Sermons on Austerity:

Halloween: Is Evil A Red Herring?

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 19, 2021

The roots of Halloween have to do with pagan rituals but today, it’s more a night to celebrate. Not everything connected with the modern celebration is all fun and games. Any believer who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit will pull back on a number of elements associated with this celebration.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend a projected $8.8 billion dollars on the holiday called Halloween in 2019. Almost 30 million will dress up and the average person will spend over $86 to celebrate. In fact, I have a neighbor who decorates more for Halloween than any ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Armor Of God Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 7, 2020

1) The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14a) , 2) The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b), and 3) Feet prepared with the Gospel (Ephesians 6:15) These are metaphors for the spiritual resources given to those in Christ.

Ephesians 6:14-15 [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (ESV). The retailer “Whole Foods” raised great hostility this week when they ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-15

Denomination: Other

Jesus' House

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on May 2, 2007

Individual followers of Christ are Jesus’ "house" - His dwelling place - making Jesus’ cleansing of the temple also a call to personal holiness.

Jesus’ House TCF Sermon April 1, 2007 Mark 11:7-11 (NIV) 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Harvest Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 13, 2008

Biblical peace is both the soil in which righteousness grows and the fruit that comes from a peaceable life.

JAMES 3:18 A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS “A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Canadians pride themselves on their perceived role as peacekeepers serving under United Nations mandates. Since Lester Pearson proposed an international peacekeeping force to supervise ...read more

Scripture: James 3:18

Denomination: Baptist

6th Sunday After Pentecost. July 9th, 2023. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 4, 2023

Year A, Proper 9.

Genesis 24:34-38, Genesis 24:42-49, Genesis 24:58-67, Psalm 45:10-17, Song of Solomon 2:8-13, Zechariah 9:9-12, Psalm 145:8-14, Romans 7:15-25, Matthew 11:16-19, Matthew 11:25-30 A). A WIFE FOR ISAAC. Genesis 24:34-38, Genesis 24:42-49, Genesis 24:58-67. The 24th chapter of the Book of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:34-38, Genesis 24:42-49, Genesis 24:58-67, Psalm 45:10-17, Song of Songs 2:8-13, Zechariah 9:9-12, Psalm 145:8-14, Romans 7:15-25, Matthew 11:16-19, Matthew 11:25-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Journey To Jerusalem Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 4, 2010

In the Journey to Jerusalem, we can see: 1)The Determination Executed (Luke 9:51-53), 2) The Discipleship Error (Luke 9:54-56), and finally: 3) The Diversion Excuse (Luke 9:57-62)

The Journey of the Sri Lankan’s aboard the MV Sun Sea, now that they are being processed in Canada, continues to be an eventful one. Whether it is because they are of a particular ethnic group, a possible terrorists threat or seen a free-loaders, they have faced much public rejection and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Other

The Lions In Daniel's Den Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 15, 2006

Daniel gives us a great example of how we ought to live and behave. Just as he was a child of God living in a foreign, pagan culture, you and I are children of God living in a culture that is becoming less and less Christian with each passing day.

INTRODUCTION The title of this series from Daniel is “Turning Chaos into Character.” In chapter one, Daniel refused to eat the king’s rich food. He went on what I call the “Daniel Diet.” In chapter two, the king saw a vision of a multi-metallic statue representing Gentile Kingdoms. Here in chapter ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

One Mediator Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 14, 2013

Christ is the One Mediator between God and man. The message seeks to explore the necessity of mediation and the results of God's provision.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

When We Don’t Understand

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 30, 2019

When We Don’t Understand Series: Encountering Jesus (in the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey – April 28, 2019

When We Don’t Understand Series: Encountering Jesus (in the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey – April 28, 2019 Text: Luke 7:18-35 – Exchange with John the Baptist about clarifying what should have been expected Intro… It’s so good to gather with you this morning. I appreciate the distinct places we may ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Holy Spirit's Ministry Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 15, 2009

THe ministry of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit’s ministry John 15: 26-16:11 William Randolph Hearst was one of the wealthiest men in the world of his time and he was known as a passionate collector of fine art. One day he was looking through a catalog of rare paintings and he saw a piece he just had to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Harvest Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 30, 2013

All who proclaim salvation in Christ must be 1) Content with the Lord’s Provision (Luke 10:2-4), 2) Faithful to the Lord’s Message (Luke 10:5–9), and 3) Diligent to declare Judgment (Luke 10:10–12).

For those who were eagerly awaiting the latest birth to the British royal family, there was an unusual stealth campaign. Members of the family and staff were tight lipped as to the gender and name of the child until birth. The announcement of the birth was through a combination of posted notices ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-12

Denomination: Other

Honouring The Elders Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 12, 2014

What is congregational responsibility to elders? How does a congregation honour the elders?

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’ Do not admit a charge ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Justified? Or Judged? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 30, 2017

Is there a way for us to make ourselves acceptable to God? The Apostle Paul teaches that such a thought is an impossibility.

“We know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” [1] “So that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

To Dip, Or Not

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2020

A study of the transformation Naaman experienced may encourage us to humble ourselves before the Lord.

“Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Too Silly For A Funeral; Too Serious For A Party

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2019

Christians must be aware of becoming hypercritical of divine work and of other believers, ascribing what is done as unworthy of Christ. To explore this situation, the message is a study of Jesus' censure of the generation in which He then lived.

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-19

Denomination: Baptist