Sermons on Baptist Heritage:

The Encouragement Among Believers Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Oct 22, 2020

Life is full of surprises. Life is full of stresses and burdens. When we chose to follow God's will, the stresses and burdens of life can pull against His perfect will. That's why believers need each other and need to encourage one another.

Grace Community Church Winchester, VA Rev. Bradford Reaves, Sr. Pastor www.GraceCommunity.com Watch this message https://youtu.be/dmWN4pn5UVY Introduction Have you ever had a situation, where you did the right thing, but the people around you were actually disappointed or angry with you? Over ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:38-56, Galatians 6:2, Romans 8:31, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Mark 10:27, Matthew 17:20, Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 6:10-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Second Sunday Of Advent C, Advent 2-- Crying Out In The Desert

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 2, 2021

Can we say to John the Baptist this Advent, “The Wind Brought Your Voice To Me?”

We don’t sing the Gloria in Advent until the angels sing the "Gloria in excelsis Deo" at Christmas but we do hear a prophetic voice, crying out in the desert, which are often windy places. The voice is from John the Baptist, carried on the whistling wind, that says, “Prepare the way of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

The Joy And Privilege Of Serving Jesus (John 3:22-36; 4:1-3) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 15, 2022

Whatever ministry we "have," is God's gift to us. If I decrease, it's okay. I point people to Jesus. Also, bonus discussion: part of "faith" is obedience (John 3:36)

Today's passage is a little tricky. I'll try to talk slowly. I'll try to not lose you. But if you get lost about parts, I'd be happy to give you my manuscript, or answer any questions afterward. Let's start this morning by rereading John 3:1-5 (NRSV, lightly modified): 3 ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-36, John 4:1-3

5 Witnesses Testifying On Jesus' Behalf (John 5:31-47) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 22, 2022

Jesus knows you need reasons to fully come to him, and commit to him. And so he points you to 5 witnesses, testifying to him.

Last week, we started working our way through John 5. In this chapter, AJ addresses two common Judean criticisms of Jesus. The first, is that Jesus is a lawbreaker-- a sinner. Jesus broke the Sabbath, and taught others to do the same. The second, is that Jesus "makes himself" equal to ...read more

Scripture: John 5:31-47

‘a River, A Dove & A Voice’

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Sep 24, 2024

'A River, A Dove & A Voice.' - Matthew chapter 3 verses 13-17 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: • (1). Jesus and John (vs 13-15): • (2). Jesus and the Baptism (vs 16-17) • (3). Jesus and the Father (vs 17). SERMON BODY: Ill: • Saturday night TV has always been a big hitter in the TV ratings war! • To find that hit show and dominate the airways is key. • Over the years we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Brethren

Jesus Is The Answer, But What Was The Question?

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Jan 19, 2025

Jesus travels to the Jordan River to inaugurate His ministry by being Baptized in the Jordan River. This is not what John the Baptist expects, as John's Baptism is a baptism of Repentance. Why was Jesus Baptized?

Based on a Sermon by Kevin Judd There’s a story about a pastor giving a children’s sermon. He decides to use a story about forest animals as his starting point, so he gathers the kids around him and begins by asking them a question. “I’m going to describe someone to you, and I want you to tell me ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Second Sunday Of Advent, Year C: A Straight, Immovable Section.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 17, 2024

That dangerous S-curve was removed in 1981 and replaced by a straight, immovable section.

A man named John Hakel says his three-year-old daughter looked at a calendar and asked him, "Daddy, how many BE GOOD days until Christmas?"1 On the Second Sunday of Advent, we meet John the Baptist in the Desert: Luke 3:2: “the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

God's Perfect Plan And Timing Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 9, 2024

The angel Gabriel's visit to Zechariah reveals significant truths about God's sovereignty.

Do you believe in chance encounters? Two people meet on a bus ride and end up getting married, remaining so for over 70 years. A random introduction leads two men to become the best of friends and end up establishing Apple computers. A random encounter between a 9 year old girl and a Theology ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, Malachi 4:1-6, Genesis 1:28

Denomination: Baptist

Something To Talk About Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 23, 2024

As if the pregnancies of an elderly woman and an unwed teenager weren’t enough to talk about, the birth of John sparks speech in ways that should encourage us to verbalize things about our faith as well.

Edit sermon notes Copy text In 1991, Bonnie Rait released a song entitled “Somethin’ to Talk About.” It became her highest ranking song on the billboard lists - topping out at #5. This song also became instrumental in helping her win a grammy. The song addresses rumors that had been going around ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Denomination: Baptist

Rsvp

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 28, 2023

The Lord of the dance invites us all - but we have to let him lead.

You’d think John would know. After all, when Jesus came down to the Jordan to be baptized, John had just finished saying, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:24-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Restoring Families; Restoring The Plan Of God

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 12, 2023

Families would have the opportunity to be reunited in His Church, and grace would establish all the new earth as a blessing, not a curse.

Saturday of the Second Week in Advent 2023 Sirach is a book named for its author, Jesus ben Sira. This is a book Catholics use in the Liturgy, but Protestants generally don't accept as inspired. We call it "deuterocanonical;" they call it "apocryphal." Our reading from the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:5-6, Matthew 17:10-13

Denomination: Catholic

Offended By Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 7, 2022

Are we offended by the real Jesus?

Was John the Baptist offended by Jesus? If He walked the earth today would we be offended by Him? Let’s examine the real Jesus and being offended at Jesus in Matthew 11:2-11. Are You the One? And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus: Mark 1 Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Dec 19, 2022

Part 1 of 16. In this series, we follow Jesus chapter-by-chapter through the Gospel of Mark. This is Mark 1.

Following Jesus (1) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 1/1/2017 ILL. I read a story earlier this week about a high-school graduate applying to college. As she filled out her application she came across a question that made her heart sink. “Do you see yourself as a leader or a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Finicky Faith Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 28, 2025

John, while in prison, sent representatives to Jesus to ascertain whether or not he is the one - Jesus provided proof and then affirmed John’s ministry, sinners repented, Pharisees rejected/scoffed, Jesus confronted the finicky faith of the generation

During World War II, a congregation in London faced bombings nightly. In the midst of fear, their pastor encouraged them to gather for prayer. One night, after a particularly intense bombing, he found a soldier praying with fervor. When asked why he prayed amidst such chaos, the soldier replied, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Desert - Sermon On Mark 1:2-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 15, 2023

John flattened the mountains by calling people to repentance.

For audio and video of this message go to https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=9917232370 Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:2-8