Sermons on 139 Acres Noahs Ark Religious Retreat Structure Officiated 23 Weddings:

Rapture Ready--Living With Authentic Faith Matthew 23 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Sep 14, 2025

To be rapture ready, we must move from empty religion to authentic relationship with CHRIST. JESUS condemns hypocrisy and calls us to authentic faith expressed in humility, obedience, and servant leadership. Outward show can’t replace inward surrender. Be watchful. Be faithful. Be ready.

2025.09.14 Sermon. RAPTURE READY_LIVING WITH AUTHENTIC FAITH_WOE TO HYPOCRISY, YES TO HUMILITY Matthew 23 William Akehurst, HSWC Scripture Readings Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 3:1-3, 2 Peter 3:9, John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 23:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Matthew 23:39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Have To Change Your Mind Before He Changes Your Position

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Jan 7, 2014

Samuel is in distress because the cry of the people and needs to strike while the iron is hot. It is revealed that he had one thing in mind to do for Israel and that was to attempt to separate them from their Idols, that their reformation could begin.

You Have to Change Your Mind before He Changes Your Position 1 Samuel 7:1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pentecost 2018

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 25, 2018

Saints we are seeing an ever growing shift in spiritual focus in our world, one that is off the Church and on to Jerusalem. In the eyes of the world “The Church” is becoming less relevant and Jerusalem is becoming more and more relevant.

Pentecost 2018 Acts 2:1-8 Get Fired UP! As I share and review the glorious news of Pentecost today I must also prepare you the Church for the glorious end of “The Church Age” which we see all around us. Time as we know it is near an end for the "Church Age". We “The Church” marvel at this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-8, Revelation 19:6-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Army Of Light In Retreat: What Went Wrong? Where Do We Go From Here?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

I sense timidity, exhaustion. Why do you look so tired? Why do you look so stretched? You appear as one who lacks hope.

I sense timidity, exhaustion. Why do you look so tired? Why do you look so stretched? You appear as one who lacks hope. Have you no hope? Have you lost it somewhere? Has hope run off and hid itself? Is it running from you, just out of reach? Many walk in a trance, rigid, furled brows, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12, Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Salvation Army

“i Do”

Contributed by David Roth on Jan 13, 2015

Proper 23 (A), 18th Sunday after Pentecost. We enter into the wedding feast of the Lamb when we believe His word of promise and come in faith, to praise and honor Him. Those who did not enter were centered on themselves instead of Christ.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “I Do” “I do.” Two small little words with big impact. While they can be used on many occasions, we immediately associate them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Good Friday Innocence Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 18, 2025

This message looks at how official misconduct was at the root of Jesus' arrest, trial and conviction.

The Innocence Project was formed in the United States in 1992 in order to bring justice to those who had been wrongfully convicted. Since then, they are now represented by 70 independent chapters in 50 states and 12 countries. Their goal is to provide investigative support, legal representation, ...read more

Scripture: John 18:2-3, Mark 11:15-17, John 18:28

Denomination: Wesleyan

4 Play: Four Key Plays To A Winning Marriage Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Nov 6, 2001

This is the outline I adapted from Jack Allen’s book of the same title and used at a marriage retreat.

Session One: Introduction & First Down Introduction: Some marriages start out with a big play. A. What are "Big Plays?" a. $40,000 wedding, new homes, new cars, birth a kid, vacations, graduations, financial success. b. Although they have a big play....many of those marriages will fail. (Big ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-25

Denomination: Baptist

Sincere Faith: An Exposition Of Matthew 23:1-12

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Oct 24, 2020

It is all too easy to play the hypocrite. Sermon for Proper 26, After Pentecost, Year A

Sincere Faith: An Exposition of Matthew 23:1-12 Everyone wants to feel important. People want to display their titles and achievements. Everyone wants to have a lot of followers on social media. People want to become influencers. Not only does it bring prestige, but it can also be quite ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

New Year Necessities

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 5, 2004

Some new year necessities.

INTRO.- ILL.- "The Fabulous Life of: Arnold Schwarzenegger.” Here it is: * He smokes $4,000 cigars but that’s not all. * Arnold is worth up to an estimated $800 million. His holdings in private companies like Microsoft and Starbuck’s are valued at over $20 million. * Even his shoes are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pursue Your Destiny Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 19, 2018

By faith pursue salvation and the city of God like Noah and Abraham did.

Who needs a parachute when you’re jumping from a plane at 25,000 feet above the ground? Apparently, not Luke Aikens. He did it two years ago on August 1, 2016. Take a look! (Show Video: Skydiver Plunges 25,000 Feet with No Parachute; www.youtube.com/watch?v=-67NC9F-_NU) Luke Aikins plummeted from ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:7-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Act Two: The Older Son Series

Contributed by David Rumley on Oct 28, 2009

A man had two sons... Luke 15 tells us the powerful parable of being lost and finding the extravagance grace of God! The problem, the older son is just as lost as the younger one, but doesn’t know it.

The Prodigal God Act Two: The Older Son Inspired by and parts based on Tim Kellers book “The Prodigal God” Luke 15: 25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ’Your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Pentecostal

Putting On The Complete Armor Of God

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jan 27, 2016

THE N EED OF A CHRISTIAN IS TO DAILY PUT ON THE FULL AND COMPLETE ARMOR OF GOD IF WE ARE TO BE AN OVERCOMER.

PUTTING ON THE COMPLETE ARMOR OF GOD EPH 6:10-17 -10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. -11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. -12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

I Will Not Run, And I Will Not Lose (Psalm 11:1-7) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 11, 2022

A psalm/prayer for when running from trouble, is the wrong thing to do. The psalmist, instead, has run to God. He will stand firm, and God will give him victory.

Imagine that you live in a society that's collapsing. The "foundations" of society are falling apart. When you hear the news, it's nothing, except talk about violence, and crime, and drugs. You look around at your city, or your nation, and you know that the end is near. Maybe ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-7, 1 Kings 19:1-10, 1 Corinthians 5:11, Revelation 3:1-6

Turn Your Face To The Wall Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 17, 2025

Hezekiah’s story is a clear testimony that prayer can overturn prophecy, that divine judgment can be interrupted by sincere intercession. It also reminds us that God is not a tyrant looking to destroy lives—He listens when the righteous cry out.

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE WALL By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Kings 20:1-11 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 38:1-5; Psalm 102:17; James 5:16-18; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 34:15 INTRODUCTION: This powerful narrative focuses on King Hezekiah, a righteous man confronted with a terminal prophecy: “Set ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Last Trumpet Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 27, 2011

The last trumpet signals the beginning of the judgment of the world, the flip side of the redemption purchased on the cross.

Trumpets grab your attention, don’t they. When we can talk Elaine into warming up her lips and accompanying the choir on her trumpet, you can practically feel the temperature rise here in the sanctuary. And the suspense has been mounting steadily since the first seal was opened. The ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:15-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed