Sermons on Black Sheep:

1st Things 1st: "The Holy Spirit Is Alive & Well" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 7, 2005

The Holy Spirit is God’s active and sanctifying presence in believers today.

First Things First #4 “The Holy Spirit is Alive & Well” Acts 18:27 – 19:7 Have you ever been shocked to learn something… something that you should have known all along and you wished somebody had told you sooner? • The story in Acts 18 & 19 has always been an interesting one to me. Here we have ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: "God Speaks Through His Word" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 19, 2005

The Bible is God’s introduction of himself to us. If God speaks, don’t you want to listen?

First Things First #5 “God Speaks Through His Word” Hebrews 1:1-4 Have you ever found yourself right in the middle of a problem, a storm of life and just the right Scripture pops into your head… at just the right time to comfort, to encourage, or to strengthen? • I love the account in Matthew of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: The Church Belongs To God Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 20, 2005

The church was planned, built and purchased by God and therefore belongs to Him... not you or I.

Have I ever told you about a church I read about one time? Man they had their problems! • They had had a succession of different preachers who had come through and worked with them… each one with pretty different and very strong personalities. One was pretty well known and respected across the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Val Black on Mar 28, 2022

God's plan of the ages is to restore man back into the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God Wed. - Oct. 27, 2004 Here's a statement that's going to rub some the wrong way: Man was not created to spend eternity in heaven: Man was created to spend eternity here on earth in the Garden of Eden. That was God's plan when He created the Garden. Eden was a kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 115:15-16, Zechariah 9:9, Philippians 3:20, Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 19:38-40, Matthew 25:34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Bless Your Enemies

Contributed by Val Black on Mar 30, 2022

We must forgive our enemies so we will be forgiven. (Matthew 6:14) But the hardest part may be to bless them too. (Mattew 5:43-45)

Bless Your Enemies The message was given on Wed., Sept. 22, 2004 (I owe most of this message to Pastor Bill Ligon who has authored several books on Blessings and how to impart them.) I. Matt. 5:43-45, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour. and hate thine enemy. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-45, Galatians 2:20, Numbers 6:24-26, Romans 10:9-10

Denomination: Charismatic

Close The Gaps - Circle The Wagons

Contributed by Val Black on Oct 21, 2019

God's work never goes forward without opposition from the enemy. In fact, opposition is almost always caused by success and not failure. In building the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah faced much opposition but he knew what to do and now we can know also.

Nehemiah 4:7-23 (NLT) “But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8  They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:7-23

Denomination: Charismatic

The Lost Coin Of Luke 15:8-10

Contributed by Val Black on Oct 21, 2019

What is the significance of a woman in Bible times losing one particular coin and how does it relate to us today?

THE LOST COIN of Luke 15:8-10 Luke 15:8-10 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-10

Denomination: Charismatic

The Empty Promises Of Idolatry Series

Contributed by Matt Black on Oct 22, 2019

We were created to have pleasure in God, but we seek pleasure in a thousand other places. As we consider Gomer (Hosea's wife) in the book of Hosea who was an adulterer, let’s consider how God can deliver all of us out of our idols and the things that take the place of God in our lives.

What is idolatry? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as: 1. The worship of idols, images, or anything made by hands, or which is not God. And 2. an immoderate attachment or devotion to something in the place of God. D. L. Moody put it this way: “Whatever you love more than God is your idol. Rich and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Free Lunch!

Contributed by Val Black on Nov 25, 2019

There are always claims of a "Free Lunch" but none of them prove to be true, with one exception. It's a real meal and it really is free.

(This is a sermonette and/or illustration, that was taken from one of our Gospel tracts. It could be considered tongue-in-cheek. It simply explains the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and how to qualify to participate in it.) Someone once said there is no such thing as a “free lunch.” There are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:7-9, John 14:3, Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Charismatic

Your Blood Brother, Jesus.

Contributed by Val Black on Dec 9, 2019

Because of the New Covenant, we become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. We are Blood Brothers with Jesus when we accept Jesus as sacrifice for our sins.

YOUR BLOOD BROTHER, JESUS Jeremiah 31:31-34, "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 9:15, Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:7

Denomination: Charismatic

Baptism

Contributed by Val Black on Jan 5, 2020

What does "baptism? mean? Why is it necessary for a Christian to be baptized? Does baptism save us?

Baptism Sunday a.m. - March 30, 2008 1) Jesus Christ walked about 40 miles to the Jordan River to be baptized by John he Baptist. a. If Jesus walked that far to be baptized it should tell us that baptism is very important. b. Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He gave the disciples this ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 5:25-26, Mark 16:16, Acts 8:26-40, Acts 22:16, Matthew 3:13-15, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 6:4, Matthew 28:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Prophet And The Prostitute Series

Contributed by Matthew Black on Oct 12, 2019

Hosea 1 tells the story of how God told a prophet to marry a prostitute to show Israel her idolatry. In the symbolism of Hosea, God is the Prophet and we are the prostitute. In a very real sense, I am Gomer and so are you! We are unfaithful people who deserve God’s wrath, not his mercy.

OUTLINE 1. GOD’S LOVE IS UNDESERVING (1:1-3a). 2. GOD’S LOVE IS URGENTLY NEEDED (1:3b-9). 3. GOD’S LOVE IS UNRELENTING (1:10-2:1). Do you remember when you were a child? When children are small they run to their mother’s arms. We have little children all around here. Those arms of mama and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Prophet And The Prostitute Series

Contributed by Matt Black on Oct 18, 2019

Why would God ask a prophet to marry a prostitute? What a shocking love story that ultimately points to the greatest love story in God’s Son laying down his life on the cross for an unworthy and unfaithful bride. In the symbolism of Hosea, God is the Prophet and we are the prostitute. What grace!

OUTLINE 1. GOD’S LOVE IS UNDESERVING (1:1-3a). 2. GOD’S LOVE IS URGENTLY NEEDED (1:3b-9). 3. GOD’S LOVE IS UNRELENTING (1:10-2:1). Do you remember when you were a child? When children are small they run to their mother’s arms. We have little children all around here. Those arms of mama and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Destiny Of The Church Series

Contributed by Matthew Black on Jan 2, 2022

Every Christian has a destiny in the kingdom of God. We are a pilgrim people, a people on the move—our destination matters. Where are we going as a church? It’s important. The primary words of Ephesians 1 are “in Christ.” Christ is our head, and we need to move in conjunction with him.

What should be the direction and vision for a local assembly? What is our destiny? Alice in Wonderland came to a fork in the road. Icy panic stung her as she stood frozen by indecision. She lifted her eyes toward heaven, looking for guidance. Her eyes did not find God, only the Cheshire cat ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Good Samaritan

Contributed by Val Black on Feb 17, 2020

The story of the Good Samaritan gives us a picture of God's plan of salvation starting with Adam and ending with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

(I cannot claim this whole message as my own. The basics came from a book of sermons for pastors which I bought many years ago but cannot remember the name of it.) The Good Samaritan Wed. Eve. Service - April 5, 2006 I. Luke 10:25-37, NKJV: "And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Charismatic