In Sermons: showing 106-120 of 173

Which Jesus?

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 28, 2013

The burial of Christ confronts us with the clear reality of his death and resurrection. The burial of Christ ensures that we accept the historicity of his death and resurrection.

The gospel is summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. The Apostle Paul writes, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Blessings Of A Selfless Saint

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 14, 2013

Do your fellow saints know you for your kindness? Today we will study a friend that was remembered by the Apostle Paul as a great encourager and examine the characteristics that enable us to bless one another.

There was a time in our lives when our daughter was hospitalized for extended periods of time. We learned how friends can provide much needed encouragement during such times. One such friend was Dan Bubar. At the time, Dan was single and considering serving the Lord as a missionary to Hungary. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrestling With God Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 2, 2013

Here, God empties Jacob of his NATURAL effort and teaches Jacob to trust Him completely.

What images come to mind when I mention the word wrestling? For some, it is an image of a High school wrestling match. Others happily envision Dad wrestling with his son. And a few of us think of the theater of “professional wrestling” with Iron Rings of death and tag team death ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hard Way - Why God Uses Diffictul People In Our Lives Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 2, 2013

Today we want to remember that GOD uses difficult people to build our character, to make us stronger. Such people reveal hidden faults and deepen our trust in God

Charles R. Swindoll provides the following story which he calls “Tension in the Tank.” "In the northeastern United States, codfish are not only delectable, they are a big commercial business. There's a market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections farthest removed from the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Avoid Destructive Conflict Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 27, 2013

The story of Rachel and Leah's fight over mandrakes can teach us an important lesson about avoiding conflict!

My wife asked me “What is your sermon on?” I told her “Rachel and Leah and their argument over Mandrakes” Her response was “Well, How does that apply to my life?” That's a good question, but I can assure you that the story of Rachel and Leah's fight over ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 30:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Work Matters To God Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 27, 2013

God provides for us and demonstrates his love by blessing our labor.

(Title borrowed from the title of an excellent book by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks) Do you love going to work? According to a Forbes Magazine article, “Finding Your Dream Job” Joel Garfinkle, founder of Dream Job Coaching in Oakland, Calif says that “87% of workers are unhappy with their ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27-30, Genesis 30:25-43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Compassion For The Broken Hearted Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 12, 2013

Even though we sin, God is compassionate and blesses those who call on His name.

Our text today is a story within a story. We are studying Genesis 29-30, the story of the expansion of God’s promise through the descendants of Jacob. The STORY is the life of Jacob. But the story within the story is about dramatic way in which Jacob’s sons are born. The bookmarks ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What To Pray For This Year

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 6, 2013

Paul’s prayer for the Colossians teaches us how to pray for ourselves and others this year.

“What To Pray For This Year” Colossians 1:9-14 Today is the first Sunday of a New Year! Perhaps you made a New Years resolution. Many of us do. Here is some interesting information about New Years resolutions from thee University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology, (Published: ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14, Philippians 3:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Simeon’s Song - What Do You See In Jesus? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 29, 2012

Simeon spent his life looking for the Messiah. He teaches us that those who seek the Lord will find him.

You will always find what you are looking for. Your parents probably told you when you were young, “if you go looking for trouble, it will be sure to find you.” The principle at work is a spiritual one, “your actions will be directed toward the thing you desire most.” I know a lady loves ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Zechariah's Praise - God Has Come! Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 16, 2012

Zechariah's praise reaches reminds us that God has provided an answer to the sorrows and evil that is in this world today. The answer is found in the reality that GOD HAS COME to us in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Where is God when tragedy strikes? On Thursday we learned of another devastating tragedy in one of our nation’s schools. Another massacre of innocent children by a crazed murderer - this time in Newtown Connecticut. Where is God when 20 children and 6 teachers are gunned down in an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68-79

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mary's Song Of Praise Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 13, 2012

Mary rejoices because of God’s power to change the unchangeable.

Today we continue our series in the Songs of Christmas. Today’s song is the most famous of the five songs recorded in Scripture at announcement of Christ’s birth. The song is Mary’s Song, often called the Magnificat, the Latin word that begins Mary’s praise. A song can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Elizabeth's Song Of Praise Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 2, 2012

Elizabeth's song of praise teaches us that we can praise God for the blessings that he gives us in discouraging times in our lives.

One of the Christmas memories that our family enjoyed while our children were growing in Michigan as to take a night time dive looking at Christmas lights. Our friends Dave and Sue were a young married couple who did not yet have children and they would pile into our blue Chrysler min-van and tour ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:35-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making A New Man Out Of Jacob Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 25, 2012

Jacob's trials in Haran teach us the Lord sends trials into our lives to test our commitment and to refine us to me more like Jesus.

I have had the privilege to disciple many new believers. I’ve seen and heard many testimonies of new believers, some were private and some were public at times such as baptisms and public testimony. The ones that concern me the most, the ones that I fear will not make it in their walk with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:15-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From A Thankful Leper

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 18, 2012

The lesson of thankfulness is taught to us by the Savior in the healing of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19

I started my preparation for a today’s Thanksgiving Sermon a couple of weeks ago. In looking for sermon ideas, I read a sermon by Ray Pritchard written in 2007 titled, “How God Revealed the Ingratitude of My Own Heart.” He wrote this sermon about one year after leaving the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Should We Do When Disaster Strikes? A Righteous Response To Disasters

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 3, 2012

Hurricane Sandy did not affect us, but it devestated millions of others. How should we respond? What should we think? What should we do? Jesus answers these questions from Luke 13:1-5

Here in South Jersey, we rode Hurricane Sandy Monday and Tuesday,. W were thankful that very few in our area were affected. Phone calls and visits on Tuesday revealed that this time, we did not have the damage and devastation like we did during July’s devestating dorecho storm that knocked out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-8, Romans 8:28-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational