Sermons on Divine Preference:

Harmony Through Happiness (Eat Some Peaches) - Philippians 4:4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 2, 2022

To have unity we must overcome joylessness, lack of reasonableness, and anxiety. We have to be told to rejoice because we naturally resist it, and because we tend to seek joy in earthly things instead of in (not just from) the Lord. Find happiness by enjoying God throughout the day.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Acceptable Worship - Philippians 4:15-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 23, 2022

Paul exposes the beauty of the Philippians' giving ministry

Philippians 4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:15-18

Reverent Worship - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 19, 2025

Why does Scripture speak of making vows to God? What is the purpose of making a vow? How does it help in your walk with the Lord? When should we make a vow, and when should we avoid making a vow?

Ecclesiastes 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience (lit. draw near to listen) than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. 2 Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. (lit. do not be ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

The Soil Of Slander - James 4:11-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

Are you guilty of judging God's law?

James 4:11 Brothers, do not speak against one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges his brother speaks against the law and judges the law. When the law you judge, you are not a doer of law but a judge. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:11-12

What Kind Of Person Do You Want To Be? (James 1:1-12) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 19, 2022

James encourages us to be all-in for God, responding "in faith" to testings, and steadfastly live in faithfulness toward God and people.

Who do you want to be? (James 1:1-12) Today, we begin a new series on the letter of James. The sort of weird thing about teaching on James, from my perspective, is that I've done this before. Maybe 10 years ago, I preached through James in two little churches in Kulm and Medina. I'm ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

There Is Great Benefit To A Working Faith (James 2:14-26) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 6, 2022

So add good works to your faith.

This morning we find ourselves in James 2:14-26. Let's start by just reading James 2:14: (14) What is the benefit, my brothers, if faith, someone says he has; ["faith" is focused in Greek] now, works, he doesn't have. ["works" is focused] That faith isn't able ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Enough Is Enough Series

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Jun 13, 2022

The same God that heard and answered Elijah's prayers, the same God that brought the rain, is the same God that is with us today. What a marvelous joy the foundation before us upon which we can rebuild the altars in our heart, that He is with us every step of the way.

Is Religion Good for Society? When preparing this message, I came across a survey conducted by the NCLS (or National Church Life Survey) that was released in November 2019. This survey has been conducted among 20 different denominations every five years since 1991, and surveys several thousand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:19-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keys To Answered Prayer - James 5:14-15 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 2, 2022

Scripture describes several things we can do to make it more likely our prayers will be answered. This message explores several of them.

James 5:12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned. 13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you weak? He should ...read more

Scripture: James 5:14-15

Better Than Anything - Philippians 3:7-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 3, 2022

Why is it so evil for a person to try to make himself righteous?

Philippians 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them filth, that I may gain Christ 9 and be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-9

Power For Pain - Philippians 3:10-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 3, 2022

Paul's quest for power, partnership with Christ in the work of redemption by suffering with him, and being conformed to the pattern of his death

Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Introduction It stands to reason that if you are living in God’s universe, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11

Finders Weepers Losers Keepers - Mark 8:34-38 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2023

What does it mean to deny yourself and take up your cross? And how does it help you in your daily battle with sin?

Excerpt #1: You are a radical, fundamentalist, extremist Christian or you are a non-Christian. Excerpt #2: People title this passage, "The Cost of Discipleship," but it could just as well be called, "The Cost of Non-Discipleship." Jesus wants us to compare costs. Excerpt #3: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, Matthew 16:13-27, Luke 9:18-26

True Greatness - Mark 9:33-36 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 29, 2023

We read of the disciples arguing who was the greatest, and we see it as immature and crass. But all of us have far more of that in us than we realize. This sermon will help you discover areas of self-exaltation and show the path toward true greatness.

Mark 9:30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-36, Matthew 18:1-3, Luke 9:46-47

Grace For The Humble - James 4:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 3, 2021

What could be more important than gaining the one quality that determines whether God gives you grace or fights against you?

James 4: 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Introduction Listen very carefully to these words I am about to read because Jesus said your eternal destiny depends on whether you understand them. Matthew 18:1 At that time ...read more

Scripture: James 4:6

The Man Of Integrity - Mark 12:12-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 18, 2024

Jesus' enemies were astonished at how little Jesus feared men. And Mark shows us how this is the key to many elements of godliness.

After highlighting how the authorities feared man three times, Mark now makes a point of how Jesus was the opposite. Against the dark backdrop of their sin (which results in hypocrisy, dishonesty, cowardice, and favoritism), Mark shows us Jesus in stark relief. He uses the very words of their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:12-14, Matthew 22:15-22, Luke 20:20-26

Pain, Perseverance, And Pure Joy - James 1:2-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 13, 2020

When James commands us to consider it pure joy when we suffer, does that mean we are to pretend we are happy when we aren’t?

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Introduction: Perseverance Years ago ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4