Sermons on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-19:

Our Encouraging God (Joshua 8:1-29) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 31, 2021

After the setback at Ai, God encourages Joshua, and nudges him back toward Himself, and the job at hand. God is good, and loving, and encouraging.

Many of us can read the exact same words in the Bible, and draw completely different understandings from it. Some of you, when you hear me say this, think I'm talking about how Christians argue over meaning and interpretation. But I'm actually talking about tone. Let's open to ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:1-29

Point People To Jesus (John 1:19-28) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 2, 2022

John the Baptist understands that Jesus is important, and he is not. His sole job, is to point people to Jesus.

Last week, in John 1:1-18, AJ (Author of John) started his gospel by focusing on 2 people, telling us who they are, and what they came to do. The first, and easily more important, is Jesus. Jesus is the Word become flesh. He is the preexistent one. He is Life. He is Light. He is God. To ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-28

David’s 911 Call For Help (1-2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 4, 2022

Psalm 35 is another of David’s imprecatory prayers. In it David appeals to a righteous God to send judgment upon the enemies of God, and the persecutors of His righteous people.

WHY DID DAVID PRAY SUCH A PRAYER? It is believed that since Old Testament characters did not have the benefit of the New Testament, they did not have a complete revelation of the judgment seat of Christ. Therefore they believe the wicked had to be judged and to be rewarded in this life for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Come And See Jesus (John 1:43-51) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 5, 2022

Nathaniel is open-minded enough to come see Jesus for himself, and overcomes his initial skepticism. This makes him the ideal Israelite. Also, Jesus is not a ladder. Angels come "to" Jesus, not "upon" him.

This week, starting in John 1:43, we find ourselves on day 4. Let's just start there: (43) On the next day, he (Jesus) wished to depart to Galilee, and he finds Philip, and Jesus says to him, "Follow me." Already in the gospel of John, we've seen a number of people take the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51, 2 Samuel 7:14-16, Genesis 28:10-17

God Is The Lion-Killer (Nahum 2:1-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 12, 2022

God tells Israel He is killing the lion (Assyria) before He does it, so the people understand that this is not a lucky fluke. This is God, revealing his power and love for them.

I'm not sure of the best way to describe our passage for today, Nahum 2. You could call it sarcastic, or mocking. You could call it a taunt. This chapter has the kind of bite you only find in people who have been badly hurt or offended by someone, and who anticipate getting to gloat over ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 2:1-13

Learning From The Passover (Exodus 12:1-28) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 12, 2022

The Passover is not "our" festival. But there are things about it, that we should learn and carry over to how we "observe" the Lord's supper.

This morning, we find ourselves in Exodus 12. Here, Pharaoh is about to finally, forever be popped like a tick. Every Egyptian firstborn, from human to cow, will be killed. After this, Yahweh will give his people freedom, and lead them toward the promised land. Now, Yahweh knows that we ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-28, 1 Corinthians 10:21, John 1:36, John 6:4, Philippians 3:19-20, John 6:43-59, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34  (view more)  (view less)

Make Them Pay! (Psalm 5:1-12) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 15, 2022

In prayer, we can tell God what we think He needs to hear. Not what we think He wants to hear.

Today, we get to work through Psalm 5. This will be a treat :) (5:1) Of/for the director. With flutes. A song of/for David. (2) I have said, "My words, hear, O Yahweh. Understand my sighing/groaning. When things are really bad in life, you lose your ability to form words. All that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-12, Romans 12:17-21, James 5:1-6, Revelation 6:9-11

And Then.... Number 1 (New Beginnings) Born Againn Series

Contributed by Joel Newman on Jan 21, 2022

It is because of advent, as spoken by the prophets that a journey can begin. A journey which is made up of grace.

And Then…. #1 New Beginnings A series regarding the journey to: “His Lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23 NKJV) Proposition: Either start the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:23, Isaiah 43:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Lessons From The Life Of Abraham (1of 5)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 27, 2022

Make no mistake about it; some folks lives are more exciting than others. But many live a less exciting life than others. In fact, some people call our age the “Boredom Boom!”

This boredom has driven some people: • To quit their jobs • To quit their marriages • To quit their churches • To turn to drugs and alcohol • To run away from home • To experiment with homosexuality When some people have been exposed to every kind of evil there is, they then ask, “IS THERE ANYTHING ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Wrong Way To Be Right - Philippians 3:1-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 27, 2022

The question of how to be a good person is one of the (few) essentials of Christianity. It begins with rejoicing.

Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, watch out for those men who do evil, watch out for the mutilation. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-10

The Privilege Of Proclaiming The Gospel (Ephesians 3:1-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 28, 2022

Paul catches himself, and talks about how God has blessed him, by giving him the job of telling people what Jesus has done for them, and for the world. Jesus is God's checkmate.

Over the past two weeks, in chapter 2, we've seen Paul very briefly explain what God has done for all people-- Jews and Gentiles-- through Jesus. God made one person, tearing down the wall separating Jew from Gentile, making it so everyone has peace with God and with each other through ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:8-9, Ephesians 3:1-13, Colossians 2:13-15

The Birth Of Praise And Worship (Exodus 15:1-21) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 29, 2022

When God rescues, our natural response is to praise. And here, that's exactly what happens.

Let's start today by rereading part of last week's story, at Exodus 14:15. At this point in the story, the Israelites are seemingly doomed. They're trapped between the Sea of Reeds, and the Egyptians. And Moses himself apparently cries out to God, asking God to do something: (15) ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-21

An Exposition Of 1 Peter, Part 14: Christianity And Slavery

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 29, 2022

How does a church consisting of people who have been freed in Christ deal with slavery?

Christianity and Slavery 1 Peter 2:18-20 Introduction In the last study, we discussed the obligation to submit to lawful secular authority at all levels from the king on down. The Church was not to rebel against this authority as all authority comes from God. We are to model good conduct in a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Israel’s Greatest General (1of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 1, 2022

In our text we read of Israel’s greatest general. His name is Joshua. In Joshua 23, Joshua had reached the golden years of his life.

Look at verse 1. We read, “...Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.” When we consider Joshua’s age, we need to consider TWO things. (1) Look at the phrase, “...stricken in age.” Today it seems many folks are fighting a battle with old age. Illus: One man in Missouri said, “It is rough ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is The Better Shepherd (John 10:1-21) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 10, 2022

John's readers who have chosen to hear Jesus, and follow him, and become part of his flock, have upgraded their shepherd. Jesus is a better shepherd than the Pharisees.

Let's start today by simply reading John 10:1: (1) Truly, truly, I say to you, the one not entering through the gate/door into the inner courtyard of the sheep, but going up from some other place-- that one, a thief, he is, and a robber. When we read this, we should notice something, ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-21, John 9:24-41