Sermons on Visiting The Prisoner:

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

He Can Overcome Our Hurts

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 3, 2001

Here was a man, for 38 years unable to walk, a burden to others, & probably with little sense of self-worth. Let's see how Jesus dealt with this man and his needs.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2018) TEXT: John 5:1-15; Matthew 11:28-30 A. When you look around at the people who attend church on Sunday, what do you see? Do you see remarkable people, dressed in fine clothes who have it all together? Or do you see hurting ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 15:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Connecting With Others Series

Contributed by Michael De Rosa on Oct 9, 2006

to teach the congregation some Biblical priniciples on connecting with others for Christ’s sake

Introduction: Bring in the newspaper, and at the very beginning of the sermon, take it out, open it up and ask, “Would anyone mind if I preached today’s sermon while reading the paper?” If others say no, then suggest that we really need to work on finding more appropriate ways to engage in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-23

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Cross Sets Us Free Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Feb 28, 2010

Why are we taking four weeks to study the Cross of Christ? Have you ever used Google Maps? You can see the map using a street view, satellite view or the regular map with lines and street names. All three are of the same area, but it gets confusing to loo

Purpose: To explain the impact the Cross has on our lives. Aim: I want the listener to see himself as a possession of Jesus Christ. INTRODUCTION: Why are we taking four weeks to study the Cross of Christ? Have you ever used Google Maps? You can see the map using a street view, satellite view or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Word Became Flesh (Carol Service)

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Dec 22, 2019

The Word Became Flesh (Carol Service) – John chapter 1 verses 1-14 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). The Word Who Became Flesh (vs 1-3 & 14). (2). The Light Which Dispels Darkness (vs 4-5) (3). The Choice Which Confronts Everyone (vs 11-12). (4). The Gift Which God Gives (vs 14) SERMON BODY: Questions: What do you and your family need for a good ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Brethren

The Wise Still Seek Him

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Dec 12, 2006

Using the story of the wise men to teach us how God seeks us and brings us to seek the Christ.

The story of the wise men visiting the Christ child is an intriguing one. These men began a long trip to Israel simply because a particular star was in the sky, alerting them to the birth of the king of the Jews. They traveled for several months finally meet the Christ child in person. I believe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

God Saves Jonah, Nineveh, And Us.

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 29, 2020

The story of Jonah tells the story of God rescuing Jonah, not FROM a whale, but BY a whale. It tells of God reaching out to one of the cruellest people in history, the Assyrians. And it prefigures the story of God reaching out to us, through Christ.

GOD SAVES JONAH, NINEVEH, AND US We’re in a series ‘Bible Stories for Grown-Ups.’ Today, we’re looking at the story of Jonah. I’m going to assume most of us are fairly familiar with the story of Jonah and not spend time revisiting it. I’m going to look at the story under three headings: the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: A Church To Change The World

Contributed by Jerry Falwell on Sep 21, 2009

A Challenge to churches to be a church that changes the world by both salt and light.

“A CHURCH TO CHANGE THE WORLD” By Jerry Falwell “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Rest When You’re Fully Stressed

Contributed by Michael Cariño on Jan 4, 2017

Big Idea: You can gain a life of rest when you give God the rest of your life.

Finding Rest When You’re Fully Stressed Matthew 11:28-30 Do you sometimes feel that life happens too fast and that you are always in a hurry? Do you feel overwhelmed with the demands and pressures of life? Do you feel exhausted? Have you lost your sense of excitement about living every day? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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