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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

The Faith That Conquers All Fear

Contributed by Jose R. Hernandez on Apr 9, 2011

As we saw last week, there are four possible levels we can reach, but what we didn’t cover is that there is one common denominator that exists in these four possible levels. And the common denominator is faith.

Last week we explored the different levels that exist in our relationship with God. In that study we found that our strength to withstand the enemy’s attacks depends on the level of our relationship with God. As we saw last week, there are four possible levels we can reach, but what we ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

And The Winner Is . . . Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 2, 2011

The church in America may be struggling - but the Church of Jesus Christ is doing just fine, thank you. The worse things look, the more likely it is that God is about to do something amazing.

Ray Bakke, the Executive Director of International Urban Associates, tells a great story from World War II. An American named MacDonald and a Scottish chaplain bailed out behind German lines, were captured and put into a prison camp, with MacDonald in the American barracks and the chaplain with ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Head Turning Faith Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jun 16, 2013

What kind of faith does it take to turn the head of Jesus? The Roman officer had it and so can we.

Last week we were introduced to Levi who changed his name to Matthew. As you recall Levi meant “joined in harmony” but as a tax collector he was unable to live up to his name. After Jesus made him the offer to become a follower he referred to himself as Matthew, meaning “a gift to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13

Denomination: Foursquare

Evidence Of The Resurrection - The Scriptures (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Jul 9, 2013

A Sermon examining the reality that the Scriptures prove that Jesus is alive.

EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION EXHIBIT B: THE SCRIPTURES (PART 1) I Corinthians 15:1-2 The Bible was written over a period of about 1,500 years by some forty different authors. Some were Prophets, some were Apostles, and some were faithful servants who served the Lord in various other ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Celebration Of Freedom Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 13, 2012

Today we will discover that the non-Christian world was deeply disturbed and determined to do everything possible to halt the spread of the gospel. When things are going well in the Church-look out! Satan will find a way to create problems.

Celebration of Freedom Acts 12:1-16 Introduction Our study of Acts has been very exciting for me, and I hope that’s been true ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-16

Denomination: Baptist