Sermons on Bob Russell:

How To Be A Servant Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

Peter's example in this text reveals to us some qualities of who a servant is and what a servant does.

* Concept of serving others and God is woven throughout Scripture * Why serving others/God is important: - It's commanded (Gal. 5:13) - Service to God is linked to worship (Matt. 4:10) - When we serve others, we are actually serving God (Matt. 25:40) - When we serve others, we follow Jesus' example ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

Pride & Prejudice Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

Peter came to a point where he was able to overcome his prejudice. This sermon examines how he came to that point, and shares how we can get there, too.

* "The most segregated house in America is 11:00 on Sunday." * The reality/existence of prejudice in Christianity and the church... * Prejudice in the church takes many forms... * Not a new issue for the church to face: it has existed for almost as long as the church itself * The problem that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Denomination: Baptist

Real Christians Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 17, 2011

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. This message takes a look at what a "real," biblical Christian looks like and does.

* Explain how the meanings of many words have changed over time (i.e., spam; cell; wicked; awful; etc.) * How the meaning of "Christian" has changed: today there are many "types" of Christians (i.e., active/inactive; marginal; radical; involved/uninvolved; secret; casual; etc.) * The most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Why God Cannot Be Defeated Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 17, 2011

Acts 12 records another attempt of Satan to defeat God and his plan for the church. However, God cannot be defeated. This sermon explains why.

* Concept of being undefeated: a rare occurrence - Only 1 NFL team; 7 NCAA basketball teams; no NBA or MLB teams * Being undefeated symbolizes that no one was able to be better, play harder, or accomplish more * It's practically impossible to always be undefeated: the longer you play, the less ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

What A Biblical Church Looks Like Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 17, 2011

The church in Antioch was filled with "real" Christians and shows us what a biblical church looks like.

* The book of Acts holds up a mirror to our church today so we can get an accurate picture of how well we are functioning as a biblical church. * Many outward things about the church has changed in 2000 years, but what the church is and what we are to do has not...nor will it ever. * Yet a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Verses Grace Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

This sermon examines Paul's teaching on the law and grace

INTRODUCTION * Text = a clash between those who want to strictly follow what they feel is the Law and those who want to abandon that Law and cling to God’s grace regarding salvation - the Covenant of Circumcision (Gen. 17) and Passover requirements (Ex. 12:48-49) * Some believed that the new ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Job Description Of A Life-Changer Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

In this message we'll examine the characteristics of the person God uses to change the lives of others

INTRODUCTION * Purpose of a job description: describes responsibilities and expected actions of a person in a particular job setting...mostly imperative * A job description often defines a person - “What do you do?” - We do what we do because of who we are * The job description of every ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Change Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

What kind of change occurs in a person's heart when they accept Christ as Savior?

INTRODUCTION * A subject often found in Acts: change - Christ changes the heart and status of a person before God, resulting in... - Christ calling the church and believers to change their culture with the Gospel * Focus is often on outward change because it’s visible: the presence of Christ ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Three Gifts You Won't Find Under The Tree Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

In this message we get an overview of the gifts that God can give us that we won't find anywhere else in the world.

INTRODUCTION * Introductory message to Christmas series * Explain excitement about gifts on Christmas morning * The best gift-giver is God, but his gifts aren’t found under a tree; we can experience them because of events that took place on the cross and because of the empty tomb * Overview ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

This message focuses on the gift of the Holy Spirit

INTRODUCTION * “Gifts You Won’t Find Under the Tree” series = these gifts are unique because of their source; take away God and you have no opportunity to receive the gifts * Today: the gift of the Holy Spirit - To understand the gift of the Spirit we must first understand the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Satisfaction Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

This message examines the gift of satisfaction that God gives his children

INTRODUCTION * “Gifts You Won’t Find Under the Tree” series * Rolling Stones hit, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” * Satisfaction is something that all desire, but few really achieve * From a Christianity Today article written by Carolyn Arends (Dec. 2010): ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Salvation Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

This message looks at the greatest gift Christ can give us: salvation

INTRODUCTION * “Gifts You Won’t Find Under the Tree* * The gift of salvation is unique because of its source: God himself * Salvation is the greatest of all gifts: it is the greatest theme in Scripture (both OT and NT) * Salvation is referred to as a gift for many reasons: our text ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

What God Does With Pain Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

In this message the "stages" of experiencing pain are examined, with the goal of God using our pain to point others to him

INTRODUCTION * God’s sovereignty: he is in control of all; clearest demonstration of God’s sovereignty is making good come out of bad * How God demonstrated this in Scripture: - Joseph’s life (innocence - sold into servitude - rises in power in Egypt - incident with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's European Tour Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

This message looks at the lessons we can learn from Paul's teaching as he traveled throughout Europe with the Gospel message

INTRODUCTION * Progression in the book of Acts: - started with a group of men, given a challenge by Christ to take the message of Christ to all the world - these and faithful to share that message, as were those they shared it with; a successive chain of evangelism - the growth/flourish of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Getting To Know God Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

This sermon focuses on how Paul revealed God's heart and desire at Athens

INTRODUCTION * To know God biblically means to know him as the Bible reveals him, not as we imagine him or as someone portrays him * The importance of knowing God biblically: Proverbs 9:10 = knowing God helps us understand life better than if we do not know him biblically * The paradox of knowing ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Baptist