Sermons on Zero Sum:

The Rich Man's Choice

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Oct 16, 2021

At some point we all have to make the same choice the Rich Man was faced with when he encountered Jesus in Mark 10:17-31. Will you be willing to give everything up to follow Him?

SPELUNKING How many here are familiar with the practice of exploring caves or spelunking? How many of you have ever gone spelunking? How many enjoy just saying the word spelunking? It’s like the sound water makes when it drops in a bucket… spelunking. It’s a fun word! And it’s an even more fun ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31, Exodus 20:2-17, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Are You Loving Others Or Judging Others? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Oct 19, 2006

If we think we can live the Christian life by following rules and forgetting about loving others, we have missed the point. The Christian life can be summed up in one word: love.

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Col. 2:16-17). Background I. God does not want you to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:12-23

Denomination: Baptist

Contentment - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Jun 3, 2003

Our Society is summed up in the words of a U2 song - "I still haven’t found what I’m looking for." This sermon explores why we have such a drive for more...

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m looking For 1 Timothy 6:6-10 While your turning to our passage, I want you to listen to a few words from a song by U2. (Play song) I hope you caught that. Bono the lead singer of U2 is singing the words, “I have climbed the highest mountains. I have run ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-16, 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Long O Lord? Series

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Nov 11, 2013

19 times we find this phrase in the Psalms, and that same sentiment has been echoed by countless millions of others. We examine the depth and types of suffering summed up in that expression and close with encouraging thoughts.

How Long O Lord This morning I want to bring a message from a question we find repeated over and over again in the Psalms. I want to show you that it is one of the major themes of the book of Psalms and most of you have probably never even noticed it, (as a recurring theme) because we are too busy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Heavy Lifting

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Feb 25, 2019

I believe in this day and age the Church is in the condition it is and can be summed up by understanding the importance of HEAVY LIFTING. I believe we have stopped doing the HEAVY LIFTING required to lead the Lost to Christ.

TITLE: HEAVY LIFTING SCRIPTURE: ST. JOHN 3:14-15 / ST. JOHN 12:32 One of the things I enjoyed about lifting weights is there's no gray area – • You either manage to lift a certain weight - or you don't • There are clear successes and clear failures • Either you Can or you Can’t • This ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-15, John 12:32

Denomination: Baptist

The Lie: I Did It My Way Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 16, 2022

"I did it my way" is the battle cry that sums up what so many people feel about their lives. They think this is a great idea... but it isn't. Why not?

Back in 2010 there’s the true story of a British man named Shawn Murtagh who decided to wear a Halloween costume. To complete the costume he had a sequined top hat he wanted to wear at an angle on his head. But it wouldn’t quite stay on, so instead of attaching the hat to his head with a string, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Male And Female - Mark 10:1-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 8, 2024

When asked about divorce, Jesus’ first response was to point out maleness and femaleness. This message will help you see how the characteristics of the sexes combine to create a whole greater than the sum of the parts.

Mark 10:1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" 3 "What did Moses ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12, Matthew 19:1-12, Luke 16:18

Christ And His Good Citizenship, Matthew 17:24–27

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Sep 19, 2016

Jesus had been carrying His disciples through intensive training for some time now. He had been zeroing in on His death and resurrection In this passage, Jesus showed just how capable a teacher He really was. He was able to take the visit by a tax

SERMON Christ and His Good Citizenship, Matthew 17:24–27 Jesus had been carrying His disciples through intensive training for some time now. He had been zeroing in on His death and resurrection In this passage, Jesus showed just how capable a teacher He really was. He was able to take the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Adding And Subtracting

Contributed by Glenn Abel on Mar 21, 2017

A sermon on John the Baptist that focuses on John's humility and acceptance of his work as the one who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. John's life is summed up in the words "He must increase and I must decrease."

Adding and Subtracting John 3:22–30 (ESV) “He must increase, but I must decrease” The third chapter of John is best known for Nicodemus and John 3:16 But this chapter also records an incident that is very important to the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus I. The ...read more

Scripture: John 3:20-30

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction To 1st Corinthians Chapter 1 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 17, 2018

Paul had been brought up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of. . .

JULY 15, 2012 Commentary on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Introduction to 1st Corinthians Chapter 1 A SALUTATION AND THANKSGIVING. 1:1-9 All Christians experience the new birth and by baptism are dedicated and devoted to Christ, and are under strict obligations to be holy. But in the true ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Rescued From Darkness Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 22, 2014

Paul sums up the doctrine of salvation in three great truths: 1) Inheritance (Colossians 1:12), 2) Deliverance (Colossians 1:13a), and 3) Transference (Colossians 1:13b-14).

Of all the recent stories of people held captive, the one of U.S. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, has been the most controversial. He told military doctors that his Taliban captors tortured him and kept him locked in a metal cage in total darkness for weeks at a time after he tried to escape. Bergdahl, now 28, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:12-14

Denomination: Other

The Gospel Of Might Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 4, 2022

The arrest of Jesus puts a spotlight on the "Gospel of Might" versus the "Gospel of Jesus." What are the differences? And how does the backward stumbling that's described there sum it all up?

THE GOSPEL OF MIGHT: By all outward indications, Jesus is in a losing situation. - John 18:1-11. - Pieces of this outward situation: a. Jesus has a betrayer with inside information. - John 18:2. b. Jesus is in an enclosed area. - John 18:1. - It’s an olive grove and they went “into it,” so ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Golden Goal Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 7, 2024

The "Golden Rule" is both simple and profound and sums up the lifestyle Christians should embrace. But what does this "Rule" mean to us, and how can we live it to its fullest?

(Asking the audience) What Is Golden Rule? “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.” That’s a simple and yet powerful statement that has caught the imagination of the world, and it’s almost as if nobody (before Jesus) had ever thought about that! ILLUS: Several years ago, there was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Optimal Mental Health Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 30, 2010

I want to start today by telling you what my success rate was for healing mental illness when I was a counsellor. Zero! I never saw one person ever get cured of a mental illness, and I am pretty sure not many others have either.

I want to start today by telling you what my success rate was for healing mental illness when I was a counsellor. Zero! I never saw one person ever get cured of a mental illness, and I am pretty sure not many others have either. These are not diseases that can be cured, they are mental and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-9

The Real Worship Wars Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 23, 2007

The real war is not about music but with society, Satan and self.

The Real Worship Wars Philippians 2:1-5 Rev. Brian Bill 9/23/07 www.pontiacbible.org Drama: “Dueling iPods” What were your thoughts during this drama? How did it make you feel? Did it make you uncomfortable?   Where are you sitting? Which character are you?  Did it make you sad as they moved ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist