Sermons on Backwater:

David - God's Sovereign Choice (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 4, 2024

David, an anonymous shepherd boy living in the hills of Judea, was the person whom God would raise up to be Israel's greatest king, the author of numerous psalms, and be referred to as "a man after God's own heart".

Three thousand years ago, the LORD God chose a young man by the name of David to be the king of Israel. Out of all the sons of Jesse, God's favor came to rest on David. He was the youngest son of Jesse, a poor farmer from the tiny hamlet of Bethlehem. David, on the surface, was a nobody ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Matthew 1:1, Acts 13:22, Hebrews 11:32

Denomination: Baptist

The Construction Of A King's Character (1 Samuel 16:14-23)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 7, 2024

God used solitude, secrecy, sameness, and struggle to shape the character and faith of David for his future role as king of Israel. God can use tools like these to shape anyone who surrenders their life to Him.

David had just been anointed as the next king of Israel by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1-13), much to the amazement of his father and brothers. He had been in the fields of Judea tending the family flocks, seemingly consigned like the majority of the populace to live a life of productive ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14-23, Mark 1:35, Matthew 25:21, Romans 8:28-29, Proverbs 15:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Sign Of The Manger Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 15, 2007

The Manger is a Sign that God often does big things in a small way.

Luke 2:1-14 December 24, 2006 The Sign of the Manger The sign of the manger – a sign of the Kingdom of God – a sign of the economy of God The manger is a sign At it’s basic level, the manger was a sign to the shepherds so that they would know that they had the right baby – there are not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: *other

People Who God Can Use Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

Examining the qualifications of one who God can use - study of Mary.

Luke 1:26 - 38 – Who God can Use When Milan Cathedral was finished, in the vast throngs of people assembled to witness the dedication was a little girl who was heard to cry out in childish glee, as she pointed to the great building, "I helped to build that!" "What!" exclaimed one of the guards ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Brother Jesus

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Dec 3, 2020

God, in Jesus, identifies with us and reveals his love for us in as real and personal a way as possible. And the more we come to understand and appreciate the full humanity of Christ, the stronger our relationship with God will be.

Hebrews 2:10-18 (Read Hebrews 2:10-11, 14-18) In 1980 a woman named Rosie Ruiz ran the NY City Marathon and finished first in the Women’s Division--or so it seemed initially. After she received the star treatment at the finish line, though, some of the event staff realized that they hadn’t ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18

The Significance Of The Incarnation

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Dec 24, 2019

A short Christmas Eve Devotion written to explain the significance of the Word becoming flesh for us.

THE TECHNOLOGICAL DRIVE FOR PERFECTION Ever since I was a little boy, I have always been fascinated by the steady march forward of technology. I used to love going to the school library and picking up a copy of Popular Mechanics to see what new gadget, or computer, or AI system was being ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18, Titus 2:11-13, 1 John 4:16-19, Genesis 1:27

Denomination: Nazarene

Can You Have Too Much Of A Good Thing?

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 5, 2023

A sermon for the Sundays following Pentecost, Year A, Lectionary 22

September 3, 2023 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Matthew 16:21-28 Can You Have Too Much of a Good Thing? Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Adding salt to a baking recipe enhances the final flavor in complex ways. When ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

The Threatening Baby

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Dec 23, 2003

Christmas Eve service, 2003. Herod wanted to be in control and lost the opportunity to know Jesus personally. Do we want to be in control so much that we can’t submit to Christ?

Herod didn’t know who he was. The King of Judea, the Great Herod, had no clue as to who this little baby boy was. Herod thought this baby was a threat. Matthew’s Gospel says that when Herod heard about the Baby Jesus from the Wise Men, he was greatly distressed. Greatly distressed? That is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Is Worthy Of Our Praise

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Mar 26, 2002

Palm Sunday 2002 This sermon proclaims Jesus’ worthiness, intermingled with corporate praise

Palm Sunday 2002 Jesus’ Praises are “For Crying Out Loud!” Luke 19:28-40 Colossians 1:15-20 Read the Story This picture of praise with wild abandon – so much so that the religious people were non too pleased. The people praised for all the miracles Someone gave up their donkey – like giving up ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40, Colossians 1:15-20

Denomination: *other

Christmas New Creation

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 7, 2008

In Jesus Birth, the New Creation has begun

New Creation at Christmas December 16, 2007 Luke 1:26-38 I was talking with a friend this week about all the accesses that happen at Christmas, and how the retail ales system has taken over this celebration of Christ’s birth. We can respond to it in two different ways – at worst, we can just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: *other

Why I Am A Christian

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 24, 2007

Looks at the reason to become a believer & the responsibilities that go with it. Expanded outline.

WHY AM I A CHRISTIAN Why am I a Christian? Why do I love Jesus? There are many things I could tell you about how I came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I am sure the Lord used many things and people in your life to cause you to come to know Him. 1. Material blessings - Some people come ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

Miracles

Contributed by Darrin Fish on Sep 2, 2015

The first Miracle of Jesus, turning the water into wine.

Today I’d like to talk about Miracles John 2:1-11 (Jesus performed His 1st Miracle / Elaborate / Some Big Some Small / Jack Cancer John 2:1-11 Read Now Does it seem strange to you that Jesus would pick a wedding as the place to launch His Ministry? • Maybe even • Maybe ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Greatness

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 23, 2024

A sermon for the season after Pentecost, Year B, lectionary 25

September 22, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Mark 9:30-37 Greatness Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Soon it will be October. That means one thing: baseball playoffs! As the weeks of October progress, the field ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Lutheran

The Person, Purpose, Penman, And Promise Of The Book Of Revelation (1:1-3)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 1, 2023

This message centers on the best method of interpreting Revelation, and how it presents to us the things that have been seen, the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

The book of Revelation has been misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misrepresented by many people. This last book of the Bible has been avoided because many seem to believe that it cannot be understood and that reading, studying, and preaching from it somehow tends to lead to confusion. As I ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, Matthew 18:1-8, Philippians 2:5-11, Revelation 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Guns And Roses

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Jul 6, 2004

The prophecys of the Bible are being ignored, now its almost time for guns and roses.

Guns and Roses Israeli military intelligence chief Aharon Zeevi was quoted Wednesday as saying Tehran might have the bomb by 2008 if the international community does not halt Iran’s march to acquiring nuclear weapons. "Iran is the country ...read more

Scripture: Joel 1:15-17

Denomination: Pentecostal