Sermons on Understand Scripture:

National Refelctions

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jun 9, 2017

There is a lack of understanding of the Biblical truths on which the Founding Fathers of this nation laid this country's foundation. This ignorance erodes the Christian values the Founding Fathers had set for a course for the United States of America.

National Reflections Grasping the Faith of Our Founding Fathers It has been well said, "If we do not know the foundation on which the Founding Fathers laid for this nation, then we as a nation have no understanding on what we are to be today, thus we are a nation that has no clear vision for ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overwhelming Grace: The Prodigal Son, The Unjust Steward, And You!

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Sep 19, 2019

This sermon examines the relationship between the prodigal son, unjust steward, and the hearer. It draws upon the parallels among all three to make a Gospel application. I am indebted to Dr. David Schmidt's observations on this text found on 1517.org for the idea.

A few weeks ago, I bought the movie Dunkirk on sale, which is about the evacuation of over 300,000 British troops after the Fall of France in World War II. I tried to watch this movie at night as I was going to bed. Between falling asleep, helping with Mia, or checking my phone, the movie took ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-8, Luke 16:1-16, Luke 15:11-32, Luke 15:12-24

Denomination: Lutheran

The Courage Of Joseph Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2008

Today, our Scripture tells of the third major party to the incarnation and his response to it. It is a story of courage that is told every Christmas season. But it is also a story we often miss because this hero of the story is usually in the background.

The Courage of Joseph Matthew 1:18-25 

Every day for the first 10 months after Katrina, I would drive home on I-10 and there was an indelible image which would strike me. On a billboard just before I got off on my exit was the image of a female New Orleans police office submerged in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Methodist

Principles For Better Living

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 22, 2010

Scriptural principles to make life better. 1- Stay cool, don’t blow your cool 2- Try faith, don’t let faithlessness rule 3- Be possessed, don’t give in to obsession

INTRO.- ILL.- I like the story about the preacher who had a microphone in his hand as he preached, and as he moved around the platform he would jerk the cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly tripping before jerking it again. After several circles ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Interrupted By God: Embracing Divine Disruptions Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 30, 2024

The concept of divine interruption is deeply rooted in Scripture and challenges us to trust in God's sovereignty over our lives. Are we willing to let God change our plans, redirect our steps, and shape our journey?

Interrupted by God: Embracing Divine Disruptions Introduction: Today, we reflect on a powerful quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.” Bonhoeffer, a theologian who lived during a time of great crisis, understood the importance of yielding to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:9, Luke 10:30-37, Matthew 14:22-33, Acts 10:9-16, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Three Vital Relationship Ingredients Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Mar 7, 2001

Building relationships with God and others is easier using God’s wisdom, understanding what’s most important in the relationship, and knowledge of God’s foundational truths.

Three Vital Relationship Ingredients Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches Proverbs 24:3-4 Three Essential Ingredients to Restore a Relationship Wisdom Having a broad ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Fourth Word From The Cross: Anguish Series

Contributed by Norm Beckett on Apr 18, 2001

When we feel most betrayed, Jesus understands, for he experienced total abandonment. When we feel most alone, the truth and reality is that we are not.

THE FOURTH WORD FROM THE CROSS - Anguish "At about three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachtani?" which means, "My God, My God why did you abandon me" (Matthew 27: 46). Out of the darkness comes a loud cry. A piercing cry. It is not a cry against God, it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:46

Denomination: Holiness

God Balances Crosses And Comforts

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 7, 2001

To lead the people to understand that God proportionally gives out a balance of crosses and comforts so that we do not become too elevated and proud or too depressed by difficulties

Unit 9 – Family Lesson 25 – A Family for Jacob – Gen. 29:1-30 Preparation for the Teacher 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that God proportionally gives out a balance of crosses and comforts so that we do not become too elevated and proud or too depressed by difficulties. 2. Explanation ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Sovereign Rights

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 8, 2001

To help people understand that the Lord’s Sovereign power means that He has the right to do whatever He wants to with our lives for His greater purposes.

Unit 13 – Power Lesson 36 – Job’s Mountain of Problems – Job 1:1-2:10 Preparation for the Teacher 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that the Lord’s Sovereign power means that He has the right to do whatever He wants to with our lives for His greater purposes. 2. Explanation of the Aim: The ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trust God And Do Not Complain

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 10, 2001

To lead the people to understand that we should not complain when God leads us along difficult paths, but to trust Him for what is the best direction for our lives.

Deliverance From Egypt Crossing the Red Sea – Exodus 13:20-15:21 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that we should not complain when God leads us along difficult paths, but to trust Him for what is the best direction for our lives. ILlustration:In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Gives Victory Over Enemies

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 10, 2001

To lead the people to understand how God gives victory over our enemies when we trust, obey and denounce all forms of sin in our life

Victories for God’s People – Numbers 21:12-24:25 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand how God gives victory over our enemies when we trust, obey and denounce all forms of sin in our life. Illustration:"Duties are ours, events are God’s; When our faith goes to meddle with events, and to hold ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Will Be Done

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jan 16, 2007

Are these just words that we pray? Do we really want God’s will to be done? Do you understand what is involved in doing God’s will?

YOUR WILL BE DONE! Matthew 26:36-46 INTRODUCTION: This morning would you stand and join me in reciting the model prayer more commonly known as “the Lord’s Prayer”. “Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done...” Wait! Stop! Did you hear what you just ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Baptist

Thanksgiving: 3 Ways To Look At It

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 16, 2005

An INWARD look, an OUTWARD look, and an UPWARD look will help us gain a new understanding of true Thankfulness. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Thanksgiving: Three Ways to Look at It Psalm 95:1-11 PowerPoint for this and all our sermons available at http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html ----- Introduction Rudyard Kipling, author of “The Jungle Book”, at one time was so popular that his writings were getting ten shillings per word. [about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Then The Law?

Contributed by Dr. Kenneth Rhodes, Jr on Mar 1, 2007

Understanding the Lord’s purpose in giving the Law, using the Apostle Paul’s question, “why then the Law?” The sermon also touches indirectly on the issue of continuity and discontinuity.

Why Then the Law? Τί οὖν ὁ νόμος; Galatians 3:19 (NA27INT) "Why then the Law?" (1). Was "added" because of transgressions. "The verb "added" indicates that the law was not primary in God’s dealings with sinners. The covenant and promises ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am The Light Of The World Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 31, 2006

Jesus’ proclamation that he is the light of the world holds powerful image for us, and helps us to understand how Jesus moves in our lives and ministers to our needs.

John 16-13, 8:12 “I Am the Light of the World” INTRODUCTION Each and every one of us has different pictures, or images, of Jesus and how he moves in our lives. Many of us imagine Jesus as our friend. Of course, this picture is expressed by the popular, old time hymn, “What a Friend We Have ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-13

Denomination: Lutheran