Sermons on Ups And Downs:

Choosing To Step Up

Contributed by Harold Ihua on Aug 24, 2024

The life of a believer in Christ Jesus, is one of choices. The believer can either choose to step down- be conformed to the world or step up- be transformed into the image of Christ.

The admonition in Romans 12:2 to the believers in Christ Jesus not to be confirmed to the world is a stern warning not to allow the prince of the power of the air ( i.e the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience- demonic spirits) to take hold of their lives and minds. As the prince ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:2-3, Romans 8:29, Romans 12:1-2, James 1:21, Ephesians 4:21-32, Galatians 5:1, Romans 8:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Son Of Thunder Grows Up

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 24, 2024

The Thunder boys came to Jesus and asked if they could call down fire from heaven

Feast of St. John the Evangelist 2024 No matter what our age as disciples of Jesus may be, we all have some challenges, some questions we need to answer. Let’s take them starting with the one who is questioning: “who am I?” Then “who is God?” and “what does God want of me?” From there we ask ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17, 1 John 1:1-4, Matthew 5:43-48, John 20:1-8, Revelation 21:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Step Down From The Bench!

Contributed by Johnny Knight on Jan 29, 2010

God is the Master at making things right. Trust God for His justice in this situation and don't mess things up by sticking your hands in it.

Step Down From the Bench! Text: Romans 12: 18-20 Have you ever been summoned for jury duty? You meet in a jury assembly room. While there, you are placed on a panel of jurors. From the assembly room, you are taken to a courtroom. You are seated in the courtroom waiting for the judge to enter. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:18-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Please Build, Not Tear Down!

Contributed by David Simpson on Feb 15, 2018

Negativity and criticism permeates our society, workplace, churches and homes. Use the power of the tongue to build up, not tear down, because the consequences of negativity are severe.

Sermon Lanier Christian Church February 11, 2018 David Simpson Please Build, Not Tear Down! Numbers 13:30-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11 I grew up in church; And part of my childhood involved learning countless children’s songs. One of the popular ones was: (VS 1) Oh, be careful little ears, ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:30-32

Denomination: Christian Church

Knock Down, Not Knocked Out

Contributed by Lynn Sims on Jan 18, 2025

In our spiritual journey, we may face setbacks, failures, and discouragement, but God calls us to rise up and continue fighting the good fight of faith.

Knocked Down, Not Knocked Out Key Scripture: “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” – Proverbs 24:16 “they rise again”. - Though God permit the hand of violence sometimes to spoil his tent, temptations to assail his mind, and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16, Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Other

Settle Down, Lord! Settle Down! Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jun 15, 2009

Most of this sermon was ripped off from the pamplet "My Heart, Christ’s Home."

This morning’s sermon is going to be dramatically different from what I’ve presented so far. In just a few minutes I’m going to get you to use your imagination and go on a tour with Jesus Christ. I think you’ll be convicted, challenged, and encouraged, but to get there you’ll need to put aside ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Finish Line Series

Contributed by Vera Hughes on Feb 20, 2008

So many times we don’t feel confident in God to finish our life’s course. No matter if you are up or down, your confidence should still be in God.

Purpose of this teaching: For you to develop confidence in God no matter what your state is in life. Objective: Develop a systematic plan of development based on the Word of God to build confidence through fear, knowledge, trials and tests, by example and practice. In order words: We want ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can I Be In Charge? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 16, 2007

Their mommy spoke for them. Jesus answered that the way up is down. His PASSION PREDICTED, the PATHWAY PRESCRIBED, the POWER PROVIDED. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Can I Be in Charge? Matthew 20:17-34 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/InCharge.html The Historian Josephus writes that every year at Passover 3 million Jews would ascend upon Jerusalem with 250,000 lambs. You and I know that each and every one of those lambs was a picture of Jesus Christ, the Lamb ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-34

Denomination: Baptist

How To Overcome Challenges To Your Leadership

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Remember that there are plenty of cycles of ups and downs in every relationship, ministry and group. While the first century church grew in maturity they were faced with the tensions between Grecian and Aramaic speaking Jews.

1. Remember that there are plenty of cycles of ups and downs in every relationship, ministry and group. While the first century church grew in maturity they were faced with the tensions between Grecian and Aramaic speaking Jews. The differing tribal perspectives meant that Grecian Jews felt that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Soar Through The Seasons In Ministry Series

Contributed by William Tan Yh on May 28, 2020

We will experience seasons of ups and downs in the ministry. There are days when we feel like an eagle soaring on the high winds, while other days we feel like a deflated balloon.

Brothers and Sisters, I wish to share this devotion with you. I remember a preacher said that in a motorcycle training school, the instructor taught him that where he looked there his motorcycle would go. If he did not keep his eyes straight on the road but looked in the ditch , his motorcycle ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Charismatic

How Can We Face The Future When All Seems Lost?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Apr 29, 2019

The disciplines hid in fear after the crucifixion. How could they continue, even survive when all appeared lost. How can we face the world when we are in that same bad place?

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 28th April 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Acts 5:27-32 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31 Psalm 118:14-29 “Please ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Episcopal

How Can We Face The Future When All Seems Lost?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Apr 30, 2019

The disciplines hid in fear after the crucifixion. How could they continue, even survive when all appeared lost. How can we face the world when we are in that same bad place?

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 28th April 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Acts 5:27-32 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31 Psalm 118:14-29 “Please ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Episcopal

How Can We Face The Future When All Seems Lost?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Apr 30, 2019

The disciplines hid in fear after the crucifixion. How could they continue, even survive when all appeared lost. How can we face the world when we are in that same bad place?

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 28th April 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Acts 5:27-32 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31 Psalm 118:14-29 “Please ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Episcopal

Knocked Down But Not Knocked Out

Contributed by Vernon L Caruthers on Nov 27, 2009

We all are ATTACKED SPIRITUALLY & at times we are KNOCKED DOWN but we don’t have to STAY DOWN. The STRENGTH & GRACE of the LORD is always there to enable us to GET UP.

Knocked Down But Not Knocked Out: November 29,2009 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 ‘We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.’ Introduction: From a newspaper article: CHIPPIE the PARAKEET never SAW ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 4:8

Swallowed Up

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 11, 2013

Any time you run from God, you never go “up"; you always go “down.” God sometimes allows us to face frightening circumstances so that we will learn to trust and obey Him. It’s always best to obey the Lord right away - then we won’t be “swallowed up.”

Opening illustration: Being shocked by electricity can be very dangerous. Just ask professional golf legend Lee Trevino. He was struck by lightning while sitting under a tree during a tournament several years ago. He said, “It bolted my arms and legs out stiff, jerked me off the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational