Sermons on careful thought:

Is Free Will Compatible With God’s Decreed Divine Appointments?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 4, 2022

Do people freely make the choices that lead them to Jesus, or does He predetermine them according to His providential will and lead them to make the choices?

I grew up in the occult. My adoptive Mom was the practitioner and a raging blackout alcoholic. It was not the dark satanic sacrificial worship type. Unlike people I have known, I never killed anything, nor was I sexually abused. It was more along the lines of Wiccan witchcraft, occultism, voodoo, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 8:28, Matthew 11:21-24, John 15:19, Romans 8:29, John 15:16, Ephesians 1:4, Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A. B. C. Christmas Option 3. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 13, 2021

DECEMBER 25th. Nativity of the Lord.

Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1-9; Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-14. A). WAITING FOR THE NEWS. Isaiah 52:7-10. We live in an age when people love to hear news. Perhaps it gives us a sense of community in this rapidly shrinking ‘global village’. It is something of a cliché amongst those of the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98:1-9, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Day (B C P). Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 14, 2024

Sermons upon the Bible Readings of the Book of Common Prayer.

Psalm 98:1-9, Isaiah 9:2-7, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14 A). THE LITTLE CANTATA. Psalm 98:1-9. The Psalmist is calling us to sing of the mighty acts of the LORD whereby He has gotten Himself the victory (Psalm 98:1), secured our salvation, and demonstrated His righteousness (Psalm 98:2). This ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:1-9, Isaiah 9:2-7, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dry Bones Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 27, 2024

There are three things for us to do to Come Alive in 2025, for our families, our church, and for our community.

Series: Come Alive in 2025 Illustration – fake bones all over the one side of the stage! Scripture Text for Series: Ezekiel 37:1-14: 1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 20:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moving Mountains - Mark 11:20-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 9, 2024

What did Jesus mean when he promised we could cast mountains into the sea?

Mark 11:20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig-tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" 22 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23 "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:20-24, Matthew 21:20-22

Freedom From Division-4(2024)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 30, 2024

4 of 4. The apostle Paul urged the Corinthian church to distance themselves from internal division. Successful ministry is undermined thru internal division. ?What can free us from division? OR, ?How can we be free from that indignity? Freedom from division thrives in Christian...

FREEDOM From DIVISION-IV—1Corinthians 1:14-17(:10-17) formerly: The INDIGNITY Of DIVISION Attention: On Feb 20, 2019, Duke University, basketball forward & freshman basketball sensation, Zion Williamson(from Spartanburg, SC), was injured within the first minute of play, in a regular-season game ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Necessity Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 12, 2024

Message explores seven ways the church must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The consequence of not having this empowerment is identified, and believers are called up to be filled with the Spirit in accordance with Ephesians 5:18.

Intro Have you ever felt like you did not have what it takes to live the Christian life? Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the challenges of life? What do you do when you feel like circumstances are pressing in on you with almost irresistible force? Perhaps you have never experienced those ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-17, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 17:6, 2 Timothy 3:1-6, Isaiah 12:3, Romans 8:26-28, Isaiah 55:1-2, James 1:5, Acts 15:1-28, Mark 16:15-18, Revelation 3:14-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

We Will Reign With Christ (A Really Long Time) [revelation 20:1-10] Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 2, 2023

A practical, no-rapture, academically rigorous reading of Revelation.

Today, we have the privilege of studying a passage, Revelation 20, that's been sharply debated by Christians for at least 1700 years. It's been understood, and applied, in shockingly different ways. I'm guessing that those of you who lean nerd, and are really into end times stuff, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:1-10

Jesus, Filling Up Israel's Gaps (Isaiah 7) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 9, 2024

Builds off Brandon D. Crowe's article "Fulfillment in Matthew as Eschatological Reversal." Broadening people's perspectives on how the NT "fulfills" the OT.

Today marks an expected rabbit trail off our rabbit trail. I'm going to try to introduce you to one of the most complicated subjects in all of biblical study-- the way the NT uses the OT. And then next week, we will inch our way back closer to the rabbit trail I'd planned on taking. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-17, Isaiah 8:5-10, Matthew 1:18-23, Matthew 5:17-18, Matthew 2:13-15, Hosea 11:1-7, Matthew 23:23-39  (view more)  (view less)

Tired Of God? (Isaiah 43:22-28; 44:1-5) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 13, 2024

God's exiled people are tired of Him. God pushes back, and asks how exactly that's possible, and says He's the one who is tired by their burdens. Nevertheless, a better future awaits them.

One of the most common questions that any human being can ask another, is this: "How are you doing?" And in my circles, there are a few really common answers to this: "I'm fine. I'm alright. I'm really busy." There's also one more: "I'm ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:22-28, Isaiah 44:1-5, Acts 2:17, Galatians 6:16

Experiments In Forgiving Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 11, 2021

In Matthew 5:38-42 we see Jesus presenting us God’s standard as an Experiment for us in Forgiving. Jesus outlines: 1) The Principle of Mosaic Law (Matthew 5:38), and gives four illustrations on: 2) The Perspective of Divine Truth (Matthew 5:39-42).

Matthew 5:38-42 [38]"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'[39] But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Other

The King Has Come Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 24, 2021

Since the King has Come and is coming again, the Apostle Paul presents four aspects of the Father’s exaltation of the Son: 1) The source (Philippians 2:9a), 2) The title (Philippians 2:9b), 3) The response (Philippians 2:10–11a), and 4) The purpose (Philippians 2:11b).

Philippians 2:9–11. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11

Denomination: Other

Romans Aints To Saints Part 1 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 28, 2024

The book lays out the path from being an ain’t to becoming a saint. The key is the Spirit of God and obedience to the Word of God.

Series: Never seen before in 2024 Thesis: To see or experience something we have never seen before in 2024 requires us to do something we have never done before – So what is that “One Thing” you need to do that you have not done before? Maybe it is to read and study the Bible in 2024! Maybe ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1, Romans 1:1-17, Romans 3:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jan 1, 2023

The power of the cross is so great that we've chosen to make this cross the emblem. We look at that cross and we don't just think about death, we think about life.

I think there's something inside of all of our hearts that loves superheroes. I think that as I was growing up, I really liked the Old Testament Bible stories of Samson, David, Moses, and Joshua. Those are great stories. I can imagine the Jewish young men growing up, the disciples themselves ...read more

Scripture: John 12:27-50

Denomination: Independent/Bible

He...is...risen!!!

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Apr 11, 2023

The resurrection story is capture in three words, "He Is Risen". The best news the world has ever heard came out of a cemetery, "He is risen!!! He is alive"!!!

Turn in your Bibles to Luke 24. The resurrection story is capture in three words, "He Is Risen". Christianity rises or falls on the resurrection story. If Christ did not rise from the dead, our faith is a colossal hoax, an absolute fraud. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, our songs and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-9

Denomination: Pentecostal