Sermons on Bertrand Russell:

Pride & Prejudice Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

Peter came to a point where he was able to overcome his prejudice. This sermon examines how he came to that point, and shares how we can get there, too.

* "The most segregated house in America is 11:00 on Sunday." * The reality/existence of prejudice in Christianity and the church... * Prejudice in the church takes many forms... * Not a new issue for the church to face: it has existed for almost as long as the church itself * The problem that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Denomination: Baptist

Real Christians Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 17, 2011

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. This message takes a look at what a "real," biblical Christian looks like and does.

* Explain how the meanings of many words have changed over time (i.e., spam; cell; wicked; awful; etc.) * How the meaning of "Christian" has changed: today there are many "types" of Christians (i.e., active/inactive; marginal; radical; involved/uninvolved; secret; casual; etc.) * The most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Why God Cannot Be Defeated Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 17, 2011

Acts 12 records another attempt of Satan to defeat God and his plan for the church. However, God cannot be defeated. This sermon explains why.

* Concept of being undefeated: a rare occurrence - Only 1 NFL team; 7 NCAA basketball teams; no NBA or MLB teams * Being undefeated symbolizes that no one was able to be better, play harder, or accomplish more * It's practically impossible to always be undefeated: the longer you play, the less ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

What A Biblical Church Looks Like Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 17, 2011

The church in Antioch was filled with "real" Christians and shows us what a biblical church looks like.

* The book of Acts holds up a mirror to our church today so we can get an accurate picture of how well we are functioning as a biblical church. * Many outward things about the church has changed in 2000 years, but what the church is and what we are to do has not...nor will it ever. * Yet a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Part Four - Why Can’t I See Or Hear God? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 28, 2010

Safer to have a God you can control!

1Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: United Methodist

Part 5 - Why Not Tell The Truth? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 12, 2010

People ask all sorts of questions about God.

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25 (NRSV) [1] You have probably never seen a more purely uncomplicated presentation of the Gospel than the scene we’re about to watch. In Disney’s 1940 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25

Denomination: United Methodist

Part 6 - Why Don’t I Have More Self-Control? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 19, 2010

We do what we don’t want, and vice versa...Why?

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:14 - 25 (NRSV) [1] We are still grappling with some of life’s “why” questions. Today’s question is #6 in the series – a riddle that is arguably one of the simplest and most basic; at the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: United Methodist

Part 7 - Why Does Bad Stuff Happen To Good People? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 26, 2010

We all ask it....why? And "why me"? Is there an answer?

Job was a man who lived in Uz. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion. Job 1:1 (TMSG) --- No rest for me, ever—death has invaded life. Job 3:26b (TMSG) Why does bad stuff happen to good people? This question is such a ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Part 9 - Why Was Jesus Crucified? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 11, 2010

Questions that trouble us...why the pain, beatings and blood?

Children have a unique perspective that allows them to keep everything “less scary” in their world. A little boy got concerned when his Daddy, a minister, didn’t come home by the usual time. He finally asked his mother, “Is Dad going around visiting all the sick ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:22

Denomination: United Methodist

Give God The Glory

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 28, 2010

Reviewing our vows of belonging to the body of Christ...are we living what we promised?

LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. 3When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9

Denomination: United Methodist

Faith Family!

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jun 17, 2010

Faith family - second birth into a family where the blood really is thicker than water.

Galatians 3:23-29 23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Communion In A Tree

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jun 25, 2010

What a very old oak tree can teach us about communion in the church

Galatians 5:1, 13-25 1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ----------------- 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-25

Denomination: United Methodist

For We Are Kindred

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 6, 2010

The problem of acceptance cross-generationally in a church

1So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. 2Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3He journeyed on by stages from the Negeb as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Part 1 - Marital Rocks And Hard Places Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 10, 2009

Part one six on marriage and family

…let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7: 17b (NRSVA) Today we are beginning a six-part series on marriage and family life. Family life is not just about husband, wife, 2.3 kids, the dog and a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Part 2 - Family Ties Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 15, 2009

Missing ingredient that holds marriages together is intimacy

18Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” 19So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: United Methodist