Sermons on Affirmation:

Jesus "i Am" The Good Shepherd! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 25, 2021

: Jesus is the Good Shepherd because he laid down his life to save the sheep. He lead’s the sheep to safety, security, pasture and the good life but not to slaughter or harm. Jesus guards, encourages, supports and protects His sheep because He loves them.

I am playing these videos to get your mindset focused on Shepherding – agriculture lifestyles – a common sight in the time and teaching of Jesus – not so much today – as a matter of fact you would be hard pressed to find many sheep farms in this area of Illinois! Opening Video Transition (2 ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-42, John 10:11, John 10:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Importance Of Roots - Genesis 31:19-55 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 25, 2021

Jesus told one parable in particular that talked to everyone about their lives, a whole life. I find the parable fascinating because it’s very real to us today.

Jesus told one parable in particular that talked to everyone about their lives, a whole life. I find the parable fascinating because it’s very real to us today. That is after Christ lived on the earth it also helps us. But it also helps people before us. In fact Jacob would have benefited from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:19-55

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Embracing The Risk Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 10, 2021

Embracing the Risk Series: When It’s Time to Move FORWARD Brad Bailey – May 2, 2021

Embracing the Risk Series: When It’s Time to Move FORWARD Brad Bailey – May 2, 2021 Text: Nehemiah 2:1-10 / Theme: Moving Forward will involve risk Note: This message in it’s scripted form was too long and required passing over various parts. Intro.... A warm welcome to each of you. I’m excited ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Life Is Treated As "cheap!" Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 7, 2021

Can God accept a murderer? He accepted Saul; and He has accepted many of us who were once filled with bitterness toward others. Those who turn from their evil to receive Christ as Master over life will be accepted by the Living God.

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Assault Against The Faithful Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 15, 2021

Paul's assessment of himself was that he was unworthy of God's grace. However, Christ is merciful; He will receive anyone who comes to Him in faith, even those who are full of themselves.

“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 22, 2021

Someone has wisely stated that if you could convince a man that there is no hope, he would curse the day he was born and then give up. Hope is essential for the mindset of mankind and for vision for the future.

Video Transition: From Wingclips.com - Apollo 13 - Jim Lovell commander of Apollo 13 “finding hope” In the midst of crisis - He talks about how he found his way home when everything went wrong! I used today’s historical story to highlight “How we find hope in times of crisis.” In our clip today ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-7, Psalm 62:5-6, Hebrews 6:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Should I Bother Joining A Church?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 10, 2021

The message explores biblical reasons for open union with a local congregation.

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. “For though absent in body, I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Promise Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 25, 2021

God promised to send a Deliverer because of our sin. Jesus is that Deliverer. At Christmas we remember the evidence of God's mercy to broken humanity.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. “He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?”’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Casual Observance With Obvious Consequences Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 5, 2021

A cautionary sermon against presumption against the Lord at His Table.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

Denomination: Baptist

The World’s Most Dangerous Profession - James 3:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2021

This passage stands out because teaching is so highly valued throughout the New Testament. Why is it discouraged here? James considered himself a teacher and was teaching even as he penned these words about not many should be teachers.

James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Introduction: We Talk a ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-2

Leading By Example Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 24, 2021

Effective Gospel Ministry must be 1) Committed to God’s Mastery (Titus 1:1a), 2) Committed to God’s Mission, Message and Means (Titus 1:1b-3), as well as 3) Committed to God’s Members (Titus 1:4)

Titus 1:1-4 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness. 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began. 3 and at the proper time manifested in ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-4

Denomination: Other

This Kind...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 15, 2021

Christians are at war with an unseen, though extremely powerful, enemy. We are, however, not defenseless. We are given authority over the enemy, if we will invoke our rights given in Christ.

“When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ And someone from the crowd ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

No Place Like It!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2025

By focusing on the first congregation, we can discover how we can transform our own church into the powerful congregation God intends it to be.

“When [the disciples] had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

Have We Lost Anybody?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 31, 2025

Biblical orthodoxy demands that Christians focus on first things if we will fulfil the will of the Father.

“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” [1] Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi would begin the first practice of each season by holding up a football and saying, “This is a football… Have we lost anybody?” For Christians, “This is the Bible, the Word of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:2

Denomination: Baptist

Badmouthing God's Man!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 15, 2025

Presumptuous sin leads to unimaginable judgement.

“To Shemaiah of Nehelam you shall say: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You have sent letters in your name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying, “The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:24-32

Denomination: Baptist