Sermons on Cleverness:

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

Clothed In Humility - 1 Peter 5:5b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 16, 2025

Pride has a thousand faces. It's possible to think you do not struggle with pride because you don't have the kind someone else has. But you may have a different kind that flies under the radar.

1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5

Divine Vandalism - Mark 15:35-39 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 1, 2024

Is God our Savior? It depends on your definition of saving. If your concept of trouble and your idea of what it means to be saved from it don’t line up with God’s definitions, then you will find yourself very disappointed with God, and you might miss real salvation altogether.

Introduction Is God our Savior? It depends on your definition of saving. A lot of things depend on your definition of saving. Being rescued means you’re in trouble and God delivers you from that trouble. But if your concept of trouble and your idea of what it means to be saved from it don’t line ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:35-39, Matthew 27:47-54, Luke 23:44-47

Yes Means Yes - James 5:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 17, 2022

Let your yes be yes, otherwise you will be condemned? Is James saying you will go to hell if you tell a lie? Haven't all people told lies?

James 5:12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned. Introduction Fraud According to one criminologist, the #1 crime in America today is fraud. I don’t know how many convictions there ...read more

Scripture: James 5:12, Matthew 5:37

Seek God's Mouth (Joshua 9:1-27) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 2, 2022

Should we root for the Gibeonites? Cunning: Knowing what you want, and knowing how to get it.

Let's start this morning by reading Joshua 9:1-4: (1) And then, as soon as the kings heard who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the Shephelah and in all the coast of the great sea in front of Lebanon--the Hittites and Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:1-27

A Prayer For When God Stands Far Off (Psalm 9-10) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 3, 2022

Or, a prayer for when God doesn't answer, the first time you pray.

Today, we will work through Psalms 9 and 10. Originally, these two psalms were probably one single song, and they are treated as a single song in the Greek OT (LXX). So we are going to try to work through both, in one sitting. I have total confidence that this will work out. This song divides ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:1-20, Psalm 10:1-18

Unity Of Attitudes - Philippians 4:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 25, 2022

How do you reconcile a broken relationship when it's the other person's fault?

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-2

The Promise Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 25, 2021

God promised to send a Deliverer because of our sin. Jesus is that Deliverer. At Christmas we remember the evidence of God's mercy to broken humanity.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. “He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?”’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

No Excuse Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Mar 6, 2024

God has revealed Himself to humanity. No one can offer an excuse for not knowing Him.

1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven…” This is the God we love to cover up. A God of wrath? Is He not love? Yes, but His love is a holy love. His wrath is the heart of the surgeon who must get rid of the disease so that the body can live. His wrath is the heart of the gardener who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The World’s Most Dangerous Profession - James 3:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2021

This passage stands out because teaching is so highly valued throughout the New Testament. Why is it discouraged here? James considered himself a teacher and was teaching even as he penned these words about not many should be teachers.

James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Introduction: We Talk a ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-2

Portrait Of A Peacemaker - James 3:17-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2021

This message shows how several of the elements of human wisdom have been dressed up and have found their way into the church. We must beware of those. The message also gives insights into how to convert incidents of conflict into peace in the church and restore broken relationships.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. Introduction God will call us His children, if and only if… How ...read more

Scripture: James 3:17-18

Leading By Example Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 24, 2021

Effective Gospel Ministry must be 1) Committed to God’s Mastery (Titus 1:1a), 2) Committed to God’s Mission, Message and Means (Titus 1:1b-3), as well as 3) Committed to God’s Members (Titus 1:4)

Titus 1:1-4 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness. 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began. 3 and at the proper time manifested in ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-4

Denomination: Other

20th Sunday After Pentecost. October 6th, 2024. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 26, 2021

Year B, Proper 22.

Job 1:1, Job 2:1-10, Psalm 26, Genesis 2:18-24, Psalm 8, Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 2:5-12, Mark 10:13-16. A). THE TRIALS OF JOB. Job 1:1; Job 2:1-10. Job was an upright man. There was none so righteous in the entire East. No doubt, like Lot, he vexed his righteous soul with the wickedness of ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1, Job 2:1-10, Genesis 2:18-24, Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace For The Humble - James 4:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 3, 2021

What could be more important than gaining the one quality that determines whether God gives you grace or fights against you?

James 4: 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Introduction Listen very carefully to these words I am about to read because Jesus said your eternal destiny depends on whether you understand them. Matthew 18:1 At that time ...read more

Scripture: James 4:6

Plastic Faith

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Sep 26, 2025

Artificial leaves look healthy but produce nothing. In Mark 11 Jesus exposes leaf-only religion: a fig tree with no fruit, a crowded temple with no prayer, faith without forgiveness, and leaders without surrender. He clears space for real life with God—fruit, prayer, forgiveness, and obedience.

An artificial plant looks impressive. But it produces nothing. You could easily buy one at a store with thought that it will "bring life to any room." And—sure—it brings the appearance of life. The leaves stay green. They never drop. It never needs water. In fact, if I tried to water it, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational