Sermons on Defining Moment:

When Life Does Not Seem Fair Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 20, 2003

Life doesn’t seem fair. Nonbelievers seem to experience more blessings than we do. In order to find some spiritual stability we need a reality check.

When Life Doesn’t Seem Fair Let’s begin this morning by talking about perception. How we view something becomes reality for us. The New Scientist magazine has compiled a list of actual statements made by children regarding their perspective about scientific matters. There are three kinds of blood ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

"It's Time For A Phil-Up"

Contributed by Michael Walker on Mar 29, 2003

The Lord has been of late speaking to me about obedience. You hear a lot today about hearing the voice of God. The (3) voices you hear, you, God and the devil. Classes, seminars, etc. and etc. Personally I don’t think we have any trouble hearing. I “know”

"It’s Time For A Phil-up!!!” - Acts 8: 26-27b - "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went:" The Lord has been of late speaking to me about obedience. You ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Peril Of Proud Praying! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is an interesting lesson about pride and humility, which raises three questions: (1) Why did you come to church? (2) What is your attitude in church? and (3) How will you go home?

The Peril of Proud Praying! Luke 18:9-14 by Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION A man with three sons inherited a little over $1 billion dollars. Since he now had all this money, he offered to buy his sons anything they wanted. He stressed money was no object. His first son said he had always wanted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

P.u.s.h.--Pray Until Something Happens! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

In this parable, we learn the value of positive, persistent prayer and the need for prayer in our lives.

P.U.S.H. – Pray Until Something Happens! Luke 18:1-8 By Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION A young man went into a drugstore to buy 3 boxes of chocolate: small, medium, and large. When the pharmacist asked him about the three boxes, he said, “Well, I’m going over to a new girlfriend’s house for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Luke 18:1-18, Romans 12:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiving The Unforgivable Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 2, 2003

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” The Cross is the only place we can find forgiveness. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done, or how often we’ve done it, we can be forgiven - not because we deserve it, but because we don’t.

Forgiving the Unforgivable The last words of a dying person are normally never forgotten. A person’s closing comments often reveal their pain and agony. Some enter eternity without saying anything, while others utter sentiments that disclose their values, priorities, and innermost ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-34

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From A Leper Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 3, 2003

We all have a deadly problem only Jesus can fix. When we admit our need and cry out for Jesus, stepping out in faith, we receive the power to accomplish the directions God gives us according to the Bible.

Lessons from a Leper Luke 17:11-19 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Have you ever had a totally lousy day? I read about a man who was sitting in a bar, looking at his drink. He stayed like that for half-an-hour. Then, a big trouble-making truck driver stepped up next to him, grabbed the drink from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

What Happens After You Die? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 3, 2003

What happens after death is widely argued among non-Christians. The simple truth is: when you die, you will continue to exist and where you spend eternity depends on the choices you make in the here and now.

What Happens After You Die? Luke 16:19-31 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION How old were you when you began to realize people die? One of my earliest memories was when I was about five years old and my family was traveling to Panama City, Florida to attend my grandfather’s funeral. I recall ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

How Much Can God Trust You? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 4, 2003

Jesus used the parable of the shrewd manager to give us lessons about managing the money God gives us, the value of true investments, and a warning about becoming a slave to money.

How Much Can God Trust You? Luke 16:1-18 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION The recent accounting scandals have shaken our economy to its roots. I read about a third grade class in which the students were telling about the jobs their parents had. One little boy shocked the class by saying, “My dad is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-18, Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Building Bigger Hearts Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Apr 7, 2003

Contentment doesn’t come from our circumstances. It comes from the heart. And that’s where the root of the problem really lies. Not in our wallets, but in our hearts.

My son, Evan, plays for the 10year old North Royalton travel team. The other day, the players received their uniforms. They are beautiful – very nice. And the hats! They are purple with a gold NR embroidered on the front. And they are fitted. Evan even has his number embroidered on the back ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Five Marks Of A Real Disciple Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

Jesus gives us five vivid images teaching us lessons about discipleship and the total commitment it requires

Five Marks of a Real Disciple Luke 14:25-35 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION The main job Jesus left us to do was to make disciples. There is a difference between a believer and a disciple. There is no such thing as an instant disciple; like the word, it takes discipline. A Russian comedian, Yakov ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Skin Of A Reason Stuffed With A Lie Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

The parable of the great banquet is a picture of the invitation God extends to us to come to His eternal banquet of salvation–some accept and others refuse this great invitation.

Excuses: The Skin of a Reason Stuffed with a Lie Luke 14:12-24 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION There is a difference between a reason and an excuse. There are times when we may have a legitimate reason for what we do or don’t do. An excuse is actually the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie. In ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:12-24, Luke 7:16-24

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus--The Rejected Lover Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

Jesus’ love is fearless and protective, as a hen gathers her chicks. He wants us to seek His love and we have the power to choose–if we are willing.

Jesus–The Rejected Lover Luke 13:31-35 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Have you ever had your love rejected? Her name was Sandra Moody and I first met her in the third grade. I thought she was the most beautiful girl on earth. I can remember thinking, “When I stop hating girls, she is going to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

When You Get Bent Out Of Shape Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Whatever is broken in your life, Jesus can fix it. When suffering or religious rules bend you out of shape, let Jesus get you bent on the joy of God’s kingdom.

When You Get Bent Out of Shape Luke 13:10-21 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION I recently read a funny story that illustrates how most of us are never satisfied. Frank and Mabel had been married for 40 years. Frank turned 60 a few months earlier and they were celebrating Mabel’s 60th birthday. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-21, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 13:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do Good People Suffer? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Why do bad things happen to good people? Suffering gets our attention and reminds us that we cannot make it without God.

Why Do Good People Suffer? Luke 13:1-9 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Today, I want to speak to you on “Why Do Good People Suffer?” I’ve preached on suffering before. In fact, one lady wrote me a note reading, “Pastor, I never knew what suffering was until I heard you preach. Now I know.” Some ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

When You Blow It As A Parent Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Apr 18, 2003

As we descend deep into the world of family matters we cross the crevice of “when you blow it as a parent.” I want to help you navigate safely to the base camp of another challenging aspect of the parental climb

David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. David sent the troops out—a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1-9, 2 Samuel 19:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal