In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 40

The Great Adventure: "Sail Into The Unknown!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Aug 3, 2006

Christians are called to sail into the unknown, making disciples, like Jonah...but sometimes we try to go our own way and create all kinds of problems.

Can anybody finish this sentence… “In 1492, Columbus sailed the _______ “? • That’s how I’ve always remembered the story of Columbus… now here’s a great adventurer! In a day when nobody believed that the Earth was round, Columbus had this crazy idea that to get to India he would sail off in the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Adventure: "Sound The Battle Cry!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 24, 2006

Just as God called Joshua to lead the nation of Israel into battle, Christians are called into a spiritual battle, not against the people of the world, but the spiritual forces of evil which control the world. Cf. Eph. 6

Children sing—“I’m in the Lord’s Army!” Our children keep things exciting around here! We’re continuing what I hope is an exciting Bible study series, “The Great Adventure!” The Christian life ought to be a great adventure! • If you’re bored in your Christian walk… its NOT God’s fault! I ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Adventure: "Step Up To The Plate!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 17, 2006

Moses is given a second chance ‘at bat’ to do a great thing for God, reluctantly steps up to the plate and hits a homer for God! Aim: To challenge Christians to step up to what God is calling them to in the church, in their families and as disciples of C

Last month my son’s ball team went to a Star’s baseball game for “Bat Night.” I tell you, there’s nothing quite like twelve six year-olds running around a ball park swinging their brand new wooden bats! Life can be exciting sometimes… • But that’s okay… the Christian life is supposed to be ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Adventure: "Stand Against The Tide!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 12, 2006

Noah stood against the culture of his day and was counted faithful. Christians are called to an exciting, challenging and different way of life… not to conform to the world.

We want to continue that excitement this morning as we delve back into our summer series, “The Great Adventure!” The Christian life is supposed to a great and exciting adventure! • Now, we don’t often talk about faith in those terms… • When we truly and honestly give ourselves to God and place our ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Adventure: "Saddle Up Your Horses" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 12, 2006

When called to go, Abraham obeyed and went. As God calls us into his glorious kingdom, he invites us to a life full of challenge, surprise and adventure!

I have to be honest with you… when I was a kid I had a really wrong-headed idea of what the Christian faith was all about. I thought that being a Christian meant giving up a life of fun & excitement in order to come, sit on a pew and be a good boy. • I’m not sure where that notion came from… maybe ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: "Jesus Is Coming Soon" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Aug 23, 2005

If we believe that Jesus is coming back soon, why don’t we live like it?

With summer winding down and school about to start everybody has been cramming in those last minute vacations… I can remember one summer in particular our family made plans to go to Disneyworld! Now this was a “big deal” for a 10-yr old kid and I remember the anticipation just about as much as I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: "Salvation Is Found In Jesus Alone" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Aug 23, 2005

Do Christians really believe that salvation is found ONLY through Jesus Christ?

There were a lot of things one could believe in in the ancient world… • There were all manner of Greek or Roman ‘gods’ one could worship… just take your pick! Epicureanism was a common philosophy. So was Stoicism. There were all kinds of mystery religions and pagan worship ideas. • There were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:8-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: The Church Belongs To God Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 20, 2005

The church was planned, built and purchased by God and therefore belongs to Him... not you or I.

Have I ever told you about a church I read about one time? Man they had their problems! • They had had a succession of different preachers who had come through and worked with them… each one with pretty different and very strong personalities. One was pretty well known and respected across the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: "God Speaks Through His Word" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 19, 2005

The Bible is God’s introduction of himself to us. If God speaks, don’t you want to listen?

First Things First #5 “God Speaks Through His Word” Hebrews 1:1-4 Have you ever found yourself right in the middle of a problem, a storm of life and just the right Scripture pops into your head… at just the right time to comfort, to encourage, or to strengthen? • I love the account in Matthew of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: "The Holy Spirit Is Alive & Well" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 7, 2005

The Holy Spirit is God’s active and sanctifying presence in believers today.

First Things First #4 “The Holy Spirit is Alive & Well” Acts 18:27 – 19:7 Have you ever been shocked to learn something… something that you should have known all along and you wished somebody had told you sooner? • The story in Acts 18 & 19 has always been an interesting one to me. Here we have ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: Jesus Is God's Son Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jun 23, 2005

Christians claim that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God... but what does that really mean?

Have you ever come out with the right answer by mistake? I mean, you had no idea it was right… no way you could tell somebody how you got the answer… no explanation… maybe it was just a guess, but it turned out to be right nonetheless? You’re as surprised as anyone? That is sort of where Peter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: "God Is A Loving Father" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jun 16, 2005

To invite a more personal relationship with our Creator God by seeing Him also as a loving Father who loves each of his children without end.

Reading: Deuteronomy 32:1-6 I suppose that I’m like a lot of us… I’ve always wanted to please my father, but many times I have felt like I just never could. …that I never could quite live up to his expectations. • My Dad has always loved baseball. Some of the only toys he had as a kid growing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: "There Is A God" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jun 14, 2005

Understanding that God exists and that he is the one, true God should impact how we live our lives.

First Things First #1 “There is a God” Deuteronomy 6:1-5 Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Sometimes, no matter how much you know (or think you know) it helps to get back to the basics… • For Israel—they were about to embark upon their greatest challenge yet; ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Will You Do With Jesus? Die With Him! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on May 12, 2004

Hearing the good news of Jesus demands a response… will it be to die with him in baptism in order to live a transformed life?

What will you do with Jesus? Die with Him Romans 6:1-14 Focus: Hearing the good news of Jesus demands a response… will it be to die with him in baptism in order to live a transformed life? Function: to call hearers to commit their lives to Christ in baptism and to live a new life in Christ! Let ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14, Acts 2:1-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Will You Do With Jesus? Surrender To Him! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on May 12, 2004

Hearing the good news of Jesus demands a response… will it be fully surrender?

What will you do with Jesus? Surrender to Him Romans 10:9-11 Focus: Hearing the good news of Jesus demands a response… will it be fully surrender? Function: To call hearers to hear the call to surrender and make Jesus Lord IN their lives. In 1997, Leonardo DiCaprio stood on the bow of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ