Sermons on Unity And Diversity:

Finding Your Sweet Spot

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jun 4, 2001

A critical part of stewardship is to discover and use your spiritual gifts as well as "natural" talents for service.

FINDING YOUR SWEET SPOT What do a tennis racket, a baseball bat, and a golf club have in common? They all have a sweet spot. There is a place on them that allows you the opportunity to make the type of contact with the respective balls they are designed to hit that will allow ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-7, Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Church Of God

Who Are Our Strangers? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 13, 2004

Many things conspire to keep people separate, even in the church. Only God can connect us, and it is the cross that binds us. Are we living out that reality, or have we let separations disconnect us?

When he says it, it feels both enraging and endearing. When he pronounces it, it sounds like irritation, but it also sounds like invitation. It is both attracting and detracting, both including and excluding. I am referring to those moments in the old TV show, when Felix Unger, the neat freak half ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should He Love Us So?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 26, 2004

On the average, we’re really not all that lovable, are we? All around us we see the bitter fruits of hatred, selfishness, & greed. And, no, I don’t know why God loves us. But He does!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (NOTE: The impetus for the development of this sermon came from an excellent sermon, "Why Should They Hate Us," contributed to SC by Jeff Strite.) John 3:16; Psalms 8:4; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 A. There is a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Kind Of Shape Are You And I In?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Apr 27, 2003

We are called and equipped to serve - in Jesus’ name!

One of the beliefs about our economic system is that it has moved from being an industrial economy to a service and information economy. In other words, more and more jobs are based on providing a service or information than providing a product. Service has therefore become an important part of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27

Denomination: Church Of God

The Praisefest In Jerusalem

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on May 19, 2003

Without Christ we are just ordinary people, ordinary creation, who don’t experience the extraordinary hand of a living God. Without Christ we are without joy, peace, wisdom, self-control, patience, and the strength to live the life it was meant to be.

The PraiseFest in Jerusalem Scripture References: Luke 19:35 – 40; Matthew 21:8 –11; Mark 11:8 - 10 Introduction The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride. He walked into town and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:35-40, Matthew 21:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming Canned Christianity Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 6, 2004

Few purposes of the church create more tension in a local body than worship. Churches are struggling to avoid the land mines associated with the Worship Wars. This happens because churches often have an erroneous perception of what God-pleasing worship re

1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3And they ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Check Your Ego At The Door

Contributed by Jeffrey Samelson on Mar 8, 2004

To receive what Jesus came to give, all pride and arrogance must be left behind. When you enter into God’s house, check your ego at the door.

March 7, 2004 — Second Sunday in Lent Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD Pastor Jeff Samelson Luke 13:31-35 Check Your Ego at the Door Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Dear Friends for whom Christ Suffered, Died, and Rose Again: Restaurants, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Lutheran

"Are We In The End Times?"

Contributed by Andy Almendarez on Mar 22, 2004

As the vision unfolds, a series of future conflicts involving nations is described between the Persians and the Greeks. Between kings of the South (Egypt) and kings of the North (Syria). In this conflict, Israel would be caught in the middle.

Andy Almendarez AAre We in the End Times?@ Daniel 11:36-12:3 We will be studying the final vision recorded in the book of Daniel. This vision pictures what will affect Daniel’s people? Describing the events in the last days, for this vision refers to many days that are to come. In the ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

The Lily: Sprawling Weed Or Medicinal Herb Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 2, 2003

God comes in Christ to heal our disloyalty, to judge and yet cure our sin, to help us flourish. Illustrated with Chrismons.

When I was twelve years old, our family moved to a house larger than the one we had been in. With a larger house came more yard, and with more yard came more plants to care for and more lawn to mow. If anybody was going to do any gardening at our home, it would have to be my father. My mother, ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:1, Hosea 14:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Olive: Exhaustion Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 2, 2003

How do we replenish our exhaustion? The world into which Jesus was born was spiritually weary. We too are worn out from conflict, moral uncertainty. God has acted to come among us and to give us power to become.

“All ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way, with painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing: O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing!” You don’t have to look long to find examples ...read more

Scripture: Job 15:17-35, John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil Goes To Church!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 27, 2004

I believe the devil spends more time in church than many Christians. It makes sense for him to do so. If he can hang around Christians & create confusion, doubt, division, or discouragement....

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2022) NOTE: I borrowed the title and gleaned much of the content of this sermon from an excellent book, “The Devil Goes To Church” (Covenant Publishers, Webb City, MO), by David L. Butts, founder and President of Harvest Prayer ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5, Ephesians 6:12, John 17:20-21, James 1:22, Genesis 3:4-5, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Kings 19:4, Matthew 26:39, 1 Peter 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Real, Old-Fashioned Church Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 7, 2003

Paul says four things need to be present for the building up of the church. The two we generally ignore are the ones where we listen to God directly.

Real, Old-Fashioned Church: Becoming A Festival pt. 5 March 1/2, 2003 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 Intro: We have spent the past four weeks talking about worship, and about our vision for worship depicted by the idea of a festival. I¡¦ve been excited to see the Spirit of God moving in our midst, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

Denomination: Baptist

Why Not Destroy Evil Right Now? Series

Contributed by Bradford Robinson on Mar 17, 2003

This message takes a look at how we co-exist in this world with evil and the results that brings. Also looks at the question why God doesn’t destory evil people right now and the hope we have of justice.

Intro: A) The Sentiments of Asaph in Psalm 73 B) We can relate to his questions. Why is it that evil is so prevalent and appears to prosper while those who do good seem to get trampled upon. And why does it seem that those who do evil seem to get away Scott free? Is there any ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43, Psalm 73:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

Hope In A World Of Despair

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 3, 2004

1- A - all have sinned 2- B - Behold the Lamb of God 3- C - Come unto me

INTRO.- We live in a stressful or stress-filled society. ILL.- A Tahoma, Washington newspaper carried the story of Tattoo the basset hound some time ago. Tattoo didn’t intend to go for an evening run, but when his owner shut the dog’s leash in the car door and took off for a drive – with Tattoo ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Total Surrender & Total Commitment

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

Considering what kind of dedication a Christian is to have for Jesus Christ

This morning we’ve witnessed the dedication of Anslie. Brent and Natalie brought Anslie and presented her to the Lord dedicating her to His care. I want us to this morning consider what dedication is all about. What is it that you think of first when I mention the word dedication. You may think ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist