Sermons on Contentious Spirit:

Hearing The First Six Trumpets (Revelation 8:1-9:21) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 26, 2023

The trumpet judgments, are God's call to the world to repent, and come to him. But at 9:21's end, no one listens. A no-rapture, academically rigorous reading of Revelation.

Let's begin today by taking a step back, and reminding ourselves of the big picture of Revelation, starting in chapter 5. We need to somehow keep at least three chapters together in our mind, for today's passage to make sense. In Revelation 5, the Lamb, Jesus Christ, suddenly appears in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:1-13, Revelation 9:1-21

Operation Activate Appetite - 1 Peter 1:23-2:3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 9, 2024

The way to increase your appetite for the milk is to abandon appetite-suppressing sins and taste of the goodness of the milk.

1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another continually, from a pure heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, "All ...read more

People > Money - Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 18, 2025

The more your affections reflect the relative value of things, the more you will make the right call on hard decisions. This message will help you find the relative importance of money, relationships, and comfort.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man’s jealousy of his friend. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 5 The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh. 6 Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind. 7 Again, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

Joy Contest: God Vs. World - Psalm 4:2-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 6, 2025

David gets more joy from the smile of God than unbelievers would have even if they got everything they desire.

Psalm 4:1-8 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David. Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God (lit God of my righteousness). Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. 2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 4:2-8

Your Choice: Suffer, Or ... - 1 Peter 4:17-19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 7, 2025

The reason we must glorify God as Christians rather than being ashamed is because it is time for judgment to begin with God's house.

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice to the degree that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:17-19

From Anxiety To Peace - 1 Peter 5:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 24, 2025

Anxiety is a gift from God designed for a good purpose. But it is dangerous.

Peter’s reason for why we can cast our cares on God is the fact that God cares for us. You can offload a task onto someone else, but the anxiety about it stays on your plate until you are convinced that person is 1) competent and 2) that he cares about it as much as you do. This message will help ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

It's Not Too Late To Learn From God's Judgments On You (Isaiah 42:18-43:7) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 14, 2024

When we live in rebellion, and life falls apart, sometimes it's because that's God's judgment. 2+2 sometimes equals 4. God wants us to learn from his judgments.

Imagine, if you will, a married couple having an argument. One spouse accuses the other of being difficult, or pig-headed, or lazy, or unreasonable, or something. Some harsh words are said by one party. The spouse on the receiving end of it looks at the other, and says, "Hey, wait. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:18-25, Isaiah 43:1-7, 1 Corinthians 11:30, 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

Warning To The Worthless - Matthew 5:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 8, 2024

Salt had a lot of uses in the ancient world. Which one of them did Jesus have in mind when he used the analogy of salt and light? This message will give you both insight and motivation on how to be a good witness at work and in the world.

Matthew 5:13-19 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Giving & Reward - Matthew 6:2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 27, 2024

Why does Jesus tell us to give, fast, and pray in secret, when earlier in the sermon he had commanded that we do our acts of righteousness before men to be seen by them? This message will give you a new way of looking at the commands to live for reward.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:2

One-Handed Giving - Matthew 6:3-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 27, 2024

Jesus spends so much time in Matthew 6 and other places trying to get us to be motivated by eternal rewards. Why are so few Christians still not motivated by reward?

Matthew 6:1-18 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:3-4

Forgive Us Our Debts (Contd) - Matthew 6:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 20, 2024

When we sin God is displeased and our relationship with Him is disrupted. That continues until we confess in sorrow and repentance and He forgives and brings us back out into the light.

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

God Takes The Nations/Idols To Court (Isaiah 41:1-29) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 18, 2024

God makes his case that He, not idols, are running the world. Mystery dude from the east, is God's servant sent to bring his people home.

In my introduction to Isaiah 40-55, I talked about how one of the challenges to teaching on this part of the Bible, is that these chapters divide up into bigger chunks of material than we can comfortably handle all at once. And honestly, I find that kind of stressful. I can feel myself getting ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:1-29, Luke 15:11-32

The Greater Righteousness - Matthew 5:20-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 3, 2024

How can Jesus say anger is equivalent to murder? Killing a human being has such greater consequences and is so much more extreme. This message will show how the two sins have the same DNA and will expose how even our best efforts to obey God’s Word can degenerate into legalism.

Matthew 5:19-26 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-21

Payback! - Matthew 5:40-42 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 20, 2024

When insulted, should you just walk away? No. You must repay the person in a way that will defeat the evil in the relationship. This message will show you how.

Matthew 5:38-42 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:40-42

How To Love Your Enemies - Matthew 5:44-48 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 24, 2024

Jesus made a comment that shook the world and has captivated the attention of mankind for 2000 years. “Love your enemies.” If they are enemies, how can I love them? And if I love them, how can they be enemies?

Matthew 5:43 You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:44-48