Sermons on Bitter Water:

Why I Don't Have A "Vision" Or "5 Year Plan" For Our Church

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 13, 2018

This is an abbreviated sermon used after my annual pastor's report to the congregation explaining why we do not have a written "business plan" for church growth. Instead it lays out the 3 foundational steps the Lord has put in my heart as I serve here.

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8, Jude 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 3:6-8

Denomination: Nazarene

27. The Kingdom Parables – The Seventh – The Dragnet – Part 3 Of 6 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 19, 2025

In the Dragnet parable, we see how it related to the seventh city of the seven churches John wrote to. That was Laodicea. We take a look at the background for Laodicea, and then we begin to look into the letter that was sent to the church in Revelation 3. This is the lukewarm church.

27. THE KINGDOM PARABLES – THE SEVENTH – THE DRAGNET – PART 3 OF 6 THE DRAGNET - LAODICEA BACKGROUND AND LETTER In every Parable of the Kingdom, we have seen that each Parable remarkably fitted the church from Revelation chapters 2 and 3 that matched that Parable. I will not revise the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14, Revelation 1:5, Isaiah 55:4, John 18:37, John 1:3, Revelation 3:15, Romans 12:11, Revelation 3:16, Revelation 2:5, Matthew 13:47-50  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Only? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 25, 2023

Faith is so central to our salvation that there are those who believe believing is the ONLY thing we need to do to be saved. But is that true, and where did that idea come from?

In my files I have a comment of an economics professor who explained his problem with Jesus. He said, “I really don’t see how Jesus can be the only way to heaven. I definitely believe in God, but there are just too many people in the world who don’t believe in Jesus for me to think that God ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can You See This Sign? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 2, 2017

The blind saw Jesus, but the Pharisees couldn't. What were the differences in their blindnesses and what can we learn from the man born blind?

(Before reading the text and opening with prayer, we sang the following chorus: “I saw the light, I saw the light No more darkness, no more night Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight For praise the Lord… I saw the light.”) OPEN: When I’m preparing for a sermon, a lot of times I’ll take little ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When We Forget God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 3, 2018

God warns against forgetting Who He is and what He has done. The example provided is Israel during the wilderness wanderings. The message explores this concept, especially in relationship to the prayer life of Christians.

“[Israel] soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.” “We want what we want; and we want it when we want it.” This ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret To Success Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jun 21, 2018

Message 2 in our journey with Joshua into the Promised Land. This message explores the secret of Joshua's success.

Joshua Series #2 The Amazing Race “The Secret to Success” Review / Introduction Last week I tried to provide the background necessary to better understand this book. The events of the book of Joshua is an obvious continuation of a long journey, an amazing race to the Promised Land; a journey ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 1:2-4, 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Philippians 4:4-14

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Friends In High Places Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 18, 2014

What impressed Jesus in this story was the faith of the men who'd brought their friend to him - a friend who was crippled and lived in a low place of life. The phrase is "Jesus saw their faith." What does that mean? And what can it mean to us?

A few years back, Garth Brooks came out with a popular Country and Western song called: “I’ve Got Friends In Low Places” How many of you have ever heard the song? (when most of them raised their hands, I stage whispered: “Pagans”) It has a catchy tune, but it is NOT a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Getting To Know God - Part 3 - The God Who Provides Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 1, 2019

We see God's provision in our lives. As a rule, we Americans do not understand our wealth if we have never been to an underdeveloped country. Even those at the poverty level would be rich in many lands. Has God given us these riches so we can provide for them?

Getting To Know God - Part 3 - Jehovah-Jireh - The God Who Provides Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … John 14:23-24 “Jesus said, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. “He who does ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23, Matthew 6:31-33, 1 Timothy 6:6, Matthew 25:42-43

Denomination: Nazarene

"the Tares, The Wheat & The Harvest."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Mar 24, 2023

This message discusses the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, found in Matthew 13:24. It focuses on the coexistence of good and evil in the world. This message holds a deep spiritual meaning and provides insights into the nature of God’s kingdom, human behavior, and changing times.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Matthew 13:24-25) (24) "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:" (25) "But while men slept, his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-25, Matthew 13:26-28, Matthew 13:29-30, Matthew 13:36-38, Matthew 13:39-40, Matthew 13:41-43, Romans 8:35-37, Romans 8:28, Romans 5:17-21, John 12:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Forgiveness

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 26, 2005

Many look at the concept and action of forgiveness in light of the negative connotation of the term the “F word!” They avoid saying it and doing it and feel for some mysterious reason that they are exempt from doing what Jesus described as being essential

“Forgiveness!” On the Lighter side: These are all apparently true statements made by important people... "I’m not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president." -Hillary Clinton commenting on the release of subpoenaed documents "The president has kept all of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"will You Make The Last Parade?"

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Mar 26, 2024

After praying over Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives, Jesus fulfilled a prophecy by riding on a colt of an ass. As he rode, people threw down palm branches. The next significant event after the tribulation will be when Jesus returns to sit on the throne of David and rule over the nations.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Zechariah 9:9) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-10, Luke 19:29-34, Luke 19:35-40, Matthew 21:4-9, Daniel 9:24-27, John 12:13-15, Matthew 21:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Let’s Go Fishing Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 7, 2013

The best fishermen often have expensive rods and reels and lures. But these are only tools. If those tools don’t help them catch fish, they’re worthless. What tools do we use to "catch" souls for Jesus and how does Jesus turn us into "fishers of men"?

A couple of guys named Ed and Fred had gone fishing for the very first time in their lives. They went out and bought themselves a couple of rods and reels, went down to the lake and rented a boat at the boat rental place and rowed out to a likely place and let down their anchor. They’d read ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don’t You Dare Even To Omit A Word, Any Denier Of The Truth! Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 5, 2024

We can not play games with God for the preaching of His inspired word is so essential, and we become deniers if we omit from our preaching that which we might not find pleasing to ourselves or others. Preaching must not omit a word as Jeremiah learned from the Lord. Be faithful.

DON’T YOU DARE EVEN TO OMIT A WORD, ANY WHO WOULD DENY THE TRUTH! [1]. INTRODUCTION Some events in the Christian world cause me distress when I learn of them for there are too many practices that are downright dishonouring to God. Those of you who listen to me or read what I write will know I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4, Jude 1:10-13, Jeremiah 26:2, Matthew 25:23, Romans 6:17, Jeremiah 36:21-23, Jeremiah 26:3-6, Romans 10:14-17, Jeremiah 26:10-11, Mark 8:38, Luke 4:10-11, Psalm 91:11, Jeremiah 26:8, Jeremiah 26:15-16, 1 Corinthians 9:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Samson Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 11, 2022

7 things that will cause you to become blind!

Series: Here Comes the Judge! Sermon: Samson Thesis: 7 things that will cause you to become blind! The book of Judges: It is the history of the Judges of Israel and is connected with the previous book of Joshua, as a “link in the chain of books.” It describes the history of Israel under different ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:16, Judges 17:6, Judges 18:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 27, 2024

This lesson explores the power of prayer in the name of Jesus. It also presents the associated practice of fasting. Prayer and fasting are powerful principles which release the power of God in the lives of believers.

SERIES: UNDERSTANDING POWER PRINCIPLES THE POWER OF PRAYER - POWER PRINCIPLE SIX OBJECTIVES: • Explain how prayer and fasting release God's power. • Define prayer. • Identify various levels of prayer. • Identify various types of prayer. • Identify hindrances to prayer. • Define ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16