Sermons on Clay Vessels:

To The Praise Of His Glory

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Sep 10, 2013

Why did God send Jesus to save us? It might surprise most Christians to learn it wasn't so we could go to heaven? So what was it? In this lesson we will explore why God saved us.

There is no doubt about, our God is a great God. Need proof of that? Let’s take a quick look through Ephesians 1-3 and learn how He has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing” through Jesus Christ (1:3): - God has blessed us by adopting us as His children (1:5, 2:19) - God has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:5-6, Ephesians 1:11-12, Ephesians 1:13-14

Denomination: *other

Make Room For Jesus

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Sep 10, 2013

When the Savior was born, no one made room for Him? Will you make room for Him in your life?

There is no doubt that we are busy people. Between careers and work, families and friends, gardens and yard work, hobbies and recreation, and school it’s any wonder that we have time to do anything. I want to challenge the notion that we're too busy with some thoughts from a lesson entitled ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: *other

5 Things To Remember In A Crisis

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Sep 10, 2013

In the midst of a crisis it becomes easy to forget God's promises.

It a plain and simple fact of life, if you’re breathing you will experience a crisis of biblical proportions. Maybe your crisis is a divorce, or a job loss, or foreclosure, or the death of someone close, or a prodigal child, or the betrayal of a close friend, or abuse, or you are told those ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: *other

How To Give A Defense For Your Hope

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Sep 10, 2013

We're supposed to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is within us. But how are we to go about that? Using Paul's defense in Acts 26 we'll lay the ground work for sharing your hope with others.

In Acts 26:1-23, the apostle Paul is standing before King Agrippa and makes a compelling defense for the hope that was in him (Acts 26:1 ESV, 21:6; 1 Peter 3:15). As we read his defense (or sermon if you will,) we’ll learn some valuable tips that will help us all in presenting a defense for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-23, 1 Peter 3:15

Denomination: *other

Understanding Baptism

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Sep 10, 2013

There's a lot of confusion in the religious world regarding baptism. In this lesson, we'll survey the NT teaching on the ancient practice and learn the why's behind doing it.

The words of Ananias in Acts 22:16 are simple to understand. There’s nothing complicated about them. Nothing complex or ambiguous; “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” And yet the religious world of today, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:16

Denomination: *other

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