of the errors to avoid in research. 5. Understand how to overcome some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Whose Vine Is It Anyway? Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Jul 10, 2004

Part 2 of 3 in the series "A Declaration of Dependence." We must (1) stop denying and start depending; (2) stop trying and start trusting; (3) stop resisting and start persisting; (4) stop pouting and start praying; and (5) stop delaying and start obeyin

WHOSE VINE IS IT ANYWAY? A Declaration of Dependence John 15:1-8 July 11, 2004 Introduction: This week we will be continuing our series titled “A Declaration of Dependence.” During this month in which we celebrate our independence as a nation I want us to turn our attention to our dependence ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-10

Where Change Begins Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 2, 2005

Frankly, some of us are stuck. The same arguments with your wife. Trying to break the habit of cursing and can’t. Computer pornography is choking out your spiritual life. Your kids can predict when you are going to start yelling at them. There’s no mo

I’ve lived here in NE Ohio for 18 years. I’ve never been stuck in the snow… until December. I was in a hurry to get to the office. And got stuck just around bend from our house. Being stuck was definitely not OK. I walked back home to get Ryan. I asked a neighbor to help. Before it was all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond The Sandbars Of Liberty Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jul 13, 2005

Liberty provides us freedom. Freedom allows us to excel, to take risks, to achieve great things for God. Often though, we want to try and extend the reach of our liberty in Christ, and in doing so, we actually lose liberty and place our self in the cont

BEYOND THE SANDBARS OF LIBERTY 1 CORINTHIANS 6:12-20 INTRODUCTION: Not too long ago there were several newspaper and television accounts of shark attacks, two in Florida, and one here in New Jersey. One of the reasons sighted for one of the attacks is that the victim was out too far – ie; they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

Reconnecting W/ God In Times Of Crisis

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on Jun 11, 2006

Crises will come; the question is how long you will wait during a crisis before you reconnect with God? Some people do it right away, and some people wait longer. Some don’t do it at all; they try to make it through on their own. What does it look

Reconnecting With God in Times of Crisis Job 1:13-22 How do we keep ourselves from disconnecting from God in a crisis? You and I are not immune to crises. Job was rich but that didn’t matter. It rains on the just and the unjust. Job was godly, that didn’t matter. God gave permission for Job’s ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Arriving On Time

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Nov 14, 2006

Time is one of the great philosophical questions of all time – if I may make such a circular statement. Humankind has been in conniption fits since the dawn of time trying to discover its nature. What is time? How does it move? We know how to tell tim

Note: Although not quoted directly, I am sure that this sermon was greatly influenced by Chuck Swindoll’s work Living on the Ragged Edge. Arriving on Time Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI April 17, 2005 This morning I want to dispel one of the most widespread myths to ever ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Not By Any Other Name Series

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Nov 29, 2007

Man may try to work his way to heaven but he will never make it. We must understand that it is God’s way. Hell is not a pleasant place at all. Torment and separation from God is the only thing awaiting anyone apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ

Not By Any Other Name Griffith Baptist Church – 10/22/06 A.M. Service Text: Acts 4:1-12 Introduction: In WWII when the marines captured the island of Saipan, the Japanese ordered the inhabitants to kill themselves by jumping off a cliff. Hundreds of feet below were the rocks ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Imitating Christ (Part 4) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 18, 2010

Becoming like Christ is is our ultimate goal. Go ahead and put on Christ. At first it may feel unnatural or uncomfortable, and maybe you may think, “Who am I trying to fool?” But everyday just keep putting on Christ and everyday you will grow to look more

Opening illustration: It is a story about a man who was born with an awful facial deformity. He grew up alone and lonely. When reaching adulthood, he decided to move from his town to begin a new life. On his way he discovered a beautiful mask that fit his making him look handsome. At first the mask ...read more

Scripture: John 13:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lesson 9: Sin In The Church Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 8, 2010

Handling sin in the church has become very difficult from both angles - in our PC world much bad behavior is actually celebrated, but Christians are also wounding each other over weakness instead of supporting and helping. We'll try to walk the fine line

In Chapter 5 we move from pride of surface appearance over internal substance to pride over major sin in the body. It's issue two on Paul's mind as he writes to the Corinthians. It's a tough subject—sin in the church. This chapter can easily be misconstrued in several ways and I want to try ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God’s Plan For You

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 12, 2009

God is not scrambling about trying to work out His plan or make last minute corrections. When we fumble the ball or tragedy occurs, God’s plan has not slipped a gear. The tragedy is a part of God’s plan for our faith to grow and for His glory.

Opening illustration: Consider Charles Colson, the aide to Richard Nixon who was sent to jail for Watergate. As a result of his experience as a convicted felon, Colson founded Prison Fellowship, now the world’s largest Christian outreach to prisoners and their families. Prison Fellowship has more ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Race To The Tomb

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 31, 2010

All of us are running in this world. Some are running to God, some trying to run away from Him. How far will they go? We should be running in a spiritual way. All our focus needs to be on the tomb where Jesus rose to new life and will take us with him to

Opening illustration: I think of Eric Liddell. The movie Chariots of Fire depicts how his sister Jenny tried to persuade Eric to give up his running, and go to China with her to be a missionary. He said, "No, God has made me fast and called me to run." It would have been wrong at that point to be a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of His Name (3) Series

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Sep 21, 2010

The 3rd Commandment is broken out in the open. Swearers want people to hear what they say. It’s intended by the profaner that you would hear those words. When a person commits adultery they try to hide it. When they lust, or when they kill, or whatever th

ILL. A New York City businessman, moved to the country because of this bad economy. He went to the local feed and livestock store and talked to the owner about how he was going to take up chicken farming. He then asked to buy 100 chicks."That’s a lot of chicks," commented the proprietor. "I mean ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist