Sermons on Being Enlightened:

The Victory Begins Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 26, 2012

More eternal truth from Esther’s trouble: 1. Esther’s vital request (vs. 1-3). 2. The king’s righteous rage (vs. 3-7). 3. Haman’s desperate reaction (vs. 7-8). 4. Haman’s terrible reaping (vs. 9-10).

For Such a Time as This Part 7: The Victory Begins Esther 7:1-10 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - July 1, 2012 BACKGROUND: *Five hundred years before Christ, Esther the orphan and secret Jew was chosen to be queen of the Persian Empire. Esther was put there by the invisible Hand ...read more

Scripture: Esther 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Refusing To Play Favorites Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 30, 2012

If you want God's favor, don't treat people with favoritism.

Something very interesting happened on Monday night when people who normally hate on the Packers were suddenly on their side when a blown call by the replacement officials gave the win to the Seahawks. Even Bear fans expressed sympathy to me all week. Well, except for one guy who called me a ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Surprised By Prayer Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 19, 2012

Even as I’m concerned about people who misunderstand the purpose of prayer, I’m also concerned about those who do understand, but who seem to pray with no expectation of God honoring prayers or acting on our behalf.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (In preparing this message as part of a sermon series on “Prayer” I have borrowed heavily, and adapted, from an outstanding sermon of the same title by Mike Hays of the Britton Christian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dealing With Distractions Series

Contributed by Fran Van Hoven on Oct 20, 2012

TODAY AS WE LOOK AT CH 6 IN NEHEMIAH- WE WILL SEE HOW THE ENEMY DISTRACTS US.Do you have any unfinished projects lying around ? It’s so easy to get sidetracked isn’t it? It takes tenacity to finish what we start because there are always so many distracti

TODAY AS WE LOOK AT CH 6 IN NEHEMIAH- WE WILL SEE HOW THE ENEMY DISTRACTS US.Do you have any unfinished projects lying around ? It’s so easy to get sidetracked isn’t it? It takes tenacity to finish what we start because there are always so many distractions. One thing that WE clearly ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Presence In The Lonely Places Of Our Lives Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Oct 20, 2012

Jacob's night with a stone for a pillow teaches us that God uses loneliness and isolation to speak to us in ways that would otherwise be missed.

I have a very special pillowcase that might tempt you to make fun of me. It is my “Where’s Waldo” pillowcase. Actually, it belonged to one of our children, but I use it as my pillowcase when I go camping in the wilderness. My wilderness gear consists of leftovers from around ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

“put Not Your Trust In Princes”(Politicians)

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 21, 2012

This election is very important, but despite the outcome, we still may find ourselves disillusioned. David has sage advice for us: "Do not put your trust in princes." So what should be the object of our Trust? There are 3 accessories to gain that trust.

“PUT NOT YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES”(POLITICIANS) Psalm 146:3 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: LIBERAL KITTENS 1. Chris Matthews (MSNBC Hardball; liberal) was out jogging one morning, and saw a little boy on the corner with a box. 'What's in the box son?' The little boy, who knew who he was, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Men Of The Bible - Nehemiah Series

Contributed by John Murphy on Oct 25, 2012

One of the last prophets of the OT and a key figure in Israel's return to the Promised Land

If you’ve noticed I have tried to pick men of the bible we usually do not talk about much. Elijah, Naaman and now I want to talk about another man we seldom talk about. I would like to call your attention to the prophet called Nehemiah. We may gain some help from this distinguished man who ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Do You Ever Think About Giving Up?

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Oct 26, 2012

Encouragement to those who are thinking about giving up.

-+Did You Ever Think About Giving Up? Job 1:1-1:3 ILL.- In November 1988, Marie Balter began work as an administrator of Danvers State Hospital in Boston. It is a mental hospital. AND IT IS THE SAME HOSPITAL WHERE SHE SPENT 17 YEARS. At age 17, Marie went through some ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Inside-Outside Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

The condition of your heart is what determines your status with God, not the rituals and traditions you follow.

Introduction Have you ever asked someone a question and found you had touched a raw nerve? The other person swells up with emotion and then unleashes a tirade. “I’ve had enough of people asking me…” “You want to know my opinion? I’ll be glad to give you my ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Got Ready For Christmas

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 25, 2013

1. God wants to treasure our faithful service (vs. 5-10). 2. God wants to touch our lives (vs. 11-14). 3. God wants to train-up new leaders (vs. 14-16). 4. God wants to turn us in the right direction (vs. 16-17).

God Got Ready for Christmas Luke 1:5-20 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Dec. 8, 2013 *Our church has definitely been getting ready for Christmas. A quick look around the room leaves no doubt. The Manger Scene outside looks great too. Plus our Adult and Children's Choirs have been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-20

Denomination: Baptist

How To Have A Happy New Year

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 26, 2013

If you want a happy new year, separate yourself from the world and saturate yourself in the Word. That way you can situate yourself by the water. Otherwise, you will be sifted like wheat.

In 1948, nobody expected Harry Truman to win re-election as president of the United States. But on election night, the first scattered returns showed Harry Truman leading over Thomas E. Dewey. At about midnight, radio commentator H. V. Kaltenborn announced, “Mr. Truman is still ahead, but ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical Free

It Is Finished

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Jan 1, 2014

A LOOK AT HOW THE AGE OF SACRIFICES IS COMPLETED, AFTER OVER 158 MILLION MANDATED SACRIFICES WITH 1 SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS

IT IS FINISHED GENESIS 4:1-10 1. Adam knew his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man." 2. Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3. In the course of time Cain ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-30

Denomination: Church Of God

Make A Commitment Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 3, 2014

To what are you committed? Why are you committed? On what basis do you make your commitments? We can learn from Mary.

“Guidelines for Christmas: Make A Commitment” Luke 1:46-55 To what are you committed? Why are you committed? On what basis do you make your commitments? Today’s passage about Mary forces us to consider these questions about commitment. What led her to her commitment? We can gain ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Christian Enticement Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 15, 2014

Pergamum is known as The Compromising Church. We will look at the strengths of this church / Subtle Seduction of this church / Standard for the church.

Christian Enticement Revelation 2:12-17 12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live-- where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"I Am Blessed" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jan 22, 2014

The blessings we have in Christ help make up our spiritual identity.

“I Am Blessed” (Eph 1:3-14) We can read our passage today and it reads like any good section of the New Testament, very nice introduction to the letter he writes to the Ephesian church. But what you can’t get from just reading the English written word here is how absolutely giddy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14