Sermons on Wrestling Match:

Presenting Hands: Taking, Working, Giving Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 15, 2001

Follow the hands of Jacob, as they are involved in taking (because of his insecurity), in working for that which does not satisfy, but finally, in giving, as a result of their having wrestled with God. An appeal to struggle with God’s will.

Last week I began by giving you an eye test and an ear test. I wanted to help you discover that sometimes we don’t see what there is to see and we don’t hear what there is to hear. But God provides us vision and offers His word to help us with the “too much” in our world. Today I want to examine ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

In The Garden

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 29, 2007

This is part II in the series 24. It is a first person narrative from the perspective of Mark. The preaching idea: Prayer isn’t always a garden of serenity; sometimes it’s a wrestling mat.

In case you weren’t with us last week, we’ve begun a brand new series of sermons entitled 24, based on the last 24 hours of Jesus Christ. What makes this particular series of sermons so unique is that I will be sharing from the perspective of characters present during the events. These story-like ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:27-52

Denomination: Methodist

Occupying In Prayer And Warfare Series

Contributed by Tesh Njokanma on Apr 27, 2018

Prayer is not a mere routine or ritual. Prayer is actually a spiritual confrontation with the kingdom of darkness. When we pray, we are wrestling; we are engaging in a fight, a battle or warfare with forces and powers of darkness.

Introduction In Luke 19:13, the King of Glory gave us a guideline to follow until Christ returns. This verse tells us what to engage in or spend our time on until we meet with the Lord. We are told to occupy till Jesus comes, to put what God has given us to work, to make profitable divine ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Finishing Strong

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on May 18, 2013

A sermon on what it means to Finish Strong in our Christian walk, and why so many Christians fail at it.

If you have your Bibles with you and want to open up to 2 Timothy 4:6. It is a short couple of verses today. As you know, we have been going through the core values of worship, discipleship, outreach, and community. As I mentioned the last few weeks, we are winding down on those core values ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6

Denomination: Christian Church

True Godly Wisdom

Contributed by George Gabriel on Jun 28, 2003

Does our definitions of wisdom match what God wants from us? This outline illustrates how our definitions of wisdom are much more shortsighted than what God has to offer us

Get into 3 groups Group 1 define the word “wisdom” like it would be in the dictionary Group 2 define worldly wisdom Group 3 define Godly wisdom 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Group 1 What is wisdom? (write down definitions in column 1) Why do you think James lumped in understanding ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Peace In The Puzzle, Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2006

Why are the righteous persecuted, and why does Jesus say for us to rejoice when it happens to us? Link included to formatted text version, as well as part 1 and it’s matching PowerPoint.

A ‘Peace’ in the Puzzle, pt. 2 The Gospel of Jesus Matthew 5:9-12 When we are a peacemaker, we are eliminating strife. Tonite, we need to learn how to endure spite. This is the ‘puzzle’ in our title. This sermon on the mount is the greatest sermon ever preached, by the greatest preacher who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth Exposed Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 9, 2021

The enemy brings much opposition and false accusation against believers. While he has power, he is no match for the sovereign Lord. As we stand for truth, we rest knowing truth will always prevail.

The Truth Exposed Esther 7: 1-10 Take a moment to consider the many ups and downs the Jews have experienced at this point. All who are in Persia were either removed from their homeland by force, or born into captivity in a foreign land. One of their own had been crowned queen of the kingdom, but ...read more

Scripture: Esther 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Tending To The Heart (The Tenth Commandment) Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 23, 2001

Answers to three questions: What is coveting? Why is it bad? How can we be free from it?

There’s a new religious cult in our community, and most of us haven’t even noticed it. This cult is far larger than the ones you’ve heard about on the radio or read about in most books about cults. I’m talking about the cult of consumerism, the false religion of more (Buchanan 63-64). This cult ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Claudius And Herod And Elymas; Oh, My!"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 20, 2005

(or, Bad politicians, terrorists and false prophets)

(or, “Bad Politicians, Terrorists and False Prophets”) I’ve chosen a rather long portion of scripture to preach from, but I do not intend to do an expository study of these 41 verses today, so you can rest assured that this will, eventually, come to a close. What I want to do is take these ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

Fighting For Your God-Given Dream Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Apr 21, 2005

CRISIS POINTS we face in fighting for God’s big dream in our life and God’s CRISIS PLANS for overcoming them. Third sermon in the four-part series, "Dreaming Big for God."

Today we’re continuing the sermon series "Dreaming Big for God." God wants us to be encouraged about dreaming big for Him and that’s what this series is about. One of the most rewarding things you can do with your life is envision the big dreams God has for you! Two weeks ago we began with the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

"A Whale Of A Time" Jonah Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 17, 2008

Disobedience to God leads us into storms of life and for some into a state of rebellion instead of repentance. This state of rebellion gets us thrown into the stormy sea of life to be swallowed by a whale of despair. But the whale experience sometimes ope

“A whale of a time” Jonah pt 2 Opening Illustration: Jonah’s Interview – from Sermon Central.com media store Thesis: Disobedience to God leads us into storms of life and for some into a state of rebellion instead of repentance. This state of rebellion gets us thrown into the stormy sea of life to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"God Is Good! God Is Strong! So Why Suffering?" Series

Contributed by Mike Garner on Aug 15, 2006

So, if God is so good and so strong, why does He allow suffering? A look at answers for the Balconeers (those approaching it intellectually - "why?") and the Travellers (those in the midst of it asking "what now?")

Traveler or Balconeer? • Why evil and suffering? o No surprise that many of you wrote asking about this o #1 in poll asking “If there was one question you could ask God…?” – 17% o “If God is loving and if He is all-powerful and if He is good, then surely all of this suffering should not exist. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sharing Christ In Light Of His Return Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 27, 2020

If you want to influence people to turn to the Lord in these days before Jesus comes, be bold, be kind, behave.

A couple of hunters are out in the woods of New Jersey when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing; his eyes are rolled back in his head. Terrified, his friend whips out a cell phone and dials 911. “My friend is dead! What can I do?” he cries over the phone. In a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Colossians 4:6

Denomination: Evangelical Free

All Have Sinned Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Mar 15, 2024

Whether Jew or Gentile, everyone comes under the category of "sinner."

3:9 “What then? Are we better than they?” Therefore, what? I’ve just shown you that, in spite of their sin, God chose Israel and gave them a very specific advantage, namely the words of God Himself! What have I proved? That we are better? Please note that the words for “than they” are not in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:9-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

It Will Not Be Forgiven!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 25, 2005

Christians have wrestled with the question of the unpardonable sin in every generation. Some have even wondered, "Have I committed the unpardonable sin & thus cannot be forgiven by God?"

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. I am going to read two verses which are probably among the most questioned & misunderstood scriptures in the Bible. We love John 3:16, the 23rd Psalm, & others, but these two verses really bother many people. Listen ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:31-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ