Sermons on Church Vision:

The Great Depression # 4

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 31, 2021

Last week, as we considered THE GREAT DEPRESSION, we dealt with the life of Elijah. He is the ideal person to study when you study the subject of depression.

WHY IS HE THE IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR THIS STUDY? Because of what the Word of God says about him. Look at James 5:17, we read, "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are…" Elijah represents us in that - (1) HE HAD HIS HIGH DAYS He enjoyed the highest of highs. We Americans ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Free Gift Of Grace Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 7, 2022

People like presents, especially good ones that are useful, and that reveal how the giver put forth some thought into the purchase. In the Bible we are told of the best gift of all! “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Everyone likes to receive presents; however, there are some we could probably live without. Christmas time is when the majority of gifts are given, and it seems to be the occasion when some of the worst ones are purchased during those last minute shopping trips. A survey was conducted in which ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Setting Our Priorities Straight

Contributed by Esther Collins on Jan 21, 2022

We live in times when it's a challenge to keep our priorities straight. The Bible gives us great examples of those who were able to choose right, and also enjoy the consequences of their godly choices.

Setting our Priorities Straight Take a moment to write down three things that you consider your topmost priorities in your life. Also write down the number of hours you spend on any given day on these activities that are mentioned – time spent on eating, sleeping, studying, working, with family, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-11, Genesis 25:27-34, Hebrews 12:16-17, 1 John 2:16, Ruth 1:13-18, Matthew 1:5-6, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 7:22, John 12:1-8, 1 Timothy 6:6, Matthew 12:50, Luke 10:26-28, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 3:22-23, Matthew 10:37, 1 John 2:17  (view more)  (view less)

"Is There Not A Cause...”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 28, 2022

Life is filled with many surprises. That is, there are times when we feel we can depend on some things and then they disappoint us. For example,

Illus: Some of you have bought new cars because you wanted some dependable transportation. Then you found that new car, that you thought would surely be dependable, stranded you on a roadside. There are many things we have thought would be dependable that turned out not to be. Then there are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:10-11, 1 Samuel 17:29, 1 Samuel 17:32-34

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven Set In Motion Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on May 22, 2023

In the story of Esther and Mordecai, the events seem to perfectly fit together at just the right times for things to happen. Coincidence? Not likely. Though God is not mentioned by name in Esther, God was working in their lives and continues to work in ours today.

Introduction Video Ill.: The Story of Esther - Second Look Films (segment 3) We are continuing our study today based loosely on Max Lucado’s book, You Were Made for This Moment. When we started, we saw that Esther and Mordecai just wanted to blend in — to be cosy in the Persian culture. Don’t ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:3, Proverbs 16:9, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Set Apart But Never Alone

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 23, 2023

This message helps to solidify the truths of God's Holy Word and encourages the believer that God never leaves us alone as we are sometimes shunned by the world.

Man has always had a thirst for knowledge. For centuries man has searched for wisdom as we have strived to increase our knowledge. In Athens, hundreds of years ago, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle spent their time discussing the latest and greatest ideas. Then the Roman Empire gifted the city of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, John 14:26, John 3:3-7, 1 Peter 2:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

For The Sake Of The Call

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 23, 2023

Jesus called a bunch of smelly fishermen to share in His ministry. So, when Jesus extends a call, what does it look like? What does it entail? What might He ask us to do? Or, what might we have to let go of in order to serve Him?

I have entitled our message this morning, “For the Sake of the Call,” and we are going to look at how Jesus called a bunch of smelly fishermen to share in His ministry. Allow me to get started with a joke: “Why did Jesus call so many fishermen to become apostles? He was always looking for a ‘net ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-10, Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

Praying The Beatitudes Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 27, 2023

To conclude this study of the Beatitudes, the text in Matthew 5:3-10 is used as a TEMPLATE for prayer. Praying Scripture is a powerful way to apply truths to our own lives and reinforce our understanding of the passage.

PRAYING SCRIPTURE To complete our study of the Beatitudes, we will now use this portion of Scripture as a template for prayer. Learning to pray Scripture will strengthen your prayer life significantly. Some of you may have already learned to use the Lord’s Prayer in this way. That is the most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, John 15:5, Micah 6:8, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 8:29, Romans 12:2, Psalm 121:1-4, Philippians 3:1-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Remembering Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on May 29, 2023

We are a forgetful people. In America, holidays like Memorial Day help us remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Mordecai instructed that God’s people celebrate an annual festival to remember how God had saved them. God also gave us ways to remember today.

Video Ill.: We Will Remember (Memorial Day) — Centerline New Media ("The Old Man and the Gulls" from Paul Harvey's The Rest of the Story by Paul Aurandt, 1977, quoted in Heaven Bound Living, Knofel Stanton, Standard, 1989, p. 79-80) I know I’ve told this story before, but I love the ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:16-28, Exodus 12:14, Exodus 12:17, Exodus 12:26-28, Luke 22:7-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

First Journey Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jun 4, 2023

Paul was handpicked by God to be His messenger of the Gospel to the Jewish and Gentile world. Along the way, Paul preached and built relationships with many people. As we look at some of the events on his first missionary journey, we can learn from the people he met and the lessons he taught.

Introduction Video Ill.: Mom vs. Dad Vacation Prep - Holderness Family I can relate to some of those things! You know, the weather outside tells us it is summer (though the first full day of Summer isn’t for another couple of weeks on June 22). Many of us have either already taken our vacation ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:19-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nobody, Somebody, Everybody Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jun 19, 2023

If John the Baptist was on social media, what would he post? What would he share about himself? He might truly resonate with the song by Casting Crowns - "Nobody, Somebody, Everybody."

I’m not very good at social media, but you probably already know that if you’re on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I don’t post very often - except to give away bread. When I do, I don’t take very good pictures - in fact I sometimes re-do old pictures - especially of bread. I suppose in some ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-34

Denomination: Baptist

Surrender

Contributed by Chris Cuthbertson on Jul 7, 2023

This event in the life of Jehoshaphat reveals 5 important elements to truly seeking God.

{Here Comes Trouble Series Sermon #1} Surrender 2 Chronicles 20: 1 – 19 This story is about a man named Jehoshaphat and the trouble he faced. It wasn't trouble that he went looking for; it invaded his life uninvited, threatening to destroy all he had ever accomplished. Jehoshaphat ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Is My Body Which Is Given For You – What Does That Mean For Us? – An Easter Message For Good Friday Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 15, 2024

“This is My body given for you.” We now examine what it meant to be “given for you”. Seven points are featured around the word “given”. This is an Easter message, set for Good Friday.

THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU – WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR US? – AN EASTER MESSAGE FOR GOOD FRIDAY PART A. LOOKING AT CERTAIN TEXTS {{Luke 22:19 “When He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them saying, “THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU. Do this in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19, John 19:36, 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, Acts 4:12, 2 Corinthians 6:2, John 3:16, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 4:10, 1 Timothy 1:15, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ephesians 1:7, John 1:35-36, Genesis 22:8, Psalm 40:6-7, Hebrews 7:26-27, Hebrews 9:14, Revelation 5:6-7, Matthew 26:39, Luke 9:51, Romans 8:32, Matthew 10:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Building On The Rock Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 18, 2024

Those who heed the message of a false prophet are unwise, building their hope on an unstable foundation. Jesus discusses "doing" vs. "doing his will," as many who proclaim to do works in His name will wind up in hell.

Our message today picks up where we left off, where Jesus warned us about false prophets who are ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing (cf. Matthew 7:15-20). When I preached from that passage, I began with the fairy tale of “Little Red Riding Hood” and the wolf as our opening illustration. This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-27

Denomination: Baptist

Active Faith Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Mar 20, 2024

Do we understand the importance of an active faith and it's potential outcome?

Today we are continuing in our Genesis series: From Dust to Life. In Genesis 6, God warns Noah of the impending judgment coming on the earth, but He made a way for the salvation of Noah, his family, and the plethora of land animals. In chapter 7 the author doesn’t focus on Noah's building ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 7:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational