Sermons on City Of Refuge:

The Church Of Smyrna: Possessing The Wealth Of Heaven (Revelation 2:8-11)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 18, 2023

Within the city of Smyrna, there existed a struggling Christian community undergoing intense and withering persecution. The Lord Jesus came to them with a word of comfort for their dark days. Even though they were poor, they were, in fact, rich beyond imagination.

In our look at the seven churches of Asia Minor described in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, we come to the second church the Lord Jesus addresses in terms of testimony and steadfastness to the Gospel. This is the church in the city of Smyrna, which was located about 35 miles north of Ephesus. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 11:36-38, Revelation 2:8-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline Of Acts 8:1-25

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 4, 2021

The first section of Acts 8 describes briefly the persecution against the Church after Stephen's death and the results of Philip's ministry to a city in Samaria. This outline covers some of what he did there.

Introduction: Acts 8 contains two events in the life of Philip, most likely another one of the original seven men called deacons. This first section relates how believers were “scattered abroad” after the death of Stephen (see Acts 7) and how Philip went to two very different places. Prologue: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Preparation Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 29, 2022

Ever since Joshua was leading God’s people had responded by faith and now, they must prepare for what God will do next. The river at flood stage is behind them and the fortified city before them. No turning back.

What do you expect to see after a great victory? In winning a war you expect to see a whole nation in jubilant celebration. There will be parades maybe even a ticker-tape parade and much fanfare. When a team wins a championship football game you expect to see the team dump Gatorade on the winning ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Pattern Of Conversion 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 13, 2021

To establish that Philip’s preaching of Christ in the city of Samaria was the beginning of his preaching of the Great Commission and the Holy Spirit’s revelation of the “pattern of conversion,” designed to save all believers by God’s grace through the faith in Christ.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Hear of the faith. 2. Believe in the gospel. 3. Repent of sins. 4. Confess faith in Christ. 5. Be Baptized into Christ Introductory Remarks. 1. The "gift" of salvation is given to all by God's grace, not by our faith or works of merit. Salvation is not given ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Four Men At A Communion Table

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jul 22, 2024

In an upper room around a table in the city of Jerusalem, we see Jesus and the apostles. First communion table in history. First table a prophecy: a memorial. First table that looked to Calvary. The table today looks backward to the same cross.

In an upper room around a table in the city of Jerusalem, we see Jesus and the apostles. First communion table in history. First table a prophecy: a memorial. First table that looked to Calvary. The table today looks backward to the same cross. The most solemn and sacred place on earth without ...read more

Scripture: John 13:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

1 Corinthians 1 Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Aug 21, 2024

Corinth is a fascinating city in Greece that was a major center for International east-west trade. People from all over came to this prosperous place to make their fortunes. The message of a humble Jesus who died on a humiliating cross was not going to be popular.

1st Corinthians 1 August 25, 2024 • Corinth is a fascinating city in Greece that was a major center for International east-west trade. • When Paul lived there, Corinth was the host of the Isthmian Games, second only to the Olympics in popularity. • Paul most likely lived in a small apartment ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 1:19-23, 1 Corinthians 1:26-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Upside Down Logic Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 28, 2023

Message 10 in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth. This devotional is an abbreviated sermon preached on a Sunday in which the Lord's Supper was celebrated.

On what was probably a beautiful spring day in the first-century Roman providence of Judea, a large crowd had gathered on the Korazim Plateau, overlooking the southern slopes of Lake Tiberias. It was rumored that the increasingly popular teacher, Yeshua (yay-SHOO-a), would be addressing the crowd ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Philippians 2:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Palm Sunday: "the King Who Chose The Cross" Series

Contributed by Ron Auch Jr on Apr 18, 2025

"Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" The city was stirred, buzzing with anticipation. They thought their King had come to overthrow Rome. But Jesus came to conquer something much greater: death, sin, and the grave.

Holy Week Series 2025 Pt.1 Palm Sunday: “The King Who Chose the Cross” Text: Luke 19:28–44; Isaiah 53:10–12; John 12:23–33 Pt. 2 Part 2 – Good Friday: "The Weight and Worth of the Cross” Text: Isaiah 53:10–12; John 19:28–30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Psalm 34:8 Part 3 – Resurrection Sunday: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-12, John 12:23-33, Luke 19:28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Elijah’s Words To Ahab's Son Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 24, 2024

Ahaziah became king of Israel after Ahab died. He was injured when he fell through a lattice but sought guidance from Baal-zebub, god of the Philistine city, Ekron! But Elijah the prophet had a message for Ahaziah.

Introduction: After the death of Ahab, king of the northern tribes of Israel, his son Ahaziah became king. This new king also had a near-death experience after he fell through a lattice (networked wooden strips) of a window! This king sent messengers to a Philistine city, Ekron, about 40 or so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Part 2 Law Of Death, Spirit Of Life Series

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 3, 2001

Part 2 in series on "What does the Bible really say about the death penalty?" In Part 1 we affirm life.

What does the Bible really say about the death penalty? PART 2 Law of Death, Spirit of Life. by Andrew Chan, PBC, Vancouver, BC Exodus: 21:12-17 (NLT) 12 “Anyone who hits a person hard enough to cause death must be put to death. 13 But if it is an accident and God allows it to happen, I will ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Negotiating With God

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 13, 2007

We live in perilous & prosperous times. We have every modern convenience and an abundance of leisure time. We live amongst cities like Sodom and Gomorrah. We profit by living in the shadow of their wickedness. Are we just Negotiating with God?

Negotiating with God The title for this mornings message is Negotiating with God. I must admit straight out that I am not a great negotiator. My wife would give me very strict instructions to keep my mouth shut when we went looking for a new car or any other major purchase. Having grown up in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:23-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Prayer-Care-Share: Kick-Off Sunday Series

Contributed by Marty Boller on Jan 16, 2006

#1 in a series. God is pouring out a whole new level of city-wide cooperation amongst churches and church leaders. Prayer-Care-Share is a concentrated effort focusing on "Building Bridges to our Community"...loving our communities to Christ.

This is a very special day! This is a very unique day! A special day @ Father’s House. A special day here in Cedar Rapids. A special day for all of us in Christ. A special day for Jesus. So what makes this day so very special & unique? Let me answer that question by starting with God’s Word. The ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer-Care-Share: Your Circle Of Influence Series

Contributed by Marty Boller on Jan 24, 2006

#2 in a series. God is pouring out a whole new level of city-wide cooperation amongst churches and church leaders. Prayer-Care-Share is a concentrated effort focusing on "Building Bridges to our Community"...loving our communities to Christ.

Pastor Sandy Boller... Prayer. Care. Share. Building Bridges in Linn County. Loving our Community to Christ! Last week, Marty introduced the Prayer.Care.Share initiative that some 30 churches in Cedar Rapids are participating in. These churches are choosing to pull our ministries together for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer-Care-Share: Book Mark Sunday Series

Contributed by Marty Boller on Jan 30, 2006

#3 in a series. God is pouring out a whole new level of city-wide cooperation amongst churches and church leaders. Prayer-Care-Share is a concentrated effort focusing on "Building Bridges to our Community"...loving our communities to Christ.

Here in Cedar Rapids, 30-plus churches are uniting together under ONE CAUSE, ONE PURPOSE. Cedar Rapids has become a pilot-city with Mission America to see what might happen if a number of churches actually work together to fulfill Jesus’ GREAT COMMISSION and Jesus’ GREAT COMMANDMENT in Linn ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer-Care-Share: My Bookmark Story Series

Contributed by Marty Boller on Feb 8, 2006

#4 in a series. God is pouring out a whole new level of city-wide cooperation amongst churches and church leaders. Prayer-Care-Share is a concentrated effort focusing on "Building Bridges to our Community"...loving our communities to Christ.

PRAYING FOR MY CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE: MY STORY By Intern Pastor Dave Doyle I’ve been excited by the whole concept of churches in Cedar Rapids coming together in prayer. Think about it. Jesus said that wherever two or more are gathered in His name, He is there as well. Now try to imagine the power ...read more

Scripture: John 9:31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational