Sermons on Astonished:

Do You Have A Title? Or A Testimony?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 17, 2018

The believer in the Risen Christ has a powerful testimony. We need to be encouraged to use what God has given each of us to the praise of His glory.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [1] The disciples were just like us—they wanted power, especially power over other disciples. They were convinced that if only they ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

But They Could Not...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 13, 2018

Despite the repeated efforts of mankind to duplicate the work of the Lord, His work is unique and man is unable to do what He does. Eventually, those who imagine they can supplant God crash up against reality, and they are revealed to be frauds.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Say to Aaron, “Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.”’ And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

Tongues Of Fire Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 4, 2012

In Acts 2:1-13, the harvesting of souls can be seen in 1) The evidence of the Spirit’s Coming (Acts 2:1–4), 2) The Effect of the Spirit’s Coming (Acts 2:5–11), and 3) The Explanation of the Spirit’s Coming (Acts 2:12–13).

The revamped Canadian Wheat Board is starting the first day of the new crop year with a grain-handling deal with one of the country’s largest agribusinesses. Winnipeg-based International Richardson says it will accept grain deliveries from farmers with wheat board contracts at all its ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Other

Evil For Good

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 22, 2019

A study in the book of Jeremiah 18: 1 – 23

Jeremiah 18: 1 – 23 Evil for good 1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: 2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Promises For Harvesters

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 19, 2006

Faith either moves mountains or tunnels through them. Eight encouraging promises for seed sowers.

Promises for Harvesters (Isa. 54:1-17) Faith either moves mountains or finds a way to tunnel through any challenge. The people of Israel were reeling mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually from a series of hardships. The northern kingdom of Israel suffered under the poor leadership ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 54:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hope. It Is Not Over Until.... Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jan 13, 2007

Hope. Not that sappy Oprah kind, but the biblical kind. The kind that says: In spite of the circumstances that surround you, God will hold hope for you, And beyond any explanation possible there will be joy.

This is a wonderful passage. There is so much that is packed in to these few words. I don’t know about you, but the first thing that jumps out at me is verse 8 – Place your finger there – and let’s look at it again…I see Peter, as he is writing this statement, saying it with….shock and awe. 8 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Pledge Allegiance To A Hiding God

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 7, 2002

The recent "under God" court decision is inconsequential. Far better to pledge allegiance to a God who does not need publicity and lip service, but who points us to acts of justice, liberation, and witness.

In every age there are those who feel they need to help God out of hiding. God, it seems, is never without public relations agents, who want to help Him get His name out. They have their own reasons – some of them well-intentioned, and some of them selfish – but the truth is that God does ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

"The Ministry Of Availability"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 2, 2004

God will use what we make available to Him. In the passage in Luke 5:1-11, we see that, even with a smelly, old fishing boat and a broken net, Jesus used what Peter made available for Him to use.

“The Ministry Of Availability” INTRODUCTION: God has a ministry for every one of His children … NOT JUST the Pastor. EVERY Christian has a ministry … every one of YOU! Not all will be great soul-winners … BUT … we all have a part in leading others to Christ. We are ALL a link in the chain … ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Living With A Sense Of Urgency

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Mar 17, 2003

Being only days away now from something known as “March Madness,” the pace and intensity of college basketball games begin to reach a new level. There’s a sense of urgency as teams begin to prepare for a run that will eventually result in four unbeaten

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Being only days away now from something known as “March Madness,” the pace and intensity of college basketball games begin to reach a new level. There’s a sense of urgency as teams begin to prepare for a run that will eventually result in four unbeaten teams, one of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-11

God Makes No Mistakes

Contributed by Philip Makari on Oct 19, 2002

A biblical view of what it means to be chosen by God and be called to his service

“14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Christmas Came To Nazareth

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jun 24, 2003

We followed Him to Bethlehem, we followed Him to Egypt, we now follow Him to Nazareth. Incidentally, when was the last time you made it a habit, a practice to follow Jesus?

WHEN CHRISTMAS CAME TO NAZARETH Scripture Reference: Matthew 2: 20-23 INTRODUCTION Two weeks ago we went to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Joseph and Mary traveled the 5-day, 90-mile journey because Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor at that time, decreed that a census should be taken throughout ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Seed Of Abraham - 3:16 & Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 20, 2005

Galatians 3:16 talks about the fact that Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham’s seed? But why did Paul say that and what can it mean to us today?

OPEN: In my files I have list of some unusual laws: · In Birmingham, Alabama, it is illegal to drive a car while blindfolded. · In Detroit it’s unlawful to tie a crocodile to a fire hydrant. · Natchez, Mississippi has a law that forbids giving an elephant beer to drink. · And if you tie your ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surprise Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Sep 22, 2006

Peter Excapes from jail and execution. Peter and the disciples are surprised, the guards are all surprised.

Surprise Acts 12:1-25 I hope that you are not tiring with our study of acts. It is a book that has all these little stories that have been put together to tell about the early days of the church. Last week we heard about Barnabas and his work @ Antioch. How he brought Saul into the picture. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-25

Denomination: Congregational

The Fine Art Of Not Paying Attention

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jul 4, 2009

Sometimes it is best to ignore the voices of doubt and the naysayers.

THE FINE ART OF NOT PAYING ATTENTION TEXT: Mark 5:35-36 Mark 5:35-36 KJV While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? [36] As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:35-36

Denomination: Pentecostal

Kingdom Of God: Jesus' Cup Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jan 8, 2008

Are we taking what we prefer, or what we see as a good thing and entering into the Kingdom of God and claiming it as God’s will, when it is nothing but our own doing?

Pile the kids in the car, hit the remote, garage door opens, and out you go on another drive. Grocery store. Hardware store. The bank. Costco. It is just a trip across town. Nothing exciting, just an every day trip. Kids either don’t want to go, or they complain about going or they act bored out of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational