In Sermons: showing 106-120 of 965

If We Are To Be Forgiving, Does This Mean We Shouldn’t Prosecute Criminals? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 29, 2020

Are Christians free to prosecute lawbreakers?

If We Are to Be Forgiving, Does This Mean We Shouldn’t Prosecute Criminals? (topical) 1. “A man, convinced of a crime, was in court. The judge said 'Why did the police arrest you?' The man replied 'For shopping too early.' The judge said 'Well that's not a crime, how early ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7, Genesis 9:5-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ignorance, Hurt, And Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 16, 2020

Today we will look at the difference between willful sin, sinning in ignorance, and the feelings that hurt creates -- and how this all relates to forgiveness.

Ignorance, Hurt, and Forgiveness (topical) 1. A man given to day-dreaming was driving down the freeway a cell phone call came in through his blue tooth audio system. He heard his wife's voice urgently warning him, "Herman, I just heard on the news that there's a car going the wrong ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 15:27-31, Psalm 19:12-13, 1 Corinthians 5:9-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Forgiving, Trusting, Forgetting Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 9, 2020

What is the relationship between forgiving and trusting? Forgiving and forgetting? What should be our primary motive in forgiving?

Forgiving, Trusting, Forgetting 1. Once upon a time in their marriage, Saul Rosenberg did something really stupid. Ethel Rosenberg chewed him out for it. He apologized, they made up. However, from time to time, Ethel would mention what he had done. "Honey," Saul finally said one day, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-9, Acts 15:36-41, 2 Timothy 4:11, Jeremiah 31:34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Letting Go Specifics Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 2, 2020

Letting go is an informal process, not a science; nonetheless, it is helpful to grasp two concepts about this matter.

Letting Go Specifics 1. Two weeks ago, I tried to prove to you that the Bible teaches forgiveness is conditional, requiring repentance on the offender’s part. We forgive as God forgives. 2. We saw that forgiveness is a continuum. In some cases, forgiveness in the fullest sense – relating as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27, Psalm 39:1-3, Psalm 6:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When No Apology Is Forthcoming: What Do You Do? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 24, 2020

Today we are going to consider what we should do when an offender won’t own his sin and ask forgiveness.

Note: In my 30-35 minutes allottted to preach, I only covered points I and II; I will take point III and make a separate sermon out of it (should be next in order). Audio available on sermon.net. This sermon is better understood in light of part one in this series, "Forgiveness ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:18-21, James 3:2, 1 Peter 4:8, Leviticus 19:17-18, Revelation 6:9-11, Galatians 6:1, Luke 6:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Forgiveness Is Conditional: Basics Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 17, 2020

Forgiveness is conditional and part of a continuum.

Forgiveness Basics (Luke 17:3-4) 1. Twenty years ago, Rwanda experienced a horrible genocide as one tribal group attacked and massacred another over tribal rivalry. Here is one story of forgiveness from that horrid era. “He killed my father and three brothers. He did these killings with other ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:3-4, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:21-22, 1 John 1:8-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Joseph’s Spiritual Promotion Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 4, 2020

Joseph had been promoted politically to the highest position in the Egyptian government, but his father would promote him to a higher position spiritually – in God’s nation, Israel.

Joseph’s Spiritual Promotion (46:1-50:26, esp. 48:1-20) 1. Sometimes promotions are not measurements of success. 2. The boss called one of his employees into the office. "Rob," he said, "you've been with the company for a year. You started off in the mail room, one week later ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 48:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lunch With Joseph Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 27, 2020

It is a lot easier to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply when you are convinced that they have pondered the gravity of their wrong-doing.

Lunch with Joseph (Genesis 43:1-45:28) 1. “When I was a kid, my dad and I were driving somewhere on a nice, sunny afternoon…. My window was rolled down. The town we live in isn’t known to be a destination for celebs of any kind. We pull up to a light; we’re the second car from the front. A ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Long Path Toward Reconciliation Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 21, 2020

Sometimes forgiveness and restoration can be a long, strenuous process. The damage from deep wrongs cannot be instantly repaired.

The Long Path Toward Reconciliation (Genesis 42:1-38) 1. We try to communicate to women who have had abortions is that “God heals & forgives.” 2. When it comes to restoring our relationship with God, repentance and confession are the direction in which we should head. 3. But how about our ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:1-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Christmas Of Contrasts Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 23, 2019

As we consider the first Christmas season, we are struck with contrasts that illustrate how God works in His providence and among people.

A Christmas of Contrasts (Luke 2:7, 16-19; Matthew 2:1-10) 1. What Christmas memories do you have? “When I was 9 years old, I ran into my mom and dad’s room to wake them up to open presents. I tripped over a rug while I was running and smashed my teeth against my parent's bedpost. Blood was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:7, Luke 2:16-19, Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Yeshua Yeshuah Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 16, 2019

The angel’s announcement was, in a sense, a compacted version of the Gospel message, containing some crucial TRUTHS.

Yeshua Yeshuah (Matthew 1:21) 1. Marylu and I had discussed what we would name our children.... (elaborate) 2. Names are very important to us, because we carry them throughout our lives. And statistics show that people who have weird names are more likely to be criminals. 3. In the Bible, people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Life Begins At Thirty Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 9, 2019

We bring whoever we are with us wherever we go, for better or worse.

Life Begins at Thirty (Genesis 41) 1. What is the best age to enjoy life? Age 0-20 - You have lots of time, good health but no money, so it can be difficult to enjoy life to fullest as you definitely need money to enjoy. Age 20-65- You might have some money, but you don’t have time to enjoy ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Forgotten Dreams Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 2, 2019

God’s providence often involves God bringing people into our lives to test us, to bless us, or to develop us.

Forgotten Dreams (Genesis 40:1-23) 1. After she woke up, a woman told her husband, “I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for our anniversary. What do you think it means?” “You’ll know tonight.” he said. That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 40:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Forget Not All His Benefits

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 25, 2019

Neglecting to regularly thank God is a sin, but thanking Him frequently blesses His Name and blesses our walk with Him.

Forget Not All His Benefits Psalm 103:1-5, 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 1. Most of us are looking forward to an amazing Thanksgiving dinner – a small version of what we had at church last Wednesday night. 2. But what if you burn the bird? There is a positive way of looking at it: • Salmonella ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:24-26, Psalm 103:1-5, Deuteronomy 8:11-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Search

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2019

Though every situation is different, God wants the lost to be found; your burden is not yours alone. This message is to encourage those of us burdened for lost or straying family and dear friends.

The Search (Luke 15:1-10; Psalm 139:7-12) 1. C Ryle writes this: We may use all means, by but we cannot command success. We may teach, but we cannot convert. We may show those around us the bread and water of life, but we cannot make them eat and drink it. We may point out the way to eternal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 139:7-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible