Sermons on Defining Marks:

Sermon On Emotions

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 29, 2021

Emotion is defined as a strong feeling deriving from one’s circumstances, mood or relationships with others.

Jeffrey Kent Eugenides, an American novelist and short-story writer once remarked: "Emotions, in my experience, aren't covered by single words. I don't believe in "sadness," "joy," or "regret." Maybe the best proof that the language is patriarchal is that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 12:15, 2 Timothy 1:7, Galatians 5:22-23

Sermon On The Devil Within

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 12, 2021

Wikipedia defines a devil as: “The personification of evil as it is conceived in various cultures and religious traditions.”

William Ralph Inge, an English author, Anglican priest and professor of divinity at Cambridge once remarked: “There is no law of progress. Our future is in our own hands, to make or to mar. It will be an uphill fight to the end, and would we have it otherwise? Let no one suppose that evolution will ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7, Romans 10:13, 1 Peter 5:8

Sermon On A Scapegoat

Contributed by William Meakin on Feb 4, 2025

A scapegoat is defined as a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.

Lloyd Blankfein, an American businessman once remarked: “There is a line in which populism can cross over into demagoguery. Demagoguery is the crossover where populism becomes a bad thing, and people make things up, and they assign responsibilities that aren't fair and justified, and scapegoat ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, Philippians 3:21, Galatians 6:5

Sermon On Fulfillment

Contributed by William Meakin on May 18, 2023

Fulfillment is defined as the achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted. It may often result in a feeling of contentment.

Germany Kent, an American print and broadcast journalist, television personality and author once remarked: “Positive thinking is powerful thinking. If you want happiness, fulfillment, success and inner peace, start thinking you have the power to achieve those things. Focus on the bright side of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:22-23, Romans 13:8, Galatians 5:14, Ezekiel 12:28

Sermon On First Love

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 21, 2025

First Love has been defined as the initial romantic experience a person ever encounters in life.

John Green, an American author once remarked: “You remember your first love because they show you, prove to you, that you can love and be loved, that nothing in this world is deserved except for love, that love is both how you become a person and why.” Revelation 2:4-5 reminds us: “But I have this ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:19, John 3:16, John 13:35, Romans 13:10

Forms Of Modern Idolatry

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Aug 23, 2024

What do you define as idolatry? Should you be concerned with the idea of idolatry in modern times?

What do you define as idolatry? Should you be concerned with the idea of idolatry in modern times? If you ask assembly goers about whether idolatry exists in modern times they may say, “Yes”! If you ask them if it is a concern for them they might say, “No, it does not affect me because I do not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:5-11, Exodus 20:3-5, Ephesians 5:5, Matthew 6:24, Colossians 3:5, 1 Samuel 15:23, 1 Peter 4:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jonah Christians Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 27, 2023

This series is about Christian types and the traits that define them. In this message we examine Jonah Christians.

Jonah Christians Part 1 Scripture: Jonah 1-4; Second Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 12:40 Recently when I arrived here at Church there were two people asleep in the parking lot. One was disabled and had a wheelchair while the other kept there things in a grocery cart. Immediately my mind shifted ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 12:40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On Tolerance

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 28, 2023

Tolerance is defined as the ability or willingness to accept the existence of opinions or behavior that one dislikes or disagrees with.

Linda Diane Thompson, an American songwriter and former actress once remarked: Our uniqueness, our individuality, and our life experience molds us into fascinating beings. I hope we can embrace that. I pray we may all challenge ourselves to delve into the deepest resources of our hearts to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, Exodus 14:14, Colossians 3:12-13

An Identity Crisis

Contributed by Jason Jones on Nov 16, 2022

Today, we will look at three powerful things Christ does that help define you as a believer

Background to passage: one of the most spectacular, all-encompassing letters in the NT regarding the church and our place in it. It puts on display God’s ultimate purpose for creation, the church, and your life. It was written to the Ephesians and possibly other churches in the region. One of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On Guidance

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 15, 2023

Guidance is defined as advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty, especially as given by one in authority.

John Rampton, an American businessman once remarked: “Empowerment isn't a buzzword among leadership gurus. It's a proven technique where leaders give their teams the appropriate training, tools, resources, and guidance to succeed.” John 16:13 confirms: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 25:4-5, Psalm 119:105

Sermon On Divergence

Contributed by William Meakin on May 21, 2024

Divergence is defined as a situation in which two things become different, or the difference between them increases.

Charlan Jeanne Nemeth, a female professor of psychology at the University of California once remarked: “Consensus, while comforting and harmonious as well as efficient, often leads us to make bad decisions. Dissent, while often annoying, is precisely the challenge that we need to reassess our own ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12, Genesis 1:1-31, Isaiah 14:1-32, Genesis 2:4

Sermon On A Holding Pen

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 11, 2024

A Holding Pen is defined as a temporary enclosure for confining livestock or pets, but it can also appertain to life.

Henry Miller, an American novelist and short story writer once remarked: “The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” Romans 12:2 reminds us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 13:21, Zephaniah 2:14, Job 30:7, Jeremiah 33:12

Faith Is More Than A Feeling Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 1, 2024

The Bible defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

As Christians, we often hear the phrase "just have faith." But what does it really mean to have faith? Is it just a feeling or an emotion? Or is it something more? The Bible defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7, James 2:14-26

Sermon On The Wings Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Dec 20, 2024

Wings are generally defined as the modified forelimbs of a bird that bear large feathers and are used for the purpose of flying.

Jalal al-Din Mu?ammad Rumi, a 13th-century Afghanistan-born poet and scholar once remarked: “You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:2, Exodus 19:4, Ruth 2:12, Psalm 36:7

Toda La Verdad: Hay Bien Y Mal

Contributed by Wilbur Madera Rivas on Feb 18, 2023

Nuestro Dios es quien define lo que está bien y mal.

Esta semana me propuse a establecer una cita por internet para renovar mi pasaporte. En el buscador teclee una frase relacionada para ubicar el sitio y me apareció inmediatamente una página con un fondo azul y el logo del escudo nacional. Comencé a llenar la información ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:4-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed