Sermons on Advancement:

Boy Meets Girl - Genesis 24 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 24, 2021

You’ve heard that it’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Of course that’s true. We can read a picture book to a child and they can get all into that even not having any words to look at.

You’ve heard that it’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Of course that’s true. We can read a picture book to a child and they can get all into that even not having any words to look at. It's been said that in the New Testament for every New Testament truth there’s an Old ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Check Your Motivation - Genesis 14 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 24, 2021

Motives are those things that are kind of inside the heart of a person. Caleb even says when he thinks about the heart that’s what he thinks about.

Today we’re going to look at motives. I want you to just examine your own motives for a bit. Motives are those things that are kind of inside the heart of a person. Caleb even says when he thinks about the heart that’s what he thinks about. He thinks about motives. That’s what is this deeper stuff ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Of Those Who Have Never Heard The Gospel?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 30, 2016

A response to the question, "What of those who have never heard the Gospel?" God is just and God is gathering to Himself and for His glory a great harvest of souls.

“You have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing The Miraculous In The Mundane

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2019

Jesus' first sign was quiet, not at all spectacular as one might have supposed. Yet, what He did at that time anticipates God at work in the mundane. He performs the miraculous in the mundane facets of life on any given day.

“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Selling The Sizzle; Tossing The Steak

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 6, 2018

Do Christians seek comfort? Or do we seek substance? Jesus offered substance, but it wasn't always appreciated, even by those identified as disciples.

“When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ teaching], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, ‘Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-68

Denomination: Baptist

The Corinthians And The Apostle Paul Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 16, 2018

Men may have a great deal of doctrinal knowledge, yet be mere beginners in the life of faith and experience.

October 18, 2012 Commentary on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Lesson 2.10: The Corinthians and the Apostle Paul Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4.14-4.21 1 Cor 4.14-21 (KJV) 14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Seagulls In The Empress

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 3, 2018

The teaching you receive will either equip you to honour the Master or will serve to allow birds to invade and despoil your life.

“When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. ‘Watch out,’ Jesus said to them, ‘beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ So, they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we brought no bread.’ When Jesus learned of this, he said, ‘You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Terrifying Questions Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 24, 2015

A study of the book of Hebrews 6: 1 – 20

Hebrews 6: 1 – 20 Terrifying Questions 1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Appointed, Not Hired Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 20, 2015

Elders (Overseers) are appointed by God. They are not hired to do a job; they are appointed to serve the One who appoints and to serve His holy people.

“I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.” [1] His face was red and his eyes were narrow slits as he raged, “We hired you, and we can fire you.” I was equally determined as I asserted with a firm, steady voice, “No one hired me; God appointed me.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:11

Denomination: Baptist

Guarding The Good Deposit Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 25, 2015

The message explores what Paul meant when he urged Timothy to guard the good deposit. Preachers are point men in the battle to stand firm against error, but the congregation must join them in this task.

“By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” [1] Servants of Christ demonstrate a dynamic interplay of divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the exercise of the ministry God has assigned each one. One writer, citing an old maxim of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Tyranny Of The Experts

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2021

A study of the danger posed when experts assume control over a society, over a community, or over a church. The message is a call to participatory Christianity.

“Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

The Darkness Of Betrayal Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 8, 2022

1) The Attack of the Crowd (Matthew 26:47), 2) The Kiss of the Traitor (Matthew 26:48–50a), 3) The Presumption of Peter (Matthew 26:50b–53) and finally 4) The Fulfillment of Prophecy (Matthew 26:54-56).

Matthew 26:47–56. 47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:47-56

Denomination: Other

"unlocking The Nine Spiritual Gifts & Understanding Their Operation."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jun 24, 2022

This message offers insights into the nine spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, helping us recognize their misuse and highlighting their transformative life-changing power when aligned with the Holy Spirit.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (1 Corinthians 12:1-3) (1) "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." (2) "Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:10-16, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Ephesians 4:7-13, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 4:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

How God Uses Evil For Good Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 15, 2023

Three progressive features show "How God uses Evil for Good", describing: 1) Persecution (Act 8:1–3), which stems from 2) Preaching (Acts 8:4-7), which results in 3) Productivity (Acts 8:8).

Acts 8:1-8. [8:1] And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Other

The Sins Of Mankind Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Mar 8, 2024

When God gives up on humanity, it is left to itself. When man is left to himself, only evil follows.

1:29 “…being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness…” It seems to me that these are not the first in the list, but a title over the list. “Sexual immorality” is not in more modern versions, following different Greek texts. But he does mention it in his lists in 1 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:29-32

Denomination: Assembly Of God