Sermons on Dispersion:

Ghost Town Series

Contributed by David Heflin on Jun 19, 2007

In this sermon and text we look to the past, present, and future to interpret the meaning of the confrontation between Artemis of the Ephesians and the Gospel.

Ghost Town Acts 19:23-41 3/12/06 PSCOC NOTE: POWER POINT PICTURES WERE USED IN THIS SERMON WHICH GREATLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SERMON ITSELF. I USED MANY PICTURES FROM WHAT IS LEFT OF EPHESUS AND ARTEMIS’ TEMPLE TO HIGHLIGHT THE ’GHOST TOWN’ CONCEPT. I FOUND MOST OF THESE ON-LINE, BUT ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:23-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Need For Spiritual Discernment Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 23, 2016

Man is designed to be a spiritual being. He will worship something, even if it's a false god. The truth has been diluted and compromised by many, and we live among many who are confused. There is an urgent need for spiritual discernment in our day.

The Need for Spiritual Discernment 1 John 4: 1-6 I am sure we’ve all been warned about believing everything we hear. The same caution should be applied for what we see as well. It is foolish to believe everything we are told and much of what we see. Lies and deception were used to tempt ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Gift Of Freedom

Contributed by Tom Doubt on Jul 4, 2016

Only God can give us the gift of freedom 1 Peter 1:17-21

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21 BACKGROUND: A. We can define freedom in many ways. 1. A phrase like "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" covers a wide range of ideas. 2. "I want to do what I want, whenever" often begins at the age of 2 years, and extends well into adulthood. 3. Some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness In The Home Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 22, 2016

Reconciliation for broken relationships is only possible when justice and forgiveness meet.

In Ernest Hemmingway’s short story “The Capital of the World,” three aspiring bull fighters try to make a name for themselves in Madrid. Hemmingway introduces this short story by telling the reader about a young man named Paco who had run away from his father to the big city of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Will Never, Never, Never, Never, Never.

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 26, 2016

The theologian Adam Clarke notes that in the Greek there are no less than 5 five negatives in this short discourse. I will Never ... Never ... Never ... Never ... Never... leave you or forsake you.

I recently read a story ... about a traveler who was having a conversation ... with a farmer ... from upstate New York. They both were discussing the weather, ... and the farmer assured the traveler ...that he could tell what the weather was going to be ... by watching the behavior ... of his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

Conquering Chaos (2)

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 22, 2015

This is a revised version of the sermon with the same name. We all go through chaos from time to time. That chaos is a precursor for our growth as believers.

1. [Lost Patrol Among their many tasks, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police (aka: NWMP or Mounties) in Fort MacPherson, North West Territories, was also in charge of delivering mail to Dawson City, Yukon, a trek of 475 miles by dogsled. The trail was quite hazardous. The sleds often broke through ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All Gifts Came From God

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Sep 12, 2016

To show that GOD is the Source and Cause of everything good that we have in this life and in the life to come.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have something you own? No. All that I have came from GOD. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers/unbelievers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD is the Source and Cause of everything good that we have in this life and in the life to come. IV. TEXT: James 1:17 (Amplified Bible) ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Persecution And Thanksgiving

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 22, 2016

Believers in many parts of the world are suffering persecution ranging from mild oppression to beheadings while we in the west seem to waltz through life without giving this persecution a second thought. What should we make of this disparity?

Matthew 24:4-14 – please look this up in your Bibles. We will read this passage in a moment … The first and second Sundays of November have been designated as the International Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. But since we were away the first Sunday of November at a District ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:4-14

Denomination: Nazarene

Embarrassing Reruns

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 28, 2016

Sometimes when you've made the same dumb mistake again, you get a vague sense of déjà vu. That's what Abraham got when Abimelek rebuked him for lying about Sarah being his sister. Let's don't keep falling into the same sins!

EMBARRASSING RERUNS Gen. 20:1-13,17 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Abraham bought himself a fancy new computer and was showing it to Isaac one day. "Look at all the wonderful programs it has on it. And look at all the neat things it can do." 2. Isaac was impressed but a little concerned. "But, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Was Baptized By... Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 11, 2017

Division is one of the worst things we can bring to church.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Here we are again, today we are going to examine another one of the great complaints we find in the pages of the Bible. • I have always been intrigued by those who for various reasons, feel they are not good enough to be I a church. • I mean when you read the book of 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Technology And The Soul Of Man

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 4, 2017

How should the Christian view technology?

Technology and the Soul of Man Genesis 4:16-24 We live in a blizzard of new technology today. We even wonder how we could live without it. I can remember the surprise snowstorm which hit the South in March of 1993 when the power was out in some places here for a week. It was interesting to see how ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:16-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Genuine Faith In The Midst Of Trials Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 8, 2016

This is the first message in a series through the book of James. This messages is the first looking at the subject of genuine faith when we face persecution.

GENUINE FAITH – PART 1 GENUINE FAITH IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS JAMES 1:1-4 JAMES, A SERVANT OF GOD AND OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, TO THE TWELVE TRIBES SCATTERED AMONG THE NATIONS: GREETINGS. 2  CONSIDER IT PURE JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHENEVER YOU FACE TRIALS OF MANY KINDS, 3  BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Our Missionary God

Contributed by Timothy Cooley, Sr. on Sep 13, 2011

Ever since Adam's Fall, God has been seeking to reconcile the wanderers.

Through all the ages, the God of the Bible has been and is a missionary God! Because God created all things and all people, the message of the Bible includes every human being. From the beginning, Scripture presents the search of God, not only for Abraham or Israel, but for people from every ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26

Denomination: Holiness

God’s Power Through God’s People #5: Barnabas Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Dec 5, 2011

A series of character sketches through the book of Acts - Barnabas.

Acts 4:36-37 – God’s Power Through God’s People #5: Barnabas Today’s message carries a serious lesson for all of us: the importance of one another. We will see how crucial it is for each of us as believers to invest in the lives of others. Today’s message is based on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:36-37

Denomination: Baptist

One In Christ

Contributed by Ron Hietsch on Aug 13, 2018

Like the Ephesians we live in an increasingly pagan world. Satan has provided us with lots of ,temple of Diana like, competitors. In spite of this, Like the Ephesians, Christ has made us to be His one body.

One in Christ Ephesians 2:11-21 July 22, 2018 The early church was faced with the challenge of preaching the saving Gospel to Jews and non Jews who had vastly different cultures, vastly different values, and incompatible religious backgrounds. Additionally the non Jews had few morals. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-21

Denomination: Lutheran