Sermons on Actuality:

What Does The Bible Say About Sex Before Marriage?

Contributed by Robert Irvine on Aug 2, 2024

Sex outside of marriage is so commonplace (inside and outside the church), and many people do not even consider the idea of getting married, that it appears that no-one actually knows what God wants for us.

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Hard Of Hearing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 9, 2023

How much of what God wants us to hear have we actually heard? And does it matter how much we hear if we don’t do what we’re told?

Have any of you visited the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City? That’s what I kept thinking of as I meditated on this parable. Because just as I was leaving Presbytery last Tuesday evening, I ran into Bob Higgs, who is Executive Director of the Atlantic City Mission Council. He was carrying several ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Thou Shalt Not Bare False Witness

Contributed by Lee Houston on Mar 21, 2025

“Thou shalt not bear false witness.” The three preceding Commandments (murder, adultery, stealing) concern wrongs inflicted upon our neighbor by actual deeds. This commandment is concerned with wrongs inflicted by word of mouth.

Title: “Thou shalt not bare false witness against thy neighbor.” Scriptures: Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20 “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” The three preceding Commandments (murder, adultery, stealing) concern wrongs inflicted upon our neighbor by actual deeds. This commandment is ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20

Be Present Among The Lost Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Some believers insist on keeping a safe distance from the lost, afraid of being contaminated by their behavior or being seen as guilty by association; and so they fail to share their faith with the ones who actually need their help.

It is my desire to preach on real issues that we deal with as believers, so here’s a real observation to start off with: Some believers act like once they have received God’s forgiveness and been saved from their sins by the blood of Jesus Christ that they’re somehow better than the lost. However, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Wrestling With God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

This morning, I invite you to consider with me, “How do people actually have a life-changing encounter?” Is it near death experience that causes us to change? What would cause you to change?

We continue our series, My Crazy Family, the story of Jacob. Jacob is a complex character – we would say in our day, “He’s a piece of work.” Jacob’s life is a Russian nesting doll with one conflict inside conflict inside yet another, conflict. What begins as a conflict with his twin brother Esau, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

Docetism Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 18, 2022

Docetism was a refinement of Gnosticism. In the history of Christianity, Docetism is the heretical doctrine that the phenomenon of Jesus, his historical and bodily existence, and above all, the human form of Jesus, was mere semblance without any actual reality.

Docetism Docetism was a refinement of Gnosticism. In the history of Christianity, Docetism is the heretical doctrine that the phenomenon of Jesus, his historical and bodily existence, and above all, the human form of Jesus, was mere semblance without any actual reality. Its followers believed that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Pothole Experience

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 28, 2025

The metaphorical "pothole experience” is considered as the unforeseen obstacles, setbacks, and difficult challenges that may jolt or derail a person's journey in life, similar to how actual potholes disrupt a smooth road.

Drew Barrymore, an American actress once remarked: “Oh, I would love to be a motivational speaker. I have pulled myself out of a million potholes, and I can see the potholes ahead of me. That doesn't mean that I could always do that so perfectly for my own life. I totally fall in potholes.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:6, 1 Peter 4:12-13, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-2

Who Is Jesus To You

Contributed by Reggie Corfield on Jun 21, 2025

Millions around the world know of Jesus but only a fraction of those actually know him. The mission of every Church should be to know Jesus and make him known. On a personal level, who is Jesus to you?

Todays gospel reading in Luke is the same story also found in Matthew ch.16. The Matthew account has much more detail and so I will use that so we can better understand the story. The geographical setting of today’s gospel story is Caesarea Philippi. This town is located in the North East ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20, Luke 9:18-24

Denomination: Anglican

Jesus On Family Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 12, 2025

It's easy to overlook just how radical a statement Jesus makes here. He is doing nothing less than fundamentally redefining the family. What are the implications of actually living this out?

ONE QUICK POINT BEFORE WE GET TO THE ACTUAL SERMON: The definition of a Christian is someone hearing God’s word and putting it into practice. - Luke 8:21. - Matthew 7:21, 24, 26; Matthew 12:50; John 7:17; John 14:23; John 15:10; 1 John 2:17. - Jesus says something here that is crucially ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Problems Of Counterfeit Goodness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Many people practice counterfeiting without actually realizing what they are doing. A counterfeiter tries to make an imitation of something genuine to deceive, defraud or pretend something to be what it is not in reality. Ananias’s lie to the Holy Spirit

1. Many people practice counterfeiting without actually realizing what they are doing. A counterfeiter tries to make an imitation of something genuine to deceive, defraud or pretend something to be what it is not in reality. Ananias’s lie to the Holy Spirit was probably the crowning act of a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Revive Us Again..." By Dr. E. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Aug 31, 2004

It’s Hard to actually describe what Revival is. What’s easier is, what Revival is not! Let’s examine what hinders Revival from coming regardless of our efforts.

Introduction There are very few who aren’t familar with II Chron. 7:14 "If my people..." This verse embodies what is usually thought of as the Principles and Promise of Revival. However, it isn’t the Principles or Promise of Revival that we should be concerned about as the Precursor. Like ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

"No Star Tonight"

Contributed by Donald Smith on Apr 24, 2003

Tonight, all is not calm and bright in the city of Bethlehem. We may not be able to actually be there, but we know what it is like to live in darkness. Receive this, therefore, as a message of hope - - for 2000 years ago and for today....

"No Star Tonight" (Christmas Eve) Luke 2:1-20 "No Star Tonight" a Gatlin Brothers song... is sung here A mother wakes up her son one morning and says, “Honey, it’s time to get ready for church.” The son replies, “But mom, I don’t want to go to church today!” The mother persisted, “But you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, John 1:4-5

Denomination: Methodist

Steps To Spiritual Renewal Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

The first myth is that the Bible is too confusing to read. In verses 1-8, we’ll see that the Bible, instead of being confusing, is actually a book that you and I can comprehend ­ You can understand it!

Steps to Spiritual Renewal I received an email this week from Janelle Becker, one of our missionaries serving in the Philippines. She’s been there for about 10 weeks and is learning the language and beginning to understand the culture. In her email, she forwarded what her co-worker wrote about a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 7:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Available For Liberation Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2003

When God called Moses to the task of liberating a people, Moses felt self-doubt, uncertainty about God, and unreadiness. Actually these are positive values that will lead us as American Christians to take our place in the world.

How do you feel about eager volunteers? What’s your reaction to the kind of person who is always ready to step up to the plate and take a swing at some issue? How do you really feel about those who quickly volunteer when something needs to be done? Maybe you remember what it was like to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14, Exodus 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Why A Christian Should Not Celebrate Halloween

Contributed by Ronnie Thrower on Oct 25, 2001

Halloween is an annual celebration, but just what is it actually a celebration of? And how did this peculiar custom originate? Is it, as some claim, a kind of demon worship? Or is it just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual?

WHY A CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN Halloween is an annual celebration, but just what is it actually a celebration of? And how did this peculiar custom originate? Is it, as some claim, a kind of demon worship? Or is it just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual? In North ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Denomination: Baptist