In Sermons: showing 61-75 of 965

Gideon: The Thresher Gone Thrasher Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 26, 2021

Today’s sermon is about a cowardly hero forced into hiding by organized crime, an angel that is more than an angel, strange fleece ware, a bad dream, being outnumbered 450 to one, and smashed pottery. This is how it happened.

Gideon: The Thresher Gone Thrasher (Judges 6:1-7:25) 1. My sister didn’t do as well on her driver’s-ed test as she’d hoped. It might have had something to do with how she completed this sentence: “When the ______ is dead, the car won’t start.” She wrote: “Driver.” Nathan Hellman, Brooklyn, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Splitting Headache Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 19, 2021

Today’s sermon revolves around a working mother who is a judge-prophetess, a superstitious general, some really bad weather, and a headache to end all headaches.

A Splitting Headache (Judges 4:1-24) 1. Billy, a 4 year old boy, goes to the doctor with a number of symptoms, including a headache. The doctor asks, "Billy, can you tell me what's bothers you the most?" Billy replies: "I'd have to say my little sister." 2. What do ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:1-24, 1 Timothy 2:8-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Astounded By Who God Is Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 12, 2021

Right Theology – if embraced and allowed to permeate our minds and hearts – produces right worship and a right attitude toward God. The Spirit can then use this right theology and attitude to coax us along to surrender ourselves to Him.

Astounded by Who God Is (Romans 11:33-36) 1. The Dunning Kruger effect is so important for us understand. It is, in a way, defined in detail in the book of Proverbs. Even Shakespeare caught on to it when he wrote, “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” 2. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus, Jonah, And The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 12, 2021

Jonah’s experienced in the belly of the great fish foreshadows the pattern of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus, Jonah, and the Resurrection Jonah 1-4 and Matthew 12: 38-40 1. Strange things can happen on Easter Sunday [relevantmagazine.com]: 2. One year, a bunch of friends and I decided to go to a sunrise service at a super fancy church. This church looks like a European cathedral and we were all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Palm Sunday And Two Kings: Jesus And Solomon Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 29, 2021

By comparing and contrasting Jesus and Solomon, Jesus’ glory shines more brightly.

Palm Sunday and Two Kings: Jesus and Solomon (Matthew 21:1-11; Psalm 2:1-12) 1. It was Palm Sunday but because of a sore throat, 5 year old Sammy stayed home from church with a babysitter. When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm fronds. Sammy inquired as to what they were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 2:1-12, 1 Kings 4:21-34, Matthew 12:42, Psalm 118:22-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Prayer To Be Spared: Hezekiah In His Palace And Jesus In Gethsemane Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 22, 2021

God was especially gracious to Hezekiah, but, by offering only limited grace to Jesus, He opened a floodgate of grace for those who believe in Him.

The Prayer to Be Spared: Hezekiah in His Palace and Jesus in Gethsemane (2 Kings 20:1-11, Luke 22:39-46) 1. You can learn a lot about human nature by reading complaint blogs. One blogger wrote, “Today, I got pulled over for a traffic violation. Thinking I could get away with it, I spoke with a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1-11, Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Betrayers: Ahithophel And Judas Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 15, 2021

Although we wonder why God allows evil people to prevail, it is sometimes His plan to use such individuals to accomplish a greater purpose.

The Betrayers: Ahithophel and Judas (2 Samuel 11-17, passim, with John 12:4-6) 1. A family was watching a movie of the life of Jesus on television. Their six-year-old daughter was deeply moved as the film realistically portrayed Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Tears ran down the little girl’s face ...read more

Scripture: John 12:4-6, Matthew 26:47-56

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You’ve Been Grafted Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 8, 2021

Biblical Christianity and Biblical Judaism are joined at the hip, because they are founded upon God’s gifts and calling, which are irrevocable.

You’ve Been Grafted (Romans 11:13-32) 1. One frustration we sometimes experience in dealing with people is when they blame others for things that are really their own fault. 2. A woman met with a counselor and stated, "I want to divorce my husband." ?On what grounds?” asked the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:13-32, Zechariah 12:9-10, Zechariah 13:8-9, Zechariah 8:23, Jeremiah 31:35-36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Remnant Lives Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 24, 2021

The general purpose of Romans 9-11 is to explain Israel’s unbelief and the growing gentile population of the church; the great doctrines about God’s sovereignty are important, but the main point is this: God has temporarily set aside Israel to accommodate the church age.

The Remnant Lives Romans 10:13-11:12 1. It is not often that Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, so this means I am obligated to begin my sermon with a Valentine’s story, a true one. 2. “Every Valentine’s Day our campus newspaper has a section for student messages. Last year my roommate surprised ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Confident Lost Vs. The True Believer Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 8, 2021

One can be confident, zealous, and religious, but also be lost. It is only through repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that we can be saved.

The Confident Lost Vs. the True Believer (Romans 10:1-13) 1. One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so she can show Daddy when he gets home.” —James Avery, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Surprise Or A Plan? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 25, 2021

The church began as a Messianic Jewish movement, but became a trans-cultural Messianic movement. How can we explain this?

A Surprise or a Plan? (Romans 9:22-33) 1, I heard about a pastor after he would preach a man would say to him, “Pastor, that was a warm message today.” or the man would say, “Pastor, that was a warm sermon” or he would sometimes say, “I appreciate those warm words.” One day the preacher caught him ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:22-33, Acts 3:18-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Favoritism In High Places Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 18, 2021

God is at least fair with everyone, but has the prerogative to be especially gracious with those He has chosen.

Favoritism in High Places? (Romans 9:14-21) 1.Penicillin was invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928. What Happened: Halfway through an experiment with bacteria, Alexander Fleming up and went on vacation. Slob that he was, he left a dirty petri dish in the lab sink. Big Discovery: When he got ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:14-21, Exodus 19:16, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Has God’s Word Failed? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 11, 2021

If God’s Word failed regarding Israel, how do we know it will not fail regarding us? But God’s Word has not failed.

Has God’s Word Failed? (Romans 9:6-13) 1. Have you ever had a gift certificate or card they wouldn’t honor because it had expired? 2. Most restaurants no longer have expiration dates, because it creates bitter feelings – and people will ask for cards from other establishments instead. 3. But ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:6-13, John 1:12-13, Jeremiah 9:25-26, Genesis 25:21-26, Malachi 1:2-3, Psalm 115:3, Genesis 17:17-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Does God Know What He Is Doing? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 4, 2021

Simple logic cannot comprehend the depths of the soul – and our complex but sinful human heart. Nor can it fathom the sovereign plans of God.

Does God Know What He is Doing? (Romans 9:1-5) Introduction to Romans 9:1-11:36 In verse 1-6a, Paul answers the question, “If God is sovereign and works in hearts to create belief or hardens hearts, if He knows the future, and He has promised to exalt Israel, how do we account for Israel’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Defeating Covid Boredom In 2021

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 28, 2020

When you are bored, you have lost interest; the way to counter that is to develop interests. This means being proactive, intentionally planning ways to reduce boredom, but we want to do this from a Biblical worldview.

Defeating COVID Boredom in 2021 (topical) 1. Many people have not struggled much with boredom because they are social and involved in church, clubs, and community organizations. With the lockdown and long-term restrictions, however, things have changed. My friends in the ballroom dance club cannot ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:12, Matthew 25:30, Hebrews 1:9, Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible