Sermons on Background:

When Mary Cared Enough To Give Her Very Best

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 21, 2020

Ever heard the phrase, "no good deed ever goes unpunished"? Mary of Bethany may have felt that way when she showed Jesus how much she loved Him.

Based on a sermon preached at Carrington Baptist Church, Fulton, MO 3-08-2015. (This is not an exact transcription.} Background Many events took place during the last several days before Jesus died on Calvary. He had left the area some time before, according to John chapter 11, and had stayed ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Oct 16, 2016

The good news and the bad news is that growth brings people and new people bring different ideas. What do we do in times of conflict? Check out these thoughts from the church in Jerusalem.

Growing pains- they can be a good thing. There’s a saying that goes, “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” Growing pains can also be bad- after all, they’re a pain. It hurts. As a child growing to maturity, there are a number of times you go through ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Another Feast In The Desert Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Nov 8, 2017

It is easy to see the Lord work in a mighty way and yet forget as soon as a similar situation comes along. The disciples witnessed Jesus feed a multitude, and yet when facing another multitude that needed fed, they doubted. We must walk by faith,

Another Feast in the Desert Mark 8: 1-9 In our text today we read of the second time our Lord miraculously fed thousands of people with a meager supply of food. Like the previous encounter, a multitude had followed Jesus and were in desperate need of a meal. They were in an isolated area, outside ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Heavenly Well Full Of Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by Craig Condon on Sep 7, 2015

Making small changes in our lives or the lives of others can have big impacts, especially since we live in an area that is spiritually dry and thirsty.

There once was a man who was not well-educated and rather rough and crude around the edges, but he was recently converted and was on fire for the Lord. He constantly asked the minister to give him some work that would be helpful to the church. Finally, the minister gave the man a list of ten people ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Denomination: Anglican

Go Thy Way: He Waited For A Convenient Season Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 31, 2020

In this last message for this "Go thy way" series, Felix a Roman governor, talked with Paul about the Christian faith several times. He listened but told Paul "go thy way and I'll talk to you about this when I have the time". Sadly, he never found the time.

Background: Paul has been arrested in Jerusalem, then taken to the Roman barracks (castle, KJV: Acts 21:34, 37, e.g.). Later Paul was sent to the seat of Roman government in Caesarea. He had been tried and accused of charges, serious at the time, but was declared neither guilty nor innocent. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

Remember The Cross: Memorial Day

Contributed by Gary Holt on May 23, 2020

The Lord's Supper is our weekly memorial of the Lord's death until He comes

“Remember the CROSS” Memorial Day 2020 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Credit: various sections were taken from K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 13, 2004 Background research from Tom Fuller Memorial Day is a time when we remember a sobering fact: • The Cost of Freedom is Blood. • Once a year we observe ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"continuing The Ministry Of Jesus"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 2, 2020

It can happen today. Do we want it to?

“Continuing the Ministry of Jesus” Acts 2:42-3:10 There was once a young man who snuck into church hoping no one would notice him. The only reason he came was because he was interested in a girl who sang in the choir. He hoped that if he was in the service he’d be able to see her at the end ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

The Mystery Of Forgiving & Forgetting: Is It Possible?

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 15, 2025

We often hear the saying, "I forgive you now, but remember, if you do it again, there will be consequences..."

The Mystery of Forgiving & Forgetting: Is it Possible? We often hear the saying, "I forgive you now, but remember, if you do it again, there will be consequences..." As sinners, we find it so difficult to forget the mistakes of others. But conversely, we often easily forget the good ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Innkeeper And His Guests Missed The First Advent Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Nov 20, 2021

It would be tragic to leave Jesus out of Christmas 2021 because I am too busy or because I am so absorbed in my own little world. That’s what happened the First Christmas, and that same time have been happening in many homes Christmas after Christmas.

INTRODUCTION CUSTOM BLOCK Advent means the arrival; the appearance and that term is usually associated with someone who is notable. So, it is fair to say that those who lived in the times of the Old Testament were looking for the Advent (the coming, the appearance) of Christ. In fact, Advent is not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Simon The Zealot Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 18, 2021

Under different circumstances Simon would run a blade through Matthew, and Matthew would live in fear of Simon, but Jesus makes them partners in the Gospel. A left-winger and a right-winger united in Christ.

We want to look at an Apostle of whom we would know nothing if the New Testament did not tell us of his political affiliation before he became a believer. If a man was called Simon the Democrat or Simon the Republican, you would not be able to draw many conclusions about him because these terms ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:12-16

Paul Before King Agrippa Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 12, 2022

Paul was ready to give his testimony of how he went from a persecutor of Christians to a follower of Christ. Paul was bold to confront King Agrippa with the claims of Christ. Paul even gave an invitation to Agrippa to become a follower of Christ.

Background The context of this message is that Paul had recently finished his third missionary journey and went to Jerusalem. When he got to Jerusalem, he told James the brother of Jesus and all the church leaders what happened in his ministry where the gentiles turned to God. The Jerusalem ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Unfulfilled Prophecies Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

If you enjoy speculating about the order of events of that day, it is your privilege, but please do not label such speculations as the Word of God, for it is such practices that has made the glorious doctrine of the second coming a stumbling block to many.

The New Testament makes it clear that Jesus came into the world the first time, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. It is equally clear that when He comes the second time, He will come to end the day of grace and judge all men who have not taken advantage of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:9-12

"Yahweh Has Come To His Temple”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Sep 28, 2023

Matthew 21 and the parable of the two sons, and tenants in the vineyard are really about "Yahweh" coming to His temple, His dwelling place. The Pharisees rejected His Messiahship and thus they ask: "By what authority...." Conclusion: Who do you say Jesus is?

In Jesus Holy Name October 1, 2023 Text: Matthew 21:14-15 Redeemer “Yahweh Has Come to His Temple” Good Morning: Our message today based on the gospel lesson in Matthew 21 will make little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:14-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Being A Part Of God’s Story Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 28, 2023

The dreams of Joseph lay out the larger vision of what God will fulfill in His life. What can we learn from it about the way God works?

- Sermon series: “Character Amid Crisis.” - Joseph is not necessary the most important of the OT characters. That would probably go to Abraham or Moses or David. But I think Joseph stands as the greatest saint of the OT in his behavior. He doesn’t have the major lapses in his behavior like most of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Women Who Supported Jesus' Ministry

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 13, 2022

God does not play favorites, not does He consider what societal norms are when He chooses His ministers.

The Women who Supported Jesus' Ministry Luke 8:1-3 Sometimes, a passage of Scripture gets overlooked because it is seen as simple background information to the narrative. This is true of the passage we read this morning. At first it seems to act as a transition from the story of Simon the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible