Sermons on Bills:

By This We Know

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Dec 10, 2002

The "litmus test" of our knowledge of Christ is obedience to His commands.

By This We Know TCF Sermon 9/17/00 Turn with me to 1 John, chapter 2 - this will be our primary text this morning. Beginning with verse 3, “We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says I know Him but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-6, Deuteronomy 30:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Relatively True

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Dec 10, 2002

We believe things because they are true - they are not true because we believe them.

Relatively True TCF Sermon November 17, 2002 Open with the illustration below using jar of M&Ms and favorite food choices (NOTE: adapt this and do it with your own examples among the congregation - it’s an effective "grabber") A pastor named Stephey Belynskyj, starts each confirmation class ...read more

Scripture: John 17:14-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God With Us

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Dec 13, 2005

Jesus was Immanuel, God with us, but God has always been with His people and He is with us still.

God With Us Jesus, our Immanuel TCF Sermon December 11, 2005 I want to open this morning by reading a passage we usually don’t think of as part of a Christmas message. But bear with me – I think we’ll see the connection clearly as we move along. Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

For Better And Forever Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 13, 2005

In the famous “love passage” that is read at most weddings, 1 Corinthians 13 helps us understand what love is and what it looks like in daily life. Love is not primarily a feeling but an action. The kind of love that you and I are called to demonstrate

For Better and Forever 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Rev. Brian Bill 12/4/05 Pastor Dick sure did a great job preaching on parenting last week! Isn’t it a blessing that both he and Pastor Jeff are such effective preachers? During the sermon I was convicted of the many ways that I fall short and was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiving And Forgetting Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 13, 2005

Most of us know that we’re supposed to forgive and we understand what God says about forgiveness, but we still fight it. It could be because we think we have some valid reasons to not forgive.

Forgiving and Forgetting Ephesians 4:26-32 Rev. Brian Bill 11/20/05 How many of you got into a fight on your way home from church last Sunday as a result of the two-part assignment I gave to married couples? The first part was to assign your marriage a number grade from 1 to 10, with “1” standing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-32

Denomination: Baptist

Marriage As It's Meant To Be Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 13, 2005

Context is always important when we study the Bible. Genesis 1 gives us a complete narration of creation; Genesis 2 retells the story in order to fill in the details concerning the creation of man and the construction of marriage.

Marriage as it’s Meant to Be Genesis 2:18-25 Rev. Brian Bill 11/13/05 Two weeks ago we established that singleness is good, it’s a gift, and it can be used to bring glory to God. Last week we were reminded that if you’re going to get married, make sure there is a spiritual match. It might seem ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Single And Satisfied Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 13, 2005

Did you know that there’s an entire chapter in the Bible that celebrates singleness and explodes multiple marital myths? Please turn to 1 Corinthians 7 to find Paul’s manifesto on marriage and his treatise on singleness.

Single and Satisfied 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, 25-35 Rev. Brian Bill 10/30/05 A first grade teacher gave her class the first part of a proverb and asked them to finish the second half. Here’s what they came up with… • Better to be safe than…punch a 5th grader. • It’s always darkest before…Daylight ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:7-35

Denomination: Baptist

What To Look For In A Mate Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 13, 2005

How do you know who you should marry? Parents, how do you know who’s right for your son or daughter? What is it that you should look for in a mate? I want to say right up front that there are a number of significant aspects that need to be considered b

What to Look For in a Mate 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 7:1 Rev. Brian Bill 11/6/05 I love how kids respond to questions about marriage. When asked about the right age to get married, a six-year-old named Freddie said, “No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.” When asked ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Hope In A Hopeless World Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 12, 2006

Clre Booth Luce once said, "There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them." We’ll examine hope through Abraham’s life as referenced by Paul in Romans 4.

Finding Hope in a Hopeless World Romans 4:18-25 Rev. Brian Bill 8/13/06 Good morning. My name is Abraham. I thought it was time for me to speak to you since the Apostle Paul has been using me as an example in Romans 4 and your pastor dropped the ball by only alluding to me last week. I think he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Reference Points, Part Three Series

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Aug 15, 2006

Jesus is the critical reference point of our lives, providing the primary point of reference for our lives, our attitudes and our behavior

Roots, Ripples and Reference Points Lessons from the Lake Part III TCF Sermon August 13, 2006 Have you ever run a race? Have you ever been in a swimming race? Have you ever played basketball, football or tennis, or baseball or soccer? What’s one thing that helped you know you were going where ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Traits

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Aug 19, 2006

This message expounds upon the important traits or characteristics of a Christian as outlined by Paul to the Ephesians.

Text: “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise” (v. 15). Introduction: I wonder how many people ever think along these lines. Many people take life for granted and do what other people do. They never stop to consider how to live. Children are influenced by their ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20, Ephesians 5:1-13

Denomination: Christian Church

Broken

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Jun 20, 2005

We must be broken before God can reach our hearts

Broken TCF Sermon September 14, 2003 Fruit vs. Stone = Soft vs. Hard (Demonstration: use a piece of fruit and a small rock. Use some sort of tool to try to penetrate each.) To get to the middle of this fruit, the “heart” of it, if you will, to penetrate this fruit, it doesn’t take much effort. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Unclogged

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Jun 20, 2005

The spiritual conduit, or pipeline, between us and God can get clogged - how can we lives unclogged lives to hear clearly from God?

Living Unclogged TCF Sermon August 22, 2004 Rather than open with a reading from scripture - we’ll read many throughout this message - let me start by reading a few definitions from the Random House dictionary. con•duit, n. 1. a pipe, tube, or the like, for conveying water or other ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Settling The Servanthood Issue Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 25, 2006

Serving doesn’t make you a servant, but if you are a servant you will serve.

Settling the Servanthood Issue Luke 17:7-10 Rev. Brian Bill 8/27/06 Play “Me Church” Video (http://www.worshiphousemedia.com). We live in a “me-first” culture that encourages us to think of ourselves first and others…well, rarely. We’re told to focus on our self-image, to be involved in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Forgotten Family Tree Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 14, 2004

This morning we’re going to look at a list in Matthew 1 that contains over 40 names, some who were “darlings” and many others who were “disasters.”

The manager of a large office noticed a new employee and asked, “What’s your name?” The worker replied, “John.” The manager scowled and said, “Look, I don’t know where you worked before, but I don’t call anyone by their first name. It breeds familiarity and that leads to a breakdown in authority. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist