Sermons on Early Martyrs:

Pouring Out Your Life For Christ

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 28, 2017

We can be confident in Christ; can he be equally confident in us?

The year is A.D. 155, and the persecution of Christians sweeps across the Roman Empire to the city of Smyrna. The proconsul of Smyrna, swept up in this persecution, orders his minions to find the Bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp, arrest him, and bring him to the public arena for execution. They find ...read more

Denomination: Other

Greetings From James - James 1.1 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

The Apostle James was one of the so-called "Sons of Thunder," and was specifically named "James, son of Zebedee" and is sometimes called "James the Greater"

I. There are certain realities of life common to all believers – 1:1-1:18. A. Trials and testing will come and can be overcome -- 1:1-8. Lesson 1.A.1: Greetings from James - James 1.1 Text: James 1:1 (KJV) 1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Cracking The Da Vinci Code

Contributed by Denn Guptill on May 22, 2004

The Da Vinci Code is one of the hotest novels on the market today, what should the church’s response be?

(I began this message with a clip from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where Indy discovers the Grail) Let’s start by saying that the Da Vinci code focuses on a subject that many of us know little about and that is the Holy Grail, as a matter of fact the sum total of most of our knowledge ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

Truth Or Consequences For Truth Tellers

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jul 13, 2018

When John told the truth against political power (Herod) there were consequences. The same was true for Jesus, his followers. The 'values" of the world does not always appreciate the "truth" God offers in Jesus, "the way, the truth, and the life."

In Jesus Holy Name July 15, 2018 Text: Mark 6:14 ff & Luke 3:19-20 Pentecost VIII Redeemer “Truth or Consequences” Truth or Consequences was the long-running wild & wacky game show (1941 on the radio) 1951-1988 off and on with different game hosts). ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-22, Luke 3:19-20

Denomination: Lutheran

The Church Of Christ 2 The Secret Disciple

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Feb 4, 2016

Joseph of Arimathea's search for the kingdom of God did not permit him to dismiss Jesus in the Sanhedrin, Jewish Council for he knew Jesus held the message for his salvation.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST 2 The Secret Disciple by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (February 3, 2016) “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-60

Denomination: Friends

The Biblical Basis For Group Ministry Series

Contributed by Norman Lawrence on Mar 2, 2009

Biblical Basis For Group Ministry

THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY – PART I The Biblical Basis for Group Ministry Series Text: Acts 2:46-47 - Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:46-47

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Saints Alive!!

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Nov 25, 2007

Who are the Saints? The Dictionary defines a saint A Saint is a holy or godly person A Saint is a very patient, unselfish person In the NT, a saint is any Christian believer The Bible agrees with the 3rd Definition Saints are Alive and Kn

Saints Alive! Ephesians 1:1; 5:3; Revelation 13:7; Jude 14 Who are the Saints? The Dictionary defines a saint A Saint is a holy or godly person A Saint is a very patient, unselfish person In the NT, a saint is any Christian believer The Bible agrees with the 3rd Definition Saints are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Courage

Contributed by Martin Field on Aug 7, 2001

Reflecting on Joseph of Arimathaea’s courage in stepping forward to bury Jesus, the sermon encourages Christians to be bold and courageous today.

In the Episcopal Church, today is the feast day of Joseph of Arimathaea, one of the more obscure New Testament characters. All that is known for certain about Joseph comes from the Gospel narratives of Jesus’ burial. Though John speaks of Joseph as a secret disciple of our Lord, and associates ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:50-56

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Valentine's Day Through The Ages

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 28, 2025

Valentine's Day is more than candy and flowers.

Valentine’s Day Through the Ages We celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th each year. We exchange candy, flowers, cards, and gifts between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. As is often the case, we participate but don’t know why. Let’s consider this ancient Christian and the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Get Yourself Killed Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 22, 2009

Stephen’s martyrdom calls to minds questions about our own faithfulness and witness.

In the magazine business, there is an inexorable law that says that you will sell more copies of an issue if you convince people that they can do more things or do multiple things more effectively. That’s why you always see lots of cover lines like: “100 Ways to Make Your Green Thumb Glow” or “50 ...read more

Denomination: *other

Living Through Suffering Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Aug 16, 2012

We look now at a passage, which is startling in both its sobering and exalted view of Christian suffering.

Introduction We look now at a passage, which is startling in both its sobering and exalted view of Christian suffering. Recall once more the context of the letter. The Christians of the scattered churches in northern Asia Minor are facing trials placed on them by their neighbors. Some form of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sunday Is The Christian Sabbath

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Sep 14, 2001

The disciples of Moses teach that the sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday by Constantine in 321 A.D., and by the Catholic Church in 364 A.D. The following facts from history prove they are wrong:

Sunday Is the Christian Sabbath By Pastor CG The disciples of Moses teach that the sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday by Constantine in 321 A.D., and by the Catholic Church in 364 A.D. The following facts from history prove they are wrong: 1. The Encyclopedia Britannica under "Sabbath" and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:5-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Islam, The Church And Reformation Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 20, 2017

Was Islam the "rod of God's wrath" or the foil for the great miracle of the sixteenth century?

Feast of St. Andrew 2017 Reformation/Revolution The Synoptic Gospels don’t pay a lot of attention to St. Andrew. The triad Peter, James and John is often seen–on Mt. Tabor, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and in leadership and healing roles in the early days of the Church. Andrew has more prominence ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Catholic

Christians Must Be Prepared To Suffer For Christ

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 3, 2019

The Prosperity movement has given Americans a wrong view of God -- that He won’t let Christians suffer. But the truth is that suffering is a vital part of Christianity. Suffering should be viewed as a blessing, a cause for rejoicing, and a sign of future reward.

CHRISTIANS MUST BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST Matt. 24:9 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: MAGIC AT THE PASTRY SHOP 1. Two broke and hungry best friends, Dave and John, went into a pastry shop. Dave suddenly whisks three cookies into his pocket with lightning speed. The baker didn't notice. Dave ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9, Matthew 5:11-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"stephen: A Heart Of Commitment" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Oct 27, 2020

One of the things that are clear as you look at the gospels is that popularity can be costly. Most of us if we would admit it, certainly desire to have it. But we sometimes don’t realize what it can cost us.

HEARTBEATS “Stephen: A heart of Commitment” Acts 6:8-15 and 8:54-60 One of the things that are clear as you look at the gospels is that popularity can be costly. Most of us if we would admit it, certainly desire to have it. But we sometimes don’t realize what it can cost us. We see in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist