In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 51

Jesus: Our Focus For Real Life Change Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Sep 22, 2009

Any hope of transformation requires us to focus on Jesus: see only him, hear only him. The disciples learned on the Mount of Transfiguration that there is only one Lord, and he required their complete attention. His presence and our obedience will bring

I have a hope and a dream. I have an ideal of myself, my life, my family In that dream, I am a dad who does not get angry or blow his cool. I am a father who is gentle under all kinds of pressure with his children. I am caring and spend many hours laughing, playing, being carefree with them. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Looks On The Heart Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Mar 4, 2008

The most important part of our bodies is our heart. A sermon delivered during "Family Sunday", geared to our children, as well as adults. (more interactive and illustrative)

Dan [reenact this scene from my childhood!]: I spent a lot of time in the bathroom, making myself look so handsome that all the girls couldn’t help but want me: hair parted in middle, collar up. • We spend a lot of time and $ trying to look nice, to make an impression • Our Maker really doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Qualities Of An Elder, Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Mar 4, 2008

pt. two on the qualities of an elder

Character of an Elder, pt. 2 This week a cherished family member passed away. To some of you, he was dad, grandpa, or husband. To many of the rest of us, he was family under the Fatherhood of God. I learned and saw a lot about Don Nelson Friday and Saturday, as memories and photographs were ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Qualities Of An Elder, Pt. 1 Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Mar 4, 2008

What type of man makes a good elder/shepherd? This sermon begins to take a look at the Biblical teaching of Titus 1.

He was not an oil-on-canvas, not a die-cast martyr, a flannel graph figure, or a religious notion. He was man. He was God. And he still is, this Lamb of God. God was pleased to focus all his Love, and all his Truth into this caller and leader of fishemen, and tax collectors and ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This I Gotta See! Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 26, 2007

This sermon looks specifically at how Jesus shows us the grace-filled, loving, character of God, and how he does for us what we can not do. Preached at Christmas time during "Family Sunday." Hence, a bit more kid friendly and ad-libbing. (text: 2:11, 3:4

There are a few things I think it would be cool to see: • A train ride across our grand nation, in one of those double decker cars with the glass panorama roof • The inside of a huge submarine • The sunrise and sunset on a remote Pacific island • Even, maybe, • Baseballs “hidden ball trick,” ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Word: It's A Beautiful Thing Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 26, 2007

This sermon helps delve into the key theme of Titus: that the Gospel of Jesus makes a real difference. Specifically in this text, it is the tranforming, lasting, beauty of his word.

God’s Word: It’s a Beautiful Thing They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. . . what is beautiful to you? For Tony Conza, it is a 6” sub. (Short story of the Blimpie Guy) Tony Conza embodies what American Dreams are made of. He started off small, working on Wall Street, but with no ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Loves A Cheerful Giver

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 4, 2007

A simple but profound little sermon delivered on Family Sunday--gently challenging us to reflect: does giving to God make me smile? Several Object lessons and stories were used, keeping the many children in mind.

(this was preached to the whole congregation, but delivered especially with the many elementary age listeners in mind) God Loves a Cheerful Giver ILLLUS: How are you doing with your Smarties? A preacher named Kevin Harmey tells this story about a little boy he knew: [adapt the story telling part ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas For Everybody, All Year Long! Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Oct 12, 2007

One of the least developed secrets of a thriving healthy church is that if the WHOLE church recognizes and uses their gifts, it will have great impact! God wants to use us, and has specifically designed us to be used for his glory! Part of a series base

CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYBODY, ALL YEAR LONG! --Love, God 1 Peter 4:10-11 (This was for “Family Sunday” at our church and the sermon, though part of an ongoing series on growing a healthy church, was designed more for the many young children that would be in attendance.) “The last time we had family ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Does He Fuel Your Fire? Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Oct 1, 2007

This is the 3rd of 8 "Health Signs" of a Growing church, "Passionate Spirituality." Our Pursuit of him makes all other pursuits pale in comparison. This series adapts the theology and theory of the work "Natural Church Development" by Christian Schwarz,

Does He Fuel Your Fire? Philippians 3:7-11 Healthy Condition #3: Passionate Spirituality (Had this listed on a power point) If you’ve been calling yourself a Christian, you should stop. If you have ever encouraged someone to become a Christian, you should never do that again. WHY? "85% of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love Your Neighbor, Tell Your Story Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Sep 23, 2007

This is the second in a series of 8 sermons that focus on Natural Church Development’s "8 Quality Characteristics" of Healthy churches. This is on the characteristic: "Need-Oriented Evangelism". We focus on building the quality, God provides the growth.

Love Your Neighbor, Tell Your Story John 9:25 and context Some titles just make you want to read the book: They Like Jesus ... Not the Church It is a book that delves into the attitudes and perceptions of 20-30 year olds about the church (US!!!) 1) The Church is an organized religion with a ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

My King, My Daddy

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 6, 2006

Key Point: The God of the universe is at once both a “Shock and Awe” God, and “Up Close and Personal.” Only God makes it possible for us to thrive under both sides of Him.

My King, My Daddy Two very different aspects of God we need to come to grips with Introduction: Shock and Awe bombing, quickened pulse, lump in my throat, sweaty palms, (also what is behind the scenes, kids crying) witnessing the power of something Jessica Lynch—teacher wanna be, POW, daring ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Do You Give A God Who Has Everything?

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 6, 2006

God warns his people to repent from superficial worship by turning their hearts to honor Him. (Going Back to the Heart of Worship).

What Do You Give a God Who Has Everything? Going back to the heart of Worship Topic: Honoring God with whole hearted worship Thesis: God warns his people to repent from superficial worship by turning their hearts to honor Him Aim: To turn the hearts of our church to honor God with worship that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Word Makes All The Difference In The World

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 6, 2006

God’s Word makes all the difference in the world changing us from “out of reach outsiders” to “outreaching insiders.”

God’s Word Makes All the Difference in the World Introduction: Have you been reading God’s Word lately? WHAT have you been reading  I have been reading John’s Gospel o Gems like 3:16 and the woman at the well o Reassuring verses like: 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I ...read more

Scripture: John 17:14-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Devote Yourself To God's Unfailing Leadership

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 6, 2006

God will provide unfailing leadership for his devoted people. Here are 5 ways to keep our devotion alive. Restated: These 5 habits are essential for the Christian/church who wants to experience the blessings of God’s unfailing leadership

Title: Devote Yourself to God’s Unfailing Leadership Scripture: 1 Samuel 12 Theme: Devoting ourselves to God’s unfailing leadership Thesis: “God will provide unfailing leadership for his devoted people. Here are 5 ways to (habits that) keep our devotion alive. Restated: These 5 habits are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Day To Get It Right

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 6, 2006

The Only day to get our hearts—and lives—right with God is Today. A continuation of how to approach discipleship and transformation according to Dallas Willards VIM: Vision, Intent, Means. This sermon focuses on our Intent to change

SERMON— How Christ Can be Formed in Us—How we can grow in Christ (Dallas Willard, p. 85ff) VIM—Vision, Intention, Means Vision: Vision of the Kingdom. Have a mind and heart that have a picture and clear understanding of what it means to be a member of God’s Kingdom. Focusing on God’s Kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ