Sermons on Essentiality:

Radical Gratitude Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Oct 13, 2009

Praise God with a deep sense of awe for the freedom we now have through His gift of forgiveness and new life.

Intro: Again this year, I’ve found amusement in the “Butterball Turkey-Talk Hotline”, which is now “going on-demand and on the go with Turkey Text Messages. Text the word “TURKEY” to 36888 to have weekly turkey tips, thawing reminders, and cooking alerts sent straight to your mobile phone.” (from ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Wonder Of Water Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 9, 2021

Water is the blood of the world that gives life to all that God has created. The blood in our veins that keeps us alive is 90% water. Water supply is not just vital for farmers, it is vital to the life of each one of us.

The Bible begins and ends with God in the midst of water. It is the physical substance that is nearest to the spiritual. It is the physical source of all life. There is no known life on earth that can survive without water. God gave birth to the world out of a mass of water as the Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Renewing The Mind Series

Contributed by Vince Miller on Aug 28, 2018

Renewing the mind is a spiritual act of worship that requires the activity of putting on and putting off.

So a few years back, two professors from Baylor University, wrote a book on how America viewed God himself. And essentially they did surveys of American's and American Christians and how they viewed God. They came up with 4 different variations on how people viewed God. They either viewed him as - ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Behold, I Will Make You Fishers Of Men Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Jan 4, 2016

Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, James and John. What kind of people did our Lord call to His service?

I. Introduction A. "So, what's the matter?" asked one woman of her friend over coffee. "I thought you just got back from a nice relaxing fishing trip with your husband." "Oh, everything went wrong," the second woman answered. "First, he said I talked so loud I would scare the fish. Then he said ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

Change Agents Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Salt goes into the body. It is necessary, and good, and contributes to the health of the body. It changes the body – for a time. But for lasting change to occur something has to go into the mind and heart as well. And that is where light comes in.

How many of you keep a watch on how much salt you eat, buying the low-sodium versions of things like canned soup and cold cuts and avoiding high-sodium treats like pizza and potato chips? It’s an article of faith that salt is hazardous to your health. And it’s very difficult to avoid, since most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Harnessing Your Gifts In Times Of Struggle.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Aug 30, 2024

Embrace and utilize your God-given gifts and talents while enduring your wilderness experience. This message provides rich inspiration and motivation to support your physical and spiritual growth. It's a powerful reminder that you can survive and thrive, even in the most challenging times.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (1 Peter 4:10-11) (NIV): “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, Romans 12:6-8, James 1:2-4, Jeremiah 29:11, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Parables Of The Kingdom – The First - The Sower Or Rather The Soil – Part 6 Of 7 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 1, 2025

Parts 5 and 6 go together but had to be split. Here we look at the results of harvest 100-60-30, contention in churches, and gospel preaching. The parable of the sower is a remarkable one and we are seeing this as we go. We look at how the parable of the talents are related.

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM – THE FIRST - THE SOWER OR RATHER THE SOIL – Part 6 of 7 This next message continues from the previous one. We begin by looking at why some seed produced 100, some 60, some 30. [[EXAMINING THE HARVEST RATES FROM THE SOWING]] One very primary application of this parable ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 13:8, Matthew 13:23, Mark 4:8, Mark 4:20, Luke 8:8, Luke 8:15, Isaiah 32:11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:14-20, 1 Kings 19:19, Isaiah 28:23-29, Matthew 25:14-18, Matthew 13:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23, Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Are We Praying For God’s Will If It Always Happens Anyway? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 29, 2025

Many presume that everything that happens is God's will. That's not true. What does it look like to pray that God's will would start to be done here on earth as it is done in heaven?

WHY PRAY THIS? This is a prayer because it isn’t happening much now. - Matthew 6:10. - So in this fourth part of the sermon, Jesus calls us to pray for God’s will to be done. - But, wait, isn’t that already happening all the time? We hear people constantly speak that whatever happened was God’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Defeating Distractions PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 24, 2023

The main point of this sermon is to recognize and reject life's distractions, and refocus our attention on Jesus for guidance and strength.

Good morning, church family! Today, we'll be diving into an incredibly relevant topic for our fast-paced, distraction-filled lives. We're going to explore the importance of recognizing distractions, rejecting them, and refocusing our attention on Jesus. As the renowned Christian author, C.S. Lewis ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:30-33

Topics: Distractions

Art And Science Of Evangelism

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 11, 2001

Jesus used both the art and science in His evangelism and we should too!

Art and Science of Evangelism Introduction - Have you ever known a physician who practiced both the art and science of medicine? Perhaps you will enjoy hearing about a friend of mine who has mastered both aspects of cross-cultural medicine in Nigeria. Last year, the physician went to a remote ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does God Say When People Pray? (Part 1)

Contributed by James Wilson on Mar 2, 2001

How Does God Respond to Our Prayers?

What Does God Say When People Pray? (Part 1) I Kings 18:21 In I Kings 18, we encounter a group of the children of Israel who drifted away from a vital relationship with God. Their relationship was, well-- convenient, but it wasn’t genuine. While they were in the wilderness, they depended upon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:21

Denomination: Baptist

How To Not Overcomplicate The Gospel's Message – Rom. 10:5-13

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 28, 2001

How to Not Overcomplicate the Gospel’s Message – Rom. 10:5-13

How to Not Overcomplicate the Gospel’s Message – Rom. 10:5-13 Why do you suppose that so many well meaning Christians overcomplicate the gospel with extraneous ideas, traditions and requirements? Millions of people have the mistaken notion that to become a Christian is so difficult that it is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:5-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In The Midst Of A Crooked And Perverse Generation

Contributed by Dan Morrison on Aug 20, 2002

How are we doing as ’citizens’ of the kingdom in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation?

Citizens Living in the Midst of a Crooked and Perverse Generation Philippians 1:27-2:18 In verse 27 the word “conduct” denotes the “conduct of a citizen”. This is very important to the understanding of this passage of the letter. HISTORICAL CONTEX: Why would Paul be writing to these believers in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Stop Making The New Birth Appear So Complicated

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 15, 2003

Why do you suppose that so many well meaning Christians overcomplicate the gospel with extraneous ideas, traditions and requirements? Millions of people have the mistaken notion that to become a Christian is so difficult that it is not really worth the e

Avoid Overcomplicating the New Birth in Christ – Rom. 10:5-13 Why do you suppose that so many well meaning Christians overcomplicate the gospel with extraneous ideas, traditions and requirements? Millions of people have the mistaken notion that to become a Christian is so difficult that it is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:4-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Makes A Statement

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 29, 2006

2005 Christmas Day Sermon

As I reflected on the theme on this morning’s bulletin cover, I decided to re-listen to the audiotapes of both Jonathon and Daniel’s births. As I did so, I heard voices of joy, of business, of pain, and of life. Both boys happened to be born in the same birth room, a little more than two years ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1

Denomination: Church Of God