Sermons on Become:

The Jerusalem 500 Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2007

Parable of the 2 Debtors--Good theme for NASCAR or INDY race weekends. One was forgiven 50 denarii and the other 500. Jesus uses this to aid our understanding of sin and forgiveness. Link included to formatted text, audio, and ’Race Style’ PowerPoint Temp

The Jerusalem 500 Luke 7:41-43 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Jerusalem500.html The Indy 500 was this afternoon [5-27-07], but the biggest race of our life should be the race to the place of forgiveness to be saved! Make no pit stops at good works, baptism, or communion…just trust completely in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:41-43

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness And The Grace Of God Series

Contributed by James Jack on Jun 9, 2007

As with David, our response to sin should involve confession, grace and transformation.

When one of my students does something bad and gets caught, there’s a number of different reactions that you can see. It depends on the student, on the teacher, and on what they’ve done. But some reactions are a lot more common than others. • There’s the “I’m really sorry sir and I won’t do it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Anglican

Don't Wait To Long To Answer

Contributed by Clint Shrum on Jun 16, 2007

The cost of waiting to long to answer the call of the Holy Spirit

DON’T WAIT TO LONG TO ANSWER Solomon’s Song 5:1-8 Intro: In Solomon’s Song there are three major characters. Solomon, the Shulamite and the shepherd lover. Now in this encounter you have to pay close attention to the scriptures to realize the shepherd lover a mysterious type person. He ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can I Get In?

Contributed by Clint Shrum on Jun 16, 2007

Answering the call to salvation and service. What it takes to get in the will of God

HOW CAN I GET IN John 3:1-8 Intro: In reading the previous chapter we find that Jesus has just started his earthly ministry. He is about 30 years of age and is at Cana of Galilee. This is the place where Jesus turned the water into wine and manifested His glory before His disciples and they ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Its A Matter Of The Heart

Contributed by Ned Bartlebaugh on Jun 21, 2007

God looks upon the sin in your heart that hampers God’s very best for you. He will clean your heart, but He will not enter in without being invited first. This means we have to be real with ourselves and turn back to God, stop rationalizing sin and call

Introduction Illustration – Sea Biscuit: It’s heart I watched the movie “Sea Biscuit” the other night. One of my favorite scenes is near the beginning where the horse trainer is searching for one horse that he can groom into a champion. He wasn’t looking for a horse that was already a champion ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Run That Race!

Contributed by Robert Cox on Nov 23, 2007

Life is a race that all must run.

PHIL 3:7-16 We are in a race, aren’t we? Did you know that life is a race that all must run, and when I hear the athletes talk about their "race to the finish line", they always say that it’s all about finishing. Your Christian walk is all about finishing, too. Now, everyone will eventually ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:9-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

An Astonishing Gospel Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Nov 23, 2007

I preach expository messages, and this is the 24th in my series on the Book of Acts.

“An Astonishing Gospel” Acts 13:4-12 November 18, 2007 Last week, we considered the critical role of the local church in sending out two men, Barnabas and Saul, for the work God had prepared for them. Here, in our passage today, we see reiterated the other absolute essential for Christian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Working It Out Jesus' Way (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 11, 2007

Discussion of the process of handling conflicts between believers.

Working It Out Jesus’ Way (Part 1) Matthew 18:15-20 June 24, 2007 I’m a conflict-avoider. I hate conflict more than just about anything – even canned spinach. When it looks like I’m going to have to face something I don’t want to do, I’m just like most of you, I’ll start looking for a way to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

We Need A Bath! Series

Contributed by Brien Sims on Dec 13, 2007

The second in the series on fellowship in 1 John. These verses describe how Christians are to be cleansed of sins committed after baptism. Most people won’t live in a filthy house but they will let filth clutter their hearts.

If you have ever felt distanced from others, maybe its time you take a bath. Most of us shower every single day because we sweat and work hard. Some work in stinky jobs or in jobs with tons of dirt and dust flying everywhere. Sometimes we just need a bath. How many of you have jumped in a mud ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Prepared - Straighten Pasths Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 17, 2007

The first step in straightening the paths for the coming Lord is to make the U-turn of repentence.

Matthew 3:1-12 “Be Prepared—Straightening the Paths” INTRODUCTION What would it be like to enter into God’s presence? How would we respond if we met God face to face? Though the Bible is full of stories of God interacting with God’s people, there are very few occasions when people actually ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The Hand That Pulls The Strings: Godfather Trilogy Series

Contributed by J John on Dec 20, 2007

In 1972, a movie was released based on Mario Puzo’s novel, The Godfather. Thirty years on, Francis Ford Coppola’s film maintains its position as one of the most popular and critically acclaimed in cinematic history.

--note-- 1972, Paramount Director: Francis Ford Coppola Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro - - - - - In 1972, a movie was released based on Mario Puzo’s novel, The Godfather. Thirty years on, Francis Ford Coppola’s film maintains its position as one of the most popular and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 129:1

Denomination: *other

Authentic Christianity

Contributed by Ray Searan on Feb 21, 2007

If you want to know what someone is all about, just listen to what they say. Jesus once said: “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” The Living Bible puts it this way: “Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech”.

Text: Luke 10:25-37 Introduction: If you want to know what someone is all about, just listen to what they say. Jesus once said: “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” The Living Bible puts it this way: “Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech”. Sometimes I just enjoy ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Build A Faithful Nation

Contributed by Greg Nance on Feb 24, 2007

When will Israel learn to trust God? Raising a faithful generation will take more time and more pain. God shows us, Egypt and Canaan are poor places to learn faith.

This week we finished Leviticus and read the first 18 chapters of the book of Numbers. So, where did you see Jesus in Numbers? The word “Egypt” occurs in Numbers several times doesn’t it. Four times it occurs reminding Israel that God has brought them out of Egypt. Eight times it occurs when ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus And The Pharisee Series

Contributed by Simon Fullylove on Feb 27, 2007

A look at what the call meant to Nicodemus to be "born again"

Introduction A man was preaching to a church in Australia. The congregation had big black Bibles and severe expressions... And they knew their Bibles, and were proud of that. It was a smallish group, so he decided to engage them in dialogue: ’Who knows who the Pharisees were?’ They did. ’The ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Your Sins Are Forgiven

Contributed by Stephen Becker on Oct 13, 2007

Jesus completely paid for our sins on the cross. Yet Satan will always try to "remind" us of our unworthiness and or our sins, but God the Holy Spirit wants us to know that because of our faith in Jesus, we ARE saved and God remembers our sins no more.

YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN Stephen Becker, M.Div. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church—Elk Grove June 17, 2007, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost There was once a little boy and his sister visiting their grandparents on their farm. Grandpa gave the little boy a sling-shot to play with out in the wood. The boy ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran