Sermons on Vain Thoughts:

Take Up My Cross And Follow Me

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 16, 2015

Though we fall again and again, it is the getting up that marks the true child of God. So, we offer our lives in surrender to Christ’s purpose. The waters of our baptism renew in us the willing spirit that says, “Yes” to our own taking up the cross.

In the famous words of the late American news commentator Paul Harvey, Matthew 16:21-28 is “the rest of the story”. It is a continuation from Matthew 16:13-20, in which Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God. Now Jesus is telling his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Anglican

Structure For Christian Living In Colossians 3 Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jan 16, 2024

Creating a structure out of Colossians 3 as a guide for Christian living

“One spring our family was driving from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa, Florida. As far as the eye could see, orange trees were loaded with fruit. When we stopped for breakfast, I ordered orange juice with my eggs. "I'm sorry," the waitress said. "I can't bring you orange juice. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1, Colossians 3:15, Colossians 3:17

Denomination: Salvation Army

Esther - A Study In Disobedience

Contributed by Lindsey Mann on Sep 6, 2006

Esther may not have been the great woman of God we have thought: This book is about the Grace of God, not the obedience of Mordecai and Esther.

ESTHER – A STUDY IN DISOBEDIENCE For more than thirty years I read this book much the same as many others. Esther, the young Jewess, obedient to her kind hearted guardian, Mordecai, saves the Hebrew people when she bravely confronts the King and overturns the plans of the hated enemy, Haman. I ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Peace In The Midst Of A Pandemic

Contributed by John Hamby on Nov 14, 2020

If this year has taught us anything as Christians it is that this world may not be as stable as we once thought. So how are Christians to respond to a world in the midst of a pandemic?

Peace in the Midst of a Pandemic Just over a year ago I retired as the pastor of FBC Vilonia, boy did I pick the year. 2020 is cer-tainly not a year that any of us is likely to forget. The year of a “pandemic” – ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Sacrifices We Make

Contributed by Joel W. Lohr on Feb 28, 2002

Lenten thoughts as we contemplate the sacrifices we make for Christ and compare those to the sacrifices he has made for us.

In the lesson that we have read there were huge crowds of people following Jesus. They were listening to his sermon, hanging on his every word. Some of them were listening intently betting their souls on him and still others were listening to him and waiting for him to talk himself right into a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Crumbs Of Faith

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jul 18, 2001

This is a call to examine our hearts through a thought provoking and shocking story to determine what type of faith we have.

Crumbs of Faith by Rev. Andrew Chan Mark 7:24-30 Valentine’s Day, what shall I preach on? Since we have been going through Mark I thought we continue… Tempted not to preach on this. Rather difficult esp. on Valentine’s Day! Seems like not a very convincing love story…or is it? Shocking to hear, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Wedding Ceremony/Vows

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 6, 2002

I had the honor of performing my daughter’s wedding. Thought I’d share the ceremony I wrote.

PASTOR’S PRAYER Let us pray. Lord Jesus, we thank You that we have before us today, two young people that have first received Your love through salvation and have dedicated their lives to You before they sought to love and dedicate themselves to each other. No one can truly love until they have ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

"Why She Left The Water Pot?"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Feb 28, 2003

Seven speculations as to why the woman of Samaria left behind her water pot. Each thought a powerful sermon in and of itself.

Text: John 4:1-29 Title: “Why she left the water pot?” Introduction: Have you ever wondered why the Samaritan woman left her water pot behind? Although, the seven reasons that I will share with you are mere speculation, each one is embedded in a Scriptural valid truth. 1. She was made to ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-29, John 4:31-54

Denomination: Baptist

In All Things Be Thankful

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Nov 13, 2007

A topical Thanksgiving sermon utilizing a few great illustrations found here on Sermon Central along with thoughts of my own.

"In All Things Be Thankful" Ephesians 5:20 Back during the dark days of 1929 (The Great Depression), a group of ministers in the Northeast, all graduates of the Boston School of Theology, gathered to discuss how they should conduct their Thanksgiving Sunday services. Things during that time were ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20

Denomination: Baptist

The Mighty Name Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Jan 4, 2008

Notice these words in verse 32 - “Peter passed through all quarters.” They are going to serve as the basis for our thoughts tonight.

THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS ACTS 9:32-35 The passage tonight turns from the dramatic changed life of Saul to a story in the life of Peter. Since the churches had rest from persecution, the apostles began to make use of this interval of quiet to visit the different congregations in order to build ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:32-35

Denomination: Baptist

Compassionate Confrontation Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 8, 2004

This is part 2 of the Harmony sermon. The thoughts come from Bob Russell’s book, When God Builds A Church

INTRODUCTION „X Last week we looked at the importance of harmony within the church family. Harmony is something that we must work on to keep, each of us needs to do our part. „X Today I want to follow up on the issue of harmony with a message on what to do when someone is out of harmony with the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Gift Will You Bring?

Contributed by Colin Coombs on Oct 22, 2005

The Wise Men presented their gifts from worshipping hearts, with generous spirits, and thoughtful minds. What gift will you bring?

What Gift will You Bring? Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. THE GIFTS THE WISE MEN OFFERED Lessons from the Wise ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Holy Communion In The Midst Of The Great Commission

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Oct 11, 2008

Short Sermon on the thoughts of the Great Commission and The Eucharist in preparation for the observance of the Bread and Cup during our morning worship service.

Holy Communion in the Midst of the Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-36 How do we find the hallowed sacrament or sacred ordinance of Holy Communion (or more widely known as the Eucharist) find itself in the midst Jesus’ Great Commission to His disciples? Why would I make such ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: *other

God's Purpose For Your Life Series

Contributed by Dr. George Calhoun on Oct 30, 2008

If you were to write down what you thought your purpose in life was, what would you say?

What’s your purpose in life? What I mean is that if you were to write down what you thought your purpose in life was, what would you say? Richard Leider said “The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose”. Washington Irving said “Great minds have purposes, little minds have wishes”. George ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Baptist

Songs Of Rescue, Songs Of Praise Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 9, 2011

The psalms are particularly important as Christian songs because they subsume every human experience and emotion and thought into a song of gratitude and praise.

Monday of 5th Week in Lent April 11, 2011 The stories we have read today are rescue stories. Individuals–humans with infinite dignity–were saved from death by divine intervention. It is interesting to note that both of these passages are controversial. The first–Daniel and Susannah– is known in ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Catholic