Sermons on Wrestling Match:

The Big Problem With The Pharisees, Sadducees, And Herodians

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 22, 2022

All three of these groups dealt with the same problem: hypocrisy. How do we combat that?

ACROSS THE BOARD: The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians all get the same criticism. - Matthew 16:11; Mark 8:15. - In our passage we see the Pharisees and the Sadducees criticized. Let’s add another group before we move on. - In Mark 8:15 we have a similar passage. This is after the feeding ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Consecrate Yourselves Series

Contributed by Jim Moynihan on Mar 17, 2022

Before God can do any great work through his people, he must do a great work in his people.

Henry Blackaby tells the story of a missionary family assigned to a predominately Moslem urban center in 1985. After decades of work they had started only 5 small churches. Some friends asked them to consider going to a place where the people were more responsive to the gospel. But, they were ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fourth Sunday Of Advent, A--Four Advent Annunciations

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 8, 2022

To all the Marys everywhere; to all the Josephs everywhere; to all the Pauls everywhere; and to even all the Ahazes everywhere.

There are four annunciations or announcements in our Gospel this Sunday. 1. To all the Marys everwhere— Mary’s Annunciation— reminds me of an advertising slogan for a shoe company that says, “No great story starts, “it was cold, so I stayed in.” In classical Greek and Roman mythology every ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Catholic

Chronos: Galatians 4 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 19, 2022

Full Freedom come as a result of Christ’s love for us and our response or action

This week we continue our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Birthmark Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Nov 23, 2022

Persecution stems from the world's anger with God and not being able to take it out on Him. The world wants to fight God, but choose to fight with Christians. Remember it is not personal, it is hatred for God.

This is the final message on the Beatitudes, the Birthmarks of the Believers. Jesus was the Messiah, but He was not the Messiah everyone was expecting. The Jews were in bondage. They believed that when He came, He was going to come as a mighty warrior. They were not as interested in being saved ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Yielding Wild Grapes: Prophet Margins Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 12, 2022

How is God calling us to address grapes gone wild in our contexts? Be mindful, however. Jesus did this in his opening homily in Nazareth after reading from this very book, Isaiah.

When I was in seminary, I was introduced to Chateau Elan Winery & Resort. This place well above my pay grade Spanning 3,500 acres of rolling hills and wooded forests, Chateau Elan reigns as North Georgia’s premier destination resort. A favorite for weekend getaways, corporate retreats, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

Divine Intervention For Supernatural Conquest

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Aug 19, 2020

God is the very present help in times of need, and with Him all things are possible. When you trust in God, He can move in your situations for a supernatural conquest.

Divine Intervention for a Supernatural Conquest: Study Text: Joshua 6: 1 - 7. Introduction: - There comes a time in everyone’s life when one is faced with what seems like an impossible task or situation. Such as: 1. Having a difficult task or responsibility to carry out. 2. Meeting a a ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Exchanging Gifts With God Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 21, 2020

We can never pay God back for the gift of His Son, but we can gift ourselves to Him out of love and appreciation.

Exchanging Gifts with God (2 Corinthians 9:15, Romans 12:1-2) 1. A little five year old girl took a sheet of brown construction paper and cut out the letter “E” with her safety scissors. She wrapped it and gave it to her dad for Christmas. When dad opened the present, he looked at it with a smile ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:15, Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do You Have Control Of Possessions?

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Mar 9, 2020

This encourages people to take a look, with the Lord of what they have, and what they need and consider their generosity

Do You Have Control of your Possessions? Scripture: Mark 10:17-31 Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Officer asked a young Engineer fresh out of tech college, "And what starting salary were you looking for?" The Engineer replies, "In the region of £80,000 ...read more

Scripture: John 10:17-31

Love Your Neighbor

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on May 3, 2021

Jesus doesn't tell me who my neighbor is all he tells me is that I'm supposed to love them as much as I love myself.

Matthew 22:37-Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38-“This is the first and great commandment. 39-“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40-“On these two commandments hang all the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37-40

Denomination: Baptist

Disciples Reach Out Together Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 6, 2021

Disciples are never content to RECEIVE the Gospel, because a key element of the Gospel is that it is to be shared! The Spirit prompts us to share the Gospel - are we listening?

-ACTS OF DISCIPLESHIP- DISCIPLES REACH OUT TOGETHER Acts 8:26-39 Introduction Disciples are never content to RECEIVE the Gospel, because a key element of the Gospel is that it is to be shared! The Spirit prompts us to share the Gospel - are we listening? Acts is Dr. Luke’s account of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Evil On All Sides Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 10, 2021

Evil is like a series of bombs scattered around our lives. If we are to diffuse them, it helps to understand them.

Evil On All Sides! (Proverbs 29:5-7) 1. Do you ever feel like you are surrounded by idiots? One web site collected stories… I was signing the receipt for my credit card purchase when the clerk noticed that I had never signed my name on the back of the credit card. She informed me ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:5-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hearts Wide Open: Differences Are Okay

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Jul 23, 2019

Mary and Martha are different - sermon speaks to open hearts toward both expressions.

Hearts Wide Open: Differences Are Okay Intro: Australian author Nikki Rowe said, “The greatest asset you could own is an open heart.” Open hearts compel doctors to give free medical care in the inner city. Open hearts lead Christians live out their baptismal vows and serve Christ in all people. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Episcopal

Optimism

Contributed by Isaac Magsino on Mar 11, 2019

“The optimist recognizes a responsibility in every crisis; the pessimist sees a crisis in every responsibility.” – copied

Theme: Optimism Text: I Samuel 17: 1-58 Place: FBC Kodiak, Alaska Date: January 8, 2k6 Intro: Illus: a man lost a leg in an accident and when he was picked up and discover what had actually happened, he said to those around him, “Thank God it was the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Kinder And Gentler Community

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 3, 2018

a community must respect and care for each other

Jesus gave us only two commandments: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12) The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these (Mark 12:31) For those of you who are relatively new to In The Garden, I ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal