Sermons on Black Bead:

A Marriage Made In Heaven Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

Isaac’s Marriage is a type of our own journey to build the bride of Christ (The church) through evangelism.

After this morning’s message ("Why shouldn’t Happy People Get married") I thought it a good idea to switch back to marriages that are good and right for this evening. I’d like to took at a marriage made in heaven, but not every marriage made in heaven has a Hollywood existence and ends with (Or ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All's Well That Ends Well Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

I believe that Abraham’s life closes well; and demonstrates for us a bit of the art of dying well which for a Christian demands living well.

"Ars Moriendi" is Latin for "the art of dying" or "the art of dying well". Specifically it refers to a common visual art practice common in the 16th century. Pictures would be carved into wood and then inked and press printed hundreds of times into books. Few of the books contained many words - ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Faithful Forever To Keep His Promise Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

God’s promises are fulfilled even when we think he has somehow rejected us.

God’s promises are fulfilled even when we think he has somehow rejected us. Way back in chapter 16, Abraham, with the help of Sarah decided to hurry up the process of God fulfilling his promise. After all his promise had been delivered several years ago and nothing was going on. Surely God has ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:12-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Divine Interplay Of Prayer In God's Unfolding Plan 1 Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

This is the first 1/2 of a two part sermon addressing the link between God’s sovereignty to act without us and his requirement that we pray so that he can act.

I think in the last year we’ve learned much about what it means to pray. True enough most of our prayers are for healing and comfort but we certainly have been learning to pray by practicing I think. But praying, by definition is speaking to God, worshiping God, Thanking God, or imploring God to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Divine Interplay Of Prayer In God's Unfolding Plan 2 Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

This is the second 1/2 of a two part sermon addressing the link between God’s sovereignty to act without us and his requirement that we pray so that he can act.

Returning to our study of Genesis tonight, we are in chapter 25 and the story of Esau and Jacob, the story begins with the prayer of Isaac that his wife might bear children and in this setting ends with a tragedy of faithlessness – and an interesting peek into God’s sovereignty working out in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Like Father Like Son Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

My son and My God are both watching me, they both need to see "a long obedience in the same direction."

I want to live a Godly life so that my son will do the same. But when I blow it in my life that same little boy is watching, and learning and that’s a strong incentive for me to be careful in the first place. But most importantly I hope he’s still watching when Daddy repents. Because I know that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessings So Big The Neighbors Notice Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

God often works in our lives to separate us from the culture so that the people will seek him out in us.

I’d like to give you a scenario. Say you’ve moved into an average neighborhood – neither a rich nor poor one and over time you begin to become quite wealthy. So one day you head out to the car lot and you bring home a new Volvo C70 (completely loaded), and it’s parked in the driveway when you go ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:12-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Folly Of Mismatched Mates: Hitching The Holy And The Profane Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

It is firmly against God’s will for a believer to marry an unbeliever. But what are the applications for those of us who are already married?

How many of you; if you discovered your children had begun hanging around with the drinkers, druggers and doers at school would be content to let them continue associating with them? Not a one of us would ratify that arrangement – or at least none of us should. In fact I think it’s safe to say ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:34-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Crooked Answer To A Crosseyed Question Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

The Crooked Answer To A Crosseyed Question How Jacob’s Deception Fullfilled God’s promise of Genesis 25:23 Given in response to Rebeka’s Question of Genesis 25:22

There is nothing more disconcerting than a wormy apple to a hungry eye. Some apples look very good on the outside but when you bite into them you discover it’s full of worms. But others are more obvious in their contents. Sometimes you can look at an apple and see through it’s bruises and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Precious Promise To Persona Non Grata God's Mercy To The Unworthy Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

God’s promises to Jacob in the desert are types of the promises made to us. Like Jacob God has promised us his PRESENCE, A Permanant PLACE and PROTECTION. We Perfect his promise when we trust him.

You remember the circumstances, Jacob had deceived his father stolen the blessing which was itself a testimony that he had no faith that God would bring about what He had promised: since Jacob (and his mother) didn’t believe God’s word they took things into their own hands and created heartbreak ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Transformed Series

Contributed by Brian Black on May 25, 2007

A series that looks at what it takes to live transformed lives.

Been doing some reading and a lot of thinking . . . (1) What does it mean to be the church? What is it supposed to look like? Are we close? If we could start over, would we change anything? Not doubting God, but re-evaluating our strategies … Are we more concerned with… • programs or processes • ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Have You Forsaken Me? Series

Contributed by Brian Black on Apr 6, 2007

The fourth in a series on the seven sayings of Christ on the cross.

NOTE: After much study and reading, the line sometimes blurs between which thoughts are mine and which ones come from someone else. Having said that -- thanks to Ray Pritchard and C.H. Spurgeon. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Today we continue looking at the seven final statements Jesus made on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm Thirsty Series

Contributed by Brian Black on Apr 6, 2007

The fifth in a series on the seven sayings of Christ on the cross.

We continue looking at the seven final sayings Jesus made on the cross and how they reveal the heart of the Savior. Importance of context > the story of God’s love for us and our need for Him So Far >> “Father, forgive them.” (Luke 23:34) The Big Idea: Christ gives us the example of ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Is Finished Series

Contributed by Brian Black on Apr 9, 2007

The sixth in a series on the seven sayings of Christ on the cross.

Continue looking at the seven final sayings Jesus made on the cross. As we look in the context of the story of God’s love for us, our need for Him, and his plan to redeem us, we see the heart of the Savior. So Far >> “Father, forgive them.” (Luke 23:34) The Big Idea: Christ gives us the example ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Into Your Hands Series

Contributed by Brian Black on Apr 9, 2007

The seventh and final in a series on the seven sayings of Christ on the cross.

Today we will finish up looking at the seven final sayings Jesus made on the cross. As we look in the context of the story of God’s love for us, our need for Him, and his plan to redeem us, we see the heart of the Savior. So Far >> “Father, forgive them.” (Luke 23:34) The Big Idea: Christ gives ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:44-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational