Sermons on Black Bead:

When God Says Go The World Says No Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Apr 28, 2006

Getting used to the idea of not being liked is difficult if you happen to be a person that cares what people think. But as you know Sometimes, “When God Says GO the World Says NO.”

Getting used to the idea of not being liked is difficult if you happen to be a person that cares what people think. But as you know Sometimes, “When God Says GO the World Says NO.” Look at Genesis 31 tonight and we’ll catch a glimpse of what Jacob went through as he began to follow God’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Breaking Away From The World Brings An Uneasy Peace

Contributed by Thomas Black on Apr 28, 2006

We don’t need to offend unbeleivers because we follow Jesus. Let the Cross offend them, but not us.

I once worked at a grocery store which employed a truck-driver and while his instructions were basically to get a load from point A to point B he felt on occasion that in order to meet a deadline he would have to speed or otherwise break a few laws. Yet the double edge to the sword was if he got ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:22-55

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Da Vinci Code: I Know Something You Don't Know Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on May 3, 2006

What’s the underlying doctrine to the Da Vinci code? Gnosticism. The da Vinci code is one more example of a resurgence of an ancient heresy.

A companion powerpoint to this sermon is located at: http://www.stilltruth.com/downloads/ppt/I_Know_Something_You_Dont_Know.ppt I know something you don’t know. Say it with a sing song in your voice and you sound like a child on the playground. Say it with a whisper and you sound like a gloating ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Da Vinci Code: Deciphering Da Vinci (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on May 3, 2006

Dan Brown couldn’t even get his front page "Facts" straight.

Why am I doing a four week study on the Da Vinci Code? Let me open simply with these quotes and letters: "Honestly, [reading the book] shook my whole faith. I realize that the book is fiction, but much of what he wrote about seemed like it was based on historical facts aside from the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Great Adventure: "Sail Into The Unknown!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Aug 3, 2006

Christians are called to sail into the unknown, making disciples, like Jonah...but sometimes we try to go our own way and create all kinds of problems.

Can anybody finish this sentence… “In 1492, Columbus sailed the _______ “? • That’s how I’ve always remembered the story of Columbus… now here’s a great adventurer! In a day when nobody believed that the Earth was round, Columbus had this crazy idea that to get to India he would sail off in the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Coming To The End Of Yourself Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Sep 6, 2006

God will do whatever he must to make the vessel of his grace prepared to receive his grace.

Read Psalm 34 to start the service Read Genesis Chapter 32. This is a story about coming to the end of yourself - so that God is finally free to work. It’s also a story about reconciliation. As a man, Jacob was still quite self sufficient, and he still retained much of the old nature in his life. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Shall Be My God Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Sep 6, 2006

God can restore broken relationships with other people... and himself.

I want us to take a brief walk through this chapter in Genesis 33. Of course, in context it follows the three days covered in Genesis 32 in which Jacob finds out his brother is coming to meet him with 400 men. The rest of that chapter is wrapped up in Jacob’s human attempts and frailties to undo ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 33:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Great Adventure: "Saddle Up Your Horses" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 12, 2006

When called to go, Abraham obeyed and went. As God calls us into his glorious kingdom, he invites us to a life full of challenge, surprise and adventure!

I have to be honest with you… when I was a kid I had a really wrong-headed idea of what the Christian faith was all about. I thought that being a Christian meant giving up a life of fun & excitement in order to come, sit on a pew and be a good boy. • I’m not sure where that notion came from… maybe ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Adventure: "Stand Against The Tide!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 12, 2006

Noah stood against the culture of his day and was counted faithful. Christians are called to an exciting, challenging and different way of life… not to conform to the world.

We want to continue that excitement this morning as we delve back into our summer series, “The Great Adventure!” The Christian life is supposed to a great and exciting adventure! • Now, we don’t often talk about faith in those terms… • When we truly and honestly give ourselves to God and place our ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Honors A Contrite Spirit

Contributed by Val Black on Jul 14, 2006

The Lord honors a contrite (broken) spirit more than a "religious" one. Often times traditons & doctrines of men appeal to the flesh but God is searching for a broken spirit to love, honor by His Presence and to renew.

God Honors A Contrite Spirit Luke 7:36-49 Wed. Evening – July 12, 2006 I. Luke 7:36 (KJV) And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat (or food). The word “desired” isn’t used in other translations. Most of them say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-49

Denomination: Charismatic

The Great Adventure: "Step Up To The Plate!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 17, 2006

Moses is given a second chance ‘at bat’ to do a great thing for God, reluctantly steps up to the plate and hits a homer for God! Aim: To challenge Christians to step up to what God is calling them to in the church, in their families and as disciples of C

Last month my son’s ball team went to a Star’s baseball game for “Bat Night.” I tell you, there’s nothing quite like twelve six year-olds running around a ball park swinging their brand new wooden bats! Life can be exciting sometimes… • But that’s okay… the Christian life is supposed to be ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Adventure: "Sound The Battle Cry!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 24, 2006

Just as God called Joshua to lead the nation of Israel into battle, Christians are called into a spiritual battle, not against the people of the world, but the spiritual forces of evil which control the world. Cf. Eph. 6

Children sing—“I’m in the Lord’s Army!” Our children keep things exciting around here! We’re continuing what I hope is an exciting Bible study series, “The Great Adventure!” The Christian life ought to be a great adventure! • If you’re bored in your Christian walk… its NOT God’s fault! I ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Manner Of Man Is This?

Contributed by Val Black on Apr 11, 2022

Life is like crossing a sea. One of the things we learn as we cross the sea of life is that it's not always smooth sailing. But every born-again Christian has Someone in the boat Who will calm the storm and guarantee they will get to the other side.

(I cannot in full honesty claim credit for this message. Of course, the Holy Spirit should always be credited but the main idea and most of the passages are from a message I came across many years ago. I do not remember where or who it was from except it spoke to me and I knew it was anointed. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:23-25, Colossians 1:3-4, Ephesians 2:5-6

Denomination: Charismatic

Speaking Blessings

Contributed by Val Black on Feb 3, 2022

God bless you! We hear that a lot, especially when we have a cold or hay fever. We take it for granted today but there is much more to it than knowing someone cares enough for you to speak those words. There are REAL blessings that prove there is power in the words we choose.

Speaking Blessings Numbers 6:22-27 (Wed. Evening Service - June 9, 2004) I. GOD BLESS YOU! OR “GESUNDHEIT” EVERYONE HAS HEARD THIS WHEN THEY HAVE A COLD OR HAY FEVER. 1. We all like to be blessed. . . . . a. How often do we speak blessing to others? . . . . b. When somebody sneezes we say ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27, Proverbs 18:21

Denomination: Charismatic

Beauty For Ashes

Contributed by Val Black on Oct 4, 2022

If your church is experiencing division or has gone through a difficult split, this message offers hope and encouragement.

Sunday a.m. - January 20, 2008 “Beauty For Ashes” (NOTE: This message was the first one I gave to a church that had just gone through a split and the congregation was hurting and confused how such a thing could happen) I. Background: The church in Antioch has gathered together. A word of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3, Genesis 50:20

Denomination: Charismatic