Sermons on Catacombs:

Pergamos: The Compromising Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 17, 2009

Like Pergamos, today’s church seems to keep only a moderate distance from the world, but both the world AND the church are moving downhill in tandem, and further away from Jesus. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Pergamos: The Compromising Church Rev. 2:12-17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Pergamos.html [map] Before 1974, there was a huge portion of land in the northern part of Australia that belonged to the superstitious Aborigines. That land was covered w/ green ants. The Aborigines believed that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Hope For The Hopeless

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 24, 2008

Because of the resurrection, there is hope for the hopeless.

A. Today, I want to focus our complete attention on the resurrection of Jesus and the hope that it provides. 1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that although Jesus was crucified for our sins, and was buried in a tomb, on the third day He came back to life. a. That’s the Gospel – the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living Through Suffering Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Aug 16, 2012

We look now at a passage, which is startling in both its sobering and exalted view of Christian suffering.

Introduction We look now at a passage, which is startling in both its sobering and exalted view of Christian suffering. Recall once more the context of the letter. The Christians of the scattered churches in northern Asia Minor are facing trials placed on them by their neighbors. Some form of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Christian Enticement Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 15, 2014

Pergamum is known as The Compromising Church. We will look at the strengths of this church / Subtle Seduction of this church / Standard for the church.

Christian Enticement Revelation 2:12-17 12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live-- where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Three I Ams

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 10, 2011

Paul said, verse 14, “I am debtor …” verse 15, “. . . I am ready . . .” verse 16, “. . . I am not ashamed . . .” Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Three 'I Am's Romans 1:14-16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/3IAMs.html Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus in a post resurrection appearance. And when Paul, who was then called Saul, saw Jesus he asked him the two greatest questions that anyone can ever ask. Question number one: Who are You ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 49: Preach With Balance Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 9, 2018

How can we teach our congregations to balance Christian essentials with non-essentials? How can we overcome bigotry on non-essential doctrines, while still maintaining our preference.

Lesson Goal Introduce some basic elements of balanced preaching. Lesson Intro In Acts 20:27 Paul informs the the church of God in Ephesus that he had preached to them the whole counsel of God. Most preachers that do not have a structured annual preaching plan are guilty of over-preaching their ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Deeper Into Baptism

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jun 12, 2016

This message was preached after "Diving into Baptism" and takes a deeper look at what Baptism means.

Deeper into Baptism Last week we dove in to the discussion of baptism by looking at the Baptism of Jesus, and from that story we discovered that Jesus’ Baptism was Intentional, that it wasn’t without opposition, that it was a baptism of obedience, that it happened in the water and that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:21-29

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Christmas Light Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Dec 8, 2011

Jesus is the true Christmas light and if we want out of the darkness we need to accept Him into our lives.

The Christmas Light Text: Jn. 1:6-13 Introduction 1. Illustration: History records for us an interesting footnote. It was during the dark winter of 1864. a. At Petersburg, Virginia, the Confederate army of Robert E. Lee faced the Union divisions of General Ulysses S. Grant. b. The war was now ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-13

Denomination: Methodist

Moses' Rap

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

Moses used poetry and music to challenge Israel to remain faithful to God’s covenant.

You can hardly go to a sporting event without hearing the pounding beat—Boom, boom, BOOM! Boom, boom, BOOM! We shall, we shall ROCK you!” When I was younger, many of my favorite radio and television programs were sponsored by a company that guaranteed to make you as safe as the Rock of Gibraltar. ...read more

Denomination: *other

The Empire Strikes Back Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 23, 2015

If you want to win in the end, don't marvel at the world's power; instead; worship God alone and wait for Him to act.

Once upon a time there was an eccentric old king who wanted to give his throne to one of his two sons, but he didn’t know which one. So he decided to organize a horse race, in which the son who owned the slowest horse would become king. Each son was afraid that the other would cheat by ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

My Grandad's Letter

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Jul 12, 2025

This week I found an old letter my Grandad sent to me as a kid - as I decyphered word for word the difficult handwriting it made me reflect on Paul's letter we have listened to this morning - and how if we decypher it word for word - it too can turn out to be so precious to us

I moved into my new house last December and (Don’t judge me for this) – I am still unpacking boxes – including some that never got unpacked from the previous move ten years ago… And while I was going through some boxes this week, I came across this – It’s a letter to me from my granddad written to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 6:12-16, Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:13-18, Acts 1:12-26, Romans 16:7, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, Mark 12:27, Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-13, Galatians 3:28, Luke 9:28-36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Spirit As A Dove Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 13, 2025

God the Holy Spirit reveals Himself as a dove in order for us to experience the peace, gentleness and security of God's presence.

A. It’s been about a month since we had a sermon in our Holy Spirit sermon series, so I’m thankful to be able to return to our series today. 1. So far in our series, we have learned that the Holy Spirit isn’t an it or an impersonal force, but is the third person of the Godhead – the trinity – ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:2, Deuteronomy 32:11, Matthew 3:13, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:18-20, Acts 16:25, John 14:12, 2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 34:3-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christianity Is Exclusively Inclusive

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 22, 2003

Is it right to say that Jesus is the ONLY way? Unless you deny the Word, you better preach the truth and He is the truth and the only way!

Christianity Is Exclusively Inclusive It is often said that Christianity or at least some sects of Christianity are too exclusive or intolerant in that they do not accept any other faiths as valid and even reject other sects of Christianity. There is a lot of truth in that accusation. The ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, Acts 20:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

How Do You Know?

Contributed by Charles Scott on Oct 17, 2006

We can know the mind of God through His words: In the Biblical Words, The Word (Jesus Christ) and in the deeds by the Word of God Incarnate, and by the Acts of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts and the Epistles, we know God is love and know his intent for

HOW DO YOU KNOW? Ephesians 1:1-13 How do you know that man was/is created “out of the overflow of love that existed between the persons of the Trinity”? How do you know the mind of God? This was an excellent question brought up at the end of last week’s session as we studied the opening verses ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

All In The Family Series

Contributed by Douglas Dudley on Feb 10, 2005

Sometimes we go through life and we never show the proper appreciation for each other, especially those of the household of FAITH.

“All In The Family” Text: Romans, chapter 16 Introduction. Do you remember when you were a senior in high school? Graduation was coming, and in the spring of the year we got our last school yearbook. One of the traditions in school was signing each other’s yearbook. Some of the things we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ