Sermons on Vain Thoughts:

Lent Homily

Contributed by Z. M. D. Mcgregor on Feb 23, 2015

The following is a 15 minute homily delivered on Feb. 18, 2015, Ash Wednesday at the Church Without Walls, Houston, TX, in the kickoff observance of Lent.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Rom 12:1 NAU) I. Reflection: The Christ in Action Our symptoms revealed it. The diagnosis defined it. From vain thoughts to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Baptist

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

Holding Fast Series

Contributed by Matthew Everhard on Nov 2, 2006

What exactly does the phrase "sola scriptura" mean? This expository message from Philippians 2:14-18 follows Paul’s thoughts and motivations regarding "holding fast" to the Word of life.

“Holding Fast. An Expository Sermon on Philippians 2:14-18. By Matthew Everhard. Originally Preached at Hudson Presbyterian Church October 29th, 2006. The Vote: This morning we are a mere seven days away from making one of the most momentous decisions that Hudson Presbyterian Church has made in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

"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

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

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

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

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

Why? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Mar 25, 2009

Some thoughts on the bitter cry of Christ on Calvary - "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

1. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IS A VERY PRECIOUS THING Losing this fellowship is what caused the Lord Jesus such terrible anguish. Fallen man places no value on fellowship with God. How mistaken he is! 2. IT ISN’T WRONG TO ASK WHY Christ was sinless and yet He asked why. Why do decent people suffer? Why ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:34