Sermons on Umpire:

Prayer Keys - Privacy Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Nov 3, 2011

This is the first time Jesus taught his first disciples about prayer. His first lesson was, “Spend time alone with the Father in prayer.” If we don’t follow his first lesson, we are not following the example or the command of Christ.

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6 A little boy was saying his bedtime prayers when his mother passed by his room and stopped to listen. “Bless Mommy and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6

Denomination: Baptist

An Enduring Heart Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 27, 2012

This is the last sermon in the series and focuses on Jesus' ability to endure to the end and finish the race by focusing on the prize.

Introduction: A. Last Sunday was New Year’s Day, and I was on vacation. 1. I really appreciate everyone allowing me to take a vacation, and especially Alan and Mike, and the other elders for picking up the slack. 2. Since we did a “stay-cation,” I took the opportunity to visit ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

7 Reasons To Be Encouraged

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 20, 2012

Our lives are filled with discouragements. Paul mentions "the encouragement of the Scriptures," Rom. 15:4. Here are seven reasons that every believer should be encouraged and positive about their lives and futures.

SEVEN REASONS TO BE ENCOURAGED [This is a reworked version of John Shearhart’s message, “20 Reasons to Be Encouraged.”] INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR Light Bulb jokes, 133 yrs old. (Reader's Digest) 1. How many divorced men does it take to change a lightbulb? Who cares? They never get ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Refusing To Play Favorites Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 30, 2012

If you want God's favor, don't treat people with favoritism.

Something very interesting happened on Monday night when people who normally hate on the Packers were suddenly on their side when a blown call by the replacement officials gave the win to the Seahawks. Even Bear fans expressed sympathy to me all week. Well, except for one guy who called me a ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Our Prince Of Peace

Contributed by Mark Roper on Dec 12, 2009

We have peace with God, then we have the peace of God. We also look into how peace comes to us and the price of peace.

Jesus Our Prince of Peace Down deep inside all of us long to have a great desire to be at peace, within ourselves, within our families and all those we interact with. Humanity’s quest for peace is illustrated by the architecture constructed in symbolic fashion in many countries. If the Statue ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:9

Denomination: Church Of God

Woe To The Hyprocrites!

Contributed by James Jack on Apr 11, 2009

Jesus’ stinging tirade against the hyprocrites and heretics is a righteous condemnation of false religion.

I get worked up about a lot of things. I get worked up when they change the words to old hymns that are favourites of mine. I get worked up at umpiring and refereeing decisions – perhaps not as much as St. George supporters, but worked up nonetheless. I get worked up when Damien takes the last ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Anglican

Dressing In Layers

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Mar 30, 2019

Being prepared to face the elements! This sermon gets the congregation involved by (comically) demonstrating the need to "dress in layers", clothing ourselves in true virtue, bearing one another up in love, and worshiping together as a community.

OPENING STORY My freshman year of college, I was blessed with the opportunity to take a quarter class in Denver learning about urban development and strategies for alleviating poverty. Now, I could claim that my motivations were noble, and they somewhat were. I mean, I really did want to help ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Living On Mission With God

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Mar 17, 2014

The phrase, "Living on Mission with God" is a pretty flexible phrase, but serves as a great missions concept. This sermon focuses on believers making missions and evangelism and service to God a focus of their lives.

Living on Mission with God Chuck Sligh March 16, 2014 TEXT: Mark 8:34-36 – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-36

Denomination: Baptist

Apostles' Creed: Comfort In God's Judgment Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 14, 2019

Jesus will return to Judge. Because Jesus is the Judge, there is 1) justice, 2) accountability, and 3) grace.

APOSTLES’ CREED: Comfort in God’s Judgment In last week’s message on the Apostles’ Creed, we looked at how Jesus ascended into heaven, where he has all authority and power, advocates for us, and is holding a place for us. The next sentence of the creed looks to the future: “From there he will come ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Romans 3:21-26, Revelation 20:11-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Meditate Upon Things Worthy Of Virtue And Praise Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 17, 2020

In our study of Philippians thus far, Paul has told his Philippian friends that they should empty their minds of fear and anxiety and anything else that will detract from their pilgrimage of faith. Now he gives them a list of virtues they should think about and meditate on.

Date: 7/22/19 Lesson #32 Title: Meditate upon things worthy of virtue and praise • “Special Notes” and “Scripture” are shown as endnotes. • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Scripture: (Philippians 4:8-9, NIV) 8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Power, The Blessings, And The Benefits Of Just Showing Up

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Dec 23, 2020

There is a power in just being present. We miss many of God's greatest blessings when we decide to sit the game of life or ministry out. Matthias is a great example of what can happen if we are present.

The Power, The Blessings, & Benefits of Just Showing Up Introduction Baseball has been one of the favorite sports of Americans. Cal Ripkin, Jr. was a famous baseball player. He wrote a book titled "Just Show Up." In the book her wrote: Everyone has a 2,131. Ripkin ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:21-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Joy Stealers (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 4, 2022

Paul warns the Colossians against legalism, mysticism, and asceticism.

Above All: A Study in Colossians Col 2:18-23 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church Cubbie Dog When I first moved to Illinois, a friend offered to take me to a Cubs game. I explained that I’m not really a baseball fan. He said, “It’s not just baseball, it's Wrigley Field.” ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Disconcerting Dilemma Of Divine Inaction-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 5, 2024

3 of 4. Habakkuk faced the disconcerting/unsettling dilemma of Divine 'inaction' towards His people, Judah. What makes, or How is Divine inaction unsettling? 4 fabrications that either: accentuate the dilemma—OR—that muddy/confuse/obscure the answer of God’s inaction.

The DISCONCERTING DILEMMA Of DIVINE INACTION--III —Habakkuk 1:3(1:1-4) Key Words— •Difficult/Disturbing/Disorienting/Disconcerting/Perplexing/Uncertainty/Unsettling. •Dilemma/Predicament/Quandary/Situation. Attention: Salem BC’s ‘foundation plants’ recently got a much needed trimming/hedging. ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:3, Habakkuk 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Hand-Me Downs

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jul 25, 2003

Jesus has given us some godly clothes that we are supposed to wear at church and all the time. Wearing these clothes will make us look more like Jesus.

June 8, 2003 Colossians 3:12-17 “Hand-me downs” INTRODUCTION When I was growing up, my family wasn’t exactly poor, but we weren’t well off either. One of the results of our financial condition was that I rarely got new clothes. New clothes were reserved for Christmas and Easter. I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Just Like My Father

Contributed by Michael Thomas on Feb 10, 2004

In order to be like our Father God, we must get rid of anger and begin living a life of love. But what does that mean in our everyday lives?

Many here have heard of a man named Bobby Knight. He’s a famous college basketball coach. Bobby Knight is given to what commentaries on the Old Testament refer to as "ebullitions of wrath." Maybe you’ve seen some of Bobby’s ebullitions on display in television news clips: Coach Knight hurling a ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational