Sermons on 21st Century Context:

The Parable Of The Talents Series

Contributed by Kevin Brady on Sep 6, 2021

Three servants receive different gifts from their master. Two use them wisely. One does not. Why? This sermon explores the historical context of this parable with a view toward clarifying the plight of the unworthy servant. A re-telling of the story is followed by several meditations on the text.

Nothing was ready. Bags remained open and unpacked, with clothes neither in nor out. The servants ran from one unfinished task to another, trying their best to follow conflicting instructions from stewards who were themselves at odds. The mother of the house and her young children sat wide-eyed at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit – The Gifts Of Power

Contributed by Imelda Mesa on Sep 27, 2022

when we think of power in the context of God, we think of God's nature, character, and abilities to make the impossible possible, to make great things greater and grander. When we think of God's power, we think of the acts of God!

In a natural sense, when we think of power, we think of explosives; we think of something that can break a hard wall into tiny pieces. When we think of power, we think of natural abilities to create or influence something, either good or bad. But, when we think of power in the context of God, we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Foursquare

Biblical Theology Of Church Planting

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 13, 2001

``If you want to study something, begin with its origins.’’ In this lesson we want to ask the Lord’s help in examining the origins, nature, aims, Biblical commands, and methods of the apostles first century church planting Biblical Theology of Church Pla

A Brief Biblical Theology of Church Planting From The Acts of the Apostles Learning Objectives 1. The students will be able to explain how the first church started and grew. 2. The students will be able to explain five principles from Acts that will help their church grow. 3. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Motives: The Problem In The Church Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jul 24, 2003

Many people say the biggest problem we face in the church today is an integrity crisis. It may surprise a lot of us that envy and rivalry and dissentions dates all the way back to the first century church. People preached because they wanted to exalt them

Introduction In the fifteen hundreds there was a protestant reformer in England by the name of Hugh Latimer. He was known as a great preacher of his day and he had many opportunities to preach. One of his opportunities was to preach before the King Henry VIII of England. He thought about his great ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Truth And Power

Contributed by Jim Belcher on Oct 1, 2009

How would you know if a revival happened? The best place to look is in Acts--a tiny group of peasants and slaves had no political, economic, cultural or religious power, but within three centuries the Christians were the only ones keeping the world togeth

The Great Awakening prevented the French Revolution from happing in England. As a result, social healing took place. The rich became just and generous with their resources. The poor became more self-disciplined after conversion. Britain abolished the slave trade. There were lots of reforms, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Are You Plugged In To Celebrate God's Goodness? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

When God’s people returned to Jerusalem after nearly a century of exile, they found their city in ruins. The Temple of God–where they believed God lived–was destroyed. This is a story about how God’s people plugged in to His supernatural power.

Are You Plugged in to Celebrate God’s Goodness? Ezra 3:10-13 by Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION I have a light here, but it’s not doing what it was created to do. It’s not shining. The reason it isn’t fulfilling its purpose for existence is because it isn’t plugged in to a source of power. I’ve ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Virgin Birth – Myth Or Reality?

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Dec 24, 2009

Was Jesus really born to a virgin or was Jesus born out of an illegitimate relationship out of wedlock? Did the first century Christians try to cover up the story of their saviour with the idea of a virgin birth? Does other God’s of this world too also cl

Follow us on: Website: https://cityharvestag.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityHarvestA... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityharvestag/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CityHarvestAGChurch/featured Virgin Birth – Myth or Reality? Introduction: The Bible says Jesus was born of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

My Redeemer Lives! Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 8, 2014

God’s plan of redemption has been in process for centuries on end, but what it comes down to is this: Jesus is our greater Boaz. He is the faithful Redeemer, who has paid the price to deliver us and to recover us for an eternity of joy.

Over the last few weeks, we have turned our attention the book of Ruth in the Old Testament, and now, today, we come to our final study of this remarkable account. As we have said, the story of Ruth is told in four episodes with a chapter given to each one of them. The first chapter is the story ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Son Of Man Series

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Jan 21, 2014

Jesus identifies with us in our human condition to accept, forgive, and heal us. A special sermon contribution from the SON OF GOD sermon packet for pastors, inspired by the SON OF GOD movie from Mark Burnett and distributed by 20th Century Fox.

You have probably heard it before. It is a saying commonly attributed to Marie Antoinette, the Austrian princess who became queen of France after marrying Louis the Sixteenth. Legend says that when she was informed that her subjects, the French peasants, were starving because they had no bread, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mary - A Christmas Story Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 16, 2021

While Mary has enjoyed high status throughout the centuries, she was the subject of gossip in her day. Mary’s scandal is this: she was an unwed pregnant teenager and all the tongues were wagging were in her small, conservative town of Nazareth.

Just a few more days to Christmas… are you ready? We conclude a short Christmas series designed to make room in your heart to worship Jesus, entitled The Mothers of Jesus. For the last several weeks, we’ve been examining the four mothers of Jesus, the several women who served as Jesus’ distant ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Denomination: Baptist

A Demand For Holiness - A Holiness Expressed In Genuine Love Responding To The Gospel

Contributed by Robert Tarasiak on Sep 9, 2023

"Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills." John Brown, Nineteenth-century Scottish theologian, quoted in J. Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, p. 51.

1 Peter Series Part 6 Sub Series: A Demand for Holiness (1:13 – 2:3) Title: “A holiness expressed in genuine love responding to the gospel” Text: 1 Peter 1:22-25 INTRO: WHAT DOES HOLINESS LOOK LIKE? "Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fellow Workers For The Truth

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 10, 2024

The Great Commision is the Lord's command. That is our task. In the first century until now, people have been working to accomplish that goal. And it is best done when done together. Giving support to undergird mission ministries is both an opportunity and a responsibility.

Alba 11-10-2024 FELLOW WORKERS FOR THE TRUTH III John 5-8 A stranger was walking down a residential street and noticed a man struggling with a washing machine at the doorway of his house. When the newcomer volunteered to help, the homeowner was overjoyed, and the two men together began to work and ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Whisper From The Cradle

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 14, 2025

Tonight, we gather in the glow of expectation, and I want to take you back to the most unlikely place God ever spoke—a stable in Bethlehem, where four humble details whisper a message of joy and peace that still echoes across the centuries.

Introduction In the hush of Advent waiting, we strain to hear. We listen for trumpets, for thunder, for the unmistakable voice of God breaking through our chaos. But what if the message we're longing for comes not as a shout, but as a whisper? Not from a throne, but from a cradle? Tonight, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Methodist

Roommates, Bad Dates And Great Mates: Temptation Series

Contributed by Nelson Searcy on Nov 2, 2006

Throughout this series, we have said that God created sex and He wants us to enjoy it, but He created sex to be best experienced between one man and one woman, within the context of a life long committed marriage. And today, we are talking about temptati

ROOMMATES, BAD DATES & GREAT MATES Temptation “. . .the fruit looks so fresh and delicious” I’m glad you have chosen to be with us today, as we continue our series, Roommates, Bad Dates and Great Mates. Go ahead and pull out your message notes. We have had a lot of fun in this series so far. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Repentance Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 15, 2022

“Come, let us return to the Lord.” (Hosea 6:1) Jesus went to the house of many tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees saw this and asked why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. In that context Jesus Quotes Hosea 6:6 (found in Matthew 9:13).

The story of the prodigal son gives us a great picture of repentance. The prodigal has messed up big time and ended up in a terrible situation, eating pig slop just to survive. That situation made him turn back to his father. But you don’t have to wind up on skid row to need repentance. A Christian ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:1-11, Hosea 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist