Sermons on Visiting Those In Prison:

Get Ready!

Contributed by Dr. Jeffrey Dukeman on Dec 20, 2018

Mary's visitation of Elizabeth is the first great journey of Luke's Gospel; in it God helped her and helps us to get ready for Christmas.

Over the last few weeks we’ve been making preparations for Christmas. We’ve put up Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and Christmas decorations. We’ve listened to Christmas music, bought Christmas presents, and perhaps tried to be a little nicer to others. We’ve said our prayers to God, thanking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

"Destined"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Oct 8, 2010

There are those destined for eternity with Christ and those destined for eternity without Christ; those whose names are in the Book and those whose names are not.

7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:7-10

Denomination: Orthodox

Can Your Difficulties Advance The Gospel? Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jul 21, 2003

The question before us is, can your difficulties advance the gospel? They threw the Apostle Paul in prison thinking they could stop the advancement of the gospel. According to Paul this only blazed a trail for the preaching of the Gospel.

Introduction The question before us is, can your difficulties advance the gospel? Can you Imagine if you came to church this morning and rather than being greeted at the door and coming in. Instead, you found the doors of the church were barred shut. You came and found military police outside ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

"Be Still And Know…”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 3, 2022

If you visit some of the public schools today, and walk down the hallways and look into some of the classrooms, you will see some of the students walking around in the class room.

And those at their desks are laughing and cutting up with each other while the teacher might have one student at his/her desk trying to teach that student something. It seems that school teachers of the past knew some things that the current teachers of today do not know. That is, they knew that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Trip Of A Lifetime Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 10, 2009

Lord’s Prayer week 2 1 Peter 2:4-12 along with Matthew’s account form the basis for our look into God’s Kingdom

Recently I ran across an unlikely group of folks. Kennan and Cai; Elizabeth and Molly; Nicholas and Chris, and Richard all of whom have gone on their trip of a lifetime. Cai is a Chinese adoptee who will return to her birth land with her parents and brother. Elizabeth will show her 13-year-old ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:4-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sheep And Goats

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 5, 2012

How can we help those around us? Do we see those who are hurting around us, or do we walk around them?

Are you a Sheep or Goat? Matthew 25:31-46 August 26, 2012 I remember when I was in seminary I would have some classes in which the professor would tell us we would have a “take home final.” Whenever I heard those words I was filled with great joy. But there were students who were not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-45

Denomination: Baptist

Every Christian Is A Minister

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Nov 12, 2006

This sermon from Ephesians Chapter Four challenges our laity to be in partnership in ministry with pastors as pastors train them for that ministry.

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A MINISTER--EPHESIANS 4:11-13 Since the time I was in the fourth grade, I always wanted to be a teacher. Prior to wanting to teach music, I inspired to be a classroom teacher. I always enjoyed school. Each year I would enter a new grade that became the grade I wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13

Denomination: Methodist

This Way Out

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 28, 2023

We are imprisoned by sin in exactly the same way that we are imprisoned by gravity. We are prisoners of our own humanity, and it’s a life sentence with no time off for good behavior.

When I was 12, I went on vacation with my family to a place called Iguazu Falls. Not many people in this country have ever heard of it. It’s only the second biggest waterfall in the world, after Niagara. It’s only the second highest waterfall in the world, after Victoria Falls. It’s at the top NE ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-36, Romans 4:18-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Third Sunday Of Advent, Year A: Gaudete Sunday--John The Baptist: Danger And Beauty Of The Barren Places

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 2, 2022

It is just these types of lonely, painful moments that Jesus wants to redeem. John the Baptist got ministered to in prison by Jesus. He answered John’s question and complimented him to others.

A bedraggled little man once walked the streets of an Italian town 100 years ago. Many of the townspeople saw his pallid face, often tearful, as he stumbled along the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys. One day a kind soul, witnessing the man’s misery, came up to him, hoping to lift his sad ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1, Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Catholic

No, Never Alone

Contributed by Jeremiah Parker on Mar 6, 2008

Comfort from the Psalms for those who struggle with loneliness.

No, Never Alone Intro song – Stand By Me Psalm 139:1-12 After a ship sank in the ocean, three men ended up stranded in a lifeboat. They floated around for days without food or water. One afternoon a bottle floated up to the boat. The men grabbed the bottle and when they pulled the cork out of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Just When I Need Him Most Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 17, 2006

The powerful, inspired writings of the Apostle Paul from his prison cell, and how they can help us to be free! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Just When I Need Him Most Acts 23:10-11 Can you imagine being jailed for the cause of Christ? What would you be thinking as you sat there? What would be your attitude? We don’t have to wonder how it was for Paul. For the majority of the rest of the book of Acts he was a prisoner, and during ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Parables Of Jesus: Matthew Chapter 25

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 23, 2021

Recently I went to see the movie Darkest Hour with my dad at the theatre, a stunning film revolving around the decisions and speeches of the great leader Winston Churchill during the dark days of World War II. The whole world was at the brink of collapse.

Recently I went to see the movie Darkest Hour with my dad at the theatre, a stunning film revolving around the decisions and speeches of the great leader Winston Churchill during the dark days of World War II. The whole world was at the brink of collapse. Let’s go back in time: It’s 1939 and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40, Matthew 25:1-10, Matthew 25:14-15, Matthew 25:29-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Eleventh Hour

Contributed by Daniel Chua on Feb 10, 2005

The last shall be first. We belong to a generation that will see the culmination of the previous moves of God. He is visiting His Church again with a revelation of power, presence and praise!

The Eleventh Hour (Matthew 20:1-8) God is the owner of the vineyard Psalm 24:1 The earth [is] the LORD’s, and all its fullness The vineyard is a type of the Church John 15:5 "I am the vine, you [are] the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Blueprint For Blessing

Contributed by Martin Scarce on Nov 13, 2002

Isaiah desired the miracle-working power of God to visit His people. But there were three things that prevented God from doing His work amongst them.

“Blueprint For Blessing” Isaiah 64:1-8 Summary: “Lord, why don’t you visit your people and bless them?” Introduction: Isaiah was one of the greatest of the Hebrew prophets. His ministry emphasized the spiritual vacuum of Judah because of their idolatry and apostasy against the living God. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Commitment Or Compromise?

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 23, 2008

Are we living Christian lives or just fooling ourselves? Is there a comfortable cross for us? Let’s consider the Lord’s own life and calling as we reflect on the prisoner Paul.

Paul took prison ministry seriously. In fact, the last 8 chapters (21-28) of Acts record Paul’s imprisonment and mission work as a prisoner. While the messenger is a prisoner, the message continues to go forth and impact the world! This is another confirmation that the cause of Christ is of God ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ