Sermons on vitality digest: showing 751-765 of 15,432

Suffering

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Apr 12, 2005

. This section is one of three sections in II Corinthians devoted to a listing of Paul’s sufferings. Paul was not afraid of suffering because he knew that God controls trials, and God uses trials for His own glory.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Driving through Texas, a New Yorker collided with a truck carrying a horse. A few months later he tried to collect damages for his injuries. “How can you now claim to have all these injuries?” asked the insurance company’s lawyer. “According to the police report, at the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

What Will It Take?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 4, 2008

Looking at the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, we can ask ourselves, "what will it take to lead me into temptation?"

What Will It Take? – Mt 4: 1 - 11 Intro: Drew Anderson from Tucson, Arizona wrote of his experience in Readers’ Digest. He was shopping in the mall with his wife when a shapely young woman in a short, form fitting dress walked by. He said as she walked by his eyes followed her. Without looking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Holy Hunger

Contributed by Mark Jobe on Sep 15, 2011

You are made to hunger for God. May your holy hunger be unleashed. You have a hunger for God so awaken it. Bring it to life and reignite your appetite.

Opening ILLUS: A kindergarten teacher gave an assignment. The assignment was to draw a picture of a celebrity or an important person that had impacted your life. The children got busy drawing pictures, coloring and sticking out their tongues like little kids like to do when they're drawing. The ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Listen To God: The Good Soil - Mark 4:20-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 16, 2023

Why is Scripture hard and why so many different conclusions about Jesus? Because he hid the truth in hard sayings. Why make it so hard? This passage explains.

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. Immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:20-25, Matthew 13:12, Luke 8:16-18

A House Is Not A Home

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

Christ comes to dwell in our messy, imperfect homes, just as they are, to build love, not a museum-like perfection.

A house is not a home. A house is not a home. A house is a house, and it may be lovely to look at and fine to visit, but a house, by itself, is not a home. What is the difference? Let me tell you a tale of two houses. These are the best of houses, these are the worst of houses. See if you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-17, John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons I Learned From Abraham Lincoln

Contributed by Tim Richards on Jul 3, 2005

A July 4th sermon about spiritual lessons I learned from an in depth study of Abraham Lincoln.

Introduction: 1. This morning as I begin my sermon on the lessons I learned from Abraham Lincoln I want to share a series of 5 questions about former presidents. They may or may not be about Abraham Lincoln. I will tell you that at least one of them will have Abraham Lincoln as the correct answer. ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Come Home To Christmas

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Dec 1, 2004

Christmas is a sign of God’s welcome to all just as President Bush’s speech reminded Canadians regarding their welcome to Americans in their hour of need.

Dec. 1, 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush remembered what Canada means to Americans. In a speech he gave he thanked Atlantic Canadians for helping the US on Sept.11. 3 years ago thousands of US citizens were stranded here due to the terrorist attacks on his country. Pres. Bush said, “You opened ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Paul's Principles For Handling Crises

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 21, 2004

Paul came out of his crises even stronger in faith, courage, hope, and credibility. Every crisis that you pass through will either make you bitter or better - the choice is up to you!

How Paul the Apostle Handled Crises Acts 27:21-Acts 28:1-20 Illustration: Test pilots have a litmus test for evaluating problems. When something goes wrong, they ask, "Is this thing still flying?" If the answer is yes, then there’s no immediate danger, no need to overreact. When Apollo 12 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:21-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Secured To The Dock

Contributed by Brian Shelley on Sep 3, 2001

If, in your spiritual immaturity, you go back to your old religion, expect that God will keep you there.

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 Secured to the Dock Intro William Hazlitt, 19th century English essayist said, “When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest. If Hazlitt was right, this will be one of the most interesting sermons I will ever preach because it comes ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Stubbornness Of Human Nature Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 15, 2008

What seems obvious to some seems unlikely to others, especially when confronted with the claims of Christ.

The Stubbornness of Human Nature (Acts 4:1-22) 1. Some people are hard to reason with and won’t take "no" for an answer. 2. Patsy Dancey tells this story: Hospital regulations require a wheelchair for patients being discharged. However, while working as a student nurse, I found an elderly ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hitting Bottom Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 16, 2009

Sometimes we refuse to bear down spiritually until we or our family hits bottom.

Hitting Bottom Genesis 34:1-35:14 1. Jim Lopardo tells this story: I was a percussion major when I was in college, and during a rehearsal of the student orchestra, my section kept making mistakes. "When you’re too dumb to play anything," the professor conducting us sneered, "they give you a ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Dealing With A Spiritual Identity Crisis

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 28, 2008

What the world thinks of you is not as important as who the Lord knows you are.

“DEALING WITH A SPIRITUAL IDENTITY CRISIS” 1 PETER 2:1-11 INRO- 1 PETER 2:1-3 READ PETER IS WRITING UNDER THE ANOINTING OF GOD , HE IS GIVING US DIRECTION FOR OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES HE HAS IN CHAPTER ONE TOLD US AS CHRISTIANS WE NEED TO ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-11

Denomination: Nazarene

Lies In Disguise—battling Temptation

Contributed by Mark Roper on Nov 20, 2007

Temptations may be bold, or subtle. Temptations may be good things to stand in the way of Devotion Temptations are for one purpose to destroy us

Lies In Disguise—Battling Temptation Matthew 4:1-4:8 I think that we all understand what temptation is. There is a story told about a little boy in a grocery store that I think illustrates the nature of temptation. The boy was standing near an open box of peanut butter cookies. “Now then, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-8

Denomination: Church Of God

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day Series

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Nov 26, 2007

Learn the story behind the writing of the famous carol and the points of application from the message of the carol

Everyone loves the Christmas carols! Today I am starting a series of messages based on the stories behind the writing of the carols, and the message in the carols themselves. Take your hymnal and turn to hymn 98. The first carol we shall study is “I heard the bells on Christmas Day”. Look down ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14

Denomination: Baptist

Yearn For The Food That Endures Forever

Contributed by William Baeta on Aug 4, 2012

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst” John 6:35.

Theme: Yearn for the food that endures forever Text: Ex. 16:2-4, 9-15; Eph. 4:1-11; John 6:25-35 One major problem facing the world today is the worsening food situation. Some countries are going through drought and famine and millions of people, especially children and women, are starving to ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed