Sermons on Celestial City:

Baptism: No More Living A Half-Life

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jun 3, 2012

This is a short sermon for a baptism service at an inner-city mission church www.ysm.ca

We’re here today to celebrate the baptism of 6 and the child dedication of 6. There is something monumental about a day like today. There’s something huge in the decision to follow Jesus in the waters of baptism. The infants who are being dedicated here today or having infant baptism ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Incarnation Of The Word

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Dec 6, 2022

This is a message given to the staff of an inner-city mission in Toronto, Ontario during Advent 2022.

The Incarnation of the Word I love the accounts of the nativity, the birth of Christ that we find in the gospels. I love the story, I love lingering with the story, I love its innocence, its directness and its simple beauty. I also love it because I love understatement. Before going to seminary ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14, Philippians 2:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comfort Received, Comfort Shared: Living Out Compassion Together

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 11, 2025

This is a reflection for an inner city mission for the mid-level leadership team. The reflection focuses on compassion

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Paul calls God “the Father of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Maintaining Focus Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Apr 2, 2014

As long as we are in the midst of our journey in this world, we are subject to distractions. How do we maintain our focus?

“Maintaining Focus” 1 Jn. 2:15-17 & Phil. 3:1-14 A young woman is taking her final exam. She’s excited and relieved because the teacher asked the right questions and she really knows the answers. But part way through the test she looks out the window and sees her boyfriend ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

5 Smooth Stones

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 23, 2018

David needed no sword, spear, helmet, etc., but God's weapons -- the 5 smooth stones of the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Christ, the Word of God, the Spirit, and prayer. By those our giants will fall too!

5 SMOOTH STONES 1 Sam. 17:40 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: DOING A GOOD DEED 1. A young pastor (trying to live a holy life) was sitting in a restaurant eating lunch. He opened a letter he’d just received that morning from his mom. As he opened it a twenty-dollar bill fell out. He thought to himself, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:38-40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Letters To The Seven Churches - No 6 Philadelphia Series

Contributed by Alan Hamilton-Messer on Jun 22, 2014

The city of Philadelphia was founded by King Eumenes about 200 years before the birth of Jesus. It was named after his brother who was called Attalus Philadelphus. The name of the town, which is Greek, means literally the City of brotherly Love.

The Letter to Philadelphia Reading Rev 1:9-11 & 3:7-13 The city of Philadelphia was founded by King Eumenes about 200 years before the birth of Jesus. It was named after his brother who was called Attalus Philadelphus. The name of the town, which is Greek, means literally the City of brotherly ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lord Will Bless And Enlarge Our Territory

Contributed by Joel Sumagaysay on Feb 22, 2013

This is a sermon I delivered during the 2nd year Anniversary of our Church in Ajman City. This is one of the seven churches we planted in the Emirates as a result of our Vision 2013, the vision of planting churches in the key cities of UAE.

The Lord Will Bless and Enlarge Our Territory 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 A man had a problem finding a parking space. He finally parked in a no parking zone and left a note on his windshield that read: "I’ve circled the block for 20 minutes. I’m late for an appointment and if I don’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Rich Poor Church (Smyrna) Part 1 Series

Contributed by Monte Brown on Apr 13, 2013

The series of messages on End Times for Today will take the words from Revelation chapter by chapter and reveal the blessings that are promised within these pages. The city of Smyrna was called “The Crown City” because it was surrounded by hills that res

Introduction The city of Smyrna was called “The Crown City” because it was surrounded by hills that resembled a crown. It was also called “The Flower of Asia.” When the city chose a motto to be imprinted on their coinage, they chose the phrase “First in Asia in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Answer To Prayer Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 19, 2008

God is not some kind of celestial slot machine. You don’t pop in a quarter or two’s worth of prayer, hit a button, and expect to receive exactly what you want. God is not a genie in a bottle. You don’t rub the bottle with your prayer, and expect God to

Introduction: A fifth grade boy who had heard a sermon on persistence in prayer was praying by himself in his room one night. As his dad passed his door, he heard the boy praying over and over again, "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." The next day, the dad asked his son what we were doing. The boy replied that ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trusting In The Goodness Of God

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 23, 2001

In order to trust the goodness of God we need to understand that: 1. God has given us freedom. 2. God created a good world. 3. God can redeem evil. 4. God is with us.

Epicurus, the Greek philosopher (c. 306 B.C.) raised the question: “Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to; or he cannot and does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, and does not want to, he is wicked. But, if God both can ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

In What? Christ's Network - The Church Series

Contributed by Mark Green on Mar 8, 2007

The participant will be inspired to embrace life in the local church and choose one life question to begin asking in their life.

Maybe it’s been a while since you have experienced the joy of throwing rocks in a lake. But if you think back you will remember how fun it is. I know my sons and I can hardly walk by a lake without stopping to throw stones in it. And being boys, it quickly escalates to seeing who can find and throw ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Is The Death Of God's Saints Precious In His Sight?

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Mar 13, 2007

Death is a common denominator to all living thigs. But, the death of a saint of God is viewed, by God, as something special and it is a time of rejoicing as the saint leaves this world of sin and goes to a perfect place to be with our Lord. This makes God

Psalms 116:15 WHY IS THE DEATH OF GOD’S SAINTS PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT? I. COMMITMENT: * A. Caring. B. Changing. C. Contentment. II. CESSATION: ** A. Cries. B. Cares. C. Calamities. III. COMMENCEMENTS: *** A. Compensation. B. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:15

Denomination: Methodist

Righteous Redeemer Receiving Recognition Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Sep 16, 2007

Jesus came to the Earth in near obsurity; He lived in almost the same manner; he died a criminals death; and, yet, He was/is better than all and someday He will receive the acolades of this world.

HEBREWS 7:22-28 RIGHTEOUS REDEEMER RECEIVING RECOGNITION I. HIS RITUAL: A. Revelator. B. Realm. C. Reach. II. HIS RESULTS: A. Redemption. B. Reconciliation. C. Resilience. III. HIS RENUMERATION: A. Recognition. B. Reverence. C. Rest. The writer to the Hebrews concludes this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:22-28

Denomination: Methodist

Going For 'the Gold'

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 9, 2012

Are you in the fight as a contestant, or are you on the sidelines as an observer? The contestant pursues for the prize (Gold medal) whereas the observer just watches others receiving the prize but himself / herself doesn’t attain anything.

Opening illustration: Show a video of 2 events during the 2012 World Olympic in London. Do you ever consider the Christian walk to be difficult, like it is always an uphill climb? Maybe you’re doing okay, but does there still seem a long way to go? Perhaps you have even become weary and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Immeasurable Cost Of Redemption" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 20, 2006

Sermon 5 in a study in 1 & 2 Peter

“…knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-21

Denomination: Orthodox