Sermons on Up The Wrong Tree:

Two Choices (Psalm 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 5, 2026

What are life's two choices?

Are there basically two choices in life, bringing forth either good fruit or worthless dust; two gates, leading to either life or destruction? What do we choose? Let’s look at Psalm 1. Whether he walks, stands or sits, what is the end result of a life of obedience to God’s teachings? Is there a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Messed Up… But God Cleaned Me Up! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 10, 2025

God’s mercy meets us in our deepest failures, offering forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration when we honestly confess and turn to Him with humble hearts.

If you’ve ever sat in the quiet and felt the ache of regret—the kind that whispers, “How did I end up here?”—you’re in good company. If you’ve replayed a conversation you can’t unsay, a click you can’t undo, a glance that went too far, a promise you didn’t keep, you’re not alone. The Bible doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-13

Topics: Sin, Confession

Ready To Give Up? Series

Contributed by William Yates on Sep 22, 2001

I have battled depression much in my own life. I know that many Americans are depressed over the events of Sept 11th, 2001. This devotion I shared with my youth has continually been a source of hope for me.

Ever found your back against a wall? Ever been in a situation you weren’t sure you would make it through? Maybe you are going through something right now. It’s like finding yourself in a canoe on the Niagara River and you can hear the thunder of Niagara Falls just ahead. Maybe it’s depression ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:9-24

Up Look For The Downcast

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Mar 26, 2019

This is a Psalm of comfort and consolation. It was written either during David's exile from Jerusalem, or during Israel's captivity in Babylon.

UP LOOK FOR THE DOWNCAST Scripture: Psalms 42 &43 I. INTRODUCTION This is a Psalm of comfort and consolation. It was written either during David's exile from Jerusalem, or during Israel's captivity in Babylon. Matthew Henry: Sometimes God teaches us effectually to know the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11, Psalm 43:1-5, 1 Peter 1:3, Titus 2:13, Colossians 1:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Get Up & Go

Contributed by John Wagner on Dec 2, 2010

The first in a series of messages centered around the "Go" sayings of Jesus.

Today we start a brand new series that is extremely timely for us as a church and I suspect for many of us as individuals. The series is simply entitled “Go.” And even though “go” in both the original languages of Hebrew and Greek means “go” I think it is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:17-26

Denomination: *other

All Dressed Up

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Jan 8, 2003

Unable to dress up our lives with a "righteousness" of our own, Jesus dresses us in "His" righteousness.

Christmas 2 B Isaiah 61:10-62:3 All Dressed Up 01/05/02 Yes, they’re still here – the manger, the advent candles, the decorations and the trees. Signs of Christmas, so hastily put up, in many cases so slow to be put away. For a couple of months now our homes, our businesses, our churches; yes, ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Keep Looking Up

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Mar 7, 2005

LENT 4(B) - Keep looking up and you will see our Lord’s loving discipline and you will see our loving Lord’s forgiveness.

KEEP LOOKING UP (Outline) NUMBERS 21:4-9 - March 6, 2005 - LENT 4 INTRO: Different people have different attitudes in this life. Some are positive attitudes and some are negative. Today we will learn that a Christian life displays a very positive attitude. For people of the world really ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Wake Up Iowa!

Contributed by Kelly Benton on May 10, 2010

I believe we are in the situation that we are in because we have been quiet for far too long. We have not applied biblical principles towards the same sex issue. We have not sounded a clear call and it is time we do.

Wake up Iowa, Same Sex Marriage is Wrong Scripture: Hebrews 13:4 & 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Date: 11 October 2009 Purpose: I believe we are in the situation that we are in because we have been quiet for far too long. We have not applied biblical principles towards the same ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:4

Denomination: Other

Keeping Up With The Jones'

Contributed by Catherine Davis on Feb 7, 2007

We want what we do not have because we think that we deserve it. Grace does not jive with what some teach today - Prosperity Theology.

BP18KeepingUpJames4 Sermon: “Keeping Up With the Jones’” Scripture: James 4: 1-8a Theme: We want and do not have because we think we deserve it. Grace doesn’t jive with Prosperity theology! On any given day you turn on the television and watch one preacher tell you that if you love God, you ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Effatha! - Open Up

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Sep 3, 2021

Look up to heaven,” and have a constant connection with God. “Groan” for those in need and for those who do not know the Lord. And, “open up,” and put your faith into action.

Effatha! - Open up! “Jesus looked up toward heaven, and with a groan he said, “Effatha!” which means “Open up!” Mark 7:34 (CEV) As believers and churchgoers, we always enjoy worship service and listen to a new week’s sermon. But sometimes it is unavoidable to point out the time restraints that we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Get Up And Walk!

Contributed by Bola Folakemi Praise on Jun 30, 2018

At a point during the cause of our lives we are faced with situations that are overwhelming. We find ourselves in a place where it seems we are stagnated, we are not making progress. We feel that we need help and assistance which is not forthcoming.

AUTHOR: BOLA FOLAKEMI PRAISE JOHN 5: 1-11 “Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Building Others Up Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 10, 2010

Four ways we can build one another up.

Building Others Up Romans 14:19-23 Rev. Brian Bill 10/10/10 I recently drove to Indiana to pick Lydia up from college. I arrived early so I thought I would walk around on the campus until she got out of her class. After walking for awhile I leaned against a light pole and did some people ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Up The Down Side

Contributed by Dr. Amen Howard on Jul 31, 2014

It takes tremendous effort to make it to the top. Well, sometimes that’s the way it is for believers.

At times we may feel as though we’re going up the down side in life. Someone might say, “What are you talking about?” Let me give an example. Have you ever tried to go up and down the escalator? You might take two steps forward and fall back four steps. What should you do ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Looking Up To God Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 30, 2013

The temptations and accusations of the world are like a man-eating plant that wraps its legs around our character and seeks to drag us down. God's Word is like the searchlight from a Coast Guard helicopter, coming to rescue us in times of trouble.

Psalm 119 is a celebration of God’s Word and a literary masterpiece. But there is also a story arc in this psalm that we can relate to. The psalmist, quite possibly Ezra, is facing temptation and opposition from the world—in an attempt to keep him from serving Yahweh and obeying His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:57-104

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Life's Ups And Downs

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Feb 23, 2002

Paul’s life was full of ups and downs: He was a proud man, a humbled man and a new man.

LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS Acts 9:1-19 INTRO.- ILL.- At a commuter train station a policeman noticed a woman driver leaning over her steering wheel in evident discomfort. "Is there anything wrong?" asked the police officer. Half crying and half laughing, the woman replied, "For ten years I have driven ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19, Luke 4:19-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ