Sermons on Unhelpful Tradition:

Some Similarities Between Pharisees & Reactionaries

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

People of good judgment seldom rely merely on their own insights - but the Pharisees nevertheless insisted.

People of good judgment seldom rely merely on their own insights - but the Pharisees nevertheless insisted. Like the Pharisees during the times of Jesus, the reactionaries of today like to design harsh doctrinal codes that stress a strict avoidance of worldly customs. They enjoy being associated ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:9-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Triumphant Saints Are Ready For The Bridegroom To Come

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 12, 2002

how to keep oil in your lamp

November 17, 2002 Matthew 25:1-13 1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Losing My Religion Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

To be able to break away from tightly held beliefs, there has to be a conversion of the heart and mind

Losing my Religion Acts 10-11 After several years of trying to bring about change from the inside, former President Jimmy Carter announced that he’s severing his ties with the Southern Baptist church over its treatment of women. “I have been a practicing Christian all my life and a ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Removing The Mask

Contributed by Thomas Gaskill on Oct 29, 2011

Recognize some of the masks Christians wear and exhort to let this "Halloween" be the time to remove the mask rather than put one on.

Removing the Mask Thomas A. Gaskill October 30, 2011 Opening illustration: Many years ago there was an emperor who was so fond of new clothes that he spent all of his money on them. He did not have any concern about his army; he cared nothing about the theater or for driving about in the woods, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

12 Apostles: James Son Of Alphaeus

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 16, 2015

This man is worthy of our time! He was one of the 12 men chosen by Jesus to bear witness to His life, death, and resurrection. This James became a missionary preacher and died testifying to Jesus’ reality.

THE 12 APOSTLES: JAMES SON OF ALPHAEUS INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Origin of the 10 Commandments 1. The Jewish people love to make good financial deals, hence the term – “he Jew-ed them down.” Different people groups have different characteristics. The story is told… 2. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lose That Weight!

Contributed by Victor Ramlall on Jan 8, 2012

We need to look forward the coming year with a new sense of commitment and resolve free ourselves from the impediments that hinder us from being effective servants of God.

January is named after Janus, the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word for door (ianua) – January is the door to the year. In ancient Roman religion and mythology, Janus is the god of beginnings and transitions, thence also of gates, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Divided Church Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Aug 27, 2012

The effect of divisions in the church and how they arise.

Introduction Clicks, they are the bane of high schools! It seems to be the fate of teenagers to get caught up in them, either eager to get into some or eager to avoid others. But clicks are not unique to teenagers and high schools. As we are about to learn, adults are also prone to them even in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ishmael Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 1, 2022

In Islamic beliefs, Abraham had prayed to God for a son. (God delivered this child to Abraham and later tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his only son at the time.

Ishmael Ishmael was the first son of Abraham through the Egyptian Hagar, the common patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, and is venerated by Muslims as a prophet. According to the Genesis account, he died at the age of 137. Personal Facts Born: Canaan Children: Nebaioth, Basemath, Adbeel, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Blind Faith - Seeing Faith Series

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Jul 16, 2004

Faith that is passionate may still be blind and arrogant. Paul discovered this on the Road to Damascus and learned how to have a true and mature faith

INTRODUCTION A Jewish father was concerned about his son who was about a year away from his Bar Mitzvah, but was sorely lacking in his knowledge of the Jewish faith. To remedy this, he sent his son to Israel to experience his heritage. A year later the young man returned home. "Father, thank you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Is Not A Holiday

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Dec 27, 2007

Some people get excited about Jesus at Christmas or other special occasions, but He is much more than a holiday.

Jesus is Not A Holiday December 27, 2007 (For Better or Worse: I died at church!) 1 Cor. 11:17 (NLT) But now when I mention this next issue, I cannot praise you. For it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together. Do you think it is possible that church can do more harm than ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1-31

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas Far From Home

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jan 6, 2008

This was my Christmas Eve Sermon for 07, looks at various people who were far from home on that first Christmas

Christmas Far From Home Christmas Eve 2007 For most people Christmas is a time to spend with family. We enjoy the social aspect and the re-connecting with one another. There are gifts and cards, emails and Christmas letters and food. Whenever people get together at Christmas there is always ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

He Gave His Life Series

Contributed by Jon Miller on Mar 1, 2011

Part of a series on the Gospel of John this message shows how Jesus willingly gave his life for us on the cross.

He Gave His Life John 19:28-42 -There is a lot of ground to cover in this passage this morning -I Want us to see something that is so important for us as Christians and that is the details in Jesus' last moments on earth. -Our faith rest in the details. The Christian faith is not based on just ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-42

The Fixer Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jan 16, 2011

Jesus made himself known through performing miracles.

Title: The Fixer Text: John 2:1-11 Thesis: Jesus made himself known through the miraculous. Epiphany Series: Encountering Christ in Epiphany The First Sunday of Epiphany we encountered Christ at his baptism. • The First Sunday after Epiphany: Christ’s Identity. The First Sunday ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Transformation And Grace

Contributed by Robert Bravo on Jun 29, 2007

It was the power of Paul’s testimony that demonstrated grace in his life. He was transformed by God. That’s same power can do the same for us.

Transformation and Grace Galatians 1:10-24 (NIV) 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:10-24

Denomination: Nazarene

The Piracy Of Praise Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jul 2, 2007

We have had praise pirated from the church.

The Hallelujah Factor Series Based upon Jack Taylor’s book The Hallelujah Factor The Piracy of Praise July 1, 2007 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor Introduction A A few years ago, FBC was robbed, burglarized, vandalized, invaded-robbed of possessions, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 14:25-26

Denomination: Baptist