Sermons on Try Harder:

Focus Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 12, 2004

This is the last of a series of four on an Olympic theme. I used many sources including several on Sermon Central

Go for the Gold Last Sunday Matt Emmons was focusing on staying calm when he should have been focusing on the right target. Can you imagine? Here is the moment when everything counts and this young man fires at the wrong target with his final shot. He was leading by three points and only ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Far Will You Go? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 15, 2004

Jesus has a way of always challenging us to go forward. Just when we think we know Him, He reveals something new that forces us into faith.

Just when you think you know who Jesus is – He reveals something else that throws you completely off. Just when you have a handle on your life, something happens to upset everything you’ve come to rely on. We think that describes someone who is young in the Lord or who should know better. But in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31-56

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What About Prayer And Fasting

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 14, 2005

There are many things a Christian can do and nothing changes. But you cannot fast and pray and remain the same.

What About Fasting and Prayer Esther 4:12-17 How is your prayer life? When do you pray? There are many different kinds of prayer. • There’s the “Call 911 Prayer.” You make this call when you have an emergency. You don’t want to trouble God unless you have an emergency. God serves as your ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:12-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

The People Who Missed Christmas

Contributed by Greg Warren on Dec 13, 2003

Discusses the Biblical people who missed the miracle of the first Christmas and applies these principles to how people miss Christmas’ true maning today. Illustrations from Sermon Central contributers are incorporated.

Have you ever missed a great opportunity? The story is told of a small resort area along the east coast that was having an open town meeting concerning some financial problems they were facing. Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was apparently visiting the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-12, Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Just Do It

Contributed by Germain Brown on Nov 22, 2000

You can do it in the Name of Jesus...

JUST DO IT 1 SAMUEL 17 HERE’S A STORY OF A GUY THAT WAS YOUNG AND GOOD LOOKING, LIKE ME, THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF SHEEP. HIS NAME WAS DAVID. HE LIVED IN A LAND THAT WAS CLOSE TO GIANTS. AMONG THESE TALL PEOPLE, LIKE ME EXCEPT ONLY LIKE FIVE FEET TALLER, WAS A GIANT ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:41-51, Isaiah 54:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Commitment: To Christ First

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Nov 3, 2005

A 2 point sermon inspired by Steve Shepherd’s Commitment series sermons.

A newspaper journalist was assigned to Jerusalem and when he got there, he decided to get an apartment overlooking the Wailing Wall. After several weeks of watching out over the wall, he realized that every day, the same old Jewish man would come and spend most of the day praying vigorously at ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: *other

Jonah Series

Contributed by John Walls on Oct 21, 2001

The link between Jonah and Israel

JONAH Jonah 1:17 Introduction: Of the Books of the Bible that the critics like to criticize, this is one of their favorites. One such critic asked a Bible believer if he really believed this part of the Bible too. The man answered “why, of course!” “Do you understand all that went on in the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:17

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit And Identity Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 12, 2005

The Spirit reminds us who we are in Christ.

Knowing The Holy Spirit May 8, 2005 The Spirit and Identity Matthew 3:13-4:11 Donald Miller writes in “Blue Like Jazz,” “everybody wants to be fancy and new. Nobody wants to be themselves. I mean, maybe people want to be themselves, but they want to be different, with different clothes or ...read more

Denomination: *other

Scattering The Seed Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 13, 2008

Farming in the days of Jesus wasn’t like today. But the church that Jesus began, and the way Jesus set it up haven’t changed over the ages.

OPEN: A man walked into a flower shop and asked for some potted red geraniums. "I’m sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we are completely sold out of all of our potted geraniums. But I’d be more than happy to give you a deal on something else. Could you use African violets instead?" Replied the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Theological Pragmatism Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Dec 6, 2008

Exposition of Psalm 4 regarding the turning of people away from God because of some national tragedy

Text: Psalm 4:1-8, Title: Theological Pragmatism, Date/Place: NRBC, 12/7/08, AM A. Opening illustration: the story of Jonah provides a great introduction to this text, not because they share time frame or characters, but because of theological pragmatism. Define. Remember when Jonah boarded a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Not Just Another Sunday Part 3: My Offering Series

Contributed by Rev. Saeed Richardson on Oct 7, 2007

Continuing in our series we look at how our offering is so much more than what we put in the plate - it is how we live.

Intro: What-chu-gaht! The dangerous life of comparisons. How do you shop? For me I’d rather go to the appropriate store for the appropriate item - I prefer BJ’s or Sam’s Club for meat because I can get it cheaper in bulk have the butchers cut it up and package it so that I can freeze it when I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:2-16

Denomination: Baptist

God Our Creator

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 15, 2007

The creation of man was unique in all of God’s creation. Only in the creation of man did God breathe a living soul.

God Our Creator Genesis 1:1-5, 26 In the beginning God In the beginning God created In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.” When you look at the vastness of the universe, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Journey From Doubt To Faith

Contributed by Bruce Montgomery on Mar 24, 2008

Thomas is a case study of how we can move from doubt to faith ourselves, and assist others in making the same spiritual journey.

The Journey from Doubt to Faith John 20:24-31; 21:12 INTRO When you and I woke up this morning, we didn’t wake up thinking that Jesus of Nazareth is still buried in a tomb in Jerusalem. We didn’t wake up in a world where death and the grave appeared to have been victorious. But remember that ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Missed Opportunities

Contributed by Tim Shepard on Apr 8, 2008

This sermon is about some basics of prayer that we as Christians seem to have forgotten.

Missed Opportunities It happened only a few weeks ago. The normal time for prayer came in the service. I had asked for requests. Only one person raised their hand. And so I proceeded with the prayer itself. But the moment I was finished praying hands shot up all over the sanctuary. It ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-14

Denomination: *other

You Can Have The Anointing Series

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Oct 24, 2008

The anointing of the Holy Spirit is for you and for now.

October 26, 2008 Morning Worship Text: 1 John 2:20-27 Subject: Receiving the Promises of God Part 4 Title: You Can Have The Anointing I used to get together with Charlotte’s brothers and brothers-in-law and nephews once a year to play golf. None of us were very good – some of us just not as ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:20-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God