In Sermons:

Peter Goes Back To Fishing

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

After Christ died, Peter went back to what the used to do, fish. Are we ever tempted to return to the way we lived before Christ?

When I was in elementary school, my best friend was Jon Barleycorn. From kindergarten through fifth grade, we were best friends, both in and out of school. And his family introduced me to fishing. I would go with them to Buckeye Lake and we would fish from his grandmothers’ dock and from his ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-3

Denomination: Holiness

Table Fellowship With Christ

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

Why does Jesus want to come in and dine with us as it says in the book of Revelations. Three purposes accomplished through spending time together with Christ.

I love spoons. Not only do they help mix your chocolate milk, but they are essential in one of my favorite games, which just happens to share their name. Spoons, if you are not familiar with the game, don’t worry, you will learn about it this morning. I decided it would be better to make a short ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:20

Denomination: Holiness

What Are Your Commitments?

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

A look at the extreme commitment of Ruth, and how we should do likewise.

I have had the privilege of officiated two weddings this summer. Since being ordained last May, I have officiated a total of four weddings, and two of the four have been relatives of my wife. Jen has a big family, and by family I am not referring to brothers and sisters. She only has one ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-17

Denomination: Holiness

Being And Making Disciples

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

A biblical explanation of why being a follower is not enough. We need to first be disciples of Christ, and then make disciples.

By a show of hands this morning, how many of you have ever played golf? That includes on a course, at the driving range, or even putt putt. Now, how many of you like golf? Trust me, playing golf and enjoying golf do not always go together. I seem to enjoy golf much more when I in my office ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Holiness

Do We Serve God Only To Reach Heaven?

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

This sermon challenges people to examine their motivations for being Christian. Is it just to avoid hell? Or is it a natural response to the Love of God?

I want to talk with you today about a man named Moses. I don’t know, but you may have heard of him before, I’m not sure. Moses is a man who follows the Lord. Moses is a man who works hard, and who tries to help others follow God. I had the chance to met Moses about a year and a half ago. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:16-18

Denomination: Holiness

Following Jesus

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

A look at the real life results of a decision to follow Jesus.

When I was in elementary school, we didn’t have Upward basketball. The only league we had was the Westerville Parks and Rec. And for me the Westerville parks and rec league presented a problem. The problem was that I wasn’t allowed to play until the 4th grade. For those of you who don’t know, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Holiness

Wisdom

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

What role does wisdom play in the everyday life of a believer, and what exactly is wisdom?

As I was writing the sermon this week, a memory came to the forefront of my mind. It had been hidden somewhere in my psyche for many years, but I believe that the Holy Spirit brought it to my attention for Gods purposes. I did a little research to confirm my foggy memory and indeed it was true. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Holiness

Isaiah 6

Contributed by Michael Durst on Jan 18, 2007

An in depth examination of the call of Isaiah, with both an attempt to uncover buried meanings in the text and also to connect it with our lives today.

Isaiah 6:1-8 I had the privilege of being ordained this past May as an elder in the church of the Nazarene. For many of you the word ordination may not hold an overwhelming amount of meaning, but for a pastor it is a very important moment. It is the culmination of years of studying and years of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Holiness

God Allows Giants In Life

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 13, 2006

Why do we come up against giants in life? This sermon talks about giants and the purpose they serve in our spiritual lives.

I stand before you today a hair under 6 feet 1 inch. Among the men, I am the shortest in my family. My father stands 6 feet 2 inches, my grandfather 6 feet 4 inches (before he started shrinking). My brothers stand 6 feet 3 inches and 6 feet 7 ½ inches. My oldest brother Jay is the tallest. Jay ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:1-33

Denomination: Holiness

Forgiveness

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 13, 2006

A holistic examination of forgiveness and three areas where it is essential in our lives: God’s forgiveness of us, our forgiveness of others, and the importance of forgiving ourselves.

I normally like to begin my sermons with a good story to grab your attention. Recently that has meant sharing some story from my childhood that we all laugh at. I do want to tell you a story today, but in my opinion it isn’t very funny. It begins on October the 10th, just shy of a month ago. My ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12-14

Denomination: Holiness

Gods Favor, Better Than Mans

Contributed by Michael Durst on Aug 10, 2006

A narrative look at two biblical examples of men choosing to follow God and please him rather than men.

Allow me to begin this morning by saying that I am not much of a fighter. In fact, I have never been in a real fight in my life. But as a youngster I was put in a couple situations where I felt the need to defend myself. I believe that both of those events occurred when I was in the first ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

What Is The Big Deal With Sin?

Contributed by Michael Durst on Jul 11, 2006

A Look at the dangerous nature of sin through the story of David and Bathseba

When I was growing up there were two things I really liked, Gameboy and bouncy balls. The only problem was that I didn’t own a Gameboy, and it always seemed like the bouncy ball I wanted belonged to someone else. My oldest brother Jay did have a gameboy and he kept it in his closet in a white ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

Denomination: Holiness

El Espiritu Santo

Contributed by Michael Durst on Mar 15, 2006

A traves de la carta de Pablo a los Corintios, veamos tres cosas que el espiritu santo hace en nuestras vidas.

Hay un señor de quien ustedes tal vez han oído. El se llama Pablo, antes su nombre era Saulo y este señor escribió parte de la Biblia. De hecho, hay 27 libros del nuevo testamento y el escribió 13 de ellos. Nosotros hemos estado estudiando su vida en nuestro estudio bíblico. La primera vez que ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Denomination: Holiness

La Locura De Dios

Contributed by Michael Durst on Mar 2, 2006

Dios ofrece algo a nosotros, salvación gratuito, que es una tonteria al mundo que siempre se fija en si mismo. Esta es una demostración del reino al revez de Dios.

1 Corintios 1:18-31 v. 18 La salvación que Dios ofrece es una locura para el mundo. No sé si recuerden, pero hace algunas semanas hablé de cómo la petición del ladrón al lado de Jesús que se le salve era una tontería. Un hombre que esta muriendo no pide a otro señor que esta muriendo en el ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Denomination: Holiness

El Senor Que Provee

Contributed by Michael Durst on Jan 26, 2006

Nosotros podemos confiar en Dios porque el tiene el poder y el quiere proveer por nuestras necesidades.

La mayoría de ustedes saben que mi esposa esta buscando trabajo en una escuela pública, y que ahora es bien difícil obtener su primer trabajo. Esta semana recibimos buenas noticias. Worthington nos llamaron para pedir una entrevista Lunes por la tarde. Nos emocionó que por fin ella tendrá una ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-5

Denomination: Holiness