Sermons on Wasted Opportunities:

What Do You Crave? What Does God Crave? (James 4:1-10) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jul 5, 2022

The verses make best sense through non-Western eyes, in a non-Western church. So talked about an African church plant. Also, on how/when to ask God for money.

Today's passage, James 4:1-10, was a real struggle for me at first. These verses, read as a whole, read as a response to a specific problem within the church, really don't make sense within the context of Western, white, evangelical Christianity. The way we tend to view the church, and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Three Crosses On A Hill: A Study In Evangelism

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Nov 6, 2022

When we preach about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins upon the cross, we forget that there were also two men crucified on crosses next to Him. Each man had the opportunity to look to Jesus for grace and mercy. Their response determined their eternal destiny.

The agony of the crucifixion and the final hours of Jesus are recorded in all four gospels, each written with their own unique perspective of what happened that dark day (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19). Each one tells of the jeering, mockery, contempt, and seething hatred towards the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5-6, Luke 23:39-46, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Romans 5:6-11, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Isaiah 64:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God Heals Naaman

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 23, 2020

The story of God healing Naaman is full of lessons, for example, about opportunity, courtesy, humility, and greed. But the key message must be the one Jesus drew from it. That is, that if we wish to see God's miracles, we must accept his word.

NAAMAN’S HEALING We’re continuing in our series ‘Bible Stories for Grown-Ups.’ Today we’re looking at one of the most famous stories in the Book of Kings. It’s the story of the healing of the Syrian general, Naaman. It’s a great story for Sunday School, because one of the key characters is a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Open My Eyes, Lord

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jun 24, 2024

Watching & praying are often associated in the Bible. Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, asked his Disciples to watch & pray with him as he prayed in the Garden at Gethsemane. I think Jesus was asking them more than simply to stay awake & pray.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Colossians 4:2-6; 2 Kings 6:8-23 Colossians 4:2-6 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful & ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, 2 Kings 6:8-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Patience Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 12, 2023

The longer the Lord’s delay, the more time there is for repentance.

THE PATIENCE OF THE LORD. 2 Peter 3:8-15a. 2 PETER 3:8. Peter wishes to emphasize to his “beloved” friends that the longer the Lord’s delay, the more time there is for repentance. To the LORD a thousand years are but as a day when it is past (cf. Psalm 90:4). Yet He stretches out the day of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prepared And Ready

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 1, 2016

This message calls upon Christians to prepare now for the challenges and opportunities that will be here tomorrow in America. Jesus taught this truth using the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Find out what preparations you need to be making now!

Prepared and Ready
 (10-11-15 www.LifeChurchSpringfield.org) We begin today with a conversation ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:13

Denomination: Charismatic

Poverty Is A Consequence Of Injustice And Sin Series

Contributed by Henry Trocino Jr. on Mar 28, 2017

Part 4 of the Sermon Series, "Rich Man Poor Man in Proverbs"

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Open Doors

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 29, 2024

God opens and closes doors daily and annually. With the New Year come open doors of opportunity.

Open Doors 1 Corinthians 16:5-9 1. Alexander Graham Bell: “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” We must look for it. We don’t always recognize it. [Far Side Push-Pull 2. As we end ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We Good Stewards

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 28, 2020

Are you wasting God's resources and gifts propping up a dying church?

1 Cor 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.  2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1, Luke 14:28-32, 1 Peter 4:10

Denomination: Baptist

Pain In The Wilderness Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Our pain in the wilderness is not wasted; God can use it for His glory and to bless others.

Let's talk about something we all know a bit about - pain. Not just the "I stubbed my toe" kind of pain, but the deep, heart-wrenching stuff. The kind of pain that comes when life doesn't go as planned. You know, Joseph from the Bible knew a thing or two about pain. His brothers were so jealous of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-27, Genesis 50:15-20

Topics: Wilderness Survival, Pain Management, Overcoming Adversity, Outdoor Safety

Wine And Wisdom Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 15, 2014

To make the most of the time we have left and bring harmony to all your relationships, walk in wisdom, God's Will, and in the fullness of the Spirit.

In 1867, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel invented a new high explosive, which he named “dynamite.” He was convinced that his invention would make war too horrible to ever happen again. However, he quickly discovered there was no shortage of buyers for his new explosive. He made a huge ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Elevate To The Next Level: "Living Opportunistically”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Aug 17, 2025

Today’s message is about the choices we make concerning the opportunities God places before us that determine which road we’ll travel in this divine adventure God has called us to take. “Carpe Diem/Seize the Day.”

Elevate to the Next Level “Living Opportunistically” 1 Samuel 14:1-15 Watch on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIthj1ZwwfE John Wycliffe lived 200 years before the Protestant Reformation, which ushered in a belief system that moved the church away from Roman Catholicism, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:6, 1 Samuel 14:1-15, Joshua 23:10

Denomination: Foursquare

Man's Extremities Are God's Opportunities To Show His Glory!

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 3, 2021

Amid the many crisis of today, that are causing so much loss and pain, it is wonderful to know that God is still at work. Although, we cannot choose how the works of God, the method God will use to supply the help we need. The good news is that God is still in charge and will help.

Man’s extremities are God’s opportunities to show His Glory in this present world. Our study in John brings us to chapter 9, here we learn some lesson from a blind man. Jesus follows his familiar pattern of worshipping in the temple. Our Lord took great delight in visiting His father’s House. The ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-38, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Methodist

The Hour Is Closer Than We Think

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jul 1, 2024

We all can agree that we are closer today for the return of Jesus than ever. Knowing this, the Apostle Paul gives us advice on what we need to be doing knowing that our time is limited. Join us in our study and find out how this applies to each of our lives.

The Hour is Closer Than We Think Ephesians 5:15-18 Watch live at 6 p.m. on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-XSWLPmEz0 Every year it’s the same. Magazines and tabloids publish their year in review with pictures and stories recalling the people and events that made news over the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-18, Matthew 6:34, Psalm 39:4, Romans 12:2, Romans 13:11-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

The Tools And Tactics Of A Servant Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 9, 2024

People who serve like Jesus know that God has entrusted them with gifts, abilities and opportunities that must be used in service to God. To not use what God has entrusted to us will lead to God's displeasure.

Introduction: A. Allow me to start this sermon with the story of a boy who other children called “Sparky” after a comic strip horse named Sparkplug. 1. Even though the boy hated the nickname, he could never shake it. 2. School was difficult for Sparky. a. He failed every subject in the 8th ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ