In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 1,205

Believe And Be Baptized Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 1, 2023

Mark 16:16 seems to be a forthright desciption of how to become a Christian, but of the centuries people have "rearranged" the words to fit their theology. How have they done that, and why does it matter?

The Bible tells us that… at the tower of Babel, God confused the people’s language so they couldn’t understand each other. Language is how we communicate with each other, and how we communicate is VERY IMPORTANT. How we say things; the kind of words we use; and even the punctuation we use in our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith Only? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 25, 2023

Faith is so central to our salvation that there are those who believe believing is the ONLY thing we need to do to be saved. But is that true, and where did that idea come from?

In my files I have a comment of an economics professor who explained his problem with Jesus. He said, “I really don’t see how Jesus can be the only way to heaven. I definitely believe in God, but there are just too many people in the world who don’t believe in Jesus for me to think that God ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blinded By Despair Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 20, 2023

So often we go from the mountaintop to the valley of despair, how does God get us through to the other side? Consider these thoughts from our Family Minister, Scott Jewell.

Begin with clip from Hee Haw TV show. Gloom, despair, and agony on me. I remember many a Saturday night gathered around the TV as a child with my family. We enjoyed a lot of laughs as we watched sketches like the one we just viewed. This was the first thing that came to mind when I knew I was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blinded By Bitterness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 11, 2023

Jonah was a bitter man. The question is - why was he bitter, and why was it wrong for him to harbor his resentment of Nineveh?

Most of us have heard the story of Jonah and the whale. We’ve heard how God told Jonah to go the evil city of Nineveh and warn them to repent of their wickedness… or perish. But Jonah didn’t want to go so he got on a boat and went entirely the other direction because he believed he could run from ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blinded By Frustration Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 4, 2023

Moses got so frustrated that he did something he shouldn't have done and it cost him the chance to lead Israel into the Promised Land. What did his frustration lead him to do that was wrong... and what can we learn from that?

Have you ever played one of those arcade games where you operate a claw that can pick up a toy inside? I’ve never played those games (too frustrating for me). But years ago, there was a story out of Wisconsin about a 6-year-old who attempted to get the toy of his dreams out of that machine… and ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 20:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blinded By Fear Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 29, 2023

Gideon was hiding in a wine press due to fear, yet God called him a mighty man of valor. What can this teach us about dealing with our fears? Consider these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

Read text. Pray. We’ve been talking about blind spots for a few weeks now. What immediately comes to mind when you hear the term blind spots? Driving, right? One of the first things you’re taught is to scan the horizon and check your mirrors so you know what’s around you. Even with that, before ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blinded By Discouragement Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 21, 2023

There are times when discouragement can rob us of our courage and hope. How did Joseph avoid being blinded by his despair and what can it teach us?

About 75 years ago, there was a woman named Florence Chadwick who was the 1st woman swim the English Channel BOTH WAYS. Then, in 1952, she decided to swim from Catalina Island, to the shore of California, a distance of about 22 miles. The day she chose to swim turned foggy and chilly as she ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:50-52

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blinded By Pride Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 15, 2023

Samson was a man with absolute power who was absolutely blinded by his pride in his power. How can we avoid falling into the same trap that took him down?

When my dad sold his business and retired, he got bored just sitting around – so he went to work as a meat inspector for the government. They gave him a white coat and helmet and special knife, and his job was to go to meat plants (like Tyson or Indiana Packers) and inspect the meat as it was ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:4-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blind Anger Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 8, 2023

King Saul was blinded by his anger towards David and it led him to lose his temper in ways that destroyed his family and his dynasty. What can we do to avoid the same blindness that hurt Saul?

On July 4th, 1826 two of our nation’s Founding Fathers died (that same day) within hours of each other. John Adams & Thomas Jefferson (the 2nd and 3rd Presidents of the U. States) both died on July 4th. What makes this interesting is that Adams and Jefferson were close friends. In 1775 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are The Man Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 30, 2023

After David's sin with Bathsheba his family fell apart. What can we learn from his experience that can make us better parents as well as better servants of a mighty God?

In 2013, a 19 year old Austrian skier named Teresa Stadlober became the 1st Austrian skier to take the gold and silver medals in the Junior Skiathlon (in the Czech Republic).Ever since that time she’d been training for the Olympics, and in 2018 (at the age of 25) she was at the Olympic Winter ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Empty Womb Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 24, 2023

Why did Hannah mourn her childlessness and what did God do for her that we can learn from?

I ran across a list of different life experiences that can create stress, and amongst all these life experiences creating stress were these: Death of a spouse; Divorce; Being sentenced to Jail; Personal injury or illness; Being fired at work; Retirement; Pregnancy; and a change in financial ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Failed Father Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 17, 2023

When it comes to fatherhood, bad examples from Scripture can be good examples, once you know what a failed father has done wrong. Eli was a bad example. But what did he do wrong, and what can we learn from him so we can build better fathers?

Someone once said that everyone is an example to others - some are GOOD examples, and some are BAD. And, believe it or not, bad examples can be good examples for us. For example, Eli was a “GOOD EXAMPLE” of a bad example of how to be a father. But before we get to Eli’s story (and what we can ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:22-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sibling Rivalry Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 11, 2023

Joseph and his brothers clearly didn't get along and it wreaked havoc on the family. What causes things like sibling rivalry and how can God work through our imperfect relationships? Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

Did I ever tell you I have three sisters? Growing up, we were quite competitive in just about everything. Be it sports, games, music, acting- there was always something for us to try to outdo each other. If our family had been the one in today’s text, my sisters would likely say that I was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:2-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Woman With Weak Eyes Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 2, 2023

Because of her "ugliness" (weak eyes) Leah was unnoticed, unwanted & unloved… and unmarried. She was literally a rejected woman. How did God help her overcome her rejection?

A lady was walking down the street on her way to work & saw a parrot in a pet store. She went in to admire the bird, and suddenly the parrot spoke to her, “Hey lady. You’re ugly.” Well, the woman was deeply offended, and she stormed out of the store. But on her way home, she thought she’d ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:16-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Promise And The Problem Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 26, 2023

Abraham was a great man of faith... but not always. Sometimes his struggles with believing God's promises undermined his life and his family. But what did God do when Abraham struggled?

A preacher who was new to town and had dropped off his suit at the dry-cleaners. Later that week, he came back to pick up his suit, and the woman behind the counter said. “That will be $10.50.” “Oh my,” said the preacher. “I only have $9. Would it be alright if I came back later with the rest?” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ