Sermons on Black Shootings:

1st Things 1st: "There Is A God" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jun 14, 2005

Understanding that God exists and that he is the one, true God should impact how we live our lives.

First Things First #1 “There is a God” Deuteronomy 6:1-5 Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Sometimes, no matter how much you know (or think you know) it helps to get back to the basics… • For Israel—they were about to embark upon their greatest challenge yet; ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: "God Is A Loving Father" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jun 16, 2005

To invite a more personal relationship with our Creator God by seeing Him also as a loving Father who loves each of his children without end.

Reading: Deuteronomy 32:1-6 I suppose that I’m like a lot of us… I’ve always wanted to please my father, but many times I have felt like I just never could. …that I never could quite live up to his expectations. • My Dad has always loved baseball. Some of the only toys he had as a kid growing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: Jesus Is God's Son Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jun 23, 2005

Christians claim that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God... but what does that really mean?

Have you ever come out with the right answer by mistake? I mean, you had no idea it was right… no way you could tell somebody how you got the answer… no explanation… maybe it was just a guess, but it turned out to be right nonetheless? You’re as surprised as anyone? That is sort of where Peter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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 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

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

Rooted In Christ's Supremacy Series

Contributed by Matthew Black on Jan 2, 2022

In praying for his Christian family in Ephesus, the apostle Paul ends up in a beautiful strain of exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Often praying for others can be what lifts our eyes to the glories and power of Jesus.

What’s the greatest thing about your life? For the Christian, the best thing is that Christ has first place in your life. Our text here in Ephesians is a celebratory prayer for the full salvation of the believer. It’s all done by Christ and for Christ. When Christ is exalted in the life of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

Fear - Just A Shadow

Contributed by Val Black on Oct 11, 2019

F false E evidence A appearing R real

If you are going through a hard time, you can't see a way out and are in fear of what tomorrow may bring, read Psalm 23 but focus on verse four for now. Verse four says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and ...read more

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

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