Sermons on Better Substance:

Examining Your Life! Series

Contributed by Dr. Baby Ruth Hablo on Nov 30, 2004

(Devotional Series 1/50) These are three principles for truly successful and happy Christian living, and we can hardly do better than test our lives by the standards laid down here.

EXAMINING YOUR LIFE Proverbs 3:1-12 (Devotional Series 1) These are three principles for truly successful and happy Christian living, and we can hardly do better than test our lives by the standards laid down here. I. Is yours a sanctified life? (1-4) God’s law and will should constantly be ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas: "Wise Men From The East..." By Dr. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Dec 21, 2004

There is no better exercise for the heart than reaching down and lifting someone else up. The Wise men who came to see the Christ child helps us see this lesson at it’s best!

Introduction I asked a group of fifth graders "Who are some of the wisest men you know..." their answers are classic! "My Papa...my next door neighbor Mr. Lee..." but the best of all, "the man who makes the machines work when they break at Chucky Cheeses..." Long before this list, there were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Blind Bart Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 11, 2010

If we dont’ want to become weakened or hardened in adversity, but change the world around us, we must throw aside our own efforts at self-betterment and trust Christ with our lives.

A daughter complained to her father about how hard things were for her. “As soon as I solve one problem,” she said, “another one comes up. I’m tired of struggling.” Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen where he filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Partnership Of Parental Prayer

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 27, 2010

Family healing starts when we name the problems honestly. Things may get worse before they get better. but ultimately Christ will heal when we pray even in fractured faith.

Clifton Park Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, June 18, 2006 When there is a problem to be solved, we will do everything to solve it except the thing that works best. Have you noticed that? When something needs to be fixed, we will try all sorts of complicated approaches. But the simplest and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

Barnabas, A Christian Example

Contributed by Steven Haguewood on Nov 9, 2010

An example for every Christian, Barnabas is an often overlooked figure crucial to the early church effort. He led others to Christ and brought glory to His name, what better can be said of someone?

BARNABAS INTRODUCTION 1. Barnabas is a wonderful character in the Bible 2. This study has been rewarding study and I pray it will benefit you TRANSITION: To begin, let's examine: I. Who is Barnabas? A. According to Acts 4:36, his name was Joseph &he was a Levite, the priestly tribe 1. He was ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Final Act Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 27, 2011

It seems like a long intermission between the Acts of the Apostles and the final act in God’s great drama of salvation. But we are the actors, not the audience, and we had better start learning our lines.

An old Spanish proverb says “We count the faults of those who keep us waiting.” Have you ever done that? Sat there at the restaurant or stood there at the theater or paced at the airport and rehearsed all the things you were going to say when the culprit finally showed up? It’s not just the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 10:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Not Everything Is As It Seems

Contributed by Aaron Holbrough on Jul 13, 2011

Jesus meets a sick man, and Jesus question to him seems odd - "do you want to get better?" But sometimes what we want and what we need are two different things.

Not everything is as it Seems. John 5:1-15 Jesus is heading up to Jerusalem for a Feast of the Jews (doesn’t say which one) On his way he passed by pool that in Aramaic is called Bethesda archeology has uncovered these pools and they had colonnades or covered parts and the invalid and ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Mennonite

Dreaming God's Dream

Contributed by Don Baggett on Oct 28, 2007

As you realize that God has something better for you, as you remember he has chosen and called you, and as you rely on Him, you can dream His dream for your life.

People generally go in the direction they aim, and they generally aim in the direction they dream, or imagine themselves going. Everyone needs a dream to follow, but God’s people need to follow a specific dream, and that is the dream that God has for them. I recall asking one little boy what he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Ultimate Endgame Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Nobody’s perfect. The words are both true and of some comfort. But as Christ followers the Good News is far better. Jesus is perfect. and if we pursue him passionately, that rubs off on us in this life.

Introduction Billy Graham is now in his late 80’s and he suffers from Parkinson’s disease. His worldwide evangelism ministry has spanned more than sixty years. Awhile back, Billy was invited to speak at a luncheon in North Carolina. After many wonderful things were said about him, Billy stepped to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Part Three: Understand Your Struggle With Christ Series

Contributed by Luskey Green on Sep 23, 2006

We all struggle to be better, to improve, etc. But struggling in becoming a disciple is a product of pride. The sooner we understand this, the sooner we can make struggle an asset rather than a liability.

Introduction Where are we today? I mean by that, in our study about the Christ and His Church, are we making progress? Are we moving toward Christ or are we satisfied to stay back, keeping our distance? Are we unsure we are willing to make the kind of commitment Jesus Christ wants of us? It is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Is The Way To God Series

Contributed by Danny Anderson on Oct 28, 2006

Jesus is the only way. He is the only way to a better life both here and in the life to come. Jesus is the only way. He is the only way to find forgiveness for our sins and sinful past.

Jesus - The Way To God TEXT: John 14:1-7 INTRODUCTION: Jesus is the only way. He is the only way to a better life both here and in the life to come. Jesus is the only way. He is the only way to find forgiveness for our sins and sinful past. By His death on the cross, Jesus made the ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

State Of The Church Address

Contributed by Mark Price on Aug 21, 2006

This message was shared with the church as we approach a transitional period through which we will address the needs of the church and add ministries, classes, and outreaches to better enable us to reach our community for Christ

Introduction Q. What do you spouse people picture in their minds when we mention Porter Free Will Baptist Church? • For the unchurched, they may envision a tan brick building which sits on a hill behind Gampps’ BP. • For the Christian community, they may envision the people that utilize that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: *other

Mixed Messages

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 18, 2002

If our actions do not support our words then it would be better if we remain silent, for what we do does speak so loud that the world cannot hear what we say.

MIXED MESSAGES "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ’These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:7-9 We often hear the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Game Of Greed

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Jun 25, 2007

There are so many voices out there trying to get us to play the game of greed, but we are much better off if we listen to the voice of God calling us to be content with what we have.

The Game of Greed I Kings 21:1-10 June 24, 2007 Now, this is my opinion. Feel free to agree or disagree. I really believe that network television programming is at an all time low for creativity. We are in an era when it is so expensive to produce programming that network executives are looking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Hungering For God Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Sep 18, 2007

Why is worship supposed to be an encounter with God and not just going through the motions? How can you better encounter God each time you gather corporately as a church? The answer is in your appetite!

ENCOUNTERING GOD – Part One - Hunger Listen to this story, “I had my first experience with the presence of God when I was 5 years old. Arriving home from my ½ day of kindergarten, I usually ate lunch with my mom and then hurried off to play. When I would run out of things to do, I would resort ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Denomination: Baptist