In Sermons: showing 76-90 of 332

Simple Steps For An Extraordinary New Year

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jan 6, 2023

Psalm 22 begins as a lament - a desperate plea to God from someone who knows how much he needs God. The terms are clear - without God there is no hope. With God there is always hope, and David gives us a map here, finding hope when challenges are all around us

_____________ To receive sermon notes in your email inbox, subscribe here: https://forsythesermons.substack.com/ To receive emails from John Dobbs on topics of faith, books, photography, and miscellany: https://johndobbs.substack.com/ To watch videos of sermons from Forsythe Church of Christ: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:22-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joseph's Jesus Story

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 16, 2022

The birth of Jesus Christ is multi-layered and filled with mystery. The details are scandalous and messy. The focus of Matthew’s account is on Joseph’s Jesus story.

Joseph’s Jesus Story Matthew 1:18-25 Introduction What is your picture of the perfect Christmas? Beautiful decorations, lovely family, delicious food, well-selected gifts, and children that know how to behave! How many of us really have a Christmas like that? In reality, Christmas - is not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Holidays Are Hard: Finding Peace When You Can't.

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 1, 2022

The holidays are often the happiest time of the year for many people.  It’s easy to forget that for many, the family gatherings, songs, and celebrations overlook the losses they have endured - and instead of being the happiest season of all, it becomes a hard time of year.

When The Holidays Are Hard: Finding Peace When You Can't Introduction The holidays are often the happiest time of the year for many people.  It’s easy to forget that for many, the family gatherings, songs, and celebrations overlook the losses they have endured - and instead of being ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19, Philippians 3:12-14, Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope When Uncertainty Rises

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 17, 2022

If you’ve ever let the wicked, hurtful, unspeakable things you witness in this world whittle away at your faith, you’re not alone. And Habakkuk is your book.

Hope When Uncertainty Rises Habakkuk Introduction If you’ve ever let the wicked, hurtful, unspeakable things you witness in this world whittle away at your faith, you’re not alone. And Habakkuk is your book. Habakkuk deals with some of the most basic elements of the struggle of faith. ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:20, Habakkuk 2:4, Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fear When Fear Deceives

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 10, 2022

Zach Williams has a popular Christian song entitled FEAR IS A LIAR. It’s a great song that identifies the lies that we believe about ourselves.

Faith When Fear Deceives    Isaiah 36, 37 Introduction 1. Zach Williams has a popular Christian song entitled FEAR IS A LIAR. It’s a great song that identifies the lies that we believe about ourselves. Beginning Lyrics: When he told you you're not good enough,  When ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Light When Hopelessness Reigns

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 3, 2022

I don’t think anyone can deny that there is a darkness in our world that can work to steal our hope and keep us discouraged.

Light When Hopelessness Reigns Micah Introduction I don’t think anyone can deny that there is a darkest in our world that can work to steal our hope and keep us discouraged. ”Corrie" ten Boom worked with her father, her sister, and other family members to help many Jewish people ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Willing Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Oct 28, 2022

Naaman is about to face an unexpected challenge to test his willingness to hear and do what God said.

Be Willing 2 Kings 5:1-15 Introduction In our series on Signposts for the Journey we have looked at some major Bible characters to learn that to follow God we must be Obedient, Courageous, Penitent, Wise - and today we conclude this series with a truth that brings them all together. Be ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Penitent Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Oct 13, 2022

So when we talk about being penitent, having a willingness to repent when we live against God’s law, we are talking about humility, sorrow, and turning away from sin.

Be Penitent 2 Samuel 11-12, Psalm 51 Introduction If there’s one thing that most people do not like to do, it is to admit a fault or a mistake. But that can be a spiritual disaster for the disciples of Jesus. We’ve been looking at signposts for the journey - reminders of the life we ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Courageous Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Oct 6, 2022

It takes courage to be a Christian in a post-Christian society in which we live.

Be Courageous Joshua Introduction This month our theme is SIGNPOSTS FOR THE JOURNEY. Last week we talked about the ten commands and the underlying truth that we need to BE OBEDIENT. Today we want to think about the journey we are on and how it calls for us to BE COURAGEOUS. Swindoll: ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Obedient Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 23, 2022

We need direction for our lives - left on our own we usually veer in the wrong direction.

BE OBEDIENT   Exodus 19, 20 Introduction Signs are important - they give us information we need to make decisions about which way to go. When signs go wrong, it can be surprising! -Please Satanise Your Hands Here! -The swimming pool was temporarily closed due to the David-19 ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Never Look Back Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 22, 2022

Recovery Month has been a series of messages encouraging us to break free from the addictions, habits, struggles in our life.

Never Look Back Exodus 14 Introduction Recovery Month has been a series of messages encouraging us to break free from the addictions, habits, struggles in our life by: -Build The Boat (Believe, Obey, Abide, Trust) -Hear the Call (leave behind some things, Come Home to God) -Run to God (Win, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Run To God Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 15, 2022

No one would think Joseph was a lucky guy. He was victimized, enslaved, harassed, accused, incarcerated - but he remained committed to God every step of the way - and that saw him through.

Run To God Genesis 39:1-23 Introduction We are observing Recovery month and have been looking at some Bible Heroes who got a lot of things right but also had some recovering to do when they didn’t. Noah taught us to Believe, Obey, Abide, Trust God. Abraham taught us to Hear God’s call to ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalm 19 The Three Books Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 14, 2022

Spurgeon wrote, “In his earliest days the Psalmist, while keeping his father’s flock, had devoted himself to the study of God’s two great books - nature and Scripture.”

THE THREE BOOKS Psalm 19 Introduction Read Psalm 19 / Song This Is My Father’s World Spurgeon wrote, “In his earliest days the Psalmist, while keeping his father’s flock, had devoted himself to the study of God’s two great books - nature and Scripture.” (via Faughn) Our Psalm for today ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalm 8 The Majesty Of God Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 14, 2022

Psalm 8 explores the theme of God’s majestic splendor and our puny insignificance by way of comparison.

The Majesty of God   Psalm 8 Introduction Mays: Psalm 8 is the first hymn of praise in the Psalter. It is unlike any other in structure and style. It is the only hymn in the OT composed completely as a direct address to God. Stafford Wright wrote, “This psalm could be killed by a ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Strong Roots In The Lord Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 14, 2022

Psalm 1 sets the tone for the entire Psalter.

Psalm 1 - Strong Roots in the Lord Introduction 1. Psalm 1 sets the tone for the entire Psalter. “It stands as a magnificent gateway to this extraordinary ancient collection of Hebrew religious verse…It is a text of which the remaining  psalms are essentially exposition.” (James Boice, via ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ