Sermons on Congregational Autonomy:

In My Father's House

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Dec 13, 2018

The call of God is the greatest privilege granted us.

In My Father’s House Luke 2:41-52 I am sure many of us have wondered about Jesus’ early life and upbringing. Matthew leaves the child Jesus after his parents returned to Nazareth and picks Him back up more than 25 years later. Mark doesn’t pick up the story until Jesus came to John for Baptism. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52, John 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

People Of Distinction Pt 1 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jun 20, 2018

Message 16 in our exposition of Nehemiah. Nehemiah describes the elements of the covenant the people signed. This message explores the commitment to be people of distinction.

Chico Alliance Church "People of Distinction" Pt 1 REVIEW We have all talked about revival. It is a word frequently used in Christian circles. We readily use the label "Revival Meeting" or a "Renewal Conference". Yet few of us have ever experienced renewal in the sense that many of us would ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Childlike Faith

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 7, 2018

Jesus calls us to become like a little child if we ever hope to enter the kingdom of God. We must have faith like a little child, become dependent like a little child, and receive the kingdom as a gift of God.

Childlike Faith Mark 10:13-16 Have you ever known someone who refused to grow up? Kind of like when Tom Hanks played a kid in the 1988 movie, “Big”? Except sometimes, it’s not so cute, when adults act childish. Sometimes adults forget those key lessons from kindergarten, like learning how to share ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

"who Is The Real Prodigal: The Self-Righteousness And Self-Dependency Son"

Contributed by Don Aldrich Tamayo on Sep 12, 2023

"This story has resonated with countless hearts across generations, and it continues to do so because it speaks to the very essence of the human experience – our capacity for both rebellion and redemption, for wandering away and finding our way back."

Introduction: Dear brothers and sisters, today we will study on a profound journey through the pages of Scripture—a journey that unveils the depth of God's forgiveness and exposes two critical aspects of human nature: the sin of self-dependency, as embodied by the younger son, and the sin of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-16, John 3:16, Luke 15:25-32, Luke 15:31-32

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Sermon On A Gilded Cage

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 25, 2025

A gilded cage is defined as an enclosure, often with gold leaf or other exterior glamorous material intimating luxury.

Lynette Noni, a female Australian author once remarked: “Sometimes the people who act like they don’t care are really the ones who care the most. They feel so much that it overwhelms them, and to keep from falling apart, they hide behind easy smiles and quick laughter, acting like nothing matters. ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-3, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 16:26

What Is Sin? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 15, 2024

This sermon explores the gravity of sin as rebellion against God, while highlighting God's relentless pursuit and provision of salvation for humanity.

Welcome, dear friends. It's always a joy to gather with you, in this sacred space where we connect with our Creator, and delve into the wisdom of His Word. We are here to seek understanding, to find comfort, and to be challenged. We are here to grow, to be transformed, and to be equipped for the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:3-9

Topics: Origin, Sin

The Visit Of The Magi

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 17, 2001

Let us examine our attitudes as we come to Jesus

Christchurch, Brid 30-12-01 “Let us examine our attitudes to Jesus.” Mt 2: 1-12 Story: There was a curate who used to preach on his pet subject "Love" every Sunday, until one day the Churchwarden collared him. “Curate”, he said as church wardens are wont to do “you preached a good sermon ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

What Is A Reformed Evangelical?

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Jun 22, 2014

This massage was preached on the Sunday Sovereign Grace Family Church was affirming the decision of the Elders to join the Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals.

Today is an historic for Sovereign Grace Family Church. This church has been in existence for over half a century. We began as Forest Christian Church in a different building and a different time in history. Throughout the years, the denomination we were formally associated with became ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When "If” Met "So”

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 4, 2025

From the serpent’s "if" that birthed doubt to the Savior’s "so" that proved love, redemption silences every question with grace.

I. YOU STILL CALL MY NAME — THE CRISIS OF CONFESSION WITHOUT CHARACTER There are small words that change destinies—and none smaller than if. Two letters that separate ruin from renewal, noise from nearness. When Solomon dedicated the temple, the glory of God fell like fire. The priests couldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-5, 2 Chronicles 7:14, James 4:6, Psalm 27:8, John 15:7, Acts 3:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Engaging Today's Spirituality Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jun 11, 2009

How to engage the "New Spirituality" that is prevalent in our culture.

1 Engaging Today’s “New Spirituality” (The following was shared in part on April 27, 2008 by Brad Bailey as part of the series entitled: Holy Conversation. The extent of material could not be shared in full so one will find more here than was communicated in that message. A more developed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:21-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Engaging Today's "New Spirituality" Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

What initially appeared as simply a temporary "New Age Movement" trend has become a more dominant cultural shift that I would refer to as simply the ‘new spirituality.’

Introduction Over the past few weeks we’ve been considering how to engage in Holy Conversation… that is.. how to talk about God in everyday life. One aspect that deserves some consideration…is that of engaging some of the increasingly popular ideas regarding spirituality. Several years ago… these ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Restoring The Blessing Of Life Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 8, 2010

The Blessing we are referring to is not that of some outward sign of health and wealth that we need to claim, but the blessing of God as Father.

Today we’re beginning a new series. We’ve entitled this series “Living in the Blessing.” The Blessing we are referring to is not that of some outward sign of health and wealth that we need to claim…. but rather something more foundational to life. It is the blessing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Beyond "The Force" Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Oct 29, 2001

This is installment 5 in my "Anchor Points" series.

“Anchor Points” “Beyond ‘The Force’” February 27, 2000 Anchor Point #5: “God is Transcendent, Sovereign, and Personal” “’God is a concept by which we measure our pain’; I’ll say it again; ‘God is a concept by which we measure our pain. I don’t believe in magic; I don’t believe in I-Ching; I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:4, Proverbs 16:4

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Free To Do What I Want???

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Jul 2, 2007

This is a sermon preached on Independence, Fourth of July, Sunday in 2007, based on John 8:31-38. The theme is that only Jesus can give us true freedom.

Free to Do What I Want??? --John 8:31-38 I am still a fan of the Beatles and admire Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, but I have never been into the Rolling Stones and Mick Jagger. I didn’t realize until this week that Mick and the Stones recorded the song “I’m Free” on September 6-7, 1965. That ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-38

Denomination: Methodist

One Life To Live Series

Contributed by Carl Kolb on Jan 5, 2008

Talks about how we truly disregard human life.

What If They’re Wrong Series Exodus 20:13 One Life To Live In Chicago a few years ago, 2 boys, ages 9 and 11, held a 5 year old boy out of a 5th story apartment window. They told him that they would drop him if he didn’t give them his candy. He didn’t - they did. He fell 5 stories to his ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational