Sermons on brian bill: showing 106-120 of 19,008

A God Who Gives Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

The Christmas narrative is in danger of being relegated to a sweet story that is just read once a year. Some of us have heard it so much that we’re no longer moved by the magnitude of the Majesty becoming a man. We must never forget that this is holy hi

A God Who Gives As we prepare for Christmas, sometimes I wonder if we have allowed the Savior to be stolen from our celebrations. We’ve sterilized the spiritual and been inoculated by the familiarity of the nativity. “Merry Christmas” has been replaced with “Happy Holidays.” Have you noticed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:26-38, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

A Savior Worth Waiting For Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

While Joseph was silent in the Scriptures, this quiet man of character left behind something that speaks much louder than his words ever could.

A Savior Worth Waiting For Do you have your Christmas shopping done for everyone on your list? When I was growing up, I always waited until Christmas Eve to begin shopping for my four sisters. They always dreaded opening my gifts because they never fit or they were just plain junk. I was offended ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:16-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Gift Ready To Be Recieved Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

I’d like to suggest tonight that the all-time best gift that has ever been given is Jesus Christ. And, once you open this gift, you will never want to return it, and you will never be the same!

A Gift Ready to Be Received A little girl is sitting on her grandpa’s lap rattling off her long Christmas list. The grandfather recognized that this was “a teachable moment,” and so he said, “Honey, it’s more blessed to give than it is to receive.” To which the granddaughter replied, “I know ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

The gospel has a powerful impact on those who are receptive. Believers are to joyfully share their faith with others – before it’s too late.

Marks of a Healthy Church After the sermon last week, someone came up to me and asked me a question: “If First Thessalonians is one of the shortest and easiest books to understand, why are you taking 14 weeks to preach through it?” I told him that he should be glad I’m not preaching through the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Model Worth Following Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Paul and his team authentically modeled the message, focusing on the praise of God, not men. We must do the same and be as gentle as a mother and as firm as a father with those we are hoping to influence.

Marks of a Healthy Church After the sermon last week, someone came up to me and asked me a question: “If First Thessalonians is one of the shortest and easiest books to understand, why are you taking 14 weeks to preach through it?” I told him that he should be glad I’m not preaching through the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

God’s Word provides growth in our lives and our faith must be lived out in the context of relationships. When Jesus comes back, find your joy in Him and in the changed lives of your friends.

Growing Pains A small factory had to be shut down because their most important piece of machinery had stopped working. The company mechanic couldn’t get it running, so they called in an expert. The man looked over the machine for a few minutes. He then picked up his hammer and gently tapped it. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Standing Firm In Trials Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Persecution is promised to believers; therefore we should not be surprised when we encounter trials of various kinds. In the midst of difficulties, we must continue to increase in love for people as we anticipate the return of Christ.

Standing Firm in Trials Here are a few breaking prayer needs that have been compiled by a ministry called “Open Doors.” (Taken from the Pastor’s Guide for the “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church,” www.opendoorsusa.org). Vietnamese authorities recently arrested a pastor and held ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Doing God's Will Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

It’s one thing to know God’s will; it’s another to do it. God wants us to be pure, to love others, and He longs to have our lives attract others to the life-changing message of the gospel.

Doing God’s Will A wealthy man went up to his pastor and said, “I want you and your wife to take a three-month trip to the Holy Land at my expense. When you come back I’ll have a surprise for you.” Three months later they returned home and discovered that this man had built a beautiful new ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Will You Be Left Behind? Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

In this classic passage on the “Rapture,” Paul reminds us that we don’t have to grieve without hope because believers will meet the Lord in the clouds one day. These words provide encouragement to us when we’re trying to deal with the death of a believer

Will You Be Left Behind? This past week we went with another family to an apple orchard. Upon discovering that they had a “Corn Maze,” we decided to check it out. I thought it was going to be a little field with a few paths through the corn. Boy, was I mistaken! We paid our intermission fee and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Ready For The Second Coming Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

We’re not to get caught up in date setting but instead are to be ready at all times to meet the Lord because He will come like a thief in the night. In the meantime, we’re to cultivate faith, love, and hope.

Getting Ready for the Second Coming [Drama: “Security Check”] I can’t imagine what that would be like when the Book of Life is opened and your name is nowhere to be found! The feelings of regret, loneliness, and outright alarm would be devastating. And that would be nothing like the eternal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

How To Behave In Church Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

We’re to respect other believers and strive to live in peace with everyone. We’re also called to communicate what people need to hear, remembering to be patient with everyone.

How to Behave in Church I enjoy collecting bulletin bloopers. I’ve shared some in the past and have recently come across some brand new ones: Attend church and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch. [I hope that’s not a reference to our potluck that follows the second ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Keepers Of The Flame Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

God’s desire is for us to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. We must avoid every kind of evil and make sure that we allow the Spirit’s flame to burn brightly in our lives as we await His glorious appearing.

Keepers of the Flame A guy from Wisconsin and a man from Illinois are sitting next to each other on a long flight to L.A. The Illini leans over to the Badger and asks if he’d like to play a game to pass the time. The cheesehead just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines. The flatlander ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Denomination: Baptist

Praying For The Right Things Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

In the light of the Lord’s impending return, we’re to pray that our faith will grow and that our love will increase. Since those who don’t know God will be punished when Christ appears, we must avoid mediocre spirituality and apathetic prayers.

Praying for the Right Things One of my favorite commercials is for a cell phone company in which cellular static has caused some confusion between a married couple. The wife had just asked her husband to bring home “a movie, something old.” The husband however, thought she said, “Bring home a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Antics Of The Antichrist Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

With all the reports about the nearness of the Second Coming, we must not become alarmed. The Antichrist is also coming and will proclaim himself to be God, but believers have nothing to fear.

The Antics of the Antichrist One afternoon, when we lived in Mexico City, I was in a McDonald’s restaurant studying Spanish. As I was eating my hamburger with jalapenos (that’s how they do it in Mexico), I suddenly became very dizzy and disoriented. I wasn’t too concerned at first because this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Strength That Lasts Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Followers of Christ can be confident of salvation and sanctification because of the work of the Holy Spirit. We’re to stand firm and hold to the truth of the Bible in these final days.

The Strength That Lasts I hope you had a good Thanksgiving! How many of you ate too much? Here are three signs that you may have overdone it. Paramedics had to bring in the ‘Jaws of Life’ to pry you out of the EZ-Boy. You set off 3 earth tremors on your morning jog Friday. When you had your ...read more

Denomination: Baptist