Sermons on Actualize:

A Big Misunderstanding Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Nov 29, 2017

There are times when we see and yet do not actually perceive; there are times when we hear, but fail to listen. Such was the case with the disciples. They thought Jesus was speaking of physical bread, but He was conveying spiritual truth.

A Big Misunderstanding Mark 8: 10-21 Our text today immediately follows the miraculous feeding of the 4,000. Jesus departed from their midst to another region near the Sea of Galilee, and is quickly met with more opposition and doubt. I am well aware that our Lord came to earth, being fully God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

How The Faithful Overcome Challenges

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Mar 5, 2019

Whether or not we overcome challenges placed before us ends up proving not just to God but ourselves that we can actually accomplish the great things God has planned for us in our lives.

For more information and other teachings, podcasts, videos, books and study guides visit https://conwaychristianresources.com As we’ve seen over the past few weeks the life of David so far has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. From his anointing by Samuel, to defeating Goliath all the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Foursquare

Gay Sex And All That!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Oct 11, 2018

What legalising of gay sex (once forbidden) in more and more countries actually points to? Didn't our Lord say the "days of Lot shall return before His Second coming"!!!

Gay sex and all that!!! Whatever has happened to our great country of India known for it's rich spiritual heritage!!! On Sept 6th, 2018 India had the dubious distinction of becoming the 123rd Country ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:26-31

Denomination: *other

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

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

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

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

The Glory Of Heaven Unveiled Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 26, 2025

There is a profound difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing them. You can study a person, memorize facts about them, read their biography, admire their work, and still have no relationship with them.

The Glory of Heaven Unveiled December 7, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Luke 2:8-14 INTRODUCTION — KNOWING ABOUT JESUS VS. KNOWING JESUS There is a profound difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing them. You can study a person, memorize facts about ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-15

Denomination: Brethren

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

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

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

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

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

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

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