Sermons on Determinations:

Who Do You Perceive Jesus To Be? Series

Contributed by John Braland on Apr 23, 2014

Who do you perceive Jesus to be? Every person can develop an accurate perception of Jesus by taking three steps: determining who Jesus really is, discovering why he came, and deciding to put their faith in hi

Welcome to Freshwater. We are one church in multiple locations committed to making healthy disciples and we are glad that you are here on Easter weekend. I heard a story about this kindergarten teacher who wanted to teach her students about self-esteem. She said to her class, everyone who thinks ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Passion: A Hunger And Thirst For God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

What determines our relationship with Him is whether we become bitter or crave for Him more than ever knowing our entire life dependence is on Christ our Lord and King. This craving is just the advent of revival of our lives.

Opening illustration: A shepherd, who had spent many years with flocks on the hills of Scotland, asked me if I had ever seen a sheep eat while lying down. When I confessed that I had not, he told me that no one had ever seen a sheep eat in that position. “If a sheep is lying down,” he ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Paths Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

In every issue of life the believer has only one question to answer to determine the will of God, and that is, what is right and just? Not, what is the majority for, or what is best for the majority, or what is best for me and my group, but what is just?

A study of God's nature as just and righteous leads to the conclusion that one of our popular explanations of things is not true. We have all heard the saying that God loves the sinner but hates the sin. It sounds good and seems to be a helpful way of explaining God's attitude to man. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:8-9

The Meaning And Purpose Of Life

Contributed by John Newbaker on Jul 10, 2021

There are many people today who feel that life doesn’t have meaning and purpose. They feel empty. Nothing interests them. They have no drive, no determination, and no desires. They’re depressed, discouraged, disillusioned, and dissatisfied. They feel they have no hope.

I want to start off by asking 2 questions: 1/ Does this life have meaning and purpose, and if so, 2/ Where can we find the meaning and purpose of life? There are many people today who feel that life doesn’t have meaning and purpose. They feel empty. Nothing interests them. They have no ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Mercy Instead Of Sacrifice

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 11, 2022

The Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors. They thought they were better than Matthew, as they went around acting holy. Outward show doesn’t determine a person’s relationship with God. It's about the heart.

This morning I am going to touch on the subject of “hypocrisy.” It’s difficult to preach on this subject matter because none of us are without some form of hypocrisy in our life. Jesus told us not to point out the splinter in our brother’s eye until we have removed the log in our own eye (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Choose God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 9, 2024

Who you FOLLOW, and who LISTEN TO, will determine where you go… and where you end up. Psalm 1 is telling us to listen to God and trust Him... because the alternative is listening to the wicked, sinful and scoffers of this world.

In the book of Numbers (13th chapter) we’re told that Moses - after leading Israel out of captivity in Egypt - had finally brought the people to edge of the Promised Land. And before they go it, God tells Moses to send 12 spies into the promised land. So they select 12 men to slip into Canaan, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter 2025: When Adversity Comes

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 15, 2025

Everyone faces times of adversity but it is how we view and respond to the adversity that determines how those times will affect us. The disciples experienced this when Jesus was arrested and crucified. Their response can teach us about responding to adverse times.

Easter 2025 – When Adversity Comes Scripture: John 8:12; Mark 10:32-34; 16:9-11; James 1:2-3 Good morning Strangers Rest and happy Easter. This is surely the day the Lord has made so let us rejoice and be glad in it! Today we pause to commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord and ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, Mark 10:32-34, Mark 16:9-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moving Toward Spiritual Discernment-4

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 15, 2020

4 of ? The apostle John sheds light on the need for Spiritual Discernment in the Church. Spiritual Discernment is a necessity in the Church. •But How is it to be achieved/accomplished? Moving(yourself, the Church, & others) toward spiritual discernment recognizes...

MOVING TOWARD SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT-IV—1John 3:10--4:21 Attention: I have a west-facing window in my office that looks over across 1st St. If something I find interesting happens outside, I put on my glasses because I am near-sighted. I do that so I can clearly see what is transpiring. I might ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:14

Denomination: Baptist

Heroes Of The Bible: Jacob Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Feb 17, 2022

The Bible is full of heroes! They don't wear spandex or fly around in capes and cowls, but God empowered these heroes and heroines to accomplish some pretty amazing feats that can inspire us to become heroes of God ourselves. Our next hero is Jacob. (Aliterated Outline, PowerPoint)

Heroes of the Bible: Jacob Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/25/2021 NOTE: This sermon was adapted from my book, Holy Heroes of the Bible. If it's a blessing to you, please consider buying my book which includes chapters/sermons on 17 additional Bible heroes: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:30-32, Genesis 27:2-24, Genesis 28:13-22, Genesis 32:24-30

Denomination: Christian Church

A Fight To The Finish Series

Contributed by Tim George on Nov 5, 2001

We pick up our series today with a man who was determined to fight the good fight until he drew he last breath. Caleb was in a fight against his giants to the finish and God was going to enable him to finish well.

“Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

Pop Quiz & Final Exam

Contributed by James May on May 15, 2005

Jesus gave his disciples a Pop Quiz on the road to Caesarea Philippi. Peter passed the test, but the world failed it. This Pop Quiz is also a Final Exam that determines your eternal destiny. We can’t afford to fail it!

Pop Quiz and Final Exam By Pastor Jim May Matthew 16:13-19 How many of you can remember your school days? For some of you it seems that it was only yesterday, but for some of us, it means dusting off a lot of cobwebs, and crossing a whole lot of bridges that we have crossed to come this far, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Precious Promises Of God

Contributed by Garvin Alfter on May 5, 2006

Let’s take a look at a few of the promises that God has given to us. Let’s evaluate the impact that they have played or can play in our lives to determine if Peter is on the mark when he called them the "Precious Promises of God".

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Introduction: According to Webster’s Dictionary, a promise is a declaration that one will do or refrain ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:4

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Jesus Dealt With People Who Under-Valued Him

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 25, 2006

Jesus refused to let people discourage, frustrate, or defeat Him because of their faulty perception of His worth. The Lord knew that His success was not determined by peoples’ estimate of His worth but focused on His heavenly Father’s overwhelming love, p

How Jesus Dealt With People Who Under-Valued Him John 16:33-16:33 1. Jesus refused to let people discourage, frustrate, or defeat Him because of their faulty perception of His worth. The Lord knew that His success was not determined by peoples’ estimate of His worth but focused on His ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Standing Up To Spiritual Deception

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 27, 2006

Nehemiah, we discover the power of determination in finishing what God begins in our lives… - As we saw in previous weeks, Nehemiah… unfinished walls… a parallel to our lives… Opposition… discourage the people… Opposition… pressures… Anyone Here feel pre

Intro: Determination is the single greatest attribute of success. - 3 doctors who studied 6,000 marriages and 3,000 divorces and concluded “There may be nothing more important in marriage than determination” (Parrots p.49) - Not to say determination on one partner’s part can save a marriage, but ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's Your Perspective?

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

Contrasting Job with the Rich Young Ruler forces us to consider the priorities in our own life. Our ability to face the inevitable losses and tragedy in life is determined by our perspective on life. By setting our sights on things above, we are better

Whenever the phone rings at 2 o’clock in the morning, you hope that it’s a wrong number, that nothing’s really wrong, and that you can go back to sleep. Middle-of-the-night phone calls are rarely good, as the caller must think it’s pretty important in order to wake you from your sleep. Melody’s a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16

Denomination: Nazarene