Sermons on Visiting Prisoners:

Heavenly Scent

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 15, 2025

Joy becomes the fragrance of a heart touched by the gospel, where obedience grows not from pressure but from Christ living within us.

INTRODUCTION — CHILDREN’S SONG I want to begin tonight with something simple— something every one of us learned before we could spell “theology.” A children’s song. We didn’t realize it at the time, but that little song was preaching to us long before we understood it: “I’ve got the joy, joy, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14, John 14:15, Hebrews 8:10, Romans 8:13, Psalm 40:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

What To Do When You Are Placed In A Position Of Contention 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Occasionally we all find ourselves in a position where we face a prickly difference of opinions with our peers. When Peter returned from visiting the house of the Gentile Cornelius, his Jewish friends cried out in anger, "You went to the uncircumcised men

Illustration:No great advance has been made in science, politics or religion without controversy. Lyman Beecher 1. Occasionally we all find ourselves in a position where we face a prickly difference of opinions with our peers. When Peter returned from visiting the house of the Gentile ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Heroes And The Heroic

Contributed by Michael Blankenship on Jan 4, 2007

GIDEON COMES TO A REALIZATION THAT: No great man ever lives in vain failure visits each of us: Each person has tasted, felt, beheld, the bitterness of failure, of feeling either too inadequate or inferior, or just too average, to accomplish great things.

Judges 6 Notes The Need of Heroes and the Heroic Hall Street Baptist Church Sunday Morning Dec 3, 2006 Urian Oakes (1675-1681) Fourth President of Harvard University, in speaking of the theological necessity of history said “We are to be the Lord’s remembrancers.” By that felicitous phrase he ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Worried Sick Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Sep 4, 2012

Researchers estimate that 75-90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for complaints that are, in some way, stress related. Every week 112 million people in the U.S. take some form of medication for stress related symptoms. Our society is worrie

“Worried Sick” Matthew 6: 25-34 I read this week of another pastor who very early in his ministry preached at a church in Los Angeles. He thought he had done quite well as he stood at the door greeting people as they left the church. He received one compliment after another; that is ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 6:25-34, Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

Zacchaeus

Contributed by Lucy Paynter on Sep 7, 2019

Every time I read the gospels recounting of Jesus ministry I am amazed at how every turn, route or path Jesus took was a planned season for someone to encounter him. Jesus entered and passed through Jerico and this time it was Zacchaeus season of visitation.

Luke 19 King James Version (KJV) 19 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheaus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Revelation 3:20, Psalm 139:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Lord, Prepare Us For Your Advent”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Feb 3, 2025

Just as many of us travel during December, Advent reminds us of Jesus' "travel plans" to serve as our Savior. We'll use the Apostle Paul's travel plans to visit the Thessalonians as our guide.

It’s estimated that a record 80 million Americans traveled 50 miles or more over the Thanksgiving Holiday this year. Of course, the majority (a record 71.7 million) of those traveled by car. But today they anticipate that a record-breaking 3 million people will travel by air. Yes, travel plans ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Matthew 25:40

Denomination: Lutheran

The Birth Of John The Baptist

Contributed by Jaeyoun Chang on Dec 11, 2025

When Mary visited Elizabeth and greeted her, Elizabeth was six months pregnant. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then she returned home (v. 56). Perhaps she returned to Nazareth in Galilee before Elizabeth gave birth to her baby.

I. Birth and naming of John (vv. 57~65) Finally, when Elizabeth’s days to give birth were fulfilled, she gave birth to a son (v. 57). At that time, many neighbors and relatives heard it and rejoiced together (v. 58). Jews circumcise their sons eight days after birth, and at that time, relatives ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Friends Help Us To Maintain Joy.” Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Jun 25, 2004

Sixth in a series on "Restoring the Joy" a study on the book of Philippians. Paul reminds us the friends help in the difficulties of life, by telling of how Timothy and Epaphroditus were a blessing in his life.

Restoring the Joy Sermon # 6 “Friends Help Us to Maintain Joy.” Philippians 2:19-30 “A youth minister was attending a Special Olympics meet where handicapped children competed with tremendous dedication and enthusiasm. One event ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Believe? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 18, 2010

Romans teaches us that we are "justified by faith" rather than by works. But shouldn’t holy people do holy things? And don’t good deeds please God? So, why wouldn’t good works justify us before God?

OPEN: Comedian Ken Davis tells of the time he gave a speech in his college class. The title of his talk was, "The Law of the Pendulum." For 20 minutes he carefully explained the principle that governs a swinging pendulum. The law of the pendulum is: A pendulum can never return to a point higher ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Ready When God Comes Calling Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 23, 2005

Joseph languished in prison for two years after he thought he had a chance to get out. But when Pharaoh came calling suddenly he was ready to serve. So how do we keep "at the ready" when God comes to ask us to serve unexpectedly?

Verse 1 2 years passes after Joseph gives interpretation to the baker and butler. What must Joseph had thought. After it looked like God was making a way for him to get out of prison – the days were followed by weeks which were followed by months and years – and nothing. You’d think God had given ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Submit To The Authorities

Contributed by Cesar Delgado on Jun 5, 2007

Apostle Paul preached the gospel in such a way that the gospel was heard in every places. But he did not resist the authorities. If they wanted them to put them into prison, he let them. He didn’t shout, “That’s against human freedom.” No, he didn’t. Inst

Submit to the Authorities Romans 13:1-7 Introduction Last week we focused our attention on verse 1b. In that verse we have seen three (3) implications that solidify our understanding why we have to submit to governing authorities. Let’s review it again. 1. It implies the truth that man did ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Says Wait Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 14, 2013

Waiting is difficult but it teaches us lessons that we cannot learn any other way. After he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's officials, Joseph thought that his time in prison would soon end. But God had more to teach him as he waits another two years

Three weeks ago I suffered a ruptured biceps tendon. It did not hurt much at the time, but it required surgery and now a six week recovery. I have learned much during this time. I learned the importance of receiving. I am usually the one to take care of others in my family and even in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 40:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul’s Great Purpose In Life

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Apr 13, 2011

Paul wrote this epistle while in a Roman prison. Prior to this he had many trials and tribulations before reaching Rome (see Acts 27-28). Paul was a man of God who faced countless difficulties; and yet he was able to rejoice in the Lord amidst all his pro

Intro: Paul wrote this epistle while in a Roman prison. Prior to this he had many trials and tribulations before reaching Rome (see Acts 27-28). Paul was a man of God who faced countless difficulties; and yet he was able to rejoice in the Lord amidst all his problems. His secret of joy in spite of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:20-26

Denomination: *other

Dimensions Of God's Love (July 29, 2012).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Everything we know about God and His workings in our inner persons, we are able to know because of our faith. Even though Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this letter, he remained positive and persevered because he was “rooted and grounded in God’s love”.

DIMENSIONS OF GOD'S LOVE Text: Ephesians 3:14 -21 Can we really comprehend God’s love? Can we really understand the dimensions of God’s love? How many times have you been to the movies where the movie was in 3 D? Can you imagine what it would look like to us if there were glasses ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: United Methodist

A Oneness Marriage

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 10, 2006

The pastor was visiting the fourth-grade Sunday School class to talk about marriage as part of the lesson. He asked the class, "What does God say about marriage?" Immediately one boy replied, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Did you

INTRODUCTION Opening: The pastor was visiting the fourth-grade Sunday School class to talk about marriage as part of the lesson. He asked the class, "What does God say about marriage?" Immediately one boy replied, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Did you know what you were ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:23-25