Sermons on Esv:

How God Uses Evil For Good Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 15, 2023

Three progressive features show "How God uses Evil for Good", describing: 1) Persecution (Act 8:1–3), which stems from 2) Preaching (Acts 8:4-7), which results in 3) Productivity (Acts 8:8).

Acts 8:1-8. [8:1] And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Other

Solitude 101

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 7, 2013

1) The Call to Solitude (Mark 6:30-31), and 2) The Challenge of Solitude (Mark 6:32-33), 3) The Compassion of Solitude (Mark 6:34)

Those who are successful learn how to be alone. Whether it is an artist with a canvas, an author staring at a page, a teacher making out a lesson plan or a businessperson reviewing accounts, they know that certain things must be done alone. From that time alone a painting can be put on public ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34

Denomination: Other

Handling Emotional Burnout Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 9, 2012

The answer for the anguish of emotional burnout is through 1) The Merciful Rescue by God (Psalm 40:1–3), 2) The Multiple Resources in God (Psalm 40:4, 5), 3) The Motivational Responses to God(Psalm 40:6–10)

Today as we remember our brave men and women who fought in defence of the freedoms we enjoy we often think of those who lost their lives in combat. We tend to overlook however those who were injured in battle. The one injury that is hardest to detect is the one that can't be seen in a physical ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-10

Denomination: Other

Prayer 101 Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 8, 2013

In Mark 1 Jesus gives us a critical lesson on the timing, manner and necessity of prayer. In it, He shows us the: Preparation by Prayer (Mark 1:35) 2) Expectations through Prayer (Mark 1:36-37), 3) Actions from Prayer (Mark 1:38-39)

In the ongoing roller coaster called Blackberry, sources familiar with the company announced this week that BlackBerry board hopes to run a “fast” auction process that could result in a sale of the company by November. Analysts have noted problems with product releases, lackluster ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Denomination: Other

How To Respond To God Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Feb 26, 2010

When we experience suffering and pain our first reaction is usually one of striking out, but Job teaches us how we are to respond to God during the trying times of our lives...

Sermon Brief Date Written: January 22, 2010 Date Preached: January 31, 2010 Where Preached: Oak Park (AM) Sermon Details: Sermon Series: A Series on Job Sermon Title: How To Respond to God Sermon Text: Job 42:1-6 [HCSB] 1 Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 I know ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Love Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 19, 2019

In Malachi 3:1-4 we see the Father's "Gift of Love" in the promise of His Son through a series of predictions (i.e., announcements regarding the future). In verses 1-4 we can see love from (1) The Coming Lord (Malachi 3:1-2) and from (2) The Purifying Lord (Malachi 3:3–4).

Malachi 3:1-4 [3:1]"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. [2] But who can endure the day of his ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: Other

Why Were You Chosen? Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 1, 2015

1) Why God Chooses (Ephesians 1:3), 2) When God Chooses (Ephesians 1:4), 3) For What did God Choose (Ephesians 1:5-6)

There is a point in any group athletic competition when teams are chosen. Sometimes they are chosen by tryouts where coaches make the final selection. In impromptu games, there are often more casual methods. Sometimes captains are selected, and they pick the teams. Other times random numbers are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-6

Denomination: Other

Faith, Hope & Love Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 7, 2014

In Colossians 1:1-8, the Apostle Paul’s shows how the gospel is 1) Received by Faith (Colossians 1:1–4a), 2) Rests in Hope(Colossians 1:5-8), and 3) Results in Love (Colossians 1:4b).

Whenever we travel, problems inevitably arise. Situations regarding our own travel we tend to be able to handle. The difficult ones are the ones that happen back home. Perhaps our kids got into a jam, there is a difficulty at work or a friend got into a crisis situation. As much as we want to help, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8

Denomination: Other

Sufficiency Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 10, 2014

1)Doctrinal Perceptiveness through the Word (2 Peter 3:15b–17), 2) Spiritual Progress in the Word (2 Peter 3:18a), and 3) Continual Praise in the Word (2 Peter 3:18b)

We’ve all just gone through a traumatic event: time change. We can look forward to enjoying light for longer in the day and the prospect of spring. For all of us, this time change is difficult for we lost an hour of sleep. Those who examine the effects of sleep note the increased accidents on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:15-18

Denomination: Other

Jesus Is Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 14, 2017

The fact that Jesus is Lord is seen through: 1)The Antithesis of God’s Righteousness (Romans 10:4–5), 2) The Availability of God’s Righteousness (Romans 10:6–8), 3) The Acquisition of God’s Righteousness (Romans 10:9–10)

This week, Spain’s prime minister asked the head of the secession-minded Catalonia region the question that no one can seem to answer: Did he declare independence or not?...Clarifying Catlonia’s position is critical to map out Spain’s next move – including possible harsher measures against ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:4-10

Denomination: Other

The Perfect Pastor Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 26, 2024

If you’re looking for the perfect pastor, look to Jesus your beautiful Savior, your intercessor, your counselor, your protector, your Savior from sin, and your purifier.

On June 16, 1875, the Milwaukee Sentinel published this want ad for a new pastor: Wanted—A rector for St. James' Church. He must possess all Christian graces and a few worldly ones; must have such tact and disposition as will enable him to side with all parties in the parish an all points, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 28:1-43, Hebrews 8:1-2, Hebrews 7:25, Deuteronomy 17:8-13, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 7:23-25, 1 John 2:1, Hebrews 9:23-26, Hebrews 4:14-16, 1 John 1:7, Hebrews 9:11-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Doctrine Of Scripture

Contributed by Adrian Warnock on Feb 22, 2007

A detailed review of what the bible has to say about itself- launched from 2 Timothy.

Audio and powerpoint slides available at http://www.adrian.warnock.info/2007/02/audio-what-is-bible.htm “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15) Introduction to Bible Study Aim of our ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living As God's Remnant In An Ungodly World Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Dec 26, 2013

God takes notice of those who take notice of Him

When Mary and I were considering names for our children, there were a number of names that were immediately eliminated because of certain students that Mary had in her classes over the years that she just didn’t want to be reminded of. And even today, several decades later, there are certain ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wine And Wisdom Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 15, 2014

To make the most of the time we have left and bring harmony to all your relationships, walk in wisdom, God's Will, and in the fullness of the Spirit.

In 1867, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel invented a new high explosive, which he named “dynamite.” He was convinced that his invention would make war too horrible to ever happen again. However, he quickly discovered there was no shortage of buyers for his new explosive. He made a huge ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Is Our Vision? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jan 3, 2012

So many churches have so many 'irons' in the fire that they simply forget or begin to ignore the 'reason' they are even here... to make disciples! Our vision for 2012 must be focused on the ONE thing God has commissioned us as believers to do... make disc

Sermon Brief Date Written: January 3, 2012 Date Preached: January 1, 2012 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Sermon Series: New Year’s Day Sermon Sermon Title: What’s Our Vision? Sermon Text: Proverbs 29:18 [ESV] “…18 Where there is no prophetic ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Baptist