In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 287

How Will Light Shine On All Your Ways?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 9, 2024

Allowing the Light to shine on all that we do and all that we may go through is important to show to others our joy in the Lord, regardless of what happens.

In an attempt better understand the question posed, I think we should have a brief overview of the book of Job. Everybody has heard about Job at some point in time. The book of Job is a grasping show of wealth, to poverty, to wealth (riches, to rags, to riches), a theological composition about ...read more

Scripture: Job 22:28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Similar Is The Flying Scroll And Basket Like Christians Today?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 19, 2024

Have people of today violated God’s Laws? I believe so. We see all types of sin, idolatry, and sexual perversion everywhere.

The Flying Scroll: The vision of the flying scroll was God’s judgment across the land. Judgment against those who violated God’s law (Jeremiah 36:1-6), especially regarding the stealing and lying (5:1-4). The woman in the ephah (basket) exemplified wickedness, thus this vision showed that ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 5:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

If You Were Accused Of Being A Christian, Would There Be Enough Evidence To Convict You?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 11, 2024

How would we stand up in a court based upon our Christianity? Would we truly be found guilty of being a Christian or would we be acquitted due to lack of evidence?

At the time when the Jewish remnant returned to Israel to rebuild the walls, Joshua was the High Priest (Haggai 1:1, 2:4). APPOINTED, ACCUSED, APPEARANCE, ACCEPTABLE In verses one - four: Satan “resisted” (accused) Joshua, who depicts the country of Israel here. The allegations were exact, ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does The Bible Say About Growing Good Seeds? Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 3, 2024

Is the seed still in the barn or have we taken it out for planting?

Have we been obedient? This is Haggai's subsequent message, given during the Feast of Tabernacles, around the month of October, 520 B.C. The more seasoned individuals, the elders, could recollect the unbelievable magnificence of Solomon's Temple, which had been annihilated 66 years sooner. ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-23, Psalm 126:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does The Bible Say About Working Hard?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 26, 2024

Physical walls and Spiritual walls. Which, if either, do we work on the most?

Many years prior to Nehemiah’s time, the Northern Kingdom had been conquered and many were taken captive to other lands. The conquering nation introduced prisoners from other lands, which led to intermarriage with the few Israelites. This blending of the races produced the people known as the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Was Prayer For The People Really Needed?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 13, 2024

What is penance? What is repentance? What is confession? Can we pay for our sins?

What is penance? Penance is an act of self-abasement, mortification or devotion performed to show sorrow. What is repentance? Repentance is to turn from sin and dedicate oneself, to feel regret or contrition. What is confession? Confession is a disclosure of one’s sins in sacrament of ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 9:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Is It Necessary To Consecrate Ourselves For Service?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 6, 2024

Too often we put everything toward the church building and programs, and at the same time we are denying the church body.

Previously, David had instructed Solomon about the Temple. Now in this passage of Scripture, the people bring gifts for the Temple. It is feasible for us to be so fixated on a church building that we have disregard of the genuine church, God’s children. Yet, the contrary reaction, ignoring the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Does God Speak In A Still Small Voice?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 2, 2024

How often do we, as Christians, take time to listen to the voice of God? Does He have to talk to us with a raised voice or a quiet one?

Before we attempt to provide an answer to our question, let us take a moment, look at the Scripture, and gather a history of the situation. In preceding chapter, Elijah has rebuked the evil king Ahab and has had a contest with the evil prophets, wins the contest, and has the evil prophets slain. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does The Bible Say About Sowing Bad Seeds? Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Sep 15, 2024

Have we become mingled with the world? If so, have we darkened the light of Christ so that the world cannot see Him? Have we become rotten as Christians?

Let us begin by turning to Leviticus 19:1-37 and reading about The Mingled Seed. The online free dictionary defines the word mingle as – to mix or bring together in combination, to be or become mixed or united, to associate or take part with others. The past tense form is mingled, which means the ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-37, Joel 1:13-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is The Lord With Me When I Can’t?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Sep 7, 2024

Why do we worry or fret over some things that are beyond our control?

What a differentiation between Moses' life as an Egyptian sovereign, a prince, and his life as a Midianite shepherd. As a ruler he had everything accomplished for him; he was the renowned child of an Egyptian princess. As a shepherd, he needed to thoroughly take care of himself. He was holding ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does It Mean To Be Having Fellowship?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Aug 20, 2024

Fellowship occurs when people are in unity and love.

Similar to how he began his Gospel, John begins his first letter to the churches by stressing that Christ—also known as “the Word of Life”—is eternal, that Jesus is the light and life of the world, and that God came into the world as a man, and that John was a witness to Jesus’ life. How do we ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does It Mean To Follow In His Steps?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jul 21, 2024

What does it mean to follow, will we suffer, will we learn anything, and how do we follow?

What Does It Mean to Follow in His Steps? 1 Peter 2:21-25 (21) Obeying Authority: In 1 Peter 2:11-25, Peter writes that Christians are to submit to those in power. He uncovers God's will for the individuals who are free in Christ: to enthusiastically submit to each human authoritative figure ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does It Mean To Appeal For The Useful?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jul 7, 2024

An example of grace in how it demonstrates the action of true Christian fellowship.

Paul wrote this letter as a plea for a runaway slave of Philemon’s named Onesimus. He had stolen from Philemon then ran away to Rome where he met Paul. Subsequently he accepted Christ as his Savior, so Paul was writing this letter as he was sending Onesimus back to Philemon, but he wanted Philemon ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is The Church Guilty Of Laziness While Waiting For God?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jun 30, 2024

What does the word “laziness” mean? Laziness is being unwilling to work or being idle.

Certain individuals in the Thessalonian church were dishonestly instructing that since Christ would return quickly, individuals ought to save their obligations, quit work, do no future preparation, and simply just stand by and wait. Be that as it may, their absence of action just drove them into ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Are We To Get A Faith Check-Up?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jun 24, 2024

Like going to a doctor to get a physical exam, we should be getting a spiritual exam daily.

2 Corinthians was composed to assert Paul's own ministry service, shield his position as an apostle, and to discredit the bogus teachers that were in Corinth. In the previous chapter, Paul discussed his vision, his thorn, and the concern that he had for the Corinthians. Presently Paul now ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible