Sermons on Upright Heart:

Dealing With Contradictions

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jun 8, 2021

As Christians, we live in world that is foreign to us. We live in a world that contradicts the life that Jesus lived - a life that He said we could also live. This message examines the reasons why we face contradictions in our lives and how to deal with them.

In the Gospels, Jesus uses a method of teaching known as parables to communicate principles about the kingdom of God. A parable compares two things by placing them side by side. By using parables, Jesus compares the unfamiliar, the kingdom of God, to the familiar, nature and life experiences. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:15-21, John 17:20-23, Mark 11:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Encouraging Dads To Tell Their Story Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 8, 2021

You see, the gospel is not just something you hold onto but the gospel has its hold on you. The power of the Gospel on a person is most evident when you see its hold on a person.

Happy Father’s Day! Dads, there are too few good fathers around. Dads, I want to speak to encourage you to deepen your commitment to living a life of integrity in Christ. To know Jesus is to have a story of how you came to know Jesus. This story is often referred to as your “testimony.” In fact, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Cleans Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

The only obstacle that stood between this man and full health was Jesus’ willingness. Somewhere in the solitude of this lonely life, this man’s mental processes discovered that if only Jesus wanted to heal him, he would be healed.

This is the fourth message in a series, Plastic Jesus: How Did Someone So Real Become So Fake? We’ve been looking over the shoulder of Luke as he’s written his Gospel to communicate to us who Jesus is. We’ve seen Jesus make His hometown synagogue so angry that they tried to kill Him. We watched as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Story Of A Dishonest Man Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Have You Ever Been Fired? Don’t raise your hand, but have you ever been fired from a job? Did you know it was coming, that feeling in your stomach?

Jesus tells a most peculiar parable in His day, the Story of a Dishonest Man. It’s is widely considered one of the most difficult parables – if not the most difficult – to understand. And it’s not hard to see why. Jesus’ story got me thinking about a pastor I read about who misled a church out in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Hardship Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 10, 2021

If you want to face the hardships it takes to have a life that matters for Christ, arm ourselves with His attitude, choose to abandon your sin, expect abuse, and anticipate God’s approval.

George, age 92, and Jane, age 89, were all excited about their decision to get married. They went for a stroll to discuss wedding plans, and on the way, they passed a drugstore. The elderly couple entered the store where George asked to speak to the owner. “We're about to get married,” George ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6, 2 Timothy 3:12, John 15:20, Hebrews 11:25, Matthew 25:21-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Before The Beginning Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Had God alone been there from the beginning, there would be no thing or no one for Him to love. But God was not alone. The Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit were three in one. So God is relational before anything else.

The Bible is a single story. It doesn’t appear to be one story. The Bible is a long book, written over 1,500 years and in numerous different genres. But if you look closely enough, you’ll find one cohesive story. It is one single story with unity and a compelling narrative. And we can summarize ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-12, John 17:5, John 17:20-26, John 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Can I Really Believe Jesus Is Who He Says He Is? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Had your brother said, “I’m God. I’m the Lord. And I’m here to die for the sins of the world,” you wouldn’t readily believe Him either. But after Jesus rose from the grave, we see Jesus’ mother, Mary, worshipping Him. We also see his own brothers, James and Jude, worshipping as well.

Jesus’ message was designed for religious outsiders. All throughout today’s message, I’m going to be talking about the gospel. The gospel is Jesus. The gospel is the message of Jesus. If you’re regularly a part of our church family, I’ve moved from the end of Luke 5, last week, to Luke 8, this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:22-24, Luke 5:27-32, Luke 8:1-3, Luke 8:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Get Out Of The Way!

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 14, 2021

Has anyone ever told you to get out of the way? Hopefully they said it a little more tactfully than that but we've probably all heard it at some point in our lives. One of the people that got in the way a few times was Peter. Let's see how he got in Jesus' way.

GET OUT OF THE WAY! Has anyone ever told you to get out of the way? Hopefully they said it a little more tactfully than that but we've probably all heard it at some point in our lives. Usually this happens because someone is doing something or going somewhere and we are impeding their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-26, Matthew 26:51-54, Luke 22:49-51, Acts 10:9-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Message 10 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5:12-14 – Church Leadership Positions And Practical Matters For Christians Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 31, 2022

In church government there are 5 words translations use for the leadership positions, looked at briefly and then we consider a verse of great practical support. It covers busybodies, disorderly people, the fainthearted, helping the weak Christians, and patience in opposition.

MESSAGE 10 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5:12-14 – CHURCH LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND PRACTICAL MATTERS FOR CHRISTIANS RESPECT YOUR SHEPHERDS We will continue with the studies in 1Thessalonians, and today we will look at the governing of a church and the shepherd role within the leadership. PART A. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28-29, 1 Peter 5:1-3, Ephesians 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Romans 15:1-3, Acts 20:33-35, 1 Corinthians 8:9, Acts 11:22-26, Romans 14:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

'almost Persuaded… But Not Quite' (2023 Sermon)

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 8, 2023

'Almost persuaded… but not quite' - Acts chapters 25 & 26 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: Background: Meet the Cast: • (1). Festus, the Roman Governor. • (2). King Agrippa. • (3). The Apostle Paul. Outline: Scan the section: • (1). Paul saw the light (vs 1-16) • (2). The Gentiles need the light (vs 17-18). • (3). Festus & Agrippa rejected the light (vs ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-32

Denomination: Brethren

"My Little Brother” Funeral Sermon ( Douglas Belger)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 10, 2023

Intro: My mother gave birth to six children. Doug said when mom…

1. Gave birth to Martin she said I can do better than that! 2. Gave birth to Billy she I can do better than that! 3. Gave birth to Jack she said I can do better than that! 4. Gave birth to me she said I can do better than that! 5. Gave birth to Lois she said I can do better than that! ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

Message 17 - 1thessalonians Chapter 5:22 – Abstain From Every Form Of Evil Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 13, 2023

What may appear innocent can be barbed because it can become a form of evil. Abstaining from all forms of evil is examined in this serious message. What does it mean “to abstain” and several examples are looked at.

MESSAGE 17 - 1THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5:22 – ABSTAIN FROM EVERY FORM OF EVIL THE INTRODUCTION {{1Thessalonians 5 v 22 “Abstain from every form of evil.”}} The KJV is “Abstain from all appearances of evil.” NIV is “Reject every kind of evil.” NASB and ESV is “Abstain from every form of evil.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:22, 1 John 2:15, James 1:15, Matthew 16:21-24, Genesis 39:9, Luke 3:22, Luke 9:29, John 5:37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Love Above All Loves

Contributed by Michael Collins on Jan 15, 2023

In this sermon I seek to explore the 4 different kinds of loves that exist today, and how we need to keep God's Divine Agape love at the center of all the 4 loves.

THE LOVE ABOVE ALL LOVES Uses of the Word Love in the world today 1. Eros (Romantic Love) - This is the love shared between a man and woman who are attracted to each other and is quite often connected with sexual behavior. 2. Phileo (Brotherly Love) - This is the love shared between two friends ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17, Hebrews 10:24, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Samuel 18:3-4, 1 Samuel 23:17, Acts 9:26-27, Genesis 25:28, John 15:13, Acts 5:12-42, Acts 4:32-37, Acts 5:1-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Cycle Breaker, Table Maker Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Jan 31, 2023

Joseph, the last major character to be introduced in Genesis, was part of a family with a long history of dysfunction, deceitfulness, rejection and resentment. Maybe you are, too. How did Joseph break the cycle?

Good morning! Today we are going to have our last sermon in this series from Genesis. You can go ahead and turn to Genesis 37, but know that we are going to be covering all the way to the end of the book this morning. If you are caught up with our Bible reading plan, we finished Genesis today! ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Poor In Spirit Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Feb 1, 2023

We begin our series in the Beatitudes. The Poor in Spirit are those who are humble and know their need for Jesus.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION THE LOST STAR WARS Have you seen Star Wars? Have you seen every Star Wars movie? In May 1977, Star Wars was released and quickly became one of the highest grossing movies of all time. Cast members became instant stars and any toy or product with the Star Wars logo flew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3, Psalm 86:1-5, Luke 14:11, Job 1:21, Mark 12:41-44  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ