Sermons on Defend Belief:

The Nature Of Our Calling (Complete Text)

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 7, 2017

All believers are partakers of the heavenly calling. Having been called to belong to Jesus, we press on towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I. THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. Philippians 3:14. When we are converted, we have a change of mind, a change of heart. Yet this is not only a once-for-all experience, but also an on-going process which will not be completed this side of eternity. We have been changed, we are being ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:23, Exodus 10:24-26, Romans 1:6-7, Romans 10:8-13, Romans 8:28-39, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 1 Peter 2:19-21, Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 4:1-16, Philippians 3:14, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Philemon 1:16, Ephesians 2:1-3, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:1, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 John 1:3, 1 Corinthians 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Offended By Jesus Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Aug 28, 2024

I want to answer one question this morning: How Do You Know if You are a Genuine Believer?

Can you remember a time when you were truly offended? I’ll be 53 later this year, and I was recently asked if I’d like the “senior discount” at a nearby restaurant. After I noted all my grey hair, the waitress really recovered well when she said, “Well, you don’t have wrinkles on your face.” Have ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-71, 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Baptist

Pattern Of Conversion 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 12, 2021

To establish that Peter's preaching of Christ on the Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the apostles’, preaching of the Great Commission, and the Holy Spirit’s revelation of the “pattern of conversion,” designed to save all believers by God’s grace through the faith in Christ.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Hear of the faith. 2. Believe in the gospel. 3. Repent of sins. 4. Confess faith in Christ. 5. Be Baptized into Christ Introductory Remarks. 1. The "gift" of salvation is given to all by God's grace, not by our faith or works of merit. Salvation is not given ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:22-47, Acts 2:14-18, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Resurrection Of Deliverance-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 22, 2025

1 of? Mark records some of the historical events that surround the actual resurrection of Jesus Christ. True Deliverance is found in the resurrected Jesus....He IS our Deliverance! ?How” or “Why? is true deliverance found in Jesus’ resurrection? The Resurrection of Deliverance informs your...

The RESURRECTION Of DELIVERANCE-I—Mark 16:1-14(:1-20) Sunday & Wednesday the week before last, we looked at: ‘The DEATH Of DELIVERANCE’—Mk. 15:1-47 Today, we’ll delve into: The RESURRECTION Of DELIVERANCE—Mark 16:1-14(:1-20) Need: People struggle with various means of so-called ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-6, Mark 16:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon # 8 - A Justified People Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Mar 6, 2024

Are you feeling guilty and unforgiven even though you are a believer? Read on to understand how we have been made righteous through Christ and now stand justified before God.

Today’s meditation is based on Numbers 23:21, “God saw no wrong in Jacob's people. He saw no sin in the Israelites. The LORD is their God, and he is with them. The Great King is with them!” (ERV) Just as the children of Israel progressed, and moved towards the Promised Land, we too as children ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 23:21, Numbers 23:9-10, Numbers 23:19-20, Exodus 12:23, Romans 5:1, Romans 8:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

John 3:16 Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 23, 2024

When John wrote these words, Jews would have thought God would love only the righteous. But the Bible doesn’t say God loves good-looking people. The Bible doesn’t say God loves rich and successful people.

Think with me about some of the most famous sayings in history. Martin Luther King Jr said famously, “I have a dream…” John Fitzgerald Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” Perhaps there is no more famous sentence anywhere than John ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Miracles For Moses Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 31, 2021

God gave Moses 3 miracles to convince the Israelites God had sent him. But these miracles seem (to me) to be fairly unimpressive - a little like "parlor tricks." Why would God ask Moses to use them to convince the Elders of Israel that God had sent him?

(Sing) “I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows. I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows. I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way. I believe, I believe. I believe above the storm the smallest pray'r will still be heard. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Wonder Of Jesus Accepting Us Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 10, 2013

It’s become fashionable for churches to "target" a specific audience in their messages and ministry. But is that really such a good idea? Is it possible that in targeting specific groups we might be undermining our real ministry?

OPEN: In my files I ran across these nuggets of wisdom from little children: Patrick, age 10 - "Never trust a dog to watch your food." Hannah, age 9 - "When your dad is mad and asks you, ’Do I look stupid?’ don’t answer." Taylia, age 11 - "When your mom is mad at your dad, don’t let her brush ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

15. Romans Chapter 4 Verses 4-12 - Messages In Romans – The Faith Of Abraham Reckoned As Righteousness Leading To Blessing (Us Too!) - Message 15 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 6, 2024

This lovely passage examines the faith that is for Jew and Gentile. Faith will reckon one as righteous and that follows in Abraham’s footsteps. There is no sin penalty on the account on the one who believes in the Saviour and whose sins are forgiven.

15. ROMANS CHAPTER 4 VERSES 4-12 - MESSAGES IN ROMANS – THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM RECKONED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS LEADING TO BLESSING (US TOO!) - MESSAGE 15 [A]. RIGHTEOUS RECKONING AND A CLEAN ACCOUNT WITH GOD {{Romans 4:4 “Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favour, but as what is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:4-8, Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 13:5-6, John 14:1, Psalm 32:1-2, James 2:20, James 2:26, James 2:18, Numbers 14:18, Romans 4:9-12, Galatians 3:29, Genesis 15:5-6, Deuteronomy 11:22-29, Joshua 8:30-35, Romans 4:9-11, Genesis 17:3-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Puzzle Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2018

The story in Acts 8, that tells of Philip's preaching in Samaria resulting in an Evangelism Explosion, contains 3 puzzles that many folks overlook. What are these puzzles and what can they teach us about our walk with Christ?

OPEN: People have created puzzles for centuries. There’ve been crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's cube, and scads of others in all shapes and sizes. The better the puzzle, the more difficult it is to solve, and by that standard, one of the Holy Grails of such puzzles is this one: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:3-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

14. Romans Chapter 4 Verses 1-3 - Messages In Romans – The Faith Of Abraham Reckoned As Righteousness - Message 14 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 6, 2024

You can not work for salvation. Righteousness is placed on your account when you are saved. We look at Abraham’s faith for his faith was reckoned as righteousness. How many ways to God are there? Without faith no one can please God. It is all of faith; nothing of works. Applications made.

14. ROMANS CHAPTER 4 VERSES 1-3 - MESSAGES IN ROMANS – THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM RECKONED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS - MESSAGE 14 WHAT IS IT THEN – FAITH OR WORKS? It is unfortunate that chapter divisions and verses themselves are arbitrary, for sometime they destroy the flow of an argument. It become ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 5:1, Romans 4:1-3, Genesis 12:1-2, Genesis 15:5-6, Hebrews 11:6, Genesis 15:1, Genesis 15:5, Hebrews 11:8-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Unshakeable Nickname

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Apr 25, 2019

For a man named "Doubting Thomas", he makes one of the greatest confessions of faith: "My Lord and my God!" This sermon briefly walks through the text and examines Thomas' confession in an applicable way for the hearer by breaking the confession down into two chunks.

Sometimes, it just isn’t possible to shake a nickname. One of my favorite athletes, Landon Donovan, has that problem. Landon is arguably one of the best soccer players the United States has ever produced, but has the nickname, “Landy Cakes.” How did he get that? By constantly underachieving ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Lutheran

The War To End All Wars Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 16, 2016

Revelation is about a war to end all wars. But what is this about Armageddon and what does it mean to us?

OPEN: Years ago I received a flyer for a Revival to be held in Richmond, Indiana. The “Revivalist” was going to tell us about 2nd coming of Christ. His topics would include the “rapture”, the rebuilding of the Temple, and the battle to end all battles – Armageddon. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 16:12-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The God Who Is Gooder Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 24, 2017

There are people in this world that hate God. And they don't believe that God is good - they believe He is evil and unworthy of our praise. But is God good? And what does that mean to us?

OPEN: Is God Good? (wait for a reply) Of course He is. That’s what the Bible tells us and that’s what we believe or we wouldn’t be here. But, there are many out there who don’t like God. There are many agnostics and atheists work very hard at painting God as an evil and wicked God – unworthy of our ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pattern Of Conversion 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 14, 2021

To establish that Philip’s preaching of Christ to the Ethiopian treasurer was his continued preaching of the Great Commission and the Holy Spirit’s revelation of the “pattern of conversion,” designed to save all believers by God’s grace through the faith in Christ.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Hear of the faith. 2. Believe in the gospel. 3. Repent of sins. 4. Confess faith in Christ. 5. Be Baptized into Christ. Introductory Remarks. 1. The "gift" of salvation is given to all by God's grace, not by our faith or works of merit. Salvation is not given ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ