In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 215,546

Path To Palm Saunday

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Palm Sunday is a time for us to prepare our hearts for the agony of His Passion and the Joy of His Resurrection.

Opening illustration: Watch a video clip on contemporary ’Palm Sunday.’ Let us read Matthew 21 and pick up the story from verse 1 going down to verse 11. Historical Background: Even today church folks get confused with Palm Sunday. On this Passover day, when Jesus came riding into town, there had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Light Of Christmas

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World." This is your Savior who died for you. He transforms us; he leads us. He is Light for everyone. Do you have him in your life?

Opening illustration: Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb in 1879. Twenty-two years later, in 1901, one of the newfangled gadgets was hung and turned on in the Livermore, Calif., Fire Department. It’s still there, and still on. The old bulb has almost never been turned off in 117 ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Leaving Heaven

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

To think of Jesus in such a light seems almost irreverent. There’s something about keeping Him divine that keeps Him distant and predictable.

Summary: God in all of His wisdom hid the real date of His Son’s birthday and even His physical attributes ... “She will bring a Son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name Him Jesus--'God saves'--because He will save His people from their sins." (Msg.) v.22-23 “All of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Slaves & Missionaries (Colossians 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 25, 2024

How should we treat employees? How should we pray for missionaries? Let's find out in Colossians 4.

How should we treat employees? How should we pray for missionaries? How should we act towards unbelievers? Let’s find out in Colossians 4. In Roman society half the people were slaves, sometimes as prisoners doing hard labor, sometimes unjustly enslaved. How should brand new Christians treat their ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Keys To Spiritual Renewal

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Make Jesus known where he is needed. Be his heralds and his ambassadors.

Opening illustration: Our country is in desperate need of a spiritual awakening, but we have a problem. When we consider that the last true, widespread, landscape changing spiritual awakening in this country was in the middle of the 19th century, it is safe to say that no one “alive today” has ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Impact Of Worship

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

When sinners are thus converted, they will love and honor those whom they before despised and hated and will seek to lessen the suffering they before desired to increase.

Opening illustration: While worshiping with our mentors in Tharmaid during a meeting at an underground church, we encounter a woman who was possessed with evil spirit. What transpired during the worship time was a powerful move of God’s deliverance for that woman. Introduction: Some strange things ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Harvest Time

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

With the Psalmist, we celebrate, but like the Psalmist we will not let the memory of the past slip into a slumbering nostalgia but allow the past to give an impetus to confidence for the future and present.

Opening illustration: When we arrived in Iowa in 2007, we had no idea what we were getting into. But one thing was clear, God had brought us here for His plan and purpose that He alone could fulfill through our lives. Maureena and I were on a God-given mission and were bent upon accomplishing it. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Envision: The Great Commission

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Jesus doesn’t send us into this world, lost world without any resources. He doesn’t expect us to accomplish this Great Commission in our own power.

Opening illustration: When Jesus spoke these words directly to His disciples, and indirectly to us, He was giving the church her marching orders. He was telling exactly what He expected us to do in His physical absence. The disciples took the Lord’s command seriously. They went into the world and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Death To Life

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

We were death but now in Christ we are made alive … we are revived. God revived me by taking me out from my comfort zone and placing me in the Middle East.

Opening illustration: I'm told that Mount Whitney, in the US of America, in the state of California, is the highest spot in the whole of the Continental US. There's not a higher spot or mountain or piece of land - it's 14,495 feet. As you stand on that precipice, you can see from that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Christmas Risktakers

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Risk taking is an essential ingredient in ministry for the Kingdom of God. Most Bible heroes were risk takers. Jesus was a risk taker too.

Opening illustration: Christian villagers in a rural district of India’s Maharashtra state have been told that one church will be closed down every week because they have been “destroying” local tradition and culture by “luring” others to convert to Christianity. Some Christians have also been told ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:40-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Steps For Exercising The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

We should make sure they are from the Holy Spirit and not our own will and determination. If we don’t have the fruit of the Spirit, but have the fruit of the flesh, then we really need to question, the source of our “gift.”

Opening illustration: Have you ever felt torn in two or more directions when considering how to serve in your church or what job to take? Since you probably can’t do everything you’re asked to do, how do you decide which opportunities for service are best suited for you? Many will be able to relate ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Easter For Us: A Unity Not Of Our Making

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Our Lord chose as disciples’ men who were radically different in temperament, personality and political philosophy. It was because of their glaring differences that their unity was so evident.

Opening illustration: I know, there are so many great verses from John’s remarkable story: “In the beginning was the Word….”, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” “For God so loved the world…,” “In my house are many mansions…,” and more. Why, then, do I love this verse? Simply because in ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

It will NOT happen without the manifestation of the ‘Fruit of the Holy Spirit’ in our lives. This is necessary for the church’s health and effectiveness.

Opening illustration: You mail an expensive and wonderful gift to someone you love and adore but returns at your doorstep all soggy and wet ~ that’s what the contemporary church has been doing with God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Introduction: Many people within the church have always confused ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discipleship: A Call Of Abandonment And Surrender

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

He gave Himself on the cross so that you would not have to face God’s wrath on account of your sins. Jesus calls you to turn from your selfishness and sin and to follow Him.

Opening illustration: During a NASA space shuttle launch, you will hear the phrase “negative return.” It is a phrase that is part of the abort protocol. It means the shuttle has reached the point and speed at which a return to the launch site is impossible. No astronaut wants to be at “negative ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Desperation For God's Presence

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

To avoid the ruination of our faith, we should follow in the path of the Psalmists and ever be longing for God.

Opening illustration: Play video Introduction: Being desperate for God isn’t about acquiring His presence in our lives—we must already believe that God will always be with us and the Holy Spirit will accompany us everywhere. It’s about knowing He already exists in our lives—this desperate need for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational