In Sermons: showing 136-150 of 173

The Comeback - Christ's Suffering And Glory

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 8, 2012

We all love a comeback story. Today is Easter, or as I like to call it, Resurrection Sunday. The Resurrection story is about victory rising out of suffering and defeat. It is the story of the greatest comeback in human history!

I love a comeback story! Last week, Kim and I watched “War Horse.” It’s a Steven Spielberg film about a young English boy and his horse. The family is about to lose their farm because dad bought a horse for his son. The father bears a war injury and cannot tend the farm. He ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Respond To God's Blessings Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 5, 2012

After his victory in battle, Abraham's faith is tested to see if he will respond to blessing as well as adversity. This story asks us to evaluate how will we respond to God's blessings.

Genesis 14:17–24 "After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). " "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:17-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blossoms In The Dessert - The Victory That Only Faith Can Bring Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 5, 2012

Abraham and Lot. Two believers. One trusted God, and the other trusted in his own achievement, power and wisdom. The question for us as we examine their lives and story is simply this. Who do you trust?

As we come to Genesis 13, we find a chapter that gives us a powerful contrast between two very different people, Abram and Lot. While we are tempted to think that Lot was not a true believer, 2 Peter 2:7–8 tells us that he was indeed a believer, "And if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Suffering Servant

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 31, 2012

God’s greatest gift was given when Jesus suffered for your sin. His anguish on the cross is described in graphic detail in Isaiah 53.

Sermon Notes April 1, 2012 The Suffering Servant Isaiah 52:13-53:9 It was Christmas of 1990. Our family was growing and three young children filled our home with joy, and lots of chaos! As with every family, Christmas was one of the most memorable and special times of the year. This ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Are Abraham’s Children? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 25, 2012

Several groups claim to be descendants of Abraham. The Bible gives us an answer to this important question. As a result of this study, we will see that the story of Abraham is really a story that focuses on JESUS. We will learn that God’s promises can

Today’s passage brings us to a question that is at the heart of the Middle East conflict. It is also at the heart of one’s relationship with God. In Genesis 15, God repeats the covenant that he established with Abraham when he left Haran. Now God is emphasizing the fact that the promise given for ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:8-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are You Doing In Sodom? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 19, 2012

Sodom represents the allurment of the world. It proved deadly for Lot, and it will just as surely destroy our lives if we venture close to the world.

Our passage gives us a powerful lesson concerning worldliness. The key question from Genesis 14, “how close can you get to sin before it corrupts you?” The key verse, is Genesis 14:12. There we learn that while Lot first “pitched his tents near Sodom, now we read that Lot was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Faith Of Abraham And The Power Of God Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 5, 2012

Abraham trusted God late in his life, and believed that God would accomplish the impossible. For this reason, he is called the Father of the Faith for all who believe.

It is no coincidence today that we arrive in our study of Genesis at chapter 12 and the call of Abraham. We started our study in Genesis on January 9, 2011, exactly one year ago today. At that time, our Family Life Center was under construction, the steel being erected. We had no idea that one ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Prince Of Peace Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 31, 2011

Jesus, the Prince of Peace can bring peace to our troubled hearts.

World War One began just over 97 years ago. By the end of the war, 15 million would die, 20 million more wounded. It was the largest scale of casualties in human history. Just this year, the last combat veteran of what was called “The Great War” died. He was Claude Choules who ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Immanuel - God Is With Us Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 24, 2011

The name Immanuel means “God is with us.” It is one of the most precious and familiar names of the Savior. It brings comfort and hope and reminds us that God has not forsaken you. This sermon examines the historical setting behind this name.

The name Immanuel means “God is with us.” It is one of the most precious and familiar names of the Savior. It is a name that brings comfort and hope. It reminds us that God has not forsaken you. We might be surprised that this name for the Savior was an obscure reminder from ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Everlasting Father - The Promises Of Jesus For Now And Forever Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 18, 2011

In times of trouble, IS THERE a FUTURE? Can things ever be restored? The answer is found in knowing that Jesus promised us more than applies just to this life. The promises of Christ are both for NOW and FOREVER.

In times of trouble, IS THERE a FUTURE? Can things ever be restored? Two weeks ago, my wife’s cousin told about a tragedy that occurred in Lancaster County. Her friend, Marilyn Martin and her husband Mark have ten children. Their twin boys, Kyle and Jordan, along with their 9 year old sister ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mighty God- The Power Of Christ To Transform Your Life Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 11, 2011

"Mighty God" is the second descriptive title for Messiah found in Isaiah 9:6. It promises us that the coming deliverer would have the power to transform our lives.

Could things be different at Christmas this year? Could this be the year that we overcome our anger? Could this be the year that we learn to submit to the Lord? Could this be the year that we forgive? Could this be the year that we find our satisfaction in God, and not our possessions? We have ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 17:20-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Plan Of The Ages Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 9, 2011

The Lord used Daniel to lay out His future plan for governemt, leading to the culminating Kingdom reign of Messiah on earth. By studying Daniel 2 and 7, we can learn God's plan for planet earth.

there is Prophetic significance in the book of Daniel: The TIME ‒ Jews were in Babylon ‒ The WORLD is in view. ‒ Unlike other Prophets, Daniel had a distinctively INTERNATIONAL ministry ‒ Tremendous INTERNATIONAL upheaval. Babylon achieved many FIRSTS. Power struggle ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Supremely Wrong

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 9, 2011

Christian thought and biblical morality have an important historical and practical place in American society. This sermon examines the historical evicence that demonstrates America's strong religious foundation and calls Christians today to reclaim oru s

Religious intolerance is growing in our country. Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, an Americans for Separation of Church and State have brought lawsuit upon lawsuit against the placing of religious symbols on public property, against churches and clergy who speak out ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Our Wonderul Counselor Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 3, 2011

We find the name WONDERFUL COUNSELOR in Isaiah 9:6 given in the context of a troubled nation that was trusting in everyone else but God. This sermon will examine the life of Judah's king Ahaz as we are encouraged to trust the Lord in our circumstances.

Today, we begin a new sermon series for Christmas that we will call “A.K.A. JESUS.” This series title originated when I asked our pastors to think of a title for a series on the Names of the Savior. Pastor Frank, who worked in a prison for many years came up with the idea. “In ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When People Say We Don’t Need God

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 27, 2011

The TOWER of BABEL represents man’s effort without God. The Builders of Shinar failed in their attempt tried to reach heaven through human effort. We too will fail if we believe that spiritual enlightenment comes through human effort. The only way to k

The battle for our worship is a battle that draws our flesh and its desire to exert itself over God. The flesh demands that it be stroked, satisfied and honored. The inner part of our being cries out for independence. From our earliest days we desire to do things for ourselves. But we cannot ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational