Sermons on Closeness:

Nehemiah And Ezra

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jun 1, 2022

In the book of Nehemiah in chapters 1-7 we have become acquainted with many individuals.

Intro: In the book of Nehemiah in chapters 1-7 we have become acquainted with many individuals. However, in Nehemiah chapter 8 God steps in the picture. That is what takes place in Nehemiah chapter 8… • This has nothing to do with Nehemiah working; • This has nothing to do with Ezra working. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of Revelation (Revelation 10)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 21, 2022

If you are expecting the seventh angel to sound the seventh trumpet in chapter ten, you are going to be disappointed.

• Between the breaking of the 6th and 7th seals we have another interlude. • Now between the 10th chapter and 11th chapter we have another interlude. • The sixth trumpet has already sounded, but the seventh trumpet does not sound until later (11:15). In this short passage of Revelation ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Three Don’ts When Everything Is Going Wrong

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 13, 2022

When things are going right for us, generally we all react basically the same way. We smile and enjoy the GOOD TIMES.

When someone asks us how things are going, we smile and say, “GREAT!” How we are different from one another is often revealed not during our GOOD TIMES, but during the HARD TIMES! One thing we all seem to do during HARD TIMES is turn to our friends for some sound advice. Often what we get ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Pollution Scheme Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Nov 18, 2021

The salvation from sin that God bestows through His Son, Jesus Christ, is likened to water. The devil can sometimes muddy the water and cause pain and confusion, as he attempts to pollute the living water within us.

Jesus calls the quickening gift of the Spirit “living water” because mere human nature is . . . barren of all virtue by the crimes of the devil. - Cyril of Alexandria(1) In reference to the arrival of the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah declared, “For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and ...read more

Scripture: John 4:14, 2 Kings 3:19, Jeremiah 2:13, Proverbs 16:22, Proverbs 18:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob-His "Mizpah” Moment Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 19, 2022

Ever seen a "Mizpah" necklace? It may not mean what you think it does!

Introduction: Have you seen anyone wearing a “Mizpah” necklace recently? These items come and go in popularity and I frankly haven’t seen any of these in quite a while. But some time ago, these items were popular. They came as a pair of necklaces, and on each necklace there was a piece of a coin or ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:22-55

Denomination: Baptist

One Accord

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 25, 2022

As a pastor I find this verse of scripture amazing. Why? Because this verse tells us two amazing things: the New Testament church was in ONE ACCORD in ONE PLACE.

Accomplishing either one of these would be marvelous, but to accomplish both is astounding. Illus: Occasionally, many churches have a “NO EXCUSE SUNDAY,” trying to get everyone to attend. Before this Sunday arrives, they send out newsletters from the church, stating: • Cots will be placed in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Peacemakers?

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Aug 23, 2022

Peacemakers are called the Sons of God because they have been given new hearts through the work of grace to reflect the peace of Christ to a hurting world, for those who bring the message of God’s peace to the world are "peacemakers," and Jesus calls them "The Children of God."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Matthew 5: 9) "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God” (Proverbs 12:20) "Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:14-19, Matthew 5:11-12, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 19:14, John 3:16-17, Romans 8:1-2, Proverbs 12:20, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 12:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Living With Lament Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 21, 2020

In this last sermon of the series on grief and lament, we explore and engage in how to live with lament. How to employ it with cases of overwhelming grief, and with cases of everyday, minor grief. The sermon ends with two examples of lament prayers.

A. Back in May, during our series about hope, I opened a sermon with a story that I want to use again today as our launching point. 1. One afternoon, a man came home from work to find two young girls from the neighborhood on the steps of his building. 2. Both girls were crying very loudly, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:1-5, Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Acts 29 Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Sep 30, 2022

An ongoing look at the call of God to be His church.

Acts 29 The Church October 2, 2022 If I asked you to turn to Acts 29, in your Bibles, you wouldn’t find it. You would think something’s a little off with Pastor Michael today. More so than usual. Because there really is no Acts 29. It’s like Moses running a special telling us there’s an 11th ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Virus: I Must Tell Of The Goodness Of The Lord

Contributed by Roosevelt Wright on Mar 28, 2020

As we weather the Coronavirus pandemic, the people of God should remain faithful that our God is able to deliver us from whatever temptations, frustrations or pestilences we face.

   SCRIPTURE:  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14 Introduction    Has the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Part 4 - Ephesus: The Church That Lost Its Love Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Apr 23, 2020

n Revelation 2, Jesus has a message to the church at Ephesus. He commends what the do right but then admonishes them that they have lost their first love. They must remember, repent, and return to their first love. And so must we as Christ followers.

This message was recorded on May 10, 2020, in Winchester, Virginia, and is part of the sermon series, Overcomers. _____ Pastor Brad Reaves Grace Community Church Discover: http://www.gracecommunity.com Watch: https://youtu.be/MH0Q_rhT4eE I want you to picture with me an older couple ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7, John 3:20, Acts 19:17, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 12:1, 1 John 5:4-5, Matthew 5:29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

A Slave For Christ Part 9 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 29, 2012

This message introduces the apostle Paul.

A Slave For Christ Part 9 Scriptures: Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-8; 10-17; Galatians 1:14; Introduction: This morning before I go into the heart of my message, I want to share something with you that is rather appalling. Most of you know that I do not always stay up on all of the latest happenings ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Nevertheless Of His Going Away Series

Contributed by Steve Wilson on Jun 11, 2012

This is the fourth sermon in a series about Jesus being The Great Nevertheless. He keeps wonderfully surprising us. Using the Lord’s "nevertheless" statement in the KJV we get a delightful glimpse of our awesome Savior.

THE NEVERTHELESS OF HIS GOING AWAY John 16:1-16 Introduction • Saying good-bye is never easy, whether it’s at an airport, a family reunion, or the deathbed of a loved one. The Last Supper was no exception. For Jesus and His disciples, this was their last meal together. • The ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Important Part Of The Race

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 24, 2019

The Bible tells us we should "Run in such a way as to get the prize." But there's one part of the race that's crucially important for us. Do you know what that is?

I love this church. It’s so great to have this kind of worship where our Hispanic and Anglo congregations can get together, pray, sing praises and study God’s Word together. I’ve preached for about 24 years now, and every couple of years or so, I’ve preached the type of sermon I’m going to preach ...read more

Scripture: John 3:34-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are Not Who We Used To Be

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Dec 5, 2019

This message, although not a sequel, builds on an earlier teaching, "Dead To The World."

We are not who we used to be In November, I delivered a message titled “Dead to the World.” In that message, I talked about what it meant to be dead to sin and to the things of this world. But the focus of the message was on what it means to be spiritually alive without the shackles of the Adamic ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3, Galatians 3:26-28, Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 5:1-2, Acts 4:19-20, Acts 5:27-29, John 17:16, Galatians 5:10, Colossians 3:1-4, Philippians 4:8, John 17:14, 1 John 4:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational