In Sermons: showing 16-30 of 114

A Time For Self-Examination Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Nov 25, 2018

Self-examination fuels spiritual formation. If you aren't growing closer to God, you're falling away from Him.

John Wesley (1703-91), English theologian, evangelist, and founder of Methodism, was so concerned with building a righteous fellowship that he devised a series of questions for his followers to ask each other every week. Some found this rigorous system of inquiry too demanding and left. Today, the ...read more

Scripture: Job 31:1-40

Denomination: Other

Advice For Comforters Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Nov 1, 2018

God grants us the joy of comforting someone. It is a gift of grace. Use it wisely.

15-year-old Douglas Maurer of Missouri had been feeling bad for several days. His temperature was ranging between 103 and 105 degrees, and he was suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. Finally, his mother took him to the hospital in St. Louis. Doctors diagnosed his symptoms as leukemia. They ...read more

Scripture: Job 28:1-28

Denomination: Other

From The Depths Of Despair Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Nov 1, 2018

Pour out your heart to God in times of Despair; seek consolation in his love for you.

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. He eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and ...read more

Scripture: Job 3:1-26

Denomination: Other

A Good Life Goes Bad Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Nov 1, 2018

Faith and trust do not come from understanding.They come from an awareness of God’s character.

I. INTRODUCTION 1. There are many mysteries in life: things that we cannot comprehend no matter how hard we try. Many of these mysteries lead to questions about God and his ways, particularly when he does not make sense?at least to our level of understanding. A. Perhaps the most often asked of ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1, Job 2:1-10

Denomination: Other

Worthy Of Praise

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Sep 23, 2018

God calls us to true and meaningful praise. He deserves enthusiastic worship from his people, and this should be our hearts’ desire for Him.

I. INTRODUCTION 1. Some say worship is not what it used to be. In the past, there seemed to be a greater emphasis on worship. A. Years ago, there were many more “meetings” in a given month than there are today, with far more people in attendance. The services were longer, sometimes lasting for ...read more

Denomination: Other

Watch Your Tongue!

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Sep 17, 2018

Do the words you speak build-up or burn-down?

In the summer of 2000, more than a thousand firefighters battled a wildfire for two weeks in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The fire started on August 24, and continued until September 8. When it was over more than eighty thousand acres of federal forest was burnt. Forty-six-year-old Janice ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Other

Come In Faith, Believing

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Sep 17, 2018

What four words would Jesus use to describe you?

William (Bill) E. Gordon, Baptist pastor and author has this to say about the breadth of faith: “Atheists have faith — faith that there is no God, no place of everlasting punishment in the hereafter. Animals possess faith; they display the utmost faith in their masters, as do children in their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Other

Practice For Life Everlasting

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Sep 3, 2018

Practice the HEARING & DOING of Scripture in this life; it prepares you for the next life. Practice Hard.

Spend enough time around 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in New York City, and you’re bound to be asked for directions to Carnegie Hall. “Which way to Carnegie Hall?” “Where is Carnegie Hall?” “What’s the address for Carnegie Hall?” Almost never does one ask the “how” question. Because everyone ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: Other

Absolute Devotion

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Aug 31, 2018

To be ‘In Christ’ you must allow Him complete control of your life. Our absolute devotion to Christ prepares us to be used in ministries for His glory.

Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and became the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:52-71

Denomination: Other

Vultures And Hummingbirds

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Aug 31, 2018

You always find what you are looking for; therefore, be careful what you look for.

Two birds fly over our nation’s deserts: One is the hummingbird and the other is the vulture. Vultures find the rotting meat of the desert, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. Hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

Denomination: Other

Jesus, The Bread Of Life | The Prescription For Anorexic Christians

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Aug 12, 2018

Is your spiritual appetite great enough to help you grow in Christ? Are you starving, or well fed?

Pat Summerall, the well-known sports announcer, overcame alcoholism and became a follower of Christ in his late sixties. After his conversion and baptism, he immersed himself in God’s word through prayer meetings and Bible studies: "It's like an alcoholic looking for a drink,” Summerall says. If ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-51

Denomination: Other

Unity, Maturity And Service

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Aug 6, 2018

There is no organization more powerful than the Church—it is ordained in Christ and for His glory.

Each week at the meeting of a local Rotary club, a different member gave a brief statement about his job. Eventually it was the minister’s turn; he stood up and said: "I'm with a global enterprise. We have branches in every country in the world. We have our representatives in nearly every ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Other

In Fellowship With Christ And Others

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jul 22, 2018

If we have no fellowship with others we cannot have fellowship with Christ

A pastor went to visit some prospective members—a husband, wife and their son. At the beginning of the visit, it was a typical visit. They were getting to know each other, what they had done in their lives. Finally, the woman said, "I can’t stand it anymore. I’ve got to say something! My husband ...read more

Denomination: Other

When God Says 'no'

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jul 22, 2018

Sometimes God says no. When you are weakened by His answer, He will strengthen you by His grace.

The late Chuck Colson of Watergate fame shared his experience when God said NO. The great paradox [of my life] is that every time I walk into a prison and see the faces of men or women who have been transformed by the power of the living God, I realize that the thing God has chosen to use in my ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: Other

Remember Who You Are

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jul 22, 2018

Remembering who we are makes all the difference.

Cinderella Man tells the true story of boxing legend James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe), who made an incredible comeback during the Great Depression. Injured and arthritic, Braddock's promising career was cut short, and he had to go on public assistance when he couldn't get work at the docks in New ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Other