Sermons on Worship Benefits:

When Everything Seems Possible, Pray

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 14, 2003

When everything is going well, pray, because that is when the opposition will assault us, that is when confusion comes, and that is when you will discover the unfinished clutter in your own heart.

Each fall I bring you messages on prayer. There is a reason for that. In this time of the year we need to be very alert about our devotional life. September is a crucial time to discern important things about prayer. The reason is not hard to find. In September, everything cranks up to a fever ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Second Things Second

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jul 14, 2003

Many people get the first thing first...accepting Christ. Many miss putting the second thing second, giving themselves to the local church.

July 13, 2003 First they gave themselves to the Lord; and then by God’s will, they gave themselves to us as well. 2 Corinthians 8:5 (GN) On the day of dedication of "Solomon’s Temple," the king erected a brazen platform in the outer court. All the people gathered, as the king ascended the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:5

Denomination: United Methodist

Thomas Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jul 16, 2003

This is one part of a series I did on eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ. Each message was prefaced by a dramatic monologue, which is included.

Thomas (Adapted from Curt Cloninger’s Witnesses) (Consider getting taped music of men singing) Fellas, what are we doing here? What are we doing here guys, sitting around in the dark singing worn-out songs? It’s over with, guys…it’s over. What are you guys looking at me like that for? C’mon ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Not Who You Think He Is Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Mar 12, 2003

Being a Christain means confessing that Jesus is the Messiah, but our views of what a Messiah should be doesn’t always fit Jesus.

As I as watching a Lakers game this last week, I saw Kobe Bryant put on an amazing shooting performance. Kobe set an NBA record by making 12 three point shots during the game, nine of the shots he made in a row. It was truly amazing to watch. I was excited, the fans at Staples Center were excited, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Beyond Family Values Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Mar 12, 2003

Following Jesus takes us beyond family values to embrace God’s Kingdom values in our family relationships.

I’ve been reading some authors this week who are deeply concerned about the decline of traditional family values (Dr. Richard Saller, "Family Values in Ancient Rome" www.fathom.com/feature/121908). These authors are concerned that fewer and fewer women are wanting to invest in their children as ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Another Kind Of King Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Mar 12, 2003

Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem reveals Jesus as the promised king, the humble king, and the unexpected king.

Note: This sermon was introduced with scene 49 from the play "Traveling Light." As Americans, most of us don’t like kings very much. After all, that’s why we fought a revolutionary war in 1776, to be free of the tyranny of a king. Even though the king might be a benevolent king, he’s still a king ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What The Blind Man Saw Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

Like blind Bartimaeus, none of us has ever seen Jesus with our physical eyes, and we are blind until we come to Him. But Jesus is able to hear your cry of mercy from the roar of the crowd. He is listening for your voice and will stop and respond to you.

What the Blind Man Saw Luke 18:35-43 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Most people eat too much over the holidays. That’s why the #1 New Year’s Resolution each year is to exercise and lose weight. If you think you overate during the holidays, I have some important information for you. Scientists ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:35-43

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Pouting Son Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 4, 2003

This in-depth view of Prodigal Son parable focuses on the elder son and the bitterness and resentment he displayed upon his brother’s return and how we sometimes have the same inflated sense of goodness and faulty understanding of our Father’s grace.

The Parable of the Pouting Son Luke 15:25-32 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Over the last three weeks we have been looking at what has been called the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In this masterpiece, Jesus communicates several lessons. I believe the main point of this story is to show us what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32, Luke 15:12-32, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Family T.i.m.e. Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

God says we should treasure time as a valuable commodity. The Bible gives us some great insight into how time can become your friend rather than your enemy.

Family T.I.M.E. Psalm 90:1-2, 4, 10, 12 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION One of my favorite stories is about the man who worked at a factory. One of his main jobs was to blow the factory whistle at 5:00 to indicate the workday was over. He walked to work each day and passed a jewelry store where a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-2, Psalm 1:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Habits Of Highly Successful Families Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Twenty church families from different backgrounds and situations were surveyed to discover their secrets of familial success.

Ten Habits of Highly Successful Families Joshua 24:15 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Families are certainly different today than they were 25 years ago. I heard the funny story about a man who rushed into a toy store late one evening to buy a Barbie doll for his daughter who had a birthday the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Time To Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 15, 2003

When we think of God’s work in the lives of other believers, we should be moved to thankfulness for the faith, hope, and love that we see demonstrated in Christ followers.

Taking Time to Give Thanks Several weeks ago, when we were organizing our file cabinet, I came across some love letters from Beth that I’ve kept ever since we were dating. When I found this folder, I immediately stopped working, sat down in the middle of the floor, and started browsing through ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-8, Colossians 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Free From The Past Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

As we focus on those things that are eternal, and put on the new self, we will experience freedom from those things that have shackled us in the past.

Breaking Free from the Past In an old Candid Camera episode, an actor is on a busy sidewalk and begins looking at the ground. He walks around a bit and continues to look down. People are passing by him and a few give him strange looks. After a couple minutes, he decides to get down on his hands ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11, Colossians 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

How To Find Real Strength Series

Contributed by Stephen Colaw on Aug 21, 2003

How to allocate strength from God so that we may live a holy life and build effective relationships with others.

How to Find Real Strength Ephesians 6:10-13 Open your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 6. Introduction: This morning I am starting a series entitled “Eight Essential Exercises for Building a Better Body.” Let’s face it, most of us could use a little body building. Most of us are undisciplined, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

How To Pray For Your Relationships Series

Contributed by Stephen Colaw on Aug 21, 2003

When we approach Christ in prayer, he will assist us in building healthy relationships

How to Pray for My Relationships (Approach Christ in Prayer) Introduction: This is week eight in our series on building better relationships. Today we’re going to wrap up this series. We’ve been studying how we can build healthy, god-honoring, Christ-centered relationships. All of life is lived ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:10-18

Denomination: Wesleyan

Fact Or Fiction?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 23, 2003

We are confronted with both facts and fiction in life.

INTRO.- ILL.- Fact or fiction? · "I just got a hot tip from an inside source that this will go through the roof." · "The word on the street is that this deal is ready to take off." · "There is no way you can lose money. Your return is guaranteed!" · "Everyone is getting in on this." · "You ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ