Sermons on Contender:

Overview Of Ephesians Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 18, 2018

This is the final message from the Ephesians series reviewing the basic content of the letter.

Paul Reviews His Letter to the Ephesians The identity and responsibility of the Church Introduction My name is Paul. During my time on earth I was an apostle appointed by Jesus to share the good news with both Jews and Gentiles but mostly to gentiles. I was not always and apostle and definitely ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-24, Ephesians 5:1-33, Ephesians 4:1-32, Ephesians 3:1-21, Ephesians 2:1-22, Ephesians 1:1-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Judge Ehud Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 28, 2018

They made the Israelites serve them, that is, they exacted tribute from them, either the fruits of the earth in kind, or money in lieu of them. They neglected the service of God, and did not pay him his tribute; therefore, God recovered from them . . . .

Chapter 13 The Judge Ehud [Judges 3.12-3.30] Scripture 12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees done evil in the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:12-30

Denomination: Baptist

Rev'd Up Part 15 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 22, 2018

We need to get Rev’d Up for Jesus’ Second Coming as we look at what is happening to our society and world. Many are saying the time is near and Revelation tells us to be ready at a moment’s notice. So, let’s get Rev’d up and be ready to meet Jesus!

Series: Rev’d Up Thesis of Series: We need to get Rev’d Up for Jesus’ Second Coming as we look at what is happening to our society and world. Many are saying the time is near and Revelation tells us to be ready at a moment’s notice. So, let’s get Rev’d up and be ready to meet Jesus! Key ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:11, Revelation 17:1-18, Revelation 18:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What The New Year Holds Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2017

The desperate times in which we live provides some of the greatest opportunities to advance the Faith. Now is the time for the faithful to seize the initiative and push back against the night.

“I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” [1] “X-rays will prove to be a hoax!” So said Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, in 1883. “Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jonah: Running From The Reality Of Grace Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Feb 16, 2018

This week our nation celebrates its independence. And like all countries… over time such holidays become more about a time to have fun than to be sobered by the nature of freedom. There can be a strange mix of two types of pride that we can celebrate.

Intro This week our nation celebrates it’s independence. And like all countries… over time such holidays become more about a time to have fun than to be sobered by the nature of freedom. There can be a strange mix of two types of pride that we can celebrate. When we feel a pride is in the source ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Are All His Wonderful Deeds

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 15, 2014

Encouragement for the people of God to rely on His strength as He sends His people to serve in this fallen world.

“The angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, O ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Threats Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 17, 2014

False teachers threaten the health of the Community of Faith, just as errant doctrine threatens the spiritual welfare of the people of God. The message considers how the elder is to respond to such threats.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” [1] The people of God live under constant threat even to their lives. Jesus warned His people, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11

Denomination: Baptist

A Fair Test For Those Who Think They Prophesy

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 8, 2020

While "prophecy" so-called is popular among a segment of the faithful, the test of prophets is seldom applied. The test of accuracy and adherence to the Word of God must be applied to verify a prophecy.

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 13:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Too Silly For A Funeral; Too Serious For A Party

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2019

Christians must be aware of becoming hypercritical of divine work and of other believers, ascribing what is done as unworthy of Christ. To explore this situation, the message is a study of Jesus' censure of the generation in which He then lived.

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Lydia's Conversion Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Aug 5, 2019

To establish that Lydia’s obedience to the gospel followed the same “pattern of conversion” outlined in the Book of Acts. She attended to the words spoken by Paul and Silas, believed in the Lord, and was baptized with her entire household.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Lydia’s Hearkening unto Paul 2. Lydia’s Faithfulness to the Lord 3. Lydia’s Baptism into Christ Introductory Remarks. 1. Our lesson today will discuss the theme: “Lydia’s Conversion.” What will be abundantly clear is that her “obedience to the gospel;” followed the same ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:13-15, Acts 8:12, Acts 18:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Too Much Religion In The Wrong Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 12, 2019

Religion is the expression of one's faith put into practice. For many professed Christians, religion is all they have, because they don't have the faith of Christ the Lord. Too much religion will tend to lead us astray. Faith will lead us to Christ.

“When [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Un-Holy Relationships

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 31, 2019

A study in the book of Hosea 2: 1 – 23

Hosea 2: 1 – 23 Un-holy relationships 1 Say to your brethren, ‘My people,’ and to your sisters, ‘Mercy is shown.’ 2 “Bring charges against your mother, bring charges; For she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband! Let her put away her harlotries from her sight, and her adulteries from between her ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 2:2

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Prayers That Light Darkness Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 29, 2020

The Psalmist of Psalm 88 expresses “Prayers that Light Darkness” with prayer as an: 1) Urgent appeal in Affliction (Psalm 88:1–9a), 2) Urgent appeal with No Answers (Psalm 88:9b–12), 3) Urgent appeal under Divine Wrath (Psalm 88:13–18).

Psalm 88:1-18 A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. 1 O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. 2 Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! 3 For my soul is full of troubles, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 88:1-18

Denomination: Other

Anointed For Profit

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 12, 2020

Pastors and teachers are appointed to serve Christ and His churches. They lovingly tend His flock without thought of personal enrichment.

“The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Root Of Immorality

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Have the professed people of God permitted themselves to be compromised by the world to such an extend that they are powerless against wickedness? Though the thought is frightful, Christians need to assess our relationship with the Living God.

The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity. And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. They shall eat, ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist