Sermons on What Is Holy:

What's Going On Around Here?

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on May 1, 2013

In the so-called mainline churches, many members cling to the adage, "We've never done it that way before!" As the religious people in Jesus' time discovered, hanging on to the old will blind us to the new thing that God is doing in our midst.

Our lectionary passages this morning concern radical change, perhaps none more radical that Peter's vision in the 11th chapter of Acts. Most of us don't give much thought to what we eat and, if we do, our concern is more with calories than holiness. We don't consider food groups to be "clean" or ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:14-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Are What You Think

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 18, 2022

The Master calls us to ensure that our heart is pure rather than focusing exclusively on our external practises.

“[Jesus] called the people to him and said to them, ‘Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.’ Then the disciples came and said to him, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Are We Going To Do? Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 3, 2018

will we be among the believers or those who wanted to crucify Jesus

Mark 11:1-11 Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of the observation of Holy Week. During Holy Week every year, we are reminded of the last week of Jesus’ life, as He arrived in Jerusalem for Passover amidst celebration and joy, and was hailed crowds of His followers as their Savior, the new ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal

What Are We Going To Do? Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Apr 15, 2017

who will we be between Palm Sunday and Easter?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Mark 11:1-11 Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of the observation of Holy Week. During Holy Week every year, we are reminded of the last week of Jesus’ life, as He arrived in Jerusalem for Passover amidst celebration and joy, and was hailed crowds of His followers as ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal

What Happened At Straight Street

Contributed by Sophia Lorena on Feb 23, 2022

In Acts chapter 9, when Saul is persecuting the church, we see the Holy Spirit revealed, as prophesied in the Book of Joel.

A loud, overwhelming voice echoed from the sky ‘WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?’ Saul, the persecutor of God’s people is blinded by a bright light. The zealous man who was persecuting God’s people was suddenly stopped. The message from Jesus to the oppressor is clear; ‘You mess with my people; ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Is The Unforgiveable Sin

Contributed by John Hamby on Oct 10, 2011

There are thousands of people who are terrified that they may have committed the unpardonable sin. This is a shame because the mere fact that they desire to repent is evidence that the Holy Spirit is still working in their lives. I think that part of the

111009 “What Is The Unforgiveable Sin?” Matthew 12:22-32 In this message we are going to deal with a passage that has been more troublesome to many than any other. This passage ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

What Pentecost Means To You And Me Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jun 8, 2014

Pentecost was the day the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers. This sermon examines Pentecost's meaning in the church and history, as well as what it means to believers personally.

What Pentecost Means to You and Me Series: Acts Chuck Sligh June 8, 2014 TEXT: Acts 2:1-13 – “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Your Calling? (Part 6) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

Has God really called you? Then where is that separation? Where is your heart? What is it captivated by? Is the presence of the Holy Spirit evident in your life? This is not something you can determine or speak for yourself. This the church will testify.

Opening Illustration: A certain king needed a faithful servant and had to choose between two candidates for the office. He took both at fixed wages and told them to fill a basket with water from a nearby well, saying that he would come in the evening to inspect their work. After dumping one or two ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Your Calling? (Part 7) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

The call of God has been upon our life much before even we could comprehend our left hand from the right. That is the time when God had people in place who would take care to raise us up. How has your call played out? Do you see yourself facilitating ...

Opening Illustration: A friend of mine by the name of Joseph who I met while teaching at a Catholic school. At that time he was climbing up the corporate ladder of the Catholic church which was grooming and raising him up to be a father and possibly a bishop or cardinal in the future. In our free ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Holy Ghost Shows Up

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

What would happen if Jesus showed up and led every follower of His in our community to live out His mission?

WHEN THE HOLY GHOST SHOWS UP Sunday, June 28, 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee What is it about our town & area that we love? What makes this place special? What about our area does God love? What would happen if Jesus showed up and led every follower of His in our community to live out His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-42

Denomination: Wesleyan

Rules For Holy Living (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 31, 2012

What Christians should NOT wear to worship? (Powerpoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Before we get dressed (vs 1-4) (2). What not to wear (vs 5-9) (3). What to wear (vs 10-17) SERMON BODY: • An alternative title for tonight’s talk could be: • ‘What Christians should NOT wear to worship?’ • Of course this sermon is NOT ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-10

Denomination: Brethren

Dating

Contributed by John Howard on Mar 24, 2002

How should we date and if we do date, what is the purpose? What are teh pitfalls of dating and how do we avoid them? What doeis teh Bbile say about dating?

Dating I found this sermon one of the most difficult of all the ones I have prepared - Perhaps it was so difficult - For the same reason - That people, particularly our young people - Have with dating - It isn’t something God wrote directly into the Bible - If I were to preach on ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-10, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Guides

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 22, 2016

How do we discern the Holy Spirit's guidance?

Intro How can we tell if an idea comes from the Holy Spirit or not? Purpose Many people claim to be led by the Holy Spirit, but we need to test what they say and find out the truth for ourselves. Plan One place that we can look at is John 16:12-15 where Jesus teaches about what the Holy ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Investing In What Lasts

Contributed by Patty Groot on Sep 23, 2025

This sermon calls us to live with holy urgency and single-hearted devotion, being faithful in the small things and using our time, relationships, and resources now with eternity in mind, serving one Master, Christ.

Luke 16:1–13 is another one of those strange passages in the Gospels. Jesus tells a story about a manager who mishandles his boss’s money, gets caught, and then cuts secret deals to secure his own future. And at the end of the story, the master actually praises him! This is not the kind of hero you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13, Exodus 3:1-12, 1 Samuel 17:17-49

Pentecost: What Is Fire?

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 6, 2025

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down as a mighty rushing wind, and tongues like fire rested upon each of the disciples. This fire was not physical—it was spiritual, but its effects were powerful and undeniable.

PENTECOST: WHAT IS FIRE? By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 2:1-4 Supporting Texts: Matthew 3:11, Leviticus 6:12–13, Hebrews 12:29, Luke 24:32 INTRODUCTION: On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down as a mighty rushing wind, and tongues like fire rested upon each of the disciples. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God