Sermons on Azuza Street:

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

We Have A Light To Shine

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 21, 2011

Stewardship message, designed as a dialogue between the pastor and a lay reader, and focusing on all the light we as a church now shed, but also could share, with adequate personnel and finances. Ends with a candlelighting ceremony.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC, Nov. 11, 1990 Pastor: One Christian organization that is concerned with helping people who have emotional problems uses as its slogan, "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness." Today we are going to test that theory. This morning we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit’s Gift Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 3, 2010

If we want to be used of God to effectively advance the cause of Christ, we must be careful not to overestimate or underestimate ourselves, but use the Spirit’s gift(s) to serve with all our hearts.

Just a few years ago, Dave Barry, a columnist for the Washington Post, posted his comments about the typical male in the first week of December. He wrote, “Your standard man, at this point in the Christmas season, has purchased zero gifts. He has not yet gotten around to purchasing an acceptable ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Church Of Acts

Contributed by Tr Precht on Sep 14, 2006

Who was the Church of Acts? Who Are We Tody? We Must Strive to be The same church that was birthed on Pentecost

The Church of Acts “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-47

Denomination: Apostolic

Evidence Demands A Verdict

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 29, 2007

This is part V in the series - 24. It is a first person narrative account from the perspective of the centurion at the cross. WARNING: It is graphic! The preaching idea: the evidence has been presented. What will you do with it?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Ultimately, that’s what the final 24 hours in Jesus’ life are about – God’s plan to redeem us to buy us back. We’ve heard from four characters who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:26-54

Denomination: Methodist

Who Is Jesus? Who Are You? Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 9, 2008

Paul is telling us, "Jesus is Creator God and head of the Church." Who we have been and who we become are both relevant to this single, important fact.

Who is Jesus? Who are You? Love and wisdom, God and you Colossians 1:13 – 23 The passage answers two questions: • Most importantly, who is Jesus? • Then, as a result of His identity, who am I? The passage begins and ends with an assessment of who the Colossians were compared with who they have ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-23

Denomination: Mennonite

Job 28 (Where Is Wisdom To Be Found?)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 21, 2007

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." ...

God answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge." Job 38:1 - the beginning of our reading from today’s lectionary, that marks the beginning of the end of the book of Job. We’ve been plowing our way through the book of Job for quite a few Sundays ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Is The Law Bad? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Mar 19, 2012

Paul tells us we are free from the LAW... does this make the law a bad thing? Well, let me put it to you this way... or as Paul would say it... MAY IT NEVER BE!!!

Sermon Brief Date Written: March 15, 2012 Date Preached: March 18, 2012 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Journey thru Romans Sermon Title: Is The Law a Bad Thing? Sermon Text: Romans 7:7-12 [ESV] Introduction: This morning we will be looking at one of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do About A Broken-Down Church

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 7, 2009

God is not committed to maintaining a church just because it is there. His commitment is to maintain us if we show compassion, particularly on the young. Restoration of our church life in challenging times begins with repentance, self-examination.

Two or three weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I noticed several of you staring straight up here, right into the notch of this arch. I too looked up there, and what we all saw was a sizable piece of paint and plaster hanging there by a mere thread. It looked as though it was poised and ready just in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Not Of This World

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jul 9, 2015

Daniel 1

NOT OF THIS WORLD (DANIEL 1) Avram Grant is known as the manager who succeeded Jose Mourinho at Chelsea Football Club when the latter left in 2007. Grant was unaware of his father’s full story as a Holocaust survivor until he was a teenager when he heard his father screaming in his sleep. His ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Become More Like Jesus Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

A real vision of Jesus catapults a person toward constant transformation. Notice how a genuine encounter with Jesus changes us: 1. It changes what we see. 2. It changes what we hear and do. 3. It changes what we become.

Become more like Jesus Acts 9:1-25 October 30, 2016 A real vision of Jesus catapults a person toward constant transformation. Notice how a genuine encounter with Jesus changes us: 1. It changes what we see. Vv.1-9 2. It changes what we hear and do. Vv.10-19 3. It changes what ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Chief Purpose Of Man

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 31, 2011

Eccl 12

THE CHIEF PURPOSE OF MAN (ECCLESIASTES 12) What is your goal in life? Getting an education? Being a success? Buying a house? Starting a family? Retiring a millionaire or multimillionaire? A survey of about 1,000 people aged from 16 to 35 in Hong Kong concerning their personal goals over the next ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Chief Purpose Of Man

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 3, 2012

Eccl 12

THE CHIEF PURPOSE OF MAN (ECCLESIASTES 12) What is your goal in life? Getting an education? Being a success? Buying a house? Starting a family? Retiring a millionaire or multimillionaire? A survey of about 1,000 people aged from 16 to 35 in Hong Kong concerning their personal goals over the next ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When God Gave A Party And Nobody Came

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 24, 2011

An exegesis of the parable of the King who gave a wedding banquet for his son and people refused the invitation.

The parable at which we are looking today comes after a series of confrontations Jesus has had with the Pharisees — the religious leaders of the day. They question whether he has the right to do the things he does and by what authority he speaks. They do not want to be a part of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

And Who Are You? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 23, 2012

a study of the Gospel of Luke 13: 22 – 33

Luke 13: 22 – 33 And Who Are You? 22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-33

Denomination: Calvary Chapel