Sermons on Batting Average:

Finding Joy Amidst Life's Surprises

Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 22, 2005

Christmas is meant to be joy time, and in the stories of Christmas from the Biblical to the secular there is a theme of joy amidst surprises that runs through them.

Finding Joy Amidst Life’s Surprises Luke 1:39-55 (New International Version) 39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Greatest Promise

Contributed by John Baggett on Jun 27, 2005

Powerful Message of The Greatest Good- God, Greatest Action - God’s Love, The Greatest Need-World in Sin, Greatest Sacrifice - Jesus, Greatest Invitation - Whoever, Greatest Response - Believes, Greatest Gift Eternal Life

This sermon has power point slides wich are available at the church website www.mtpbc.com. God’s Greatest Promise - John 3:16 This monumental verse of scripture is God’s Greatest Promise. It is the greatest promise in the whole wide world. It begins with the two words “For God “ It ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

1st Things 1st: "God Speaks Through His Word" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 19, 2005

The Bible is God’s introduction of himself to us. If God speaks, don’t you want to listen?

First Things First #5 “God Speaks Through His Word” Hebrews 1:1-4 Have you ever found yourself right in the middle of a problem, a storm of life and just the right Scripture pops into your head… at just the right time to comfort, to encourage, or to strengthen? • I love the account in Matthew of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Just Do It Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Aug 21, 2005

4th message in James Series. How to receive, react, and respond to the Word of God in obedience.

“The Bible: Highly Revered but Seldom Read” was the headline for a Christianity Today article reporting the results of a Gallup Poll. Americans expressed their attitudes toward God, the church, the Bible and their personal faith. Interestingly, 42 percent recognized in principle that the Bible is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Whipping The Slave Again

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Mar 15, 2005

Does the one talent slave deserve another whipping? He did hide the master’s talent. But why did he hide it? Fear cripples. So God is going to work through the Gentiles now. Take that Pharisees.

WHIPPING THE SLAVE AGAIN TEXT: MATTHEW 25:14-30 THEME: AN FALSE VIEW OF GOD CAUSES A LACK OF SERVICE. Should we give the one talent slave in Matthew 25:14-30 another whipping? We can get the whip out and provide another lashing for his lack of faithful service to his master. We can beat ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:15-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Value Of Life

Contributed by James May on Mar 30, 2005

Life is a valuable thing and we should not take lightly the decisions of the courts of our land to allow someone to die.

THE VALUE OF LIFE By Pastor Jim May Life is a precious thing. All too often we take it for granted, especially when things are going well, or when we are young. We never give a thought to death and the things of eternity. It isn’t until we start getting a little older and whole lot wiser, that ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Part 1 - What Are Spiritual Gifts? Series

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Mar 31, 2005

Part 1 of the SPiritual Gifts Series, What are Spiritual Gifts? We will examine what they are, where they come from and what purpose do they serve.

Spiritual Gifts Series Part 1 – “What are Spiritual Gifts? Rev. Bruce A. Shields – First Baptist Church Tawas City Michigan www.TawasBaptist.org I would like to welcome you to the First Baptist Church of Tawas City, we are very glad you are here today. If you are visiting, please fill out a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7

Denomination: Bible Church

Called To Be Disciples Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 10, 2005

Jesus called the Twelve so that (1) they might be with Him, (2) they are to be send out to preach, and (3) to have authority to drive out demons. We are to do the same today.

You and I can make a significant contribution to this world today • If not, Jesus would not have called us to be His disciples or given us the great commission 12 men took on the challenge - to follow Christ and serve Him - and they transformed the world • It is not about you, but what God can do ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Pharisee & The Tax-Collector - A Sermon On Luke 18

Contributed by David Smith on Apr 21, 2005

Father Dave’s sermon on the parable of the tax collector and the Parisee. Father Dave challenges the conventional understanding of the Pharisee.

Luke 18 - Jesus told them another joke. I know your translation says ’parable’ rather than ’joke’, but ’joke’ is not a bad translation. We don’t tell parables nowadays, we tell jokes, and they’re pretty similar - both have punch lines, both can help you to see life in a different way, both can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Preeminence Of Preaching Within The Church Series

Contributed by Duane Smith on Sep 8, 2005

To encourage a full proclimation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ within the Church by preaching and then by the church in the streets by personal testimony.

THE PREEMINENCE OF PREACHING WITHIN THE CHURCH Acts 2:14-47 INTRODUCTION: A. In 1996 Thom Rainer published a book entitled Effective Evangelistic Churches 1. Surveys were sent out to 1400 Southern Baptist Churches which were considered “Evangelistic” this meant a. They had at least 26 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:14-47

Denomination: Baptist

Search And Rescue Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Sep 15, 2005

When Jesus commissioned his disciples to make disciples of all nations, he sent his church into the search and rescue business.

Search and Rescue Matthew 28:18-20 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Introduction: One of the great legacies of the 9-11 disaster four years ago today is a greater appreciation for the debt we all owe to the “first responders.” I don’t remember ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"How Can A Loving God Allow The Suffering Of Good People?”

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 27, 2005

This sermon addressed the suffering people experienced following the 9-11-01 terrorist attack in New York and Washington, DC.

“How Can A Loving God Allow the Suffering of Good People?” I Peter 4:12-19 This past week has been a time of suffering for many people in America. Evil hearts resulted in killing friends and family members in San Francisco and Sacramento. Evil hearts planned for months to strike at the heart of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Free Methodist

Marriage: A Labor Of Love

Contributed by Michael Luke on Sep 27, 2005

Celebrating the importance of strong marriages build up the family, community and church

SPECIAL DAY: LABOR DAY TEXT: HEBREWS 13:4 TITLE: “MARRIAGE: A LABOR OF LOVE” INTRODUCTION: A. It may be Labor Day weekend, but today we have some members celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary: Don and Donna Peed ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living Debt Free Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 2, 2005

How is your debt ratio with God? Do you walk around feeling the weight of your sin, past present and future, around you neck? Learn what it means to live a guilt free - debt free life.

Americans are racking up credit card debt at a record pace. Now, don’t worry, this isn’t a message about being a good steward and owing no man or anything like that. But while our financial debt soars, no one talks much about the spiritual debt we owe to God. I know for myself - every time I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-28

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Loving The One And Hating The Other

Contributed by John Walls on Jun 28, 2004

Making the proper choice between Chrsit and the world

LOVE THE ONE AND HATING THE OTHER Luke 16:13 Introduction: We find a stern warning from God’s word that was uttered from the lips of the Lord Jesus. He shows the principle that you must choose whether you are going to serve God or the demon of materialism or money. The word "mammon" is only ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:13

Denomination: Baptist