Sermons on Elijah:

Was A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Taught Before The 1800's?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 3, 2022

There have been numerous teaching surges of the "Rapture" and what happens at the return of Jesus over the last 50+ years that have brought confusion and fear.

Most often, the teaching of a Pre/Mid tribulation ‘Rapture’ re-appears during times of world crisis, social upheaval, pandemics, war, rumors of war, etc., to help bring focus on the soon-coming return of Jesus, who will stop it all and set up His Kingdom on Earth for 1,000 years. The Second ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, John 5:28-29, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Futility Of Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2022

Religious exercise can become a snare if in our efforts we fail to seek the Lord. Religion for the sake of religion is a dreadful snare.

“Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Prophet [*] Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 2, 2021

Jesus is the Prophet of whom Moses spoke. His first advent set in motion the fulfilment of God's redemption of sinful man.

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Too Silly For A Funeral; Too Serious For A Party

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2019

Christians must be aware of becoming hypercritical of divine work and of other believers, ascribing what is done as unworthy of Christ. To explore this situation, the message is a study of Jesus' censure of the generation in which He then lived.

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

God In The Dark

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Where was God when Jesus was crucified? The divine mystery is that God provided Himself as a sacrifice for sinful man. We are humbled by this knowledge, and eternally blessed.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

When Babylons Fall, Cry, Or Celebrate? (Revelation 18:1-19) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 11, 2023

A practical, no-rapture, academically rigorous approach to Revelation. A call to rejoice, and to "come out" from every Babylon.

Last week, in Revelation 17, we read in depth about two main characters: the Beast, and Babylon. We've seen repeatedly that the Beast is a symbol for evil human empires. Satan takes ordinary nations, and makes them extraordinary by giving them his power, and authority, and throne. But as ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:1-19

God In The Dark

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 2023

God made atonement as Jesus hung on the cross. All who receive Him as Master over life are brought into the family of God, forgiven all sin, and saved forever.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

When Standing Alone Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 27, 2016

Each Christian will eventually stand alone. At such times, they may be assured that they are never truly alone--the Lord is standing with them.

2 TIMOTHY 4:16-18 WHEN STANDING ALONE… “At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Just Wait! Be Jesus! Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 27, 2016

Jesus is coming again! What do we do while we wait? 1. We stay awake and focused on Jesus 2. We grow deeper in our walk of holiness 3. We pick up our cross and towel. This is a message that asks the Church if it is really ready to meet Jesus

Scripture: Luke 21: 5-19; Psalm 98 and Malachi 4:1-2 Title: Don't Just Wait! Be Jesus! Scripture: Luke 21: 5-19; Psalm 98 and Malachi 4:1-2 Title: Don't Just Wait! Be Jesus! Jesus is coming again! What do we do while we wait? 1. We stay awake and focused on Jesus 2. We grow deeper ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Nazarene

Pursuing Submission Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Feb 27, 2020

James tells us that we are to submit ourselves to God. In this message we will unpack 5 ways (from the text) that will enable us to do just that.

Pursuing Submission OKAY – let’s do this, week 9 of our series on James… NOW HERE - is the text that we are going to unpack this morning (August 30, 2015) AND BEFORE – we read it, let me remind who wrote this passage. James the ½ brother of Jesus… A GUY – who shoots straight, tells the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:4-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Servant Of Isaiah 49 In Luke-Acts Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 19, 2024

Part 2 of a rabbit trail exploring how the servant's calling is picked up not just by Jesus, but also by Ananias, Paul and Barnabas, in Acts. We are all to be lights, and "salvation," up to the ends of the earth.

Two weeks ago, we worked our way through Isaiah 49:1-6. When I taught on it, I said that these are the words of God's exilic prophet. The prophet feels like his ministry has been a waste of his time and energy. It's accomplished nothing. And God responds to him, not by arguing with him, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6, Luke 2:25-34, Luke 9:28-36, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 13:44-50  (view more)  (view less)

Does God Hate Sinners?, And A Look At The Ancient Principles Of Biblical Writing - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 23, 2025

Most religions teach, along with the Bible, that God hates and despises the iniquity of sin and holds every individual responsible for their sin

Part 1 INTRODUCTION It is the amazing and profound love of God that is the most powerful force in the Cosmos and the reason people exist. The Bible declares that God is love and is infinitely loving and just (1 John 4:8-10). It is because of His love He must deal with sin, which is the breaking ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:29, Matthew 5:43-45, Luke 11:11-13, Romans 2:5-9, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Hebrews 6:4-6, Colossians 3:12-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrong About Authority

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2024

When Jesus was challenged to name His authority to teach, he exposed His interlocutors as incapable of assessing His answer even were He to deign give it.

“When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

You And Your Government Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 30, 2001

How to live as a citizen of heaven and earth.

YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT 13:1-7 * This sermon was put together after much study and the influence of teachers such as Adrian Rogers, Tom Elliff, Warren Weirsbe, J. Vernon McGee, John McArthur, Chuck Swindoll and conservative Bible Commentaries, all of which were great helps to grow my understanding ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Tempted

Contributed by James Jerpseth on Mar 3, 2001

Having grown up in hte desert, I know how harsh the place is and how tempting the options presented by hte devil really are. On the surface the temptations seem harmless and perhaps even good in the right hands but they all take our attention off God.

I grew up going to the desert, and thought that I knew what the desert lands are all about. I’ve been camping many times in the Anza Berrego wilderness and understand that the desert is a harsh and foreboding place. I know to stay on the trails, look for snakes and take lots of extra water. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran