Sermons on Encumbrance:

It's Time To G.r.o.w. Up!

Contributed by Tony Searles on Apr 26, 2002

This is a practical message about growth and maturity in Christ, and how to begin to grow in God.

Stand & Read - 1 Peter 2:1-3 “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, [2] like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, [3] if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” “It’s Time To ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3, Hebrews 5:12

Denomination: Other

Is Divorce Okay? Series

Contributed by Derek Helt on Nov 7, 2000

Divorce touches Christians as much, or more, than it does those outside of the church. How should we deal with it?

Is Divorce Okay? Text: Mark 10:1–12 Derek Helt One time a couple of years ago my wife and I were talking with a friend of ours. Our friend happens to be a single mother with two children. In the course of our conversation, she began telling us about her marriage to the father of her children. We ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cost Of A Christ-Centered Life

Contributed by Tony Searles on Nov 3, 2003

Salvation is a free gift, it can’t be earned or deserved. However, for the Christian to live a life Centered on Christ...it will cost us something. David would not give what did not cost him anything...so what are our "costs"?

"The Cost of a Christ-Centered Life" SONG TO INTRODUCE THE MESSAGE - "Yes, Lord, Yes" Oh, how we MUST say yes! -Like Isaac’s willingness as he gave his life on the altar...we too must be willing to say YES to what God asks? Now, I know that most of us have already said yes to the Lord...being ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:18-25

Denomination: Other

Living Unclogged

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Jun 20, 2005

The spiritual conduit, or pipeline, between us and God can get clogged - how can we lives unclogged lives to hear clearly from God?

Living Unclogged TCF Sermon August 22, 2004 Rather than open with a reading from scripture - we’ll read many throughout this message - let me start by reading a few definitions from the Random House dictionary. con•duit, n. 1. a pipe, tube, or the like, for conveying water or other ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Marvelous Love Of God Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 15, 2018

Message 25 in our exposition of Romans focusing on God's marvelous love for us.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “God’s Marvelous Love” For the past several weeks we have been hearing about Afganis switching sides and defecting to the Northern Army. Why not? Look who is backing them! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who has the most rockets. Paul ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27-29

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Children Of The Day Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 17, 2018

Message 43 in our exposition of Romans. This message focuses on living as light in a dark world.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “Children of the Day” Romans 13:11-14 Review In the first 11 chapters of Romans, Paul powerfully proclaims the truths concerning God’s wonderful salvation plan. Beginning in chapter 12, Paul specifies some areas of our thinking needing our attention ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14, Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 5:14-18

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Cpr For A Healthy Walk Part 3 Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 30, 2018

Message 3 in our discussion of the foundation elements of a healthy walk. This message continues fleshing out the first element of continually cultivating a dynamic relationship with God with a focus on renewing our thinking.

Chico Alliance Church David Welch “CPR for a Healthy Walk" Part 3 INTRODUCTION Paul identifies an internal war between the flesh and the spirit for control of the soul. We only have the strength to wage this war when we have a strong heart. We must focus attention on four areas of the daily walk ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Practices The Necessary Choices (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jun 18, 2018

The 4th message in our Money Matters series where we will talk about the practices of - debt free living - planned spending and intentional savings.

Practices, The Necessary Actions #moneymatters4 Good morning MGCC! Welcome to week 4 of our 5 week series of conversations called, ‘Money Matters.’ Money what? Money matters…! And it really does right? AND HEY – do you what or who else matters you! I matter to God! And that’s all That matters to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:23-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Choose Right - Choose Life

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 3, 2023

It is God’s gift to us that we have the ability to make choices. However, the choices we make also have consequences and let us learn how we can choose right and choose life.

We read in Deuteronomy 30:19, I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God's blessing and God's curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life. (GNB) These were the words of Moses to the people of Israel as he admonished them to choose ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19, Matthew 27:2, Luke 23:4, John 19:12, Matthew 27:24, Romans 8:38-39, Mark 14:43, John 12:6, Matthew 27:3, Luke 22:6, Matthew 26:48, Matthew 26:39, John 18:6, Matthew 26:53  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Docetism Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 18, 2022

Docetism was a refinement of Gnosticism. In the history of Christianity, Docetism is the heretical doctrine that the phenomenon of Jesus, his historical and bodily existence, and above all, the human form of Jesus, was mere semblance without any actual reality.

Docetism Docetism was a refinement of Gnosticism. In the history of Christianity, Docetism is the heretical doctrine that the phenomenon of Jesus, his historical and bodily existence, and above all, the human form of Jesus, was mere semblance without any actual reality. Its followers believed that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26

Denomination: Baptist

Future Focus Motivates Present Faithfulness Pt 6 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 28, 2018

Part 6 in our discussion of how a future focus motivates present behavior. This message focuses on the pursuit of sanctification.

Future Focus Present Faithfulness Series Pt 6 “Pursue Sanctification” Review A holy life is one whose direction comes from the principles and purposes of Scripture. A future focus motivates us to think about how we are living today. What does our life communicate to those around us? Does our way ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Future Focus Motivates Present Faithfulness Pt 13 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 28, 2018

Final message n this series continuing the discusion of checking our value system as kingdom kids.

Future Focus Present Faithfulness Pt 13 “Recalibrating Our Values 2” Review The Bible warns against three deadly viruses that threaten the effectiveness of the church of Jesus Christ. ? Guard against failing to appropriate God’s amazing enabling grace; available and sufficient. ? Guard against ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Re-Calibrating Our Values Pt 2 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Aug 14, 2018

This message concludes our exploration of the three deadly viruses that plague the church. This message continues the discussion of the virus of temporal values such as Esau held.

“Recalibrating Our Values 2” Review The Bible warns against three deadly viruses that threaten the effectiveness of the church of Jesus Christ. ? Guard against failing to appropriate God’s amazing enabling grace; available and sufficient. ? Guard against bitter roots; pervasive and ...read more

Scripture: John 2:15-17, Philippians 3:7-11, Luke 9:23-25

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I'd Rather Have Jesus Series

Contributed by Joshua Hetrick on Jul 4, 2009

Outline of Heb 12

I’d Rather Have Jesus Hebrews Chapter Twelve Scripture Reading; Heb 12:1-2 Introduction: 1. In Chapter Eleven, Paul showed us through the Old Testament saints, that faithfulness justifies us. 2. Now in Chapter Twelve, he begins by reminding us of these saints and shows us how Christ’ faithfulness ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

David Series

Contributed by David Welch on Nov 17, 2006

6thin a series on characters mentioned in Heb 11

Chico Alliance Church December 8, 2002 Pastor David Welch “Samuel & David” Unlikely Heroes Part Seven Review The point of this brief series has been to emphasize the fact that an all-powerful God delights in using the weak things of this world to accomplish the impossible. Those who listen, trust ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance