Sermons on Cortez:

Being R.e.a.l. Matters

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Aug 14, 2006

How to be authentic in church.

Have you ever asked, “If I were a first time visitor, what would be my impression of this church?” Would you feel so welcome? Does the church have to resort to gimmicks to attract visitors? Charles Swindoll, one of my favorite authors, wrote: “I can assure you, when people discover that a church ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Empowered To Live To The Fullest

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Aug 14, 2006

The filling of the Spirit empowers us to live our lives to the fullest.

We love Superman. He seems to be so invincible... so powerful... except of course in front of a kryptonite. Still, we love superheroes. We know they’re not real. Yet how we wish we would become superheroes. For most of us, we only have the strength to barely pull us through the day. After a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

How To Have A Taste Of Heaven On Earth

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Aug 14, 2006

How to find fulfillment in life through God’s presence in our lives.

Let me tell you the story of Norma Jean Mortenson. Because her mother became mentally ill, Norma went from one foster home to another. When she was eight years old, one of the boarders raped her. To add insult to injury, he gave her a nickel. Then he warned her not to tell anyone. Norma told her ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Birth Of Our King

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Aug 14, 2006

Christmas lessons from the genealogy of Christ.

Open your Bibles in Matthew chapter one verse one. Yes, you heard me right. Matthew chapter one verse one. When I began reading the New Testament, I admit that I found chapter one of Matthew boring, particularly the genealogy of Jesus Christ. I mean, I was not that excited to read that this person ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Be The Parent Of Your Child's Dreams

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Aug 19, 2006

Parenting is a calling that needs our commitment and requires compassion

There was a pastor who gave a talk about parenting even before he had a child. His title was, “How to Raise Your Children.” Then he had his first child. It took him some time before he gave that talk again. When he gave it, he changed the title into “Suggestions for Struggling Parents.” Then he had ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4

Denomination: Baptist

Keep Pursuing Ahead

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Jan 1, 2007

The main things that we are to keep the main thing in church

A blessed new year to all of you! Someone said, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” With the year 2007 ahead of us, let me remind you of the main thing that we are to pursue. Let us see how the early church did it in Acts 2:41-47... “Those who accepted his message were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

Pursuing "Happyness" Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on May 7, 2007

Happiness is a choice, not a consequence. It is centered on God’s rule in our lives and it is connected to what Christ has done for us.

Last December 2006, Columbia Pictures released the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” starring Will Smith and his son Jaden Christopher. Christopher Gardner inspired the movie. He was a salesman struggling to provide for his family until he finally makes it big in the stock brokerage business in San ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret For More Is Less Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on May 30, 2007

To be poor in spirit means one is aware that he has less, not more, that he has to admit that he has less to have more and that he has to accept that he can only have more with God.

There was an old woman begging in a street corner. A passer-by took pity on her. He was about to give when he noticed that she’s holding two cans. When he asked why, she answered, “Well, business is so good that I opened a new branch.” Seriously, I remember watching an episode of Imbestigador[1] ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Baptist

Gaining From Your Loss Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Jun 3, 2007

We gain from our loss when we recognize what sin does to our lives, when we respond with repentance and when we receive God’s forgiveness.

Good AM. Ludwig Van Beethoven noticed that he was losing his sense of hearing. As a composer, he worried that he could no longer create music if he becomes deaf. He tried every cure available to him but to no avail. One day, his greatest fear came true. He became totally deaf. According to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Baptist

Enjoy Life Together Part 2 Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Feb 19, 2008

It’s all about God... and each other!

This morning, I want to try something different. Usually, I give at least three points in a message. Some of you commented… you know who you are…God also knows… that at times I try to cram so many things in a sermon. You feel like you’re trying to drink from a fire hydrant. So, to give you a break, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

Enjoy Life Together Part 3 Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Feb 19, 2008

Let us assess ourselves accurately, accept our place in the body and assist others through our gifts.

Dr. Francis Schaeffer, a noted Evangelical thinker, wrote, “Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful—Christian community is the final defense of our faith.”[1] Today we will look at how we can enjoy life together as a community. Last ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

Crossover

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Feb 19, 2008

What it takes to risk that next step towards the significant life.

Last week, the banner headline of the newspapers was “Stocks plunge worldwide.” Yet, some of us still risked buying stocks on that day even if the world market is down. Because of that, you even cashed in on the slump. This morning, I would ask you to take an even greater risk that would pay an ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Conflict Resolved Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Sep 13, 2007

We are called to make and maintain peace

Conflict is part of our lives here on earth. Our Lord Jesus Himself said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.”[1] The question is not if but when are we going to have conflicts. If you notice it, a small issue can even escalate into a big fight. It seems making peace is easier ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

How To Stand Out Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Sep 15, 2007

As salt of the earth and light of the world, we are called to influence people from evil and illuminate them for good.

One of the movies I would like you to watch is Evan Almighty. In the movie news anchor Evan Baxter, played by Steve Carell, ran for Congress with the campaign slogan, “Change the world.” He won. But the way he fulfilled his campaign promise is not the way he imagined it would be. But God, played by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Happily Harassed Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Sep 15, 2007

Happy are those harassed for the faith.

Because we are enjoying so much religious freedom here in our country, we tend to forget about persecuted Christians elsewhere in the world. In a Southern Baptist Convention, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, “As we celebrate our freedom here today, we’re mindful that too many people of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Baptist