Sermons on Two Edge Sword:

Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Dec 7, 2017

John the Baptist helps us get ready for Advent. He points us to baptism, repentance, and the Mighty One, Jesus Christ. This sermon looks at the text and then shifts into an application with two illustrations.

To borrow the words of Meredith Wilson: “It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go.” Thanksgiving is done and the leftovers are consumed. Black Friday is over. Cyber Monday and Cyber week are finished. This week, we had our first real taste of winter and Minnesota weather ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Should A Christian Keep The Law? (Pt. 1) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 1, 2021

Many Christians are confused as to why Christians keep part of the Old Testament commandments but don't keep others. This series of two messages helps them find answers to their questions.

Today we will tackle the question: Should a Christian Keep the Law? The answer to that question significantly affects the way we live our Christian lives. If I read the Bible with a legalistic mindset, I will live under the bondage of the law—a perpetual effort to measure up and always coming ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-2, 2 Peter 2:12-22, Romans 2:28-29, 1 Corinthians 7:19, James 2:1-18, 1 John 5:2, Galatians 5:1-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 13:9, John 1:17, Luke 5:36-39, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, John 8:34, Jude 1:4, Hebrews 8:1-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! Stanzas 3-4: Healing In His Wings Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 15, 2020

Jesus was born to heal our spiritual ills, both delivering us from hell and transforming us into godly men and women. Let’s look at two “hows” that explain these blessings.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! Part 2 Healing in His Wings (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! stanzas 3-4) 1. One woman writes: Our fourth grader celebrated his birthday on crutches, so he couldn’t carry the cupcakes into school without help. I asked our sixth-grader, Noah, to help his brother carry ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:2, Mark 6:56, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 21:8, Ephesians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who Were The First Followers Of Jesus? Series

Contributed by Ray Geide on Dec 22, 2021

Our story in the book of John this week shows us Jesus gathering His first followers. Do you know who they were? There were five of them. It begins with two disciples.

Who Were The First Followers Of Jesus? John 1:35-51 Most of you know my story how in 1993, I sold everything, gave up my job, and went to Russia as a missionary to follow Jesus. I lived in a residential area in the southeast part of Saint Petersburg. There were around 100,000 people in this one ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Stress (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Jan 12, 2022

According to Gallup Poll 2018, America is the 7th most stressed population globally. This sermon explains two kinds of stress, its causes, and what the Bible says about it.

Today we'll continue our sermon series on "The Bible and Emotional Problems" on stress. According to Gallup Poll 2018, America is the 7th most stressed population globally after Greece, the Philippines, Tanzania, Albania, Iran, and Sri Lanka. Stress is responsible for more than half ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:15, Ecclesiastes 11:10, 2 Timothy 3:1, Psalm 42:5, Psalm 118:5-6, Psalm 119:143, Isaiah 40:31, 1 Thessalonians 3:7, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shake The Dust Off Your Feet Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Jesus tells His followers to Shake Off the Dust from your Feet when they reject the message of His grace. It meant two things and both are important for you to hear today.

"We begin a new series this morning inside the Gospel of Luke but more on that in a few moments. It’s the time of year when people are considering New Years Resolutions and changing some of their old habits. In light of this, I want to talk about our church and a personal challenge for you in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

James Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 9, 2022

Even after more than two years of miracles, James is a skeptic. It would, after all, be rather hard to swallow the idea that the brother you had grown up with was the Son of God.

Jesus came from a big family. Matthew 13:55-56 names Jesus' brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas and mentions sisters (plural), so He had at least six siblings. James is consistently named first when Jesus' brothers are listed, which in his day likely meant that he was the eldest of ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

You Did It For Me

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 24, 2023

It is the “final story in Jesus’ public teaching ministry” and only Matthew shares it with us. There are two groups in this passage: those who go into eternal life; those who go into eternal death.

You Did It For Me Matthew 25:31-46 Introduction We have been studying some of the judgment parables found toward the end of Matthew. The judgment parables offer surprises / great reversals. The last shall be first. Many are invited, Few are chosen. Keep watch, for we do not know the hour. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Loving Kindness

Contributed by Dennis Lee on May 8, 2022

Approaching this Mother’s Day message, two distinct things came to mind. The first was the lovingkindness of God, and the second was the story of Hagar. Therefore, what we will be looking at is then Hagar and the lovingkindness of God.

God’s Loving Kindness Psalm 63:3 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b38ttun-apc As I was approaching what to say for this Mother’s Day message, two distinct things came as I was in prayer. The first was to look at the lovingkindness of God, and the second was the story of Hagar. Now, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:3, Lamentations 3:22-23, Isaiah 43:1, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 107:43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Contemplative Prayer

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 10, 2022

Contemplative prayer is much like two lovers in love with each other. In contemplation we use new approaches or tools, if you will, to hear God more completely, intimately, or thoroughly.

Mark 1:35 – “35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.” This verse reminds me of how important it is to get away by myself and totally focus on God as I pray. Two weeks ago, we spent some time talking ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming A Creature Of Habit 04 Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on May 2, 2023

THIS MESSAGE LOOKS AT THE FINAL HABIT WE SHOULD BE DEVELOPING -- IMMITATION. JOHN USES TWO PEOPLE HERE IN THE CLOSE OF THIS BOOKS TO CHALLANGE GAIUS REGARDING WHO HE SHOULD IMMITATE IN THE FUTURE.

BECOMING A CREATURE OF HABIT PART 4 3 JOHN 1:11-14 DEAR FRIEND, DO NOT IMITATE WHAT IS EVIL BUT WHAT IS GOOD. ANYONE WHO DOES WHAT IS GOOD IS FROM GOD. ANYONE WHO DOES WHAT IS EVIL HAS NOT SEEN GOD. 12 DEMETRIUS IS WELL SPOKEN OF BY EVERYONE--AND EVEN BY THE TRUTH ITSELF. WE ALSO SPEAK WELL OF ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

"Magic, Mystery, Miracle”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 20, 2022

The theme is take from Leonard Sweet the message of Christmas. In our society, there are two great religious holidays—Christmas and Easter. The green wreath of Christmas is juxtaposed to the Good Friday wreath of thorns.

In Jesus Holy Name December 24, 2022 Text: Matthew 1:20b-23 Christmas Eve - Redeemer “Magic, Mystery, Miracle” Christmas is here. I’m sure you went through rolls of scotch tape in order to decorate all the Christmas gifts. Your scotch tape was probably made by the 3M ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:20-23, Luke 2:4-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Did God The Father ‘turn His Back’ On Jesus?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 6, 2018

This sermon looks at Jesus' "forsaken" cry from the cross. It examines two arguments: one that the Father did turn His back on Jesus at that moment; the other that the Bible does not teach that.

A CROSS QUESTIONS: DID GOD THE FATHER "TURN HIS BACK" ON JESUS WHEN HE WAS ON THE CROSS? - Mark 15:34. - The phrase “turn His back” does not appear anywhere in Scripture, but it’s come into our popular religious vocabulary. Commenting on the passage we just read, we often say that when Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Location Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 9, 2021

It is considered a self-evident truth that you can't be in two places at the same time. But the Bible says this is not so. The Christian, by being in Christ, is both in time and in the heavenly realm of eternity.

The City Bank of Binghamton, New York, sent flowers to the management of their new branch, on the opening of their new facility. Unfortunately, the card accompanying the flowers read, "Deepest Sympathy." The florist who made the mistake, called later to apologize for the mixup. What ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8

Emmaus - The Road To Realisation Lk 24:1-35

Contributed by Damon S Adams on Mar 19, 2016

This messages explores the lessons to be learnt from the account of Jesus'meeting with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. This was a journey from disappointment to joy. Here is an encounter with the risen Jesus, an encounter available to all.

Emmaus – The Road to Realisation Lk 24:1-35 Introduction This account is one of the most beautiful accounts we have in the Bible. In order to appreciate it we need to live into it! Remember Jesus was just crucified – the Sabbath is over. Two disciples are on the road returning home. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational