Sermons on Elevate:

Chosen Strangers - 1 Peter 1:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 21, 2024

Peter is so eager to establish our identity (because it is the basis for so much of what he says in the book), he blurts it out before he even gets to the greeting.

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect, strangers [in the world], scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 [chosen] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

The Glory Of The Story - 1 Peter 1:10-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

Why did the prophets search their own writings? Did they not understand what they wrote? If that's the case, what were they trying to communicate when they wrote it?

The prophets searched Scripture to find out what kind of era it would be when the Messiah would suffer and then be glorified. But they were told that it was not for them to know. We get to participate in this glorious kingdom in the Church (why would a Christian prefer the world to the Church?). ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-12

Hope In God! - 1 Peter 1:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

Hope is when you turn your attention from some small bad news to some big good news. It is central to the Christian life and it is a Christian duty (with grace comes responsibility). But it is hard to do.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13

Thicker Than Blood - 1 Peter 2:5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 9, 2024

Most Christians fail to appreciate the value of what Jesus promised us in the Church.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5

Mission Imperative - 1 Peter 2:9-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 12, 2024

All ministry is based in praise, and we must take this monster calling seriously.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Come Out From Among Them - 1 Peter 2:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 17, 2024

What did Jesus mean by being in the world but not of the world?

1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the gentiles that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12

Suffering In His Steps - 1 Peter 2:20-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 22, 2024

Our calling was to follow Jesus, and His steps lead through undeserved suffering. Abuse is not a glitch in God’s plan that ruins your life. It is your calling.

1 Peter 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:20-21

"alas, Babylon!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 28, 2024

God will judge this fallen world and those who live only for this world. How, then, shall the one who follows Christ live?

“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Gps (God’s Positioning System) - Psalm 23:3b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 7, 2025

This message will help you in times when you are praying for guidance, or when you find yourself second-guessing or regretting past decisions, or when you’re plagued with “what if’s.”

Psalm 23 A psalm of David. 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:3

The Only Thing Worth Wanting - Psalm 25 Pt.2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 17, 2025

When life falls apart, David doesn't ask for relief from his trouble—he asks for God's love. Discover the surprising strength that comes from wanting nothing but God.

Of David. To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who waits for you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. 4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach ...read more

A Culture Of Vulgarity

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 24, 2025

Christians must turn from embracing the things of this world, deliberately choosing to seek the things that are above.

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” [1] Since the fall of our first parents, for as long as mankind has existed, vulgarity has plagued the race. What do I mean when I use the term “vulgar?” The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:5

Denomination: Baptist

To The Church Of The Namby Pamby

Contributed by Jeremy Long on Jul 19, 2025

If John could have seen the Church today when writing the Revelation, I think he wouldn't have been quite so biblically polite in the Letter he would send to it.

To the Church of the Namby-Pamby I’ve been somewhat bothered with something lately and can’t seem to get it off of my mind. A feeling that God is pushing us to get things sorted quickly because His return is VERY SOON. Anyone else felt this? Felt the urgency of the church’s mission? Felt like ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: *other

Win A Terrorist To Christ

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 30, 2025

From a human perspective, what was required to win Saul of Tarsus to faith in the Son of God? Someone had to outlive, out-love, and outdo the rabid rabbi. That someone was Stephen.

“When they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

There!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 9, 2025

The criteria for worship are established when the Lord God spoke to Moses , dictating what was necessary for worship to be accepted.

“These are the statutes and rules that you shall be careful to do in the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth. You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess served their gods, on the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Six Lessons Learned Through Adversity

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Nov 5, 2025

The message is about how we respond to adversity and reviews six lessons that we can learn when we are experiencing adverse times.

Six Lessons Learned Through Adversity Good morning Second Missionary! Please bow for a word of prayer. Our foundational Scriptures are found in Matthew 10:27 and James 1:2-3. I will be reading Matthew from the Classic Amplified Bible and James from the New King James Bible. Matthew 10:27 says, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:27, James 1:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational