Sermons on Black Bead:

Mystery Revealed Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Feb 7, 2003

Focus: Paul’s mission was to reveal the fact that God has broken down the walls which divide and made all one in Christ; a mission which he also gives to the church.

Mystery Revealed Ephesians 3:1-3 Focus: Paul’s mission was to reveal the fact that God has broken down the walls which divide and made all one in Christ; a mission which he also gives to the church. Function: To challenge the church to take up Paul’s challenge to reveal the manifold wisdom ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surpassing Love Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Feb 15, 2003

Paul prays for the church that we would know the surpassing Love of God which empowers His people to live holy lives and to be the church!

Surpassing Love Ephesians 3:14-21 Focus: Paul prays for the church that we would know the surpassing Love of God which empowers His people to live holy lives and to be the church! Function: To illustrate the love of God from Scripture and challenge with the question: Do you know the love of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preserve Unity! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Feb 20, 2003

God calls Christians to live a life worthy of their calling by preserving the unity of the Spirit among Christians.

Preserve Unity! Ephesians 4:1-16 Focus: God calls Christians to live a life worthy of their calling by preserving the unity of the Spirit among Christians. Function: To challenge Christians’ selfish tendencies towards division and strife& to re-examine how fervently we are striving for ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Distinctive! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Mar 1, 2003

Christians are to walk worthy of our call by being different from the world around us.

Be Distinctive! Ephesians 4:17-5:2 Focus: Christians are to walk worthy of our call by being different from the world around us. Function: To challenge & call Christians to holy living in their minds, speech and attitudes. Several years ago a good friend invited me to come and watch him ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Pure! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Mar 9, 2003

Christians are to walk worthy of our call by avoiding any hint of sexual immorality; different from the world around us.

Be Pure! Ephesians 5:1-20 Focus: Christians are to walk worthy of our call by avoiding any hint of sexual immorality; different from the world around us. Function: To challenge & call Christians to holy living in their sexual purity. What is it that makes gold . . . pure gold so ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Honor Marriage! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Mar 14, 2003

Christians are called to submit to one another; to put the other’s will over & above your own out of reverence for Christ; especially in the marriage relationship.

Honor Marriage! Ephesians 5:21-33 Focus: Christians are called to submit to one another; to put the other’s will over & above your own out of reverence for Christ; especially in the marriage relationship. Function: To honor the institution of Christian Marriage. Open by recognizing folks ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Respect Authority! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Mar 20, 2003

God calls Christians to respect authority out of respect for God. Paul illustrates how our submission plays out in the Parent-Child relationship as well as in our work relationships.

Respect Authority! Ephesians 6:1-9 Focus: God calls Christians to submit to one another and respect authority out of respect for God. Function: To illustrate how our submission plays out in the Parent-Child relationship as well as in our work world. When Celeste and I first found out ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stand Firm! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Mar 29, 2003

In his concluding exhortations to the Ephesians, Paul calls Christians to be strong and stand firm in their battle against evil.

“Stand Firm!” Ephesians 6:10-18 Focus: In his concluding exhortations to the Ephesians, Paul calls Christians to be strong and stand firm in their battle against evil. Function: To call Christians to active service against the evil of our world by trusting in the power of God. Just imagine ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pray Always! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Apr 3, 2003

Paul calls Christians to utilize the most powerful ‘spiritual weapon’ they possess: prayer . . . ALWAYS!

Pray Always! Ephesians 6:18-24 Focus: Paul calls Christians to utilize the most powerful ‘weapon’ they possess: prayer . . . ALWAYS! Function: To encourage Christians to re-discover the power of prayer in their lives. The War Eph 6:12-17 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 6:18-24, Ephesians 6:10, Ephesians 6:12-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Characteristics Of A Spiritual Church

Contributed by Lee Black on Nov 9, 2002

Is your Church Spirit filled like the 1st Church? Are your leaders full of the Holy Spirit like the 1st leaders? Are we ready for the great work God has for us?

Acts 2:42-47 The Characteristics of a Spiritual Church Acts 2:42-47 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. [43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. [44] And all that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

Christ Versus Satan

Contributed by Lee Black on Nov 23, 2002

If we are not with Jesus Christ, we will be ’scattered’.

Mt. 12:30 Christ Versus Satan Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. I. Satan. A. His Origin. He was Created. Ezekiel 28:12-19 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:30

Denomination: Baptist

Why G-L-O-R-Y Is Due Christ

Contributed by Lee Black on Nov 29, 2002

GLORY is broken down to show us how to Glory in Christ Jesus.

Jn. 1:14 Why G-L-O-R-Y Is Due Christ John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. I.G-ive - Titus 2:14 Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Cradle, The Cross, And The Crown

Contributed by Lee Black on Dec 7, 2002

Jesus was born of a virgin, but His had many sorrows, so He could bring us life.

Lk2; Mt. 27:27-31 The Cradle, The Cross, and The Crown I. The Cradle - Speaks of His Virgin Birth - Lk.2:1-7 A. Fulfillment of Prophecy - Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-52

Denomination: Baptist

What Will We Be In 2003? Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jan 2, 2003

At the outset of a new year it is helpful to be reminded of who we are as God’s church and what we are to be about doing. This introduction to the book of Ephesians provides just such a reminder!

 What Will We Be in 2003? Ps. 90:12; intro to Ephesians Focus: At the beginning of a new year, we must be reminded of our purpose as a church to not become distracted- much of what Paul does to encourage the church in Ephesians. Function: To encourage the Washington St. church as Paul does ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Name Above All Names: Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jan 5, 2004

The very name of "Jesus" is God’s promise to deliver his people.

“...and they gave him the name Jesus!” And what a wonderful name it is! “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Philippians 2:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ