Sermons on Affirmation:

An Ash Wednesday Heart

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 17, 2021

If we were to summarize the advice the advice Jesus that gives to us in these verses, then we would have to conclude that Jesus wants us to remember that prayer is a matter of the heart. This sermon is about the need to rend our hearts.

AN ASH WEDNESDAY HEART Text: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Matthew 6:1-6, 16 - 21  "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  (2)  "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Which King? Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 3, 2021

Bob Dylan famously wrote, "But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed you're gonna have to serve somebody." As disciples of Jesus, we must choose daily who gets to be king in our life. Which king do you follow?

* Squeeze to the last drop: The manager at the local pub had what he considered to be the world’s strongest man working as his bouncer. In fact, the bouncer was so tough, the manager actually used the man to make money on the side with a little bet he had contrived over the years. The manager was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:15-20, Genesis 1:26, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-14, Colossians 3:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Victory In Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 19, 2020

As Peter concluded this very practical letter that addressed the difficulties the church faced while seeking to encourage them to remain committed, he drew their focus back to the one who could provide all they needed regardless of the situation - the Lord Jesus Christ.

Victory in Jesus 1 Peter 5: 6-11 We have considered much in our time moving through Peter’s first epistle. Being aware of their struggles, Peter addressed their need while challenging them to remain steadfast in spite of the opposition they faced. He knew the world was watching their lives, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Philippians And Stress 4: Performance-Driven Stress Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Mar 26, 2020

Performance-driven stress is overcome by a clearer focus on Christ. Not pressure to perform, but passion to take hold of the prize.

PHILIPPIANS AND STRESS: PERFORMANCE-BASED STRESS—Philippians 3:1-21 As we read Philippians, we have been focusing on how to handle stress. One of the biggest sources of stress is pressure to perform. It starts with children: “Be a good boy.” “Be a nice girl.” “Make Dad proud.” “Don’t make us ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Getting Life Right: Promises Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on May 18, 2020

Life is built on promises. Every word a Christian speaks represents God, whether we take an oath in his name or simply make a promise.

Getting Life Right: PROMISES—Matthew 5:33-37 “You promised.” There’s something about that! There is something about a child being able to trust a parent’s promises, a husband or wife trusting every commitment made, or being able to count on people at work to do what promise to do. LIFE IS BUILT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Committed To Serve Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 1, 2019

Knowing the disciples would face a difficult and discouraging task at times, Jesus sought to encourage them by reminding them of their standing with God. We too can draw strength from the Lord and need reminded of that which is available to the believer.

Committed to Serve Matthew 10: 29-33 Jesus had shared much with the disciples prior to sending them out in pairs of two for ministry. He had been very straightforward with them, revealing the difficulties and opposition they would encounter as the proclaimed the Good News. Some would happily ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-33

Denomination: Baptist

Liberating Truth

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Oct 28, 2019

"The truth shall make you free." Grounding ourselves in the reality that we are captive to sin is the only truth that will turn our eyes to the one and only source of salvation, Christ Jesus. His grace comes to us free and undeserved.

October 27, 2019 Reformation Sunday Rev. Mary Erickson John 8:31-36 Liberating Truth Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today is Reformation Sunday. This religious holiday has a very specific Lutheran flavor. You won’t find it ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Among Secular Gods, Part 4 - Killing The Imago Dei: Answering The Questions Of Relativism & Secular Humanism Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 4, 2019

Part 4 based on the book by Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale: Secular humanism believes we can look to human advancement for justice, peace, and the end of suffering. In sharp contrast, Christianity teaches that the only way for us to truly live is to remove ourselves from the equation.

Humanism (also known as progressivism) is based on relativism and the idea that human advancement is the solution to injustice, war, and suffering. Like most worldly reasoning or false teachings in the church, there some truth in this reasoning. The Christian and Biblical world-view that God uses ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 1:21-25

Denomination: Brethren

5. Is Baptism Important?

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jan 30, 2020

We often don't give baptism the importance we should. We look at why baptism is important.

5 Is Baptism important? Mark 1:1-13 Mark's gospel starts with John the Baptist baptising and then goes straight onto Jesus being baptised. So, it’s natural to talk about baptism! Baptism is a somewhat controversial subject as different churches and denominations hold different views on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Today, If You Will Hear His Voice: An Exposition Of Psalm 95

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 3, 2020

This is one of the most troubling of all the Psalms. What does it teach us?

Today, if You Will Hear His Voice: An Exposition of Psalm 95 The Book of Psalms is considered to be the Hebrew hymnal. Actually, there are five separate collections of them. There are different psalms for different occasions. For example, we have the 100th Psalm which is a joyous song of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Power Of Our Words

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jul 14, 2020

Many of us do not realize that there is life in the words that we speak. If we want to start seeing the promise of God manifest in our lives, we will have to speak words of faith. Israelites murmured words of unbelief. Little did they realize, that God will take them at their word.

Numbers 14:2, 3 - And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why has the Lord brought us to this land to [a]fall by the sword, that our wives and ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:28, Numbers 13:25-33, Numbers 14:6-9, Proverbs 18:21, Luke 1:37, Matthew 19:26, Hebrews 10:23  (view more)  (view less)

Unexpected Hope Series

Contributed by Rich Mccaskill on Jul 21, 2020

In our confusing and broken world, we can still have hope because of Jesus.

My own journey of hopelessness began when I was 15. As much as I wanted to believe in God, I could not. I could relate to Tolstoy who recounts an "old Eastern fable about a traveler who was taken by surprise in the steppes by a raging wild beast. Trying to save himself from the beast, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:24-25, Isaiah 7:14, Romans 8:18-24

The Bible Is God's Word Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jul 27, 2020

God spoke through the writers of the Bible, therefore it is God's desire to talk directly to people for salvation and to do good!

We start a new Message Series today with the Word of God from the Word of God. Our key passage for this Message Series is 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Open your Bibles to 2 Timothy 3; this letter is the second letter sent to Timothy, a disciple of the Apostle Paul, then called as a Pastor. And so, what we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

An Introduction To The Book Of Exodus

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 13, 2020

What can we learn today from the history of Ancient Israel?

An Introduction to the Book of Exodus Exodus 1:1-7 The Book of Exodus is the second of the five books of the Bible written by Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These five books are called the Torah by the Hebrews, which means “law” or “instruction.” The Greek name is ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Defining Mission

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

John's whole life and purpose were about witnessing to the light of Christ arriving in the world. What is it that we have in common with John the Baptizer?

A DEFINING MISSION Text: John 1:6 - 8, 19 - 28 How many times have you driven the interstate to arrive on the back end of a “message vehicle” that bears the warning “Wide Load”? That vehicle is announcing the motion of a vehicle that comes after it containing cargo that is usually ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-8, John 1:19-28

Denomination: United Methodist