In Sermons:

Love Of Neighbor (Deuteronomy 21)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 7, 2025

How is love of neighbor very different in God's eyes to ours? Let's begin in Deuteronomy 21.

How did they handle unsolved murders, prisoners of war becoming wives, firstborn rights, juvenile delinquency, and hanging as a death penalty? Is human understanding of love of neighbor very different to God’s? Let’s begin in Deuteronomy 21. Was Israel to deal with an unsolved murder with ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Take Heart In Trying Times Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jan 7, 2025

In this world you will have trouble. But if we know God and understand His love for us, we can have peace in Christ and take heart during trying times.

How to Take Heart in Trying Times Text: John 16:25-33 Well, this morning, we’re returning to our study of John’s Gospel, and just to remind you all of what where we were… Let me give you a quick re-cap. In chapter 13, Jesus went to the upper room with His disciples, and they celebrated the ...read more

Scripture: John 16:25-33, Matthew 11:27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Following Jesus On The High Road In A Low Road World Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Jan 7, 2025

In a world where shortcuts, self-interest, and moral compromise often seem to pave the way to success, following Jesus means choosing a different path.

Title: Following Jesus on the High Road in a Low Road World Text: (Matt. 7:13-14) “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rules Of War (Deuteronomy 20)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 6, 2025

Were there two kinds of city that Israel conquered, the perverted and those granted a chance for peace? Let's begin in Deuteronomy 20.

Were there two kinds of people that Israel conquered, those who had committed abominations and those who were to be given a chance for peace? Will such abominations become popular again? Let’s review Deuteronomy 20. What was the priest to say to the army before they battled an enemy? When you go ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Old Testament Background For Jesus' Teachings About Discipleship (Discipleship Intro)

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 6, 2025

Understanding the relationship of rabbi to disciple – and what discipleship entailed – will help us to better understand Jesus’ teachings because they help us better understand the teacher (Jesus) and His most frequent audience (the disciples).

The Old Testament Background for Jesus' Teachings About Discipleship I Kings 19:19-21,Luke 9:57-62, Matthew 19:21, and Luke 5:27 Intro A lot of ignorance about discipleship primarily because interpreters isolate the New Testament teaching from its Old Testament context. Main Idea: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21, Luke 9:57-62, Matthew 19:21, Luke 5:27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Discipleship In The Original Jewish Context: Elijah, Elisha, And Jesus

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 6, 2025

Today we are going to look at Elijah and Elisha and note their potential influence upon the life and ministry of Jesus.

Discipleship in the Original Jewish Context: Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus Parallels between Jesus’ ministry and that of Elijah/Elisha (I Kings 19:1-9, 15-16 compared with Matthew 4:1-11) When Protestants have visions, they usually have visions of Jesus. When Roman Catholics have visions, they often ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Kings 19:1-9, 1 Kings 19:15-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are We Taking God Seriously?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 6, 2025

How many Christians do not treat their faith in a serious manner or take it for granted? Many get up and go to work or school, but they did not find time to talk to God?

How many Christians do not treat their faith in a serious manner or take it for granted? Many get up and go to work or school, but they did not find time to talk to God? Undoubtedly, many Christians have some type of insurance (life, home, auto, medical, dental, etc.), but they see their spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Job 28:28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Cities Of Refuge (Deuteronomy 19)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 6, 2025

How did Jesus make the laws against murder even stricter? Let's begin in Deuteronomy 19.

What were the laws about manslaughter, murder, property markers and witnesses? Did Jesus make the law against murder even stronger, applying it to our hearts? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 19. What was the law regarding cities of refuge for those involved in manslaughter? When the Lord your God cuts ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The End Of The End

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 6, 2025

Rev 22

THE END OF THE END (REVELATION 22) Here is how scholars and sages see the book of Revelation: “The book of Revelation is a very dark, mysterious book.” “The book of Revelation is a very complicated book.” “Revelation is a breathtaking book.” “Revelation is a curious one; there is none other like it ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The City Of God

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 6, 2025

Revelation 21

THE CITY of GOD (REVELATION 21) Typhoon Saola came and conquered last week! On the night after Saola left, I noticed my window ledge was wet, and so were the pillows and blankets on my bed by the window. I could not figure out how in the world the water entered. I had to throw two small pillows, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Exit The Dragon

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 6, 2025

Revelation 20

EXIT THE DRAGON (REVELATION 20) Thomas Brooks said: “Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst; He promises honor and pays with disgrace; He promises pleasure and pays with pain; He promises profit and pays with loss; He promises life and pays with death.” The war in heaven that began in ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fourfold Hallelujah

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 6, 2025

Revelation 19

FOURFOLD HALELLUJAH (REVELATION 19) Queen Elizabeth and her bodyguard once met an American hiker who did not recognize her in the hills near her Scottish castle at Balmoral. The hiker asked the queen, “where do you live?” to which she said, “London, but I have a holiday home just over the hill ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who's Afraid Of Big Bad Wolf

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 6, 2025

Revelation 18

WHO’S AFRAID OF BIG, BAD BABYLON? (REVELATION 18:1-10) One of the longest-running daytime TV show in USA is “Judge Judy,” who presided over real-life small-claims disputes within a simulated courtroom set. Prior to the proceedings, all involved parties signed arbitration contracts agreeing to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lady In Blood Red

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 6, 2025

Revelation 17

LADY IN BLOOD RED (REVELATION 17) It’s been said: “The most unpopular of Christian teachings: judgment.” “The subject of death is unpopular enough, but judgement after death—we hate that.” “The judgment of God is like a merry-go-round. They start slowly but get very fast, and where you are seated ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Seven Last Plagues

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 6, 2025

Rev 16

SEVEN LAST PLAGUES (REVELATION 16) One of my favorite TV shows through the COVID crisis was the Chinese movie and TV series “Judge Dee” or “Detective Dee, as first popularized by Andy Lau many years ago in a 2010 movie directed by Tsui Hark. The first movie, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible