Sermons on Wishful Thinking:

The Parable Of The Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-31)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 13, 2007

A man had two sons, and I bet he wished he’d had more daughters! ...

Jesus said "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ’Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ’I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ’I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-31

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Gospel Of Christ Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Mar 30, 2016

What do you think the cross is about? Why do we think Jesus died? We must answer that question. It is the cross that tells us that we are not playing a game of religion. It is the cross that tells us that the stakes are real.

7/21/13 The Gospel of Christ 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 D. Marion Clark Introduction We have spent two Sundays exploring the gospel of man in its two forms. There is the gospel of law-keeping, which tells us that if we do our part in meeting the requirements of God, he will do his part in accepting ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who Do You Look Like?

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on May 27, 2006

We should look like Jesus - or atleast his brother. When the world looks at you, who do they think of?

Who do you look like? John 20:19-31 I have heard it said that every body has a twin in this world. I remember hearing that in high school. I had never though of it much until someone pointed out somebody that thought could be my twin. Our high school has 1200 students and I was not exactly a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Congregational

Jesus In A Bottle

Contributed by Eric Snyder on Oct 25, 2002

Jesus changes our lives we do not rub the lamp and ask him to grant our wishes

Jesus in a bottle, Luke 19:1-10 Eric A. Snyder, Minister, Farwell Church of Christ June 9, 2002 A man is walking down the beach and comes across an old bottle. He picks it up, pulls out the cork and out pops a genie. The genie says "Thank you for freeing me from the bottle. In return I will grant ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Prayer Of Faith Series

Contributed by David Flowers on May 3, 2005

Part 4 of series Learning to Pray. Examines the difference between praying for something and just wishing for it.

The Prayer of Faith Learning to Pray, prt. 4 Wildwind Community Church February 13, 2005 You know the messages in this series are based on things I’m learning and experiences I am having as I read through Andrew Murray’s excellent book, With Christ in the School of Prayer and do the exercises ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Genie God Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on May 22, 2017

We call out to God expecting God to be a genie and grant us our every wish and prayer.

Believing and not Believing The Genie God April 30, 2017 I’m going to jump right in and get right to it, then take a step back and talk about this series. I’m going to read something I found on a Christian Internet forum. The title was “I no longer believe in God!” This is part of what was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Baptist

3 Gifts For Christmas

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Oct 16, 2002

A Christian’s Christmas wish for the lost of the world is that they may receive these 3 gifts; but they are not gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

THREE GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS Luke 1:68 INTRO. The text is taken from the prophecy of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. [The story of John’s birth; the prophecy of the angel to Zacharias in the Temple (Luke 1:13-17).] So Zacharias knew that his new born son was to go before the Lord’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68

Denomination: Baptist

The Restoration Of Hope

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 3, 2011

To wish is about what we want from God; hope is waiting for that which God wants for us.

Eugene Peterson (Living the Message: Daily Help for Living the God-Centered Life) points out that what a lot of people call hope is in reality something different. It’s wishing, not hoping: and wishing and hoping are not the same thing. "Wishing," Peterson says, "is something all of us do. It ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 80:1-19

Denomination: Other

A Matter Of Faith

Contributed by Mark Roper on Nov 27, 2007

Faith does not wish, hope, or desire--faith believes & receives, because we know Christ personally.

A Matter of Faith Mark 9:23 Faith does not wish, hope, or desire--faith believes & receives, because we know Christ personally. Some Christians fear they are the only believers who wrestle with doubts. Consequently they build façades of spiritual confidence, but feel like fakes. Fortunately, God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:23

Denomination: Church Of God

Medicine For Winners

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on May 2, 2011

Beloved, this message focuses on spiritual facts anyone who wishes to live the life of a winner must know.

Beloved, this message focuses on spiritual facts anyone who wishes to live the life of a winner must know. A person is a winner not by professing it alone, but also by accomplishments. If you sincerely desire to be a winner in the Lord, then, this message is for you. I believe that it will serve ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Opportunities

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 10, 2014

At sunset it is better to say: I AM GLAD I DID... Then to say: I WISH I HAD...

OPPORTUNITIES By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com IS IT POSSIBLE TO LOSE LIVE IN LIVING? IS IT POSSIBLE TO LOSE WISDOM IN KNOWLEDGE? SUCCESS IS NOT THE KEY TO HAPPINESS, HAPPINESS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS. I. AT SUNSET IT IS BETTER TO SAY: I AM GLAD I DID... THAN TO SAY I WISH I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How Should We Serve The Lord?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 19, 2022

In the verse of scripture that I read to you, it states something that I wish could be true of every Christian.

Look at this verse again. We read, “For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” GOD SAVES US FOR TWO REASONS: (1) He does not want us to perish. John 3:16 makes that clear. We read, “For God so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Denomination: Baptist

What Does God Think About Our Plans? (James 4:13-17) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Aug 1, 2022

We can make plans, but God expects us to be flexible, and willing to set them aside, for Him. We delight in God, living in faithfulness to Him. We don't delight in stuff.

Today, our focus will be on James 4:13-17. One of the interesting things about this passage is that there two pretty different ways of reading it. Both approaches take the verses seriously. Both issue a call, and a challenge, that the church needs to hear. But they differ in what exactly that ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

It's About Time

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 1, 2021

Think about the concept of time. We measure things by time.Time management is an important factor in our lives. We all wish we had more time yet we waste so much of it. Let's see what the bible has to say about time.

IT'S ABOUT TIME Think about the concept of time. Our memories are recalling moments in time. We measure things by time. Right now the Olympics are going on. Many of the events are measured by time-who has the fastest time. We measure out days and weeks and seasons. We need to know what time it ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Proverbs 15:23, Esther 4:12-17, John 7:1-9, Psalm 90:12, Ephesians 5:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Guidelines For Godly Leadership

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Feb 24, 2004

This is an examination of some guidelines for all who wish to provide godly leadership within the Lord’s Church.

Joshua 1:1-18 1. Accept the Leadership Role (and Set Your Eye On the Goal), Verses 1-4. Numbers 27:15-23, "Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, ’May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ