Sermons on Exclusion:

Showdown! Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Oct 20, 2013

The decisive, dramatic contest atop Mount Carmel, that compels us to determine who we will serve.

Elijah has been called “the iron prophet.” After a three-year absence, he appears before Ahab; was he finally going to end the drought? The dry spell was indeed about to end, but first it must be established with no doubt as to who is God. The king accuses the prophet of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:16-40

Denomination: Congregational

The Ultimate Love

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Feb 23, 2014

Walking in the light of God changes everything. No shadows, no tricks, just pure light.

The Ultimate Love 1 John 1:5-7NLT Introduction: How far can you walk? one block, two? one mile, ten? We used to be a nation of people who walked, but now are a nation dependent upon the automobile. We used to be a church of people who walked with God, but now what are we? Can a Christian ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Standing In The Freedom Of The Gospel:only One Gospel

Contributed by David Taylor on Jan 23, 2014

Standing in the Freedom of the Gospel: Only One Gospel

Standing in the Freedom of the Gospel: Only One Gospel Galatians 1:6-10 As I have said, Galatians is divided into three sections. In the first two chapters Paul defends his apostleship; in three and four he defends the gospel; and in the last two chapters he defends our liberty in the gospel. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Paths To Happiness--Two Are Dead-Ends

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 9, 2014

Of the four roads supposed to lead to happiness, two are dead-ends--the pursuit of pleasure and the pursuit of honor and power--but the paths of service and union with God actually get us there.

Seventh Sunday in Course 2014 Our family has for several years tried each February 2, or thereabouts, to watch the Bill Murray film, “Groundhog Day.” For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, the movie follows Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a weather forecaster for a 2nd rank TV ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Catholic

Angels And Shepherds

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 7, 2013

No person is an 'untouchable' to God: and the things revealed that first Christmas are such that 'angels desire to look into...'

ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS. Luke 2:8-20. To be a shepherd was not necessarily considered to be one of the higher occupations in the Judean province. This is surprising, since some of Israel's great leaders had been shepherds. Abraham had his flocks, as had Isaac. Jacob kept the flocks of his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life After Christmas Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 3, 2011

Life after Christmas is really not about life after December 25 but life after believing and receiving Jesus Christ in your heart.

Most people have a wonderful time during Christmas! But once December 25 is over, what do most people think about?? Many will say, “the reason for the season is Jesus Christ!”; but many people really don’t think about Christ with their plans after Christmas and the New Year! How about us? What is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:16-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living In Uncommon Grace Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Sep 23, 2009

Most Christians understand “grace” as it applies to salvation that is that Jesus did something for them that they could never do for themselves. We tend to get a little fuzzy when it comes to grace as it applies in the Christian life.

Living in Uncommon Grace James 4:4-10 Intro Most Christians understand “grace” as it applies to salvation that is that Jesus did something for them that they could never do for themselves. By his death on the cross in our place, He paid our sin debt. He gives us a new standing before God the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

Immanuel: God With Us!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 18, 2009

GOD IS WITH US... we are never alone...

LET US GO DOWN TO BETHLEHEM --- GOD WITH US... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. Join in with the lowly shepherds... HEAR THE ANGELS SING: GLORY TO GOD... Worship with the WISE MEN... UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN... Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Praying In The Face Of Opposition

Contributed by David Wilson on Oct 3, 2011

When threatened, the church responded with a prayer of personal commitment rather than praying against those who were persecuting them.

Praying in the Face of Opposition TEXT: Acts 4:23-31 BACKGROUND: After the glorious healing of the crippled man at the gate of the temple, Peter (with John alongside him) preaches a powerful message to those who are amazed. This upsets the elders and the teachers of the law who seize Peter ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Thinking? Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on May 25, 2011

During this series we will be looking at Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. Paul founded the church at Philippi and wrote the letter during a time of imprisonment in Rome. One of the themes in the book is joy. (some thoughts taken from a series by Cr

Philippians Pt3- What are you thinking? Overview Continue- 3rd part- series on Philippians. Encouragement- read Philippians- over/over- meditate. This week- pick up w/chapter 2:1. Review One of our themes- joy- last week- Joy in Suffering. Paul is writing to Philippians as a Roman ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Charismatic

Ruth - An Introduction Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jun 30, 2012

Let's begin a journey and discover some great and wonderful truths about God through this wonderful book about a woman of great faith and obedience!

TEACHING BRIEF Date Written: June 26, 2012 Date Taught: June 27, 2012 Church: OPBC (Wed Night) FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Title: A Study in the Book of Ruth Text: Ruth 1:1-5 (read passage) Introduction: Even the best laid plans can go awry and leave us ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

How Could Paul Be The ‘world’s Biggest Sinner’ When He Was So Religious? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 29, 2014

A look at how the greatest evil is often wears religious clothes and how we can avoid having that happen in our lives.

A QUESTION: How could Paul be the “world’s biggest sinner” when he was so religious? - 1 Timothy 1:15. - This passage is interesting and sets up an obvious question: if Paul was so religious and so focused on pleasing God, how could he have been the world’s biggest sinner? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15

Denomination: Baptist

Defining Real Faith

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jan 21, 2010

Everyone wants to tell us what real faith looks like. But what does the Bible say?

Passage: Matthew 8:1-13 Intro: We make it so complex, this thing we call the Christian life. 1. we come up with all kinds of plans for success, the TV guys tell us that if we do A and B we will get the reward of C. 2. we have secrets, power plans, ways to make the hand of God move for our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Are We Practicing What We Preach?

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on May 11, 2015

This message challenges us to examine if there are gaps between what we say and what we do.

3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Parables Of Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2022

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. Let's look at Jesus' parables in Matthew.

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. “All of them have stubborn minds! They refuse to listen; they cover their eyes. They cannot see or hear or understand. If they could, they would turn to me, and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:15 CEV) Shepherds We ...read more

Denomination: Baptist