Sermons on Dr Ralph Wilson:

A Fable Of Ambition Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Aug 30, 2010

Gideon's failure appears to be ambition sneaking in after he made the right original decision that poisoned Abimelech's character. Jotham's fable is a cautionary tale.

I know you’ve all heard me quote the brilliant Jewish novelist, Elie Wiesel, on many occasions. The famed author of Night and Jewish philanthropist once said, “Some stories are true that never happened.” He didn’t mean, of course, that we should chuck our healthy skepticism ...read more

Denomination: *other

We Have Nothing

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on May 21, 2009

After Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He shared some parables about our persistence in prayer and the certainty of God’s great gift in answer--the Holy Spirit.

For someone who doesn’t have a lot to be proud of, I’m afraid that I have to confess that I have acted with pride far too often in my life. Now, I don’t mean that I’ve surrounded myself with a “posse” of fans and supporters. I don’t mean that I’ve deliberately put anybody down or ignored them ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-13

Denomination: *other

Out Of Sequence

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on May 25, 2009

When some teenagers asked me a question about the relationship between baptism and the Holy Spirit, it forced me to rethink some of my assumptions. Here’s how I presented to them.

It’s interesting to note that when we take certain verses out of their context, we end up creating our own systems to replace God’s “system.” God’s system is called covenant or relationship. Our systems tend to be what we can control. But, of course, we aren’t the ones in control when God is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38

Denomination: *other

You Are There! Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 4, 2009

Not only is Psalm 139 important theologically, but it is a good model for learning what we need to do in beginning to pray successfully by praying the Scriptures themselves.

In the “Dark Ages” of television, before there were hundreds of cable channels with nothing to watch and before there was even color broadcasting, much less HDTV, the news division of one of the networks (CBS) had a show entitled, “You Are There!” The idea of the show was to take you back and allow ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: *other

Torah-Torah-Torah

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 27, 2009

Israel’s "Shema" is not only an exhortation for Jews to make God’s teaching an integral part of their lives, but it serves as a good reminder for Christians to internalize the Word as opposed to merely using it for "adornment."

I think I lasted three practices with the freshman high school basketball team. What good is a 4’ 10” guard with limited vertical leap, so-so jump shot skills, and only a slightly above-average ability to steal the ball? But I well remember those three practices. We would change into gym clothes ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Denomination: *other

Because God's Contracts Don't Expire Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Nov 23, 2009

Before our Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., I was prompted at 5:30 AM Saturday morning to change my planned sermon text to consider Israel’s harvest festival. This sermon is full of details, to be avoided by those who don’t like teaching in preaching.

This sermon needs a disclaimer and it doesn’t need to be one of those bits of legalese that we see in 6 point type in a print ad, appears briefly in barely legible type at the bottom of a television screen, or is read as rapidly as possible by a radio announcer: “Offer listed is manufacturer’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-29

Denomination: *other

Casting Stones

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Nov 30, 2009

Children learn that no one is worthy to cast stones at others.

November 8, 2009 Prior to Service: • Supply “nerf” balls, sponges, or similar soft objects that will not hurt person being hit with object • Set up boundary for children’s activity (boundary should be small enough that children can easily throw object into the area.) Lesson Illustration: “Casting ...read more

Scripture: John 8:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Path

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Nov 30, 2009

Following the right path requires that we have the right guide.

December 2009 Prior to Service: • Make “stepping stones” from sheets of paper or newsprint or any material that is handy • Form maze of your own design. The more complicated the design the more “stepping stones” that will be required. • Make various “stepping stones” with X marked on face of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Wheat Or Weeds

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Sep 29, 2009

Sermon encourages children to remain the good plant that God intended.

Title: “Wheat or Weed?” Matthew 13:24-30 October 11, 2009 Materials: Flowers or pictures of flowers, weed or grass, 2 types of seeds, soil, pots, paper, and markers Have children identify various seeds that you have for them (for the most part this will be impossible- only the person who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Baptist

Memorial Service For Tom Rogers

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Oct 10, 2009

Memorial service for Christian man, Tom Rogers. Tom was a Christian with a Servant’s Heart.

October 8, 2009 Reading of the Obituary of Tom Rogers age 60 This obituary tells us many things about Tom. It tells us of his birth and death, where he has lived, the family he leaves behind, and the paths that he chose in this life by way of his work and accomplishments. It gives us many facts ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Challenged But Not Conquered

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Oct 16, 2009

Encouragement for children when things don’t go right.

Title: “Challenged but not Conquered” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 October 18, 2009 Prior to Service: • Supply Ping Pong Balls (one for each child) • Supply Markers • Set up boundary for children’s activity (boundary should be large enough that children can run inside the boundary.) GAME: “Not Where I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Complete Rainbow

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Oct 23, 2009

Children use rainbow as illustration that all are needed for God’s work.

Title: “Complete Rainbow” 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 Prior to Service: • Cut construction paper into 2” x 11” strips • Papers should have six (6) different colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet (or whatever colors you have available) • Divide strips into multiples of six- with extra strips ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

Head-On Collision Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Oct 26, 2009

Immediately after Abram gets "back to basics," a controversy develops. Did you know that "blessing" can lead to dissension? Did you know that walking in faith almost inevitably leads to opposition?

The Head-On Collision Text: Genesis 13:1-18 When a corporation has some bad financial reverses, you are likely to read a press release that says something about getting back to the company’s core business. When a sports team gets outplayed, the coach’s press conference will usually have a statement ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: *other

Leaving The Revival Behind

Contributed by David Wilson on Nov 3, 2009

Philip is led by the Holy Spirit to leave hundreds of new believers behind to minister to just one man.

Grant Avenue Baptist Church 2215 Grant Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310) 376-7890 Pastor David M. Wilson Pastor David’s email: abimilech@ca.rr.com November 1, 2009 Leaving the Revival Behind Text: Acts 8:26-40 Background: As the persecution of the church intensified ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Baptist

Abcs Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Nov 6, 2009

Although Psalms 9 and 10 fit together in an alphabetical pattern, they are very different. Yet, both are vital aspects of a positive relationship with god

I cannot think of ABC without thinking of that demand in the David Mamet play and film, “Glengarry Glenn Ross,” where the supervisor keeps telling the salesmen to “Always Be Closing.” Now, I meant the ABCs of the alphabet when I entitled this sermon. If I were going to have played off the play and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:1-21

Denomination: *other