Sermons on Try Harder:

Are You Ready For Christmas?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 22, 2020

John the Baptist told people to make preparations to meet Jesus that were very different from our preparations for Christmas.

I hope we are all making some progress towards being ready for Christmas. We know the drill, decorations, shopping, Christmas cards, wrapping presents, cooking, and so on. Today we meet John the Baptist, who gives us a very different list of things we need to do to be ready to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-14

Savoring His Sacrifice And Salvation Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 9, 2019

In this Easter Sunday message we will talk about savoring the forgiveness, restoration and hope that are ours because of His sacrifice.

Savoring His Sacrifice and Salvation Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jihad, A Muslim Pharaoh, Noah's Drowned Son... And More Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Aug 26, 2015

It's all pretty strange territory for us, but Muhammad seems to be trying to show his awareness of Scripture by mentioning Bible names, then attaching weird narratives to them. Interesting, but so clearly contrived.

Lesson 26, Jihadists All. Now we finish Sura 7, and then move to sura 8, called "The Spoils", and sura 9, "The repentant". The ending verses of chapter 7 are yet another reminder of the insecure future afforded mankind by Allah, Islam's god. Verse 179: "And indeed, we have created for hell ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:18-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Surviving Your Marriage Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 27, 2001

In order to survive your marriage, you need to: (1) seek to serve rather than be served, and (2) stop trying to change each other

When a man and woman are first married, they typically share a dream of having a wonderful, loving, life together. But too often, after a few years their marriage resembles a field of battle more than a field of dreams. It may not be all-out warfare; the combatants may be able to put up a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:28, Matthew 7:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Only Human....no Excuse For Sinning!

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 19, 2002

We often hear folks try to justify or minimize their sins by declaring: "I’m only human!" This outline seeks to expose the flimsiness of excuse making.

ONLY HUMAN…NO EXCUSE FOR SINNING! “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ So God ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Two Wisdoms- James 3:13-18 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 22, 2002

James tells us that there are two different wisdoms trying to control our lives one originates from Heaven above and the other is an earthly unspiritual wisdom.

The Two Wisdoms in the World- Which one do you follow? Thesis: James tells us that there are two different wisdoms trying to control our lives one originates from Heaven above and the other is an earthly unspiritual wisdom. Texts: James 3: 13-18 (NIV) 13Who is wise and understanding among you? ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18, Proverbs 1:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Prayer

Contributed by Patrick O'loughlin on Nov 24, 2002

Do you ever feel like you are constantly defeated in your spiritual life? Have you tried everything but found no success? Try Prayer!

Text: Mark 9:14-29 Title: The power of prayer. “ He replied,” This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:29) Introduction Do you ever, like me, often feel defeated in your walk with God? Can you identify with the father in our scripture passage who over the years saw things go from bad to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Pitch

Contributed by Richie Oswald on Jan 1, 2003

I am not a salesman trying to sell you a new way of life. I am a spokesman telling you the truth about the life available to you.

(NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." I do not write sermons nor do I preach sermons under the pretext of being a salesman trying to sell you a better way of life. That would lessen the quality of the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Pray For Us

Contributed by Priscilla Haselrig on Sep 18, 2002

HOW SATAN IS STILL TRYING TO SIFT GOD PEOPLE, BUT JESUS IS STILL SAYING , NO SATAN, I AM STILL PRAYING AND WATCHING OVER MY PEOPLE.

I AM GLAD JESUS PRAYED I am so glad that Jesus took the time and got down on His bended knees and prayed to GOD on our behalf. And it is when we pray for somebody else, we let God know that it¡¦s not all about ourselves, and that what Jesus did, He let us know, it was not just about Himself, but ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-32

Denomination: Holiness

Conspiracy Against God

Contributed by Michael Sanes on Oct 14, 2003

Imagine the absurdity of conspiring against God, yet there are those who are willing to try. Ananias and his wife Sapphira agreed together to conspire against God.

Conspiracy Against God Text Acts 5:1-11 Intro: Illustration of botched conspiracies ·Conspiracy literally means to plot or scheme, to connive or work against Trans: Let us consider the "steps" of their conspiracy against God I. The Conspirators’ Plan 1. To deceive the church - for they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Making God Smile - Purpose Driven Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 18, 2004

Not all gifts bring God delight. What could possibly make it so that God would not take pleasure in what I try to do for Him?

OPEN: (I went up on podium with t-shirt and tie that my two children had bought me for my birthday) A week ago last Wednesday was my birthday. My daughter bought me this tie (with Jesus on a blue background), and my son picked out this t-shirt (with a lion and Jesus and the message: "King of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:15-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Get Out Of The Boat

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Sep 23, 2005

Message on trying to have faith to get out of the boat and keep our eyes on Christ even when the storm of life is crashing all around us.

Getting out of the boat Right after the feeding of the 5,000 Matthew 14:22-32 1. Get out of the boat(26-29) • Waves are crashing and the boat is in danger of sinking. The disciples are scared it is a ghost but Peter took a leap of faith and trusted God in protecting him. • We all face ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: Wesleyan

Love Each Other?

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Oct 1, 2005

How do we love as God does? What is real love? How do we love each other? questions we will try to answer.

John 13:34&35 Love Each other? Did God create everything that exists? Does evil exist? Did God create evil? A University professor at a well known institution of higher learning challenged his students with this question. "Did God create everything that exists?" A student bravely replied, "Yes ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Almost You Convince

Contributed by David Rogers on Oct 5, 2005

a sermon on how we almost are christians and we try to convince to surrender to Christ when often we haven’t surrendered totally to Christ ourselves.

Almost You Convince Me Acts 26:27-30 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 28Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 29And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Jonah And The Whale Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 22, 2007

Despite his tendency to do all those human things—to run away, to try to avoid responsibility—eventually he gets a new life.

Read Jonah 1:1-17; 2:1, 9-10 from "The Message" God says GO! Jonah says NO! God sends a storm to remind Jonah who is in charge. Jonah is thrown overboard by the others on the ship. Jonah makes the choice to keep trying to run from God. And you know what happens when Jonah is thrown ...read more

Denomination: Methodist