Sermons on Bethany:

Heaven Has Come Near Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

When the Son of God is born as man, we’ve already seen His plan.

A couple weeks ago, NASA landed their 8th Mars lander, InSight, on the surface of Mars and started a photoshoot. They kind of look like selfies on Mars to me. They were thrilled at a successful landing - the first of its kind in a few years. It cost a lot of money, and NASA hopes to learn a lot ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-17, John 1:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Balancing Inward And Outward Service

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Jan 10, 2021

This sermon is going to focus on Mary and Martha’s different approaches to pleasing to pleasing God and suggest that a balance of both service and reflection is what pleases God.

Balancing Inward and Outward Service Luke 10:38-42 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 I remember the day when I said YES to the Lord. I was born that day of the water and Spirit and felt an overwhelming peace that comes from being eternally adopted as God’s son. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Pentecost 50 Days After Passover

Contributed by Greg Van Heukelom on Jun 30, 2020

I will forever be amazed how God set up the Old Testament festivals ALL to be fulfilled through the Messiah

Hello Calvary family and welcome to worship for Pentecost Sunday. Every think about it the fact that some people bring joy to everyone, while some people bring joy when they leave😊 You know people that walk in the room and everybody is happy to see them, and then you have those couple ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Evangelize On Purpose Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 5, 2021

"Evangelism is the ultimate goal of the kingdom focused church, and everything the church does has to contribute one way or another to reaching that goal. It’s also true that church growth without evangelism is impossible" - Gene Mims

This morning we’ll be viewing the purpose of “evangelism.” So, what is evangelism? In his book, The Kingdom Focused Church, Gene Mims (a former President of LifeWay Christian Resources) defines evangelism as “the process of sharing the gospel with the lost and winning them to Christ, thereby ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:46-53

Denomination: Baptist

The Ascension Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 8, 2021

It was reported by official Soviet channels upon their entry into space in 1961 that the Russian Cosmonaut who first traveled into space said these words: “I went up to space, but I didn’t encounter God.”

Jesus stayed on the earth for forty days after His resurrection. Now, forty days is a long time. If Jesus rose on March 27, this would place His ascension from earth on May 5 (Cinco de Mayo). America has holidays that mark the birth of Jesus (Christmas), the death of Jesus (Good Friday), and the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:35-53

Denomination: Baptist

Your Own Pillar Of Fire

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Feb 2, 2025

Sometimes we wish we had a pillar of fire to guide us through the wilderness. This message looks at the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as one suggestion.

It was 1987, I was pastoring in Truro, and co-chairing a young adult’s event just outside of Washington, DC. I had been in DC for the weekend, looking at hotels and meeting space, and I was making my way back to Allentown, Pennsylvania, with my co-chair, Dwight Addington. Dwight pastored Bethany ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:17-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

Make The Most Of Our Visits With God

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jul 21, 2025

Abraham and Sarah, and Martha and Mary received the one thing they needed—God’s presence in their lives through his Word. Let’s ask God the Holy Spirit to do the same thing for us today and every day.

God came to visit them. In two of our Scripture readings for this Sunday two pairs of believers hosted God in their homes (well, to be exact one was a tent). Abraham and Sarah welcomed the LORD God who took on a human body to be able to visit them on a personal level. They heard God’s promises ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Feast Of Firstfruits (Pt.3) Series

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Dec 11, 2025

We’ve already covered Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. Today we’ll discuss Feast of First Fruits.

I wanted us to experience an example of understanding that the Bible is the unified story that leads to Christ, by having a deeper understanding of the significance of the 7 Feasts, to us, as Christians with this in mind: Understand the Hebrew calendar date assigned to each Historical ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-2, Leviticus 23:1-14

The King, The Temple, And The Tree - Matthew 21.1-22 (Part 1) Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 15, 2025

The KING has come - not to meet our shallow expectations, but to rule our hearts, cleanse our worship, and produce in us a faith that is both pure and fruitful. JESUS enters as the rightful KING, calls His people to pure worship, and expects genuine faith that bears spiritual fruit.

2025.08.17. Sermon Notes. The KING, The Temple, and The Tree_Matthew 21.1-22 (Part 1) Welcoming the KING, Purifying the Heart, Bearing Fruit in Faith BIG IDEA: The KING has come - not to meet our shallow expectations, but to rule our hearts, cleanse our worship, and produce in us a faith that is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-22, Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 118:25-26, Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:11, 2 Timothy 4:2-5, John 15:8, Galatians 5:22-23, James 1:6, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 13:2, Mark 11:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Man With The Pitcher, Not The Picture, Just The Pitcher Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 14, 2022

Guidance can be difficult and we may struggle with it. God often send to us the man with a pitcher. We don't have much of a picture of what lies ahead, but the Lord is there. Just take note of the man with a pitcher.

THE MAN WITH THE PITCHER, NOT THE PICTURE, JUST THE PITCHER [1]. THE MESSAGE FROM PILGRIM’S PROGRESS Who has read Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan? I love that book. Many decades ago, and all through the 1800s etc., nearly everyone read Pilgrim’s Progress, even non-Christians. Sometimes in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18-21, 1 Kings 17:2-9, Mark 14:13-17, Psalm 119:105, Acts 1:4-8, Mark 6:44-45, Acts 10:19, 1 Corinthians 13:10-12, John 16:13, John 15:26, 2 Peter 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Very Special "I Am” Of John’s Gospel – "Ego Eimi” – "I, I Am” – So Much Comfort In It – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 31, 2022

When does despair become relief? When does the dangerous trough of despondency become the glorious hill of deliverance? The answer is in verse 19 of John 6. Jesus drew near to the boat and when Jesus walked on the water and came closer to the boat, all the perspective changed.

A VERY SPECIAL “I AM” OF JOHN’S GOSPEL – “EGO EIMI” – “I, I AM” – SO MUCH COMFORT IN IT – PART 2 We looked in PART 1 at the marvellous I AM of John’s Gospel. It means “I, I am.” It stamped the authority of Jesus as the Elohim of the Old Testament, and that came with all authority. One of the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21, Matthew 14:26-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judas The Coin Collector

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

Sometimes we take life much too seriously. Life is to be taken seriously, but some folks are so serious they can not enjoy life.

If we are going to enjoy life, we have to have a sense of humor. God has a sense of humor. I know some folks have the idea that God sits up in heaven and never cracks a smile. But I do not believe that, I sincerely believe God looks down upon what He has created and has the same kind of joy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

What Happened To Shame?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 8, 2022

God has given us all a conscience. This conscience can cause us to have a lot of GUILT!

Illus: The minister rose to address his congregation. "There is a certain man among us today who is flirting with another man's wife. Unless he puts $100.00 in the collection plate, his name will be read from the pulpit." When the collection plate came in, there were 19 one hundred ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

3rd Sunday In Lent, Year C. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 14, 2022

March 23rd, 2025.

Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9. A). SEEK THE LORD. Isaiah 55:1-9. The Bible is full of wonderful gracious invitations. Isaiah 55 begins with a call to the thirsty to come to the waters. This is in order to quench, not a physical thirst, but a spiritual thirst. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hello, My Name Is... Series

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Feb 29, 2024

The Testimony of Lazarus Today I would like to focus on the Power of a Testimony. Today, I would like to look at Lazarus, we will call him the Witness of Christ.

Hello, my name is... The Testimony of Lazarus. Key verse: Mark 5:19, “... Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Text: John 12:9-11 (9) Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11, Mark 5:19, Romans 10:8-17, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist