Sermons on Bills:

Been There, Done That

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 9, 2002

God is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort because He’s been there, and done that.

Been There, Done That TCF Sermon October 6, 2002 Last week, Bernie came to the church door. He showed up about five minutes before I was getting ready to leave for an appointment, and my first response to his arrival was, oh, no, not now. Bernie had been drinking – I could smell it on his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Incredible Shrinking God

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 9, 2002

We "dumb God down" by confining Him to characteristics we can’t fully understand, and we shrink Him to fit our level by trying to make Him in our image.

The Incredible Shrinking God TCF Sermon September 22, 2002 The Tulsa State Fair begins next week. If you walk along the midway, you’ll hear what are known as carnival barkers. They don’t literally bark, but they do shout out the attractions they want you come and pay for... You’ll have some ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Weak And Worthless Things

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 9, 2002

Paul called rule-keeping "weak and worthless things" when it comes to earning God’s favor - why do we keep going back to them?

Weak and Worthless Things TCF Sermon August 25, 2002 In his book, What’s So Amazing About Grace, Philip Yancey quotes Mark Twain --- he writes that the famous author used to talk about people who were – as he put it - “good in the worst sense of the word.” And Yancey added that this is a phrase ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trickle-Down Spirituality

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 16, 2002

Just as trickle-down economics meant take care of the top of the economy and everything else benefits, Matt. 6:33 is trickle down spirituality - seek God first...

Trickle-Down Spirituality TCF Sermon February 15, 1998 Organization is a hot topic in our world. From Palm Pilots to Daytimers, there are new ways to get organized at work and at home. The issue we face as believers, in organizing our lives, is separating the ”urgent from the important” --- ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My "Other" Life

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 16, 2002

Our culture of blame influences how we look at others, but the Lord says examine your own heart first.

My “Other” Life TCF Sermon February 7, 1999 A lawyer in San Diego filed a lawsuit against the city because, during a rock concert at a city facility, he was "forced" (that’s the word the news item used) to use the women’s restroom. GET THIS: he also sued the company that SOLD HIM THE BEER! ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep Yourself Pure

Contributed by Bill Whittaker on Nov 23, 2004

Our personal purity reflects the character of God.

Keep Yourself Pure Genesis 3:1-13 1 Timothy 4:12; 5:22b We are constantly surrounded with concern for purity and assume its presence so much it is often taken for granted. We go to the refrigerator or the faucet and get a drink of water, without questioning its purity. In so many countries where ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Crosswise

Contributed by Bill Guske on Nov 15, 2003

The message of the Cross contradicts everything people want God to be...it is crosswise to our culture. We should be cross wise too.

CROSSWISE March 26, 1995 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Pastor Guske Please read the Bible text. This message of the cross contradicts everything that people want God to be. Yet the cross is the ultimate expression of who God is. The cross is contrary to human wisdom and reveals God’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Discovering Your Purpose Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

As we understand the ramifications of Christ dwelling within us, we will strive for maturity in our faith and can become all that God desires for us to be.

Discovering Your Purpose A truck driver was hauling a load of 500 penguins to the zoo. Unfortunately, his truck broke down. He eventually waved down another truck and offered the driver $500 to take the penguins to the zoo. The next day the first truck driver got his truck fixed and drove into ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Deepening Your Roots Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

It’s important to not just focus on our conversion—we’re called to demonstrate our commitment on a daily basis by going deeper with God.

Deepening Your Roots During our “Building for the Future” emphasis, I prepared a five-minute sermon on a cassette tape to help explain the key ingredients of our campaign. I received a lot of very positive feedback. Most of the accolades I received had more to do with the length than with the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

Pulling The Weeds Of Legalism Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

Following a list of rules and regulations will never lead to spiritual vitality. Grace demands that we avoid judging others according to our standards.

Pulling the Weeds of Legalism Almost every state in our nation still has laws on their books that would surprise most people. For instance, In Florida, a woman may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer. In Indiana, citizens are not allowed to attend a movie house or ride in a public ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Free From The Past Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

As we focus on those things that are eternal, and put on the new self, we will experience freedom from those things that have shackled us in the past.

Breaking Free from the Past In an old Candid Camera episode, an actor is on a busy sidewalk and begins looking at the ground. He walks around a bit and continues to look down. People are passing by him and a few give him strange looks. After a couple minutes, he decides to get down on his hands ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11, Colossians 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Making Your Relationships Work Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

As Christ-followers, we have the responsibility to prioritize our family relationships by submitting, loving, obeying, and encouraging. We must also give attention to our jobs by working hard and by being fair.

Making Your Relationships Work During the rehearsal for her wedding a nervous bride was having a difficult time remembering all the details. Her kind pastor took her aside at the end of the night and said, “When you enter the church tomorrow, you will be walking down the same aisle you’ve walked ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Knowing What To Pray For Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

Sometimes it’s difficult to know how to pray and what to pray for. Paul challenges us to pray with devotion so that the gospel message will go out clearly as we give out grace to those who do not yet know Christ.

Knowing What to Pray For Many of us have been on a trip together. As you look around this room it may not seem like it, but we’ve been fellow passengers and on several occasions, I’ve served as your tour guide. Our trips have not always been pleasant, but most have been memorable. In fact, at ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, Colossians 4:2

Denomination: Baptist

Why We Need Each Other Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

God designed us to live in community with others and to work in partnership with one another for the sake of the kingdom. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Why We Need Each Other Two friends were out hunting. As they were walking through the woods, one of them yelled and the other looked up to see a huge grizzly bear charging at them. The first friend started to frantically put on his tennis shoes. When his buddy saw this, he anxiously asked, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Worth In Your Work Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

While you may get tired at your job, or even be tired of your job, the Bible teaches that work has intrinsic value of your work.

Finding Worth in Your Work Three boys were bragging about who had the best dad. The first boy said, “My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a poem, and they give him $100.” The second boy jumps in and says, “That’s nothing. My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:35, Ephesians 4:28

Denomination: Baptist