Sermons on Clear Directions:

Transfiguration Pt.4: Did Elijah Fail? - Mark 9:8-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 24, 2023

John the Baptist was the fulfillment of the promised Elijah who would come and restore the people’s hearts in preparation for the Messiah. But if that’s the case, why was Jesus crucified? Did John fail?

Mark 9:1 And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:8-13, Matthew 17:1-6, Luke 9:28-35

Part 15: The Lord's Prayer From The Cross Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 31, 2024

We see Jesus... 1. Wondering about injustice (vs. 1-3). 2. In a wonderful relationship with the Father (vs. 9-10). 3. Willing to suffer (vs. 4-8, 11-18). 4. Winning the victory (vs. 19-22). 5. Worthy of our praise (vs. 23-26). 6. Ruling the world forever (vs. 27-31).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 14: The Lord's Prayer from the Cross Psalm 22:1-31 (Initial reading: vs. 1-10) Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared December 31, 2024) MESSAGE: *Church: God is bigger, better, stronger and more glorious than we can possibly imagine. In Isaiah 66:1, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

What Movies Will You Create In 2025?

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jan 16, 2025

This message is about the power of our thoughts and how they create movies within our minds that we respond to - spiritually and physically.

What Movies Will You Create in 2025? Scripture: Second Corinthians 10:3-5; Mark 5:25-34 Good morning Strangers Rest! I hope you are excited about what God is going to do in this place in 2025. The title of my message this morning is “What Movies Will You Create in 2025?” Some of you might be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Mark 5:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Part 19: God Wants Us To Pray For His Protection Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 31, 2025

God Wants Us to Pray for His Protection... 1. So He exposes the evil that we face (vs. 1-4). 2. So He explains the excellence of our LORD God (vs. 5-9.) 3. So He gives us a great example of prayer (vs. 5-12).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 19: God Wants Us to Pray for His Protection Psalm 36:1-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared January 31, 2025) MESSAGE: *God is watching over us all the time. I can think of a dozen times when I would have been seriously hurt or killed, if the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 36:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Let Your Light Go Out Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 14, 2025

In Leviticus 6:9-13, we are cautioned to Not Let our light go Out in three ways as illustrated through recognizing first, the: 1) Perpetual Presence of God (Leviticus 6:9-10), 2) Preventing Spiritual Extinguishment (Leviticus 6:11-12) and 3) Perseverance in Christ's Light (Leviticus 6:13)

Leviticus 6:8–13.8 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 9 “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. 10 And the priest shall put on ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 6:8-13

Denomination: Other

Visible Faith Part 2

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 17, 2025

This is part 2 of my series on Visible faith.

Visible Faith - Part 2 Scripture: James 2:14, 26; Mark 2:1-5; Genesis 6:12-14, 22 Good morning Strangers Rest. This is Part two of my sermon “Visible Faith.” Three weeks ago, I stood before you and read what James said about works and faith. James 2:14 & 26 says, “(14) What does it ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14, Mark 2:1-5, Genesis 6:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Drawn To God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Aug 20, 2024

If you see a bunch of rednecks laughing at the Mona Lisa, where you hear them say, “I’d rather see a painting of dogs playing poker,” you understand what’s going on. Jesus says to these Jews, “The Mona Lisa is in front of you, and you grumble because you want dogs playing poker.”

We continue our series of hearing from our Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ. We continue our series in the gospel of John. I invite you to find your Bibles and find John 6 with me. If you were to pause to consider some of the most important speeches in American history, you might think about Patrick ...read more

Scripture: John 6:41-54, John 6:59, 1 John 4:19

Denomination: Baptist

Part 10: Let God Bless You Through The Prayer Of Jabez! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 19, 2024

Pray like Jabez! 1. Pray for God's provision. 2. Pray for God's possibility. 3. Pray for God's power. 4. Pray for God's protection.

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 10: Let God Bless You through the Prayer of Jabez! 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared September 19, 2024) MESSAGE: *Bruce Wilkinson is an excellent Christian teacher and author known all over world for his "Walk Thru the Bible" ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Hello, My Name Is El Shaddai (Series On The Names Of God #2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Oct 11, 2024

As we continue to study the names of God today, we will study the name El- Shaddai.

Speaking of names let me illustrate… Illus: Alexander the Great on one particular campaign, Alexander received word that one of his officers was continuously and seriously misbehaving. The soldier’s character was, in fact, becoming a stain on the reputation of the Grecian army. Alexander the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-5, Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Part 5: God Want Us To Pray Like Moses Prayed Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 19, 2024

Pray... 1. Because people are blind to the danger they are in (vs. 1-6). 2. Because there may be no other way we can help (vs. 7-10). 3. Because the Lord is willing to hear (vs. 10-13). 4. Because prayer works in amazing ways (vs. 13-14).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 5: God Want us to Pray Like Moses Prayed Exodus 32:1-14 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared October 19, 2024) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Exodus 32, to see another great prayer in God's Word. In this chapter, Moses had been with the Lord on ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

One Flock, One Shepherd: The Unfinished Mission

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 11, 2024

It’s not a small thing for Jesus’ followers to be scattered. He needs to gather us “so there will be one flock,” and even so there is “one shepherd.” Jesus cares for people all over the world. As one of His followers, do you care for people all over the world?

Today, we conclude our week of praying for missions by fasting and praying. If your personal priorities were like favorites on your phone, what would be included? Like the saved numbers you place in your cell phone, what priorities would be included among your favorites? The care of your family, a ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are Christians So Pro Life? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 11, 2024

I want to equip our church family in speaking intelligently and compassionately about abortion. I don’t have a Republican agenda here today as much as I have a kingdom of God agenda.

Today, I want to talk about the sanctity of human life and, specifically abortion. This morning, I want you to join with me in a celebration of life. There is a widespread divide regarding the issue of abortion … people are not indifferent regarding this contested issue. Even now, bringing the very ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Contrast Between The Rich And The Poor

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Nov 26, 2024

Today I will be preaching on the parable of THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR found in the book of Luke.

The gospel of Luke is the only book that carries this passage of scripture that some think is a parable. However, as I preach this from this PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE, I need to mention that there are some preachers who refuse to preach this passage of scripture as a parable. Some say it is not a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Along With Others Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2025

If we want the gospel to move along, we must get along.

Getting Along with Others Philippians 4:2-3 Rev. Brian Bill March 22-23, 2025 Several years ago, Thom Rainer, former CEO of Lifeway Resources, conducted an online survey to assess what kinds of conflict congregations are afflicted with. After sifting through a long list, he picked his favorites ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatness Of God's Gospel Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 8, 2024

The gospel of Jesus Christ: 1. Has always been God's plan (vs. 1-5). 2. Has always involved preaching (vs. 2-4; 7-8). 3. Will always accomplish God's purposes (vs. 8-11). 4. Includes precious gifts (vs. 6, 12-13).

The Greatness of God's Gospel Ephesians 3:1-13 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The Book of Ephesians (Prepared April 8, 2024) BACKGROUND: *Today in Ephesians 3:1-13, Paul talks about the greatness of the "gospel." That's simply the "good news" about Jesus Christ. But ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist