Sermons on Up The Wrong Tree:

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 24, 2021

As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Let’s look at Jesus’ countercultural instructions in Mark 8:31-38.

Prelude As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Purpose Let’s see the value of taking up our cross and denying ourselves. Plan Let’s look at Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 11, 2025

Jim Eliot, once famously wrote in his diary on 28th October 1949: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose” . And Jesus says something similar in this morning's Gospel reading

Lk 14:25-33 Take up your cross and follow me Jim Eliot, an American missionary who was killed on 8th January 1956 taking the Gospel to the Waodani people in Ecuador - once famously wrote in his diary on 28th October 1949: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep To gain that which he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Anglican

The Good Life Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 13, 2013

A study of the book of Proverbs #2

Proverbs 2: 1 – 22 The Good Life 1 My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Book Of Jonah - The God Of The Second Chance

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Mar 15, 2019

When we make the wrong choice God does not give up on us but brings us back to Him.

THE CHASE IS ON! Intro: 1. Ann and I like to watch shows that challenge the mind, like Cash Cab and The Chase. The Chase is a quiz show hosted by Brooke Burns, and features Mark Labbett (nicknamed "The Beast") as the "chaser". He chases people in order to crush their hopes of ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:4-16

Denomination: Baptist

We, Too, Will Be Lifted Up

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Mar 19, 2018

Jesus promised that we will join him in Heaven

John 12:20-33 O Lord Jesus, You chose the Cross as the path to glory to show us the way of salvation. May we receive the word of the Gospel joyfully and live by Your example as heirs and citizens of Your Kingdom. Amen. We just heard in the Gospel reading that a group of Greeks approached Philip ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33, Matthew 10:32-33

Denomination: Episcopal

The Land Of Narnia Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 5, 2005

Increasingly Christ has been pushed out of Christmas... but there is a deeper struggle and a higher objective for us who love Jesus. No matter how successful the world may be in removing Christ from Christmas... our Jesus is "on the move."

OPEN: On December 10th we’ve reserved the local movie theatre for a private viewing of “The Tale Of Narnia – The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” It’s the story of 4 children in war ravaged WWII London who are sent to the country, to the home of a rich relative where 1 of their only pastimes ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:19-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 12, 2025

Jesus wasn’t offering comfort or bling, but blood — a cross that kills self and births love, the heartbeat of true discipleship.

Prologue — The Little Athens of Palestine They had followed Him north — away from the dust and clamor of Galilee, away from the familiar crowds pressing for healing — into a region strange and foreign. The road climbed toward the foothills of Mount Hermon, where the air cooled and new sounds ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 9:23-26, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Stressed Out Or Prayed Up? Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 19, 2020

Stress and Anxiety have increased due to COVID-19 and the contentious political divide. Message processes influence of stress and offers biblical solutions.

Today I want to address a PROBLEM we all face: stress and anxiety.i This year, 2020 has been a stressful year. The pandemic has affected the whole world. Economic pressures have increased for families and businesses. Social distancing and isolation have interfered with normal human interaction. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26, Matthew 11:28, Isaiah 12:3, Matthew 7:7-8, Matthew 6:25-34, 2 Peter 1:3, Jeremiah 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Product Of God's Love-5

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 27, 2018

5 of 5. The apostle Paul explained that the Ephesian Christians were saved because God loves. Salvation is available because God loves. But what are the products of such love? The Product of God’s Love is...

The PRODUCT OF GOD's LOVE[In The Aftermath of Mercy]-V—Ephesians 2:1-10 Attention: God offers THE cure for all man’s ills by means of His(God’s) salvation! Need: God’s people wrestle with life & death on a daily basis. But what is the result of such occasion? What happens in our hearts when ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Give Up!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 19, 2008

Message encouraging the people to not give up in the fight against legalized abortion as birth control.

Don’t Give Up! Galatians 6:9 March 9, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Introduction William Wilberforce was a politician in England during the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. He served in Parliament ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Wesleyan

What's God Up To These Days?

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jan 18, 2002

God’s will is to bless for HIS GLORY.

What’s God up to these days? Ephesians 1 A. THE PLAN One major project: The church… 15Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Cosy In The Culture Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on May 1, 2023

The story of Esther is an amazing story of how God can use His people to accomplish His will. But Mordecai and Esther were not always the heroes. Much like our world today, Esther and Mordecai were cosy in their culture. As Christians, we need to be different from the world.

Introduction Video Ill.: Book of Esther in 20 Words This morning, we are starting a new study based loosely on Max Lucado’s book, You Were Made for This Moment. If you want to study deeper, there is a great study guide that comes with a series of videos you can stream online. It is available ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shut Up Devil, God’s Just Not Shown Up Yet

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 12, 2018

The devil always taunts God's people when troubles come, but faith reminds us that God is faithful, and that victory is on the way! We look at the dilemma of unanswered prayer, why God doesn’t answer, and what to do until He does answer.

SHUT UP DEVIL, GOD’S JUST NOT SHOWN UP YET! INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: $500 loan 1. An old Native American wanted a loan for $500. The banker asked, "What are you going to do with the money?" he asks the Indian. "Buy Silver, make jewelry, and sell it," was the response. 2. "What have you got for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Giving Up Lent For Lent

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Feb 23, 2015

I am giving up Lent for Lent this year, at least the way the Church typically does Lent. Lord is not interested in what I give up for just 40 days and return to it. He is interested in me giving up the sins in my life which will make Easter more joyous

TITLE: GIVING UP LENT FOR LENT SCRIPTURE: ST LUKE 9:22-24 / II CORINTHIANS 13:5-6 Although Easter is the most significant of the Christian holidays it does not enjoy the kind of enthusiastic fanfare afforded Christmas or even Thanksgiving. Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

What’s Up With Forgiveness?

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jul 4, 2017

This sermon deals exclusively with the topic of forgiveness, what it isn't, why we need to forgive, and how we go about the process of forgiveness.

What’s Up With Forgiveness? With our Spiritual First Aid series underway, and since the next message in our series dealing with the topic of guilt and shame, I couldn’t think of a better topic to talk about than “Forgiveness.” And truthfully, there aren’t a lot of topics that could really be ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:12-15

Denomination: Foursquare