In Sermons: showing 76-90 of 173

How To Know That Your Faith Is Real Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 20, 2014

James warns us against False Faith and Faithless Works.

Sermon Notes May 4, 2014 How to Know that Your Faith is Real James 2:14-26 There is a tremendous difference between something that is REAL and something that is FAKE. When our children were young one of their favorite gifts for their mom was a bottle of knock-off perfume. Perhaps you remember ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Reason To Believe

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 22, 2014

Is there sufficient evidence to believe that the gospel is true, and if there is, what will you do about it?

A Reason To Believe Acts 15:12-28 At the Wisconsin State Capital, the atheist group, Freedom from Religion put up a display featuring this sign: “Nobody died for our sins, Jesus is a myth.” This is just the latest in the now popular assaults against Christians. This organization ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Irreducible Gospel

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 15, 2014

What are the basic elements of the Gospel? What truths are required to be Proclaimed, Understood, and Believed in order to be saved?

The Irreducible Gospel (Thanks to David James from the Alliance for Biblical Integrity for his research on this subject and his Powerpoint backgrounds.) Professor Michael Bebe to illustrates the intricacies of Intelligent Design by demonstrating all of the simultaneous things that had to take ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Real Story Of Noah

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 5, 2014

The Darren Aronfsky film NOAH has created interest in the Bible. This sermon compares the story in the film with the biblical account and provides a way to discuss the film with friends.

I went to see Darren Aronofsky’s “NOAH” last Saturday Night. Kim was away at the ladies retreat and when the movie was over, she sent me a text. “Was it true to the Bible?” I replied, “well, they did spell NOAH right!” That my friends is about where the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Faith And Favoritism Cannot Co-Exist Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 24, 2014

We cannot keep the faith if we show partiality.

Mahatma Ghandi was touched by the gospel when he was young. He hoped that the gospel would free India from its Caste system. He went to a church in his neighborhood and was met at the door, dressed in his humble lower class clothes. He was met by ushers who told him that there were other ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How True Faith Helps Those In Need Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 17, 2014

James writes to these troubled believers and reveals the manner in which Believers should respond to the NEEDY

James 1:26–27 "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. " "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Obedience To The Word - Fuel For A Steadfast Faith Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 14, 2014

Your speech reveals whether your heart has been changed by the Word.

Your speech reveals whether your heart has been changed by the Word. James 1:19-26 Our Words to Others Reveal our Faithfulness to God The theme of “STEADFASTNESS” is still prevalent, even in this passage on the tongue. (1:25) James will address the tongue again in 3:1-12 He is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Are Your Passions? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 6, 2014

We can have victory because God is greater than the temptation that comes our way, God has determined that we will ultimately gain victory over sin, and He is FOR US in this current struggle.

Why do I sin? In a lovers dispute in Alaska, 28 year old Gordon Druck, was charged with misdemeanor assault and second-degree felony burglary for allegedly pushing his girlfriend to the ground and later breaking into the village school where she was hiding from him. He told troopers “I ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep The Faith When Seeking Wisdom Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 17, 2014

We All need God’s help and will receive it when we choose the path of Wisdom

How can you honor God when faced with important decisions? In the 1989 blockbuster, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” Jones is battling an evil Nazi scientist. Jones and the scientist are at the end of their quest and are in a room filled with chalices, one of which is supposedly ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep The Faith When Trials Come Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 17, 2014

These principles from James 1 will help us keep the faith when trials come.

Recently, Addie Zierman wrote an article on“Five Churchy Phrases that are Scaring Off Millenials.” This age group currently in their 20's objects to statements that appear insincere or dishonest. One of the statements that doesn’t pass the “sniff test” with them is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Can We Do About Abortion?

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 21, 2014

Christians respond to help the helpless because God rescued us. There is no one more helpless than a child whose mother has been told that the best thing that she can do is to have an abortion. What can we do to save those unborn children?

Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday. It has been 41 years since 1973 Since then, 57 million Abortions in the US It’s hard to talk about abortion and not get emotional. Our daughter and her husband are expecting a new baby. Their friends have a tiny newborn. We can’t imagine an unwanted ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep The Faith Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 11, 2014

The theme of James is more than patience through trials. James is exhorting us to stay FAITHFUL in the face of PERSECUTION. He is exhorting us to KEEP the FAITH.

There’s a familiar story about the new bride who is cooking a big family dinner. As the ladies are gathered in the kitchen, the bride puts the roast in the pan and asks her mother why we always cut the end of the roast and put it in another pan? They ask grandma who says, “well honey, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

James - Servant Of God Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 7, 2014

The way that JAMES introduces himself tells us that he possesses the character trait of HUMILITY. Today we want to learn about that character trait so that we can apply it to the way that we relate to others.

James, Servant of God James 1:1 How do you introduce yourself? The way you introduce yourself says a lot about you. SOME.... Tell you their life story. SOME.... Ask questions about the other person. SOME.... Wait to be introduced. Whether it is on a RESUME, or at a PARTY, or your FIRST DAY at a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas 1914- Peace In No-Man's Land Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 8, 2013

“Peace on earth” is a familiar Christmas greeting. However, it is as elusive today as it was 2,000 years ago. Did Christ then fail in his mission in coming to earth?

Today is the second message in our series, “Christmas Through the Ages.” Today, we travel back 99 years to 1914. I chose 1914 instead of 1913 because 1914 was a monumental year. APRIL 15, 1914 marked the sinking of the Titanic. In July and August the nations of Europe declared ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas - A Hijacked Holiday Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 3, 2013

CHRISTMAS has been hijacked in America. And unlike the latest Tim Allen movie, it’s not Santa who needs to be rescued. It’s the very meaning of Christmas itself.

This week, we begin a new series titled, "Christmas Through the Ages." Beginning with the current celebration of Christmas, we will travel back in time, looking at Christmas celebrations, until we arrive at the very first Christmas. Today we begin with Christmas 2013 - A Hijacked Holiday." What ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational