Sermons on Up Lift:

Why Doesn’t God Answer Our Prayers?

Contributed by Peter Pilt on Apr 24, 2019

I would propose up front that God does answer our prayers more often than we like to think....Why?

I was asked recently, Why doesn’t God answer my prayers? Here is my answer. I would propose up front that God does answer our prayers more often than we like to think, its just that we aren’t getting the answers we want. God can answer with a No, but we wanted a Yes and so we keep praying, looking ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:13-23, Jeremiah 21:2, Jonah 4:3, Mark 10:34-45, Matthew 26:36-46, Hebrews 2:9, Philippians 2:5-8, Proverbs 3:5-6, Hebrews 10:23, Isaiah 55:8-9, John 14:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Come, Lord Jesus, Just Like Fire

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 30, 2023

Isaiah prays for the Lord to come down like fire and shake things up. What for? It's the Advent Prayer.

12.3.23 Isaiah 64:1–9 (EHV) 1 Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and come down. Mountains then would quake because of your presence. 2 As fire ignites stubble and as fire makes water boil, make your name known to your adversaries. Then nations would quake in your presence. 3 You did ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Finders Weepers Losers Keepers - Mark 8:34-38 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2023

What does it mean to deny yourself and take up your cross? And how does it help you in your daily battle with sin?

Excerpt #1: You are a radical, fundamentalist, extremist Christian or you are a non-Christian. Excerpt #2: People title this passage, "The Cost of Discipleship," but it could just as well be called, "The Cost of Non-Discipleship." Jesus wants us to compare costs. Excerpt #3: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, Matthew 16:13-27, Luke 9:18-26

When Boldness Meets Worldly Denial Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jan 29, 2024

When the message of the Gospel is proclaimed, the results are up to God. When society is confronted with the truth - the response will always be different - but it should not change the message!

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 5 When Boldness Meets Worldly Denial Acts 4:1-22 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise) -- And we looked ahead, anticipated the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22, Matthew 16:26, Matthew 18:20, Matthew 5:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Long Obedience In The Same Direction Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Sep 6, 2023

Have you ever met a mature Christ follower? How do you think their lives ended up so blessed and strong?

1 Kings 9 A Long Obedience in the Same Direction September 10, 2023 1 Kings 9:4-7 NIV Now if you walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, 5 then I will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 9:4-7, Luke 9:18-20, Luke 9:22-25, Luke 9:26, Luke 9:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Rewards Of A Servant Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 23, 2024

God knows that serving Him is not always easy or pleasant, so He encourages and motivates us to not give up by His promised rewards.

A. Allow me to begin today’s sermon with two brief stories. 1. The first story is about a woman who lost her purse in the chaos of Christmas shopping. a. Her purse was found by an honest young boy who returned to her. b. When the woman looked into her purse to see if everything was there, she ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58, Matthew 19:27-29, Mark 10:29-30, Matthew 6:19-21, Hebrews 11:6, 2 John 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pave The Way! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 27, 2023

Families gather and celebrate, but do we know what leads up to Easter? The stops along the way are important and have life application!

The Road To Easter Pt. 1 - Paving The Way I. Introduction It is inevitable. I don't really know if the statement they make is true or if it is made merely as result of social pressure or endorsement dollars. What I do know is that they almost always say it. After the big win someone will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:39-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

Turning Tables Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 27, 2023

Families gather and celebrate, but do we know what leads up to Easter? The stops along the way are important and have life application!

The Road To Easter Pt. 2 - Turning Tables I. Introduction Remember those family vacations you took as a kid? Loading the car. Hunkering down in the back seat as miles passed by. I would imagine that if you look back at pictures from those road trips you would probably see pictures from the final ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, John 2:13-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Silent Saturdays Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 27, 2023

Families gather and celebrate, but do we know what leads up to Easter? The stops along the way are important and have life application!

The Road To Easter Pt. 6 - Silent Saturdays! I. Introduction “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” ? Søren Kierkegaard. Isn't that true? It as we reflect that we understand. It is in the mad dash that keeps us from always understanding. We seldom reflect ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66, Matthew 28:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Greater Purpose Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 14, 2024

Is your purpose in life to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. If so... how do we do that?

A man named William Barclay once observed that “There are two great days in a person’s life. The day we are born and the day we discover WHY.” Hmmm. the day we discover WHY we were born! Well, that’s interesting. Lots of people never even consider why they were born. I mean, they kind of drift ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Growing In Christ Beyond Church Attendance Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 26, 2025

church attendance is essential for spiritual nourishment and community, it's possible to group up in church without truly growing in Christ.

As Christians, it's easy to get caught up in the routine of attending church services, participating in fellowship events, and engaging in spiritual discussions. However, attending church and growing in Christ are two distinct concepts. While church attendance is essential for spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 12:31

The Herd Of Pigs

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Feb 5, 2025

What is the metaphor, pigs, all about? Should a follower of Christ give up something sinful? Obvious answer is "yes."

The Herd of Pigs Luke 8:26-39 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 8:26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out onto the land, a man from the city met Him who was possessed with demons; and he had not put on clothing for a long time and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: United Methodist

Leaves --- The Leaves Are Telling

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 20, 2025

Adam and Eve covered up their sins with fig leaves instead of repenting. The fig leaves tell us Jesus is coming soon. Be ready.

LEAVES… THE LEAVES ARE TELLING By Wade Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) PASTOR JOSH FRANKS was asked: WHAT‘S THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A PASTOR? Franks answer was clear: Walking with people through a major life issue only for them to leave the church at ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:3, Matthew 3:10, Ephesians 3:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Being Holy: Connected Series

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Jan 16, 2025

If we want to live holy, it must also come through connection with God. This involves upping the game on our Bible study and prayer.

In order for a person to be holy, he or she must be connected to the Source of holiness—God Himself. Such a relationship begins at the moment of salvation. When a sinner repents of his sins, and places his faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ as the lamb of God which takes away the sin of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Denomination: United Methodist

Twelfth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B: "I Climb Fences When I Got Fences To Climb."

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 17, 2024

“Our biggest challenge is to recognize those invisible fences “that ain’t ever strang up yet” and to ignore them."

John Steinbeck wrote about Jim Casy and Tom Joad traveling to California looking for a better life in a land they’ve never seen. When their ragged old car breaks down, Casy begins to pour out his doubts to Tom about this seemingly jinxed rush to California. Tom resists Casy’s pessimistic ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Catholic