Sermons on Clay Vessels:

Bearing Fruit

Contributed by Clay Ledford on Jan 7, 2016

Bearing fruit is not an option it is imperative. Not just to bear fruit but to bear more fruit, much fruit and fruit that remains.

Bearing fruit John 15:1 – 16. Jesus uses fruit is an analogy several times. Israel was very agriculturist culture so the picture was easily understood. In Matthew 7 Jesus says “We are known by the fruit we produce”. Good fruit comes from good trees. Bad fruit comes from bad ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Fight With Confidence

Contributed by Clay Ledford on Nov 14, 2018

God is with us on the mountain tops and in the valleys.

Fight with Confidence 1 Kings 20:1-30 It should be quite obvious and apparent to us today that we all face different trials, struggles, temptations, and even battles in our lives. One of the greatest tools that we have in our disposal in spiritual warfare is confidence. Confidence: Firm belief, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 20:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Temptation

Contributed by Clay Ledford on Aug 24, 2018

We all face temptations. We need to know how to deal with them and Jesus shows ys.

Temptations. Luke 4:1 – 13. Temptation + Opportunity = Trouble. Example: Krispy Kreme’s Hot and Now sign. I love Krispy Kreme Donuts. My town doesn’t have one but a neighboring one does. When I want a donut I have the temptation, but if I am at home I do not have the opportunity. When I go to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13, Hebrews 4:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Sowing And Reaping

Contributed by Clay Ledford on Aug 24, 2018

An Old Testament example of the New testament promise.

Sowing and reaping 1 Kings 4:8 – 37, 8:1 – 6 There’s an agricultural practice that is often used as spiritual principle. Jesus referred to it several times, and Scripture gives examples of this practice. We have often heard “you reap what you sow”. Most often this is used with a negative ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 4:8-17, Galatians 6:6-10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

What Sank The Ship?

Contributed by Clay Ledford on Aug 24, 2018

Dealing with the storms of life.

What sank the ship? Acts 27:9 – 25 Paul was on his way to Rome as a prisoner, aboard a grain ship with 276 people on board. They were laid over in a harbor called Fairhaven, and faced the decision on whether to sail on or wait there. They knew that storms were coming because of the time a year that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

Is Your Faith Your Own?

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Jul 30, 2013

A sermon challenging Christian to honestly examine the foundation of their faith.

Let me start by asking you a question: Is your faith your own? By that I mean, is the body of beliefs, the faith, that you hold dear is it based on your understanding of God and His word or is it based on someone else’s understanding of God and His word? There’s a big difference between ...read more

Denomination: *other

6 Lessons From Hitting Rock Bottom

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 1, 2013

We're all going to hit rock bottom, the challenge is to build up from there with Christ.

There are two powerful emotions that motivate people to make dramatic changes in their lives:inspiration and desperation. It is often the case; a person finds their greatest inspiration in the most desperate of situations. When a person hits rock bottom, and they reach the lowest point in their ...read more

Denomination: *other

3 Ways To Put The Fire Back Into Worship

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 1, 2013

Sometimes our worship assemblies can be dull. But by turning to Psalm 84 we can learn how to put the fire back into our public worship.

Sometimes a congregation’s public worship can just be downright cold and lifeless. Therefore, in an attempt to revive their dead services, many churches change worship styles, or songs books, or preachers. While these changes may perhaps bring life back into a dead service, they are temporary ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-12

Denomination: *other

Are You Babe Like Or Babyish

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 1, 2013

When it comes to your Christian walk are you babe like or babyish? It's an important question that must be answered.

The Bible is full of figurative language or imagery, used to describe Christians. Christians are compared sheep, soldiers, athletes, brothers and sisters, workers, slaves, children and babes. It’s the last one in our list that I would like to spend some time exploring in this lesson and ask ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Hebrews 5:11-14, 1 Peter 2:2

Denomination: *other

Lessons From The Four Views Of David

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 2, 2013

An exploration of how others viewed David before and after he killed Goliath and the lessons we can learn.

Perhaps the best know story from the life of David is the account of him slaying the giant Goliath found in 1 Samuel 17. There are many valuable lessons to be found in this great passage. However, I would like to focus on how David was viewed by the other characters in this passage and make some ...read more

Denomination: *other

Martha, Martha, You're Not So Bad

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 2, 2013

Often overshadowed by her sister Mary, Martha is often marginalized as an undesirable example of for disciples. However, when examined through the lens of scripture and not popular Christian books, Martha shines through as an example for all godly women.

When I survey the women of the New Testament, I find some remarkable women of faith, Mary the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38) is the first to come to mind. But, there are others, such as Joanna, Susanna and Mary Magalene (Luke 8:1-3). Later on, I read about Priscilla who, along with her husband, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-44, John 12:1-8, Matthew 26:6-12, Mark 14:3-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

8 Keys To Fighting Fair

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 3, 2013

This lesson is about not fighting because hey let's face it well all fight. Rather, using biblical principles let's learn how to fight fair.

I want to talk to you today about fightin’. I don’t mean fist-fighting but verbal fighting, arguing. This is not a lesson designed to tell you to stop arguing per se. No, I want to share with you some wisdom from the Proverbs on how to fight fair. The truth of the matter is we fuss and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:6-7, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 11:12, Proverbs 16:27, Proverbs 17:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

A Heart For The Lost

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 3, 2013

How can we develop a heart for the lost, a heart like the apostle Paul's?

How would you describe someone who has a heart for dogs? Well, we would say they love dogs. We know this because they’re constantly surrounded by dogs. They’re the one who constantly post cute pictures of dogs on facebook. Dogs are their passion, their first love. They go out of their ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34, Romans 9:1-3

Denomination: *other

The Rich Man And Lazarus

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 4, 2013

A deep exploration into Luke 16:14-30 with emphases on understanding the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in context.

In these tough economic times, panhandling is a common scene. Visit any sizable city and it seems there is someone on every corner asking for money. No doubt, a few desperately need help; nevertheless the majority of panhandlers are taking advantage of the generosity of others. It is enough to make ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:14-30

Denomination: *other

Don't Grow Weary In Doing Good

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 5, 2013

Christians battle against the weariness associated with doing good. Today, more than ever the church needs Paul's exhortation, “do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). In this lesson we'll explore the different avenues of this teaching.

The worst enemy of enthusiasm is weariness. That tired feeling that results from having run out of strength, patience, and endurance. All of us have been there. We decide to start something great and wonderful, and then in the matter of a few days, or weeks, or months we are tired of it. What once ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Denomination: *other