Sermons on cleansing rituals:

Mentoring Discipleship – How To Develop Fully Devoted Followers Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 12, 2022

This course covers the following: I. THE BASICS AND MOTIVATION FOR MENTORING DISCIPLESHIP II. THE PRINCIPLES OF MENTORING DISCIPLESHIP III. THE NATURE OF A DISCIPLE IV. THE PRACTICE OF MENTORING DISCIPLESHIP

INTRODUCTION – A Life Well Lived I fell in love with Jesus when I was a troubled teenager while attending Topanga Community Church in California. One person stood out among all others, a silver-haired senior saint named Doris Shumate. She was an unassuming, kind, and gentle soul who always ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 3:17, John 3:16, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:2, Mark 3:13-14, Mark 6:6-13, Luke 5:10, Luke 10:1-20, Colossians 1:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus "i Am" The Good Shepherd! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 25, 2021

: Jesus is the Good Shepherd because he laid down his life to save the sheep. He lead’s the sheep to safety, security, pasture and the good life but not to slaughter or harm. Jesus guards, encourages, supports and protects His sheep because He loves them.

I am playing these videos to get your mindset focused on Shepherding – agriculture lifestyles – a common sight in the time and teaching of Jesus – not so much today – as a matter of fact you would be hard pressed to find many sheep farms in this area of Illinois! Opening Video Transition (2 ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-42, John 10:11, John 10:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Stone That Was Never Thrown

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 26, 2024

How do we, as followers of the Christ, respond to sin when it is exposed to us?

“Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Spirit Care 101 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 12, 2023

Spirit care is the discipline of allowing the Holy Spirit to shape us, mold us, teach us and help us to mature in our spiritual faith. So we in turn can help others come to Jesus and grow in Jesus.

Video Transition: Movie from the trailer for Jesus Revolution Spirit Care 101 Thesis: Spirit care is the discipline of allowing the Holy Spirit to shape us, mold us, teach us and help us to mature in our spiritual faith. So we in turn can help others come to Jesus and grow in Jesus. Spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-4, Hebrews 6:1, Colossians 1:9-10, John 14:15-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Different Time, A Different Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 25, 2025

Is the Sabbath Mandated for Christians? How should we approach the concept of the Sabbath?

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Grace By Association - 1 Peter 4:12-16 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 2, 2025

The gospel is about grace by association - receiving favor from God solely because of association with Christ. And that involves suffering.

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice to the degree that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16

Eldership - 1 Peter 5:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 7, 2025

Different denominations have different traditions about what the elders' job description should be. But there shouldn't be differing traditions. Peter makes it very clear.

Churches are to be elder-led. The term elder refers to a position of authority and leadership, but elders should work with congregations in major decisions like a husband with his wife. Elders should be nominated by the people and appointed by the other elders. The elder takes over the roles of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1

A Comprehensive Study On Salvation And The Authority, Promises, Privileges, Rights, And Eternal Destiny Of Every Born-Again Christian - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 1, 2025

What a person believes about God is the most important thing contained in their mind. It affects everything about them. Specifically, what they believe about God shapes them spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Far too many people feel God is remote, impersonal, and unknowable. Because of that, many Christians suffer from an inability to feel forgiven and live with nagging doubts and fears about their relationship with Him. Failure to love and trust God often comes from picturing God as unlovable and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 2:19-20, Hebrews 6:9, Philippians 1:6, Titus 2:11-12, Mark 8:35, Titus 3:3-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Words Series

Contributed by Dustin Boden on Mar 8, 2025

🗣️💬 Our words have more power than we realize! In this series, we’ll discover that our words matter, that there are consequences for what we say, and explore how we can use our words for God's glory.

The Power of Words Proverbs 18:20–21 NKJV 20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:20–21 NLT 20 Wise words satisfy ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Blasphemy Of The Holy Spirit - Mark 3:20-30 (Matthew 12:22-37) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 4, 2023

People often say the unforgivable sin is attributing demonic work to Jesus. But several other passages speak of an unforgivable sin, and none of them identify it that way.

Mark 3:20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-30, Matthew 12:22-37

The Servant Of Isaiah 49 In Luke-Acts Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 19, 2024

Part 2 of a rabbit trail exploring how the servant's calling is picked up not just by Jesus, but also by Ananias, Paul and Barnabas, in Acts. We are all to be lights, and "salvation," up to the ends of the earth.

Two weeks ago, we worked our way through Isaiah 49:1-6. When I taught on it, I said that these are the words of God's exilic prophet. The prophet feels like his ministry has been a waste of his time and energy. It's accomplished nothing. And God responds to him, not by arguing with him, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6, Luke 2:25-34, Luke 9:28-36, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 13:44-50  (view more)  (view less)

Self-Humbling - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

Fasting is never commanded in the NT, yet all the godliest people in the Bible did it. If it is important, why isn't it discussed in the epistles? If it is not important, why did Jesus do it? And why did he promise reward if we do it?

Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

An Error In Judgment - Matthew 7:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 7, 2024

Some use this passage to condemn all judging, which is self-contradictory. Not all judgment is wrong. We must make judgments, but this message will alert you to seven kinds of judging that are forbidden in Scripture.

Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-2

Danger: Disguised, Deadly Deceivers! - Matthew 7:15-20 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 18, 2024

It is God’s design that we follow leaders. But the false ones deceive and lead away from the narrow road to hell. The way to see past the sheep’s clothing to the actual fruit is by watching for the things that come from the heart and that are not a part of the act.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

Mission Imperative - 1 Peter 2:9-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 12, 2024

All ministry is based in praise, and we must take this monster calling seriously.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10