Sermons on 21st Century Context:

Stephen's Sermon Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 21, 2022

Stephen is called a man full of God’s grace and power, and he performed great wonders and signs among the people. It was this context that opposition arose and Stephen was at the center of the opposition.

Context of Stephens sermon Acts Chapter 6 The context and background of Stephen’s message is found in Acts chapter 6. We are introduced to Stephen in Acts 6 who is chosen among the seven. The first mention is Stephen that he was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. After the choosing of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth About Judging Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 31, 2023

we are going to examine the text in the context of Jesus’ sermon and then apply it to our lives today. It is not up to the text to agree with you, but rather it is up to you to come to agreement with the text.

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org If there is one verse in the Bible that everyone will know, regardless of their faith, it is Matthew 7:1: “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.” So, it is common that most people will take one of two ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Brethren

Where’s The Love? Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 7, 2024

The message examines love as the motive for what we do. The context of the Love Chapter is the operation of the gifts of the Spirit (listed in 1 Corinthians 12 and regulated in 1 Corinthians 14).

Intro Our text today is found in 1 Corinthians 13. After addressing the nine gifts of the Spirit in the first part of 1 Cor. 12, Paul introduced an analogy of the human body to teach these believers the importance of valuing and caring for one another. On the one hand, these Corinthians are doing a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Galatians 6:10, James 2:1-20, 1 Peter 2:20, 1 John 4:1-21, Jeremiah 45:5, 1 Peter 4:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Revival Follows Persecution

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 23, 2014

For centuries, Christians have been hated and viciously opposed in many nations. But persecution has not destroyed Christianity. Even under the direst circumstances, it has not only survived but thrived and revived the church.

Opening illustration: Did you know that if one of the arms of a starfish is severed, a new one will grow in its place? In fact, if a starfish is cut up, any piece that contains a part of the central disc will develop into a new starfish. Some oyster fishermen found that out, much to their dismay, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Virus Of Doubt Series

Contributed by Lee Strobel on Sep 26, 2004

There’s a SPIRITUAL VIRUS that has been going around Christian circles for centuries, and it’s CALLED DOUBT. And if you haven’t caught it yet, you probably will.

The Virus of Doubt Do you remember a few months ago when the flu was going around? This was an epidemic that hit just about everyone. Well, there’s a SPIRITUAL VIRUS that has been going around Christian circles for centuries, and it’s CALLED DOUBT. And if you haven’t caught it yet, you probably ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:19-35

Denomination: *other

The Church Of The New Testament - Part 7b Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 19, 2018

Part 7B under Functions in the New Testament church deals with those functions that Paul styles as first, second, and third; that is, apostles, prophets, and teachers. What are their functions, and were they only for the earliest Christians, or all ages?

This 13-part series of classes has been many years in the making. About 25 years ago I began in earnest to examine the features, character and characteristics of the church as it existed in its earliest years. As I sometimes do, I kept my notes all along the way, and this series of classes is to a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:24-25, Acts 18:24-26, Matthew 7:28-29, Galatians 1:15-17, 1 Corinthians 11:4-5, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, Ephesians 3:4-5, Hebrews 1:1-2, Ephesians 3:1-7, Acts 21:10-11, Galatians 1:11-12, 1 Corinthians 14:26-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Biblical Finger Wagging Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Sep 6, 2014

How do we deal with anger, sin and disagreement in our communities? Does Matt 18:15-17 inspire us to deep dastedely discipline or do we need to read it in the context of the rest of Matthew 18?

How do we handle Sin? Anger? Conflict? Disagreement? Human beings are not very good at dealing with these things. “She’s not my friend any more” “She said this” “he did that” It happens at school, and we adults keep doing it. According to some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:10-34

Denomination: Anglican

Evangelism According To Zechariah Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 26, 2022

What is needed for effective evangelism? In this exposition of Zechariah 8:14-23, we are given abiding principles for reaching the lost. Message interprets the passage in its historical context, then discusses the application for today.

Intro Our text today begins in Zechariah 8:14. There are ten oracles in this chapter. Last week we examined oracle #6 in verses 9-13. There God encouraged His people to take heart. During their 16 years of disobedience, times were hard for them. But under Haggai’s and Zechariah’s preaching, they ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:14-23, Romans 8:30-31, Psalm 23:4, Romans 6:1-2, Hebrews 1:9, Psalm 119:71, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Isaiah 2:1-4, Exodus 19:5-6, Romans 10:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Rapture Theory Debunked

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 23, 2014

The Rapture Theory has been adopted by many Christians as being sound doctrine. In this study, we examine the subject by noting that this subject was created by taking texts out of context and ignoring plain statements of Scripture.

The Rapture Theory claims, in short, that the Lord will come secretly to resurrect only faithful Christians before the coming of the “Great Tribulation” on the Earth. After the seven years of Tribulation on the Earth, all people will be resurrected and brought before the Judgment Seat ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Making Connections Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 13, 2009

For some, Paul’s greetings at the end of Romans might seem boring and not relevant. To the contrary, Paul’s connections with other believers offers us a rich tapestry of life and service in the 1st century church.

Paul’s letter to the Romans was not merely a theological treatise on God’s plan to rescue mankind from evil. He wrote it to people he had (mostly) never met, in a city where he had never been. The purpose of his letter was that of introduction. “Hi, I’m Paul, and this is what I believe.” In ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-27

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Why House Church?

Contributed by B. D. B Moses on Sep 1, 2005

Priscilla and Aquila are not unknown figures in the NT. They are heroes of the first century church. Their house church was not a substandard church, but a church that was everything that God intended in the New Testament church.

Scripture Romans 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Why am I talking about house churches? Because I think all believers should start churches that meet in homes. You may ask if I understand who are the people that I am talking to. We are nursing students and medical staff you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:5

Denomination: Baptist

"Sentence With No Appeal" Pt 1 By Dr. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Jul 13, 2004

Satan has persuaded mankind for centuries that there is no future punishment, no final accounting before God. That lie can now be fully exposed. Let’s examine it together!

Introduction Satan has persuaded mankind for centuries that there will be no final accounting before God. i.e. There will be no future punishment for anyone. Today we have an answer for this, "It’s a lie and don’t believe it!" He would have everyone to believe and it’s to his advantage, that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:11

Denomination: Baptist

Phoebe: An Example For Our Time

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jun 4, 2004

Phoebe offers us a first-century example of what a Christian should be. Paul uses three key words to describe her: Sister,Servant, and Saint!

Phoebe: An Example For Our Time by Scott R. Bayles, preacher Church of Christ ------------------------------------------------------ Scripture Reading: John 13:12-15 It’s amazing today how many church growth schemes people have come up with. The Willow Creek Model, the Purpose Driven Church, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-2

Denomination: Christian Church

So Who Is Jesus?

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Sep 16, 2006

The 2000 year old question that has puzzled the man in the street as well as theologians over the centuries is this: Who is Jesus. I like Peter’s reply!

Sermon: Mk 8:27-38 IC 17-09-06 Jesus has been the subject of much controversy down the centuries. Some people claim he never existed. Some even claim that he wasn’t a person but the code for a hallucinatory drug! Some think that Dan Brown has it right in his fictional ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Anglican

Jeepers Creepers Series

Contributed by James Mccullen on May 28, 2005

Do some ungodly people creep into the church? They did in the first century. Please note all points and sub-points are tied to the scripture. This sermon is expository in style.

Jeepers; Creepers! Jude 1:4 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (NAS) Introduction Many years ago there ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:4

Denomination: *other