In Sermons:

Close Is Not Enough

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 27, 2025

Today we’re looking at 3 people who were close to going to Heaven, but missed it.: Demas, Lot's Wife, and Cain. They all had been very close to spiritual experiences with God, but didn't end up on God's side.

CLOSE IS NOT ENOUGH INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: TEETH MARKS 1. A wedding was taking place. The bride’s maids came up the aisle one by one. The flower girl came spreading her flowers. Instead of a ringbearer, the couple opted for a toddler nephew to carry up a Bible, representing the basis of their ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10, Luke 17:32, Genesis 4:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lagos Revival 2025 – A Success

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 25, 2025

Stephen Akin-Olatunde and I were invited to come hold a revival in Lagos, Nigeria June 17-21 at Excellent Christian Bible Church with Rev. Christopher Itobiye & his lovely wife Maria. God blessed the meetings!

LAGOS REVIVAL 2025 – A SUCCESS INVITATION TO PREACH Stephen Akin-Olatunde and I were invited to come hold a revival in Lagos, Nigeria June 17-21 at Excellent Christian Bible Church with Rev. Christopher Itobiye & his lovely wife Maria. The theme of the revival was “Divine Visitation.” We got ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stuck Upstairs When I Should Be Downstairs

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 7, 2025

Today is Pentecost Sunday - it’s one of the most important days in history. We’re going to see why, see the reasons we need the Holy Spirit, and think about our need to be refilled.

STUCK UPSTAIRS WHEN I SHOULD BE DOWNSTAIRS Acts 2:1-4; 3:1-2,6-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Did you hear about the man who had emergency surgery on his hand and lost 3 fingers? The man asked the doctor if he could still write. 2. The doctor answered, “Maybe, but don’t count on it.” B. ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

If God Came To Earth... What Would He Be Like?

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 4, 2025

He would let us know He was coming, He would understand us, know the future, be able to control nature, do creative miracles, have power over sickness, evil spirits, give life to the dead, and forgive sins

IF GOD CAME TO EARTH...WHAT WOULD HE BE LIKE? 1. HE WOULD GIVE US A HEADS-UP THAT HE WAS COMING It’s not right to surprise people and expect a good visit. And He DID give us a heads-up – for about 4,000 years. From Gen. 3:15 until Malachi chap. 3 God told us He was coming to earth and gave over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:23-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Such Were Some Of You

Contributed by John Gaston on May 31, 2025

1 Cor. 6:9-11 can be divided into 3 parts: first, God identifies those He will shut out of the kingdom of God; secondly is the reminder, “and such were some of you;” thirdly, the marvelous change that can result

SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU 1 Cor. 6:9-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Quitting 1. A man up North was shoveling snow from his driveway when two boys carrying snow shovels approached him. 2. “Shovel your snow, Mister?” one of them asked. “Only two dollars!” Puzzled, the man replied, “Can’t you see that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ten Arguments For The Historical Jesus

Contributed by John Gaston on May 28, 2025

Gary Habermas in his book, The Historical Jesus, gives at least 10 evidences. As part of my Apologetics series, I have abbreviated and rewritten them to fit front & back on one piece of paper.

TEN ARGUMENTS FOR THE HISTORICAL JESUS 1. MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT SOURCES. The existence of multiple independent sources – the four Gospels, Paul’s letters, and other early Christian writings – that attest to the historical existence of Jesus. There wasn’t just one witness to Jesus, but a large number ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, Philippians 2:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Abishai Anointing: Support The Pastor

Contributed by John Gaston on May 24, 2025

There are not many modern "Davids" because there is another anointing that is missing: the Abishai anointing. Abishai was with David in the bad times, willing to try the impossible, he was teachable & loyal.

THE ABISHAI ANOINTING: SUPPORT THE PASTOR 2 Sam. 23:18-19 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Mary Brumbaugh told about her pilot husband; “My husband, an airline pilot, often has difficulty locating items around our house. One day he asked me where the salt was. Annoyed, I responded, ‘How on earth can you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:5-8, 2 Samuel 21:16-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Where Did The Bible Come From?

Contributed by John Gaston on May 23, 2025

Here we look at how we got the Old and New Testaments of the Bible -- and how the Bible is the most authoritative ancient book in the world, Why? because it's more verifiable and has the closest witnesses of any faith.

WHERE DID THE BIBLE COME FROM? INTRODUCTION 1. Inspiration means that the Holy Spirit worked in a unique supernatural way so that the written words of Scripture were also the words of God. 2. 2 Tim. 3:16 tells us that scripture was created by the divine “in-breathing” of God into man. It was the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Scientific Evidence That God Answers Prayer

Contributed by John Gaston on May 14, 2025

Millions of people testify of specific answers to prayer — healed relationships, unexpected provisions, physical healing, or guidance. This is a compiling of scientific studies that show the effects of prayer.

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYER Millions of people testify of specific answers to prayer — healed relationships, unexpected provisions, physical healing, or guidance. Common stories include money or food showing up just when needed, dramatic encounters after praying for help, peace or ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

He Refused To Be Known As The Son Of Pharaoh’s Daughter

Contributed by John Gaston on May 10, 2025

The media reports how babies have been switched at birth & 4 years later the families found out. Similar to Moses' wrong identity. He chose to suffer with Jesus/ his own mother rather than riches.

HE REFUSED TO BE KNOWN AS THE SON OF PHARAOH’S DAUGHTER Heb. 11:24-26 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Kid’s Mother’s Day Gifts 1. Eight-year-old Mary wrote: "Dear Mother, here is the box of candy I bought you for Mother's Day. It is very good candy. I know, because I already ate three ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

7 Evidences That The Bible Is God’s Word

Contributed by John Gaston on May 7, 2025

When we hear the Bible's internal claims, see its historical accuracy, fulfilled prophesies, manuscript evidence, transformational power, survival & influence, & scientific knowledge, it confirms that it's the Word of God.

7 EVIDENCES THAT THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD 1. Internal Claims. The Bible tells us it’s the Word of God. • Direct statements: Over 3,800 times, the Bible uses phrases like “Thus says the Lord,” especially in the Old Testament (e.g., Jeremiah 1:9, Ezekiel 2:4). • New Testament claims: Paul wrote in 2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 3:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Do You Have A Supersized God?

Contributed by John Gaston on May 3, 2025

No man/woman lives beyond their vision. The bigger your vision, the greater your potential. God wants to raise our expectation level about what He will do, but that requires you get a bigger vision of God Himself!

DO YOU HAVE A SUPERSIZED GOD? Isa. 40:12 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: A HAIR CUT LESSON 1. A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. The man & the barber talked about various subjects. 2. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said, "I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Rational Defense Of The Christian Faith

Contributed by John Gaston on May 2, 2025

This is the first in a series of messages on apologetics. This segment deals with how, as scientific discoveries continue, evidence for God's existence has grown stronger, not weaker. Science, done right, points to God.

A RATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH INTRODUCTION Christianity isn’t just a matter of blind belief or emotional comfort—it presents a worldview grounded in logic, evidence, and reason. In an age where skepticism often masquerades as intelligence, Christian apologetics offers a robust, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-2, Romans 1:20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

3 Marks Of A Shipwrecked Faith

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 23, 2025

Over 3 million shipwrecks litter the ocean floor, but none of these shipwrecks had to happen. Paul warned us that we must be careful with our lives. He gave us 3 marks of those who are heading for shipwreck.

3 MARKS OF A SHIPWRECKED FAITH 1 Tim. 1:18-20 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR A teacher said, to Raymond, “Listen to me! This is the fifth time this week I’ve had to punish you! What do you have to say?” “I’m glad it’s Friday,” replied Raymond. B. TEXT 18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Inescapable Resurrection

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 19, 2025

The Resurrection was inescapable because Death had no legal right to hold Jesus. Jesus was the Creator, He predated death, and God the Father had prophesied that Jesus would rise. It’s fulfillment was inescapable!

THE INESCAPABLE RESURRECTION Mt. 28:1-7; Lk. 24:36-44 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Five-year-old Brian had a pivotal verse to recite in an Easter program: “He is not here, he is risen” (Luke 24:6). Unfortunately, he could not remember what to say, and the director had to quietly remind him of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-7, Luke 24:36-44

Denomination: Assembly Of God