Sermons on Early Martyrs:

Empowered To Be Witnesses, Not Weirdos

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Oct 7, 2020

The Holy Spirit was given for us to be witnesses not for our entertainment or exaltation. He was given to empower us for our only purpose for being here.

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. The purpose of receiving power from the Holy Spirit is not for goosebumps and roo ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

A Steadfast Church

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

The church needs to stand up and be counted on in this dark world.

A STEADFAST CHURCH ACTS 7:54 – ACTS 8:4 AS I WAS PREPARING FOR TODAYS MESSAGE I CAME ACROSS AN ILLUSTRATION THAT I FOUND TO BE QUITE INTERESTING, AND APPROPRIATE FOR TODAY’S WORLD. A MAN WHO WAS TAKING A TOUR OF MILITARY CHAPELS, SAID THAT ONE PROBLEM THEY WERE FACING WAS HAVING A ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Electify Series

Contributed by Todd Pugh on Jan 14, 2008

The Apostle John was electrified by coming to know Jesus’ love and see His great light of Truth. He was never the same and his passion never reduced.

Electrify Series: Turn the Light On! Sunday Sermon, November 11, 2007 Intro: Toward the end of the first century, some Christians began drifting away from the truth about Christ. They were losing touch with those who had known Jesus in the flesh as the founders of the church began to die off. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Cost Of The Kingdom Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 15, 2007

THe Kingdom of God is of great worth, and it will cost you everything.

The Secret Message of Jesus July 23, 2006 The Cost of the Kingdom Matthew 13:44-46 The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl 44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: *other

The Truth Conspiracy Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 12, 2012

What did Yeshua (Jesus) do during the 40 days between his resurrection and ascension? This period becomes critical for the authenticity of his claims.

1. 1 Corinthians 15.3-11 2. About 10 years ago, during a Homicide trial in Nassau County in the state of New York, the prosecution was examining their witness on the stand. In his testimony, the witness stated that he saw the victim lying on the ground, obviously dead. When the prosecution had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is The New Testament Reliable Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Apr 3, 2004

The New Testament is the best source of historical information from the time period of Jesus and it stands the test of scutiny. Therefore it is not only reliable it is the most reliable document of its kind!

Is the New Testament a reliable source of information? The four gospels (Matthew, mark, Luke and John) give us a biography for the life of Jesus and they provide us with a wealth of information. One statement that I heard just recently is that the gospels were written as a way to communicate faith ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Denomination: Church Of God

We Are Strangers Pt 1 Series

Contributed by Bill Lyle on Sep 13, 2006

A study in First Peter

I. Living in reverent fear vss. 17-21 A. How you should understand your relationship with God. vs. 17 B. A short summery of the Christian faith. Vss.18-21 1. Redemption vss. 18-19 2. Revelation vs. 20 3. Resurrection vs. 21 II. Key words and phrases vs. 17 A. Strangers B. Impartially C. Reverent ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Makes A Church Great?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 12, 2005

7 Qualities which make a church great. Link included to Formatted Text Version and Powerpoint, audio/video.

What Makes a Church Great? Acts 4:33 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GreatChurch.html "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."--Acts 4:33. I believe this is a great church! God is doing great things! But ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:33

Denomination: Baptist

A Participant Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 31, 2019

The Lord's Supper reminds us that we participate with God through Jesus in our Christian walk but also with our fellow Christians.

1. Justin Martyr (early 2C) recorded the actions of the early community of God when they came together: “On the day called “Sun Day” believers gathered in one place; writings of apostles or prophets are read; then when reader has ceased, the President instructs to imitation of these good things; he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

And The Gospel Goes On Series

Contributed by Richard White on Aug 28, 2008

The theme of Acts is not just the works of the apostles but that nothing stops God from spreading His word.

And the Gospel goes on. Acts 8:1-24 Very anticlimactically written, from this point on there is a shift from Peter and John to a man named Saul. Saul is introduced as being present when Stephen was stoned and that he gave his approval. Dr. Luke gives us insight into Saul and then will compare it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Call To Patience.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 29, 2016

How long, Lord?

A CALL TO PATIENCE. James 5:7-10. ‘Patience is a virtue,’ suggests the old adage. Yet when we pray for more patience what do we get? We get more affliction! This subject was mooted early in James’ epistle, when he somewhat surprisingly suggested that we ‘should count it all joy’ when we fall ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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