In Sermons:

Break Free From The Past

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 29, 2022

Paul explains true Christian behavior. The old nature is dead. We are to accept Jesus as our Savior and put on the new nature. When we let Christ in our hearts, He changes us into what we should be.

Look Up: In verses 1-4: “For ye are dead.” Simply put, we died. We should have little desire for this world and what it has to offer. Our old nature has been removed. We that have been born again are dead to sin; its dominion has been broken. Our real home is in Heaven with Jesus. -- John ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Rose Of Sharon

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 29, 2022

Song of Solomon is about a man and a woman, their love, courtship, and marriage. It is an allegory of God's love for Israel and/or the church. Here we look at the "I am" of 2:1-2.

This is a story that tells another story. The bridegroom (Christ) comparing Himself to a common flower in Israel. Why? The Lord compares Himself to other objects: The Bread of Life John 6:35, And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Being Obedient

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 28, 2022

What is meant by having joy in serving? We are to be humble like Christ.

This passage is comparative to Isaiah 53, the prophecy of the suffering servant. There are several characteristics of Christ that are brough about in this passage of scripture: 1. He has consistently existed with God. 2. He is equivalent to God since He is God. (John 1: I, Colossians ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Is Having A Purpose Without Power?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 28, 2022

What does it mean to have a purpose without power? Are we talking about having power or having a purpose?

What does it mean to have a purpose without power? Are we talking about having power or having a purpose? Or is there power in purpose? Sounds a bit confusing, does it not? There is an old story from roughly over 20 years ago about an elementary teacher. I do not know who the author is, so let me ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fruit And Flesh

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 27, 2022

Are we living by the Holy Spirit's power, or are we living by the control of the flesh?

We all have sinful desires (flesh), but in order to follow the Holy Spirit, we must deal with these issues. We cannot ignore them. The spontaneous works of the Holy Spirit is fruit. We cannot get them unless we allow Christ to work in us through the Holy Spirit. In verses 16-18: Paul depicts the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

If You Fall Then Get Up

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 27, 2022

What is a person to do when they fall down? Does he or she stay down, or does the person get back up?

The genuine soul falls as an explorer may do, by faltering at some stone in his way; however, he gets up, and goes on his way with more consideration and speed. The writer might be utilizing “falls” not in the feeling of falling into transgression, yet in the feeling of being overpowered by ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Purpose Behind The Problem

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 26, 2022

Our troubles should not lessen our faith. There is a purpose for the suffering. We should our troubles as opportunities to let the Lord's light shine through us.

Key verse (17) What good comes out of trials? This is the second letter from Paul to the believers in Corinth to defend his position as an apostle and to denounce false teachers who twisted the truth. • Paul reminds us that although struggles come, do not give up hope. • Our bodies are subject ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Suffering For The Sake Of Righteousness

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 26, 2022

The purpose of Job is to give a demonstration of the sovereignty of God and the value of true faith.

Undoubtedly, everybody has heard about Job at some point in time. The book was written to discuss the age-old question, “Why do the righteous always seem to suffer?” Introduction to the book of Job: • It is one of the five books of poetry: 1. Job 2. Psalms 3. Proverbs 4. Ecclesiastes 5. Song of ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:7-8, Job 2:2-3, Job 38:1, Job 39:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Lamb For Man

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 25, 2022

Christ is the perfect sacrifice for our sin. He is our Passover. We should not have anything to do with any past sins (“old leaven”) because He has freed us from the shackles of sin.

Because they did not have time to wait for the bread to rise, the Hebrews were instructed to make bread without yeast (“unleavened bread”) as they prepared for their exodus from slavery in Egypt. They were told to remove all yeast from the house because it was also a symbol of sin. (Exodus 12:15, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The King Chooses A Queen

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 25, 2022

Esther is an illustration of God's care and direction for our lives. In order to effectively serve God, we must have faith that God is in control, working through both good and bad times, despite the fact that we may question certain aspects of our lives.

Have you been chosen? Esther is an illustration of God's care and direction for our lives. In order to effectively serve God, we must have faith that God is in control, working through both good and bad times, despite the fact that we may question certain aspects of our lives. Persian rulers ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Prayer And Preaching Reaches The World

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 24, 2022

More prayer & preaching is what will reach the world, no matter how many programs the church has to offer. This passage of scripture tells us a lot about prayer and how we, as individuals and as a church, should be doing daily.

More prayer & preaching is what will reach the world, no matter how many programs the church has to offer. This passage of scripture tells us a lot about prayer and how we, as individuals and as a church, should be doing daily. • No doubt the early church prayed for days, preached a few ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Problem That Did Not Prosper

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 24, 2022

We do not need to let our fears control us. By doing so we make our fears come in front of God. We need to recognize that God is stronger than our fears and when He has called us to do something, He will help us in doing that task.

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king of Persia, Artaxerxes. He was a man of God and was a trusted advisor to the king. Many decades prior, Zerubbabel was able to get the Jerusalem Temple rebuilt. Some years later, Ezra had returned to Jerusalem to help with the spiritual needs of the people. Now ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Without God

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 23, 2022

God was and is. How do you explain to someone that without God there is nothing? What did God do? What has He done?

How do you explain to someone that without God there is nothing? What did God do? What has He done? God was and is: • John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In Hebrew Scripture, the Word was a specialist of creation (Psalm 33:6), the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Prepared Heart Leads To Honored Praise

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 23, 2022

Ezra gave thanks to God for everything He had done for him and through him.

Ezra was one of three key leaders during the return of the Jewish nation from Babylonian captivity. Zerubbabel was the first to encourage rebuilding of the Temple. Nehemiah was involved with rebuilding of the walls. Ezra was key to restoring the people to worship God. Chapters 1-6 describe the ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:6-10, Ezra 7:27-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Resurrection Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 20, 2022

Paul defended the resurrection of the body with two illustrations from nature and creation and used two contrasts of the old and new body, and the first and last Adam to make his point.

1 Cor 15:35-49 The Resurrection Life Do you believe in the resurrection? Do you believe in the resurrection of the dead? • Do you believe that there will be a bodily resurrection and not some kind of spiritual existence with us floating around as spirits? • Or for the non-Christians, believing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Denomination: Independent/Bible