Sermons on Try Harder:

Jesus In The Midst: The Upper Room.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 10, 2021

Trying to understand Jesus without the Scriptures is futile, and comprehending Scripture without Jesus opening our understanding is impossible

JESUS IN THE MIDST: THE UPPER ROOM. Luke 24:36-48. What a scene met the two from the Emmaus Road upon their return to Jerusalem! The dejected church was now declaring its Easter message: “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.” To which they added their own testimony of the risen ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Kairos – Hearing God’s Voice Through Scripture Series

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Mar 11, 2023

Central Idea: Are you paying attention to those moments (Kairos) when God is trying to get your attention?

When we lived in Michigan I woke up early in the morning and found myself in that place between wakefulness and dreams. I heard these babies crying and realized that I don't have babies anymore. They were grown up. What I heard was 2 cats fighting on the fence… Sounded like babies crying. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Satan Is Stealing Christmas

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Nov 29, 2020

This sermon looks at the ways Satan is trying to steal Christmas, from changing the meaning, changing our focus, and legalism.

How Satan is Stealing Christmas Watch: https://youtu.be/qFiRhHmoPIc Today, I’d like to do something a little different, something that we can have some fun with as we look at the very real prospect of how Satan is trying to steal Christmas. Now is the time of year that all the Hallmark ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:16

Denomination: Foursquare

The Man By The Pool Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Feb 8, 2024

Sometimes the pain of trying to get well is more severe than just accepting a new normal and staying sick.

John 5 - The Man by the Pool February 11, 2024 John 5:1-11 NIV Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Third Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B: How To Catch A Fish

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 18, 2023

Cast, get a bite, and try to hook it; loose it; say something emotional, sit and cry. And repeat.

How to catch a fish. Cast, get a bite, and try to hook it; loose it; say something emotional, sit and cry. And repeat. James Merritt has come to the conclusion that there are basically four reasons why people do not catch fish: (1) Some people are using the wrong bait. (2) Some people are ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10, Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Catholic

Finding God In A Moment Of Crisis Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 9, 2022

Even when we're trying to honor God, we may come a daunting crisis of faith.

A MOMENT OF CRISIS: Even when you’ve been trying to honor God, there still may come a daunting crisis. - 2 Chronicles 20:1-2. - The enemy army was only about 15 miles away. - He had pursued spiritual reforms (19:4-11). Why isn’t God protecting us? FIRST RESPONSE: Where we start often shows ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

"a Miracle And A Motive"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 21, 2023

Jesus brings with Him choices for us to make. Will we follow Him, or will we try and get rid of Him?

“A Miracle and a Motive” John 11:1-7, 17-19, 32-53 How many of you have read or heard the story of Jesus raising Lazarus before? Where we stop reading the story has a lot to do with how we interpret it. If I were to have stopped reading at verse 45, the story would have a happy ending, ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-53

Denomination: United Methodist

When The Light Shines, Preach Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Jul 19, 2024

The point I am trying to make is very simple; God places His people in places for His glory.

“When The Light Shines, Preach” Acts 3:9-19 When Esther was placed as a queen a plot to destroy the Jews came to light. Her uncle said in Esther 4:14 “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:9-19

Denomination: Baptist

Addictions And Dependencies Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 30, 2010

Alcohol abuse is the main cause of accidental death, the main cause of domestic violence, the main avenue for trying other drugs, and is almost always involved in unwanted pregnancy and sexual promiscuity. People make a big fuss about all the illicit drug

A man and his wife are awakened at 3 o'clock in the morning by a loud pounding on the back door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push. "Not a chance," says the husband, "It is three o'clock in the morning." He slams the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:24-35

Body Piercing Saves Lives

Contributed by Dana Chau on Mar 18, 2002

Can we come to a right relationship with God any other way than through trusting in Jesus as the Son of God?

If you’re shocked by the title for this morning’s message, you need to know it’s not a mistake. But if you have to leave before I finish this morning’s message, I ask that you do not apply the title to yourself until you hear the entire message on tape or read it on the church website. We ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:6-13

Denomination: *other

…because It Was Done So Quickly!

Contributed by Kostas Emmanouilidis on Jan 8, 2009

Gypsy Smith, a British evangelist during the late 19th and early 20th century said the way to have revival is to draw a circle around yourself, get down on your knees and pray, “Lord send a revival and let it begin inside of this circle.” The reason I ch

…Because It Was Done So Quickly! 2 Chronicles 29 The reason I chose this present passage to begin the New Year is given to us in verse 17. Everything that was carried out in this chapter occurs in the first month of the Jewish religious calendar, which corresponds with our March/April. What a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rules And Relationship Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 12, 2009

A couple of passages from "The Shack" have sparked the question, "How do rules and relationship interact in our relationship with God?"

Galatians 3:1-14 January 11, 2009 Rules and Relationship How many of you have read “The Shack?” The Shack is a novel about a man who had suffered great tragedy in his life, and is invited to spend a weekend with God. I read it this summer, on holiday. For the most part, I liked it, I’m not ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-14

Denomination: *other

A Look At The Law And Promises Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jun 6, 2007

A message in an expository series from the book of Galatians

Today we are about to encounter one of the most difficult passages in all of Paul’s writings. In these verses, he draws on the debating skills he learned from his rabbinic teachers. He is reasoning in our text in a way that is very characteristic of a first century rabbi. In the first century it ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ten Commandments: Honor God's Name Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Jan 8, 2019

Don't dishonor the name of God by word or deed. We need God's help: the Holy Spirit, confession and cleansing, filling our minds with good things.

HONOR GOD’S NAME—Exodus 20:7, Ezekiel 36:16-28 (optional children’s sermon: Use a Coke can. The Coca Cola name is so valuable, that if anyone uses the name without permission, they can be sued. God’s name is more valuable!) (Project on the screen: What is the most valuable brand name in world? ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7, Ezekiel 36:16-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Wake-Up Call

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 27, 2016

(Appropriate for Watchnight or New Year's Eve service as well.) As Christians we live in the certainty that Jesus is coming again. It could be today, tomorrow, or any moment. We need to wake up, clean up, and grow up.

Romans 13:11-14 A Wake-up Call A priest and pastor were standing by the side of the road holding up a sign that read, "The End is near! Turn around before it's too late!" One speeding motorist yelled out his window, “Leave us alone, you religious nuts!” as he flew by. From around the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 25:1-13, Romans 7:18-25

Denomination: Baptist