Sermons on 21st Century Context:

The Church’s Growth And Its Political Persecution Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 29, 2024

Even in the face of persecution and life's challenges, how different could we live if we chose to be faithful only to Christ? Even though the 1st century church faced incredible difficulties, God was still faithful to them, and we can learn from that right now!

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 17 The Church’s growth and its political persecution Acts 11:19 – 12:18 Dismiss children for nursery (under 4) and children’s church (ages 4-7) Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- In 2023 we unpacked ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30, Acts 12:1-18, Matthew 4:19, 1 Peter 2:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church Of The New Testament - Part 4 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 12, 2018

Part 4 of this series describes what the first Christians were like, some of the things they did in Christianity's earliest days, and the spread of Christianity in the region and the world.

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: Acts 8:26-40, Romans 8:1-2, Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 9:8-11, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Luke 3:10-11, Acts 2:43-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Supportive Father Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

Jesus received praise and approval from His Father in heaven. This is a gift you cannot buy. John Drescher, one of the greatest authors of the 20th century, says that if he could go back and raise his children over he would be more free to express words of praise and appreciation.

Tal Bonham writes about how one night he slipped a poster under the doors of each of his two teenage sons. The poster said- Attention teenagers! If you are tired of being hassled by Unreasonable parents, Now is the time for action! Leave home and pay your own way While you still know ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-14

Pt. 8 Healing Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 6, 2013

Our un-named Syrophoencian woman (Although called “Justa” by Constitine as early as the end of the 2nd century) had a lot going on. She was a woman, Gentile, desperate because her daughter was demon possessed.Scripture tells us she “cried out.”

Healing 8 A 21 Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon.22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed."23 But He did not answer her a word. And His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Valentine’s Day—it’s All About Love Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Feb 7, 2023

Tradition has it that Valentine was a third century martyr who demonstrated his love through his life and sacrificial death. We all should aspire to this kind of love. When we love God with all our heart we can enjoy God's unconditional, sacrificial love.

We all need love; we all want love. We crave it; we work hard for it, yet all too often we come up short. There is only one kind of love that truly satisfies the deepest needs of the human heart. There is only one kind of love that actually makes a difference. There is only one kind of love that ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:8, John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus And The Woman At The Well Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 29, 2024

Nathanial Hawthorn wrote The Scarlet Letter nearly two centuries ago. Hester Prynne was a young lady who had a child out of wedlock. As punishment for her adultery, she was forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her dress. The Women by the Well didn’t wear such a letter, but she might as well have.

Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Just before the two parted, his client said to him, “I’ve often wanted to ask you a question, but I’ve been afraid to do so.” “What do you want to know?” asked the lawyer. The man replied, “I’ve wondered why you’re ...read more

Scripture: John 4:7-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Lost Queen

Contributed by Walter Thomas on May 17, 2020

When you lose your Queen piece in chess, you are likely going to lose the game as well unless you are strategically prepared. The church has relied for centuries on its queen, the Sunday/Sabbath day Big Event. But what if pandemic or persecution takes away your queen? How will you then do church?

THE LOST QUEEN “A lost queen can cost you the game” Hebrews 12:26-28 “At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” I’m not Jerry Lee Lewis and it is not 1999, but I can tell you that a whole lot of shaking is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:26-28, John 2:13-17

Denomination: Other

Who Do You Say I Am

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Apr 19, 2022

Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Who do people say that I am?" Peter answered, “John the Baptist, or Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” Jesus asked, Who do you say I am? Peter’s answer reverberates across the centuries: "You are the Christ, the son of the living God"

Note: I developed a simple set of homemade PowerPoint slides that I used in presenting this sermon. They're not fancy or professional quality, but if you're interested in having the PowerPoint file I will send it by Email. Just send an Email message to me at sam@srmccormick.net with the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18, John 11:32-36, Romans 12:15, Psalm 22:2, 1 Corinthians 15:45, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-6, John 14:6, Genesis 49:1, Genesis 49:8-10, Revelation 5:5, Matthew 23:37-38, Philippians 3:4-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Meeting The Demands For God’s Plan(2023)-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 6, 2023

1 of 2. Luke informs his audience of the primary/indispensable/essential elements of God’s plan for man’s salvation. God’s plan for man demands some specifically essential elements. What elements does God’s plan for man, demand? God’s plan for man demands...

MEETING The DEMANDS For GOD’s PLAN-I—Luke 1:26-38 Attention: All the elements for success are present. On South Carolina highway-34, as you enter Dillon from the west, you’ll cross over I-95 & pass the ‘Harbor Freight’ warehouse on your right. Soon afterward, continuing into Dillon, you may ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of The New Testament - Part 7c Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 20, 2018

Part 7C, for the purpose of using space coveniently, combines the subjects--although not directly related--of (1) false Christs, prophets, and teachers and (2) various gifts and their accompanying functions.

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: Romans 12:4-8, Acts 18:24-28, 1 Timothy 1:5-7, 2 Corinthians 11:12-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stand Firm In The Faith

Contributed by Joel Curry on Oct 14, 2001

More than anything in these troubled times, Christians are called to be on guard spiritually, stand firm in the faith, allow themselves to be strengthened by the word & Spirit of God, act with courage, and to do everything in love.

In chapter 16 of 1 Corinthians, we find a number of concluding instructions and greetings from Paul. These include instruction about regular and orderly collection of gifts for the poverty-stricken Christians in Jerusalem, notice of impending visits by Timothy and Apollos, encouragement for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Vision Beyond Jerusalem

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Sep 25, 2015

This sermon establishes the church must look beyond its doors, city, and state. It has to extend its vision and mission to fulfill the Great Commission. This lesson also discusses the expansion of the gospel of Christ beyond Jerusalem into the Gentile nations by men of color.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Commission of Barnabas 2. The Consolation of Barnabas 3. The Character of Barnabas 1Introductory Remarks. 1. After the conversion of Cornelius and the persecution that arose due to Stephen's Stoning, the gospel reached other cities beyond Jerusalem. Men traveled as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lesson 22: Innovative Preaching Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 30, 2018

Preach the timeless Gospel with modern techniques

Lesson Goal This lesson is designed to encourage preachers to be innovative and culturally relevant, to be a Greek to the Greek (1 Corinthians 9:20). Lesson Intro Jesus' preaching was innovative and different than the usual preaching in the synagogues of his day. Throughout church history art ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rabbi Jesus Series

Contributed by Dennis Munn on Jul 12, 2017

First message in the "Who Is Jesus" Series

Who Is Jesus? Message 1: Rabbi Jesus Text: Matthew 7:24-29 Introduction: Matthew is the Jewish Gospel; it was likely written specifically for Jewish Christians, and as an apologetic to the Jews...as an evangelistic tool. Like the other synoptic Gospels of Mark and Luke, Matthew doesn’t pretend to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: Apostolic

Dealing With Problems Within God's Holy Community

Contributed by David Houchin on Mar 2, 2007

In Ezra’s day there was an issue, a problem, that needed resolution; Ezra dealt with it through confession and a covenant.

HOW WE SHOULD DEAL WITH PROBLEMS WITHIN GOD’S HOLY COMMUNITY (The Church) Ezra chapters 9 & 10 Pastor David E. Houchin Delivered 2/25/07 at Church on the Esplanade Chico, California Last Sunday, as we entered Lent, Pastor Ed exhorted us to learn about three specific spiritual disciplines: Bible ...read more

Denomination: Baptist