Sermons on Exile:

What Will Heaven Be Like?

Contributed by Erik Estep on Oct 20, 2011

Today in our passage of Scripture we’ll see Jesus’ disciple John give us a glimpse into what Heaven will be like. Revelation does speak of heaven as having streets of gold, and pearly gates, and these incredibly beautiful stones that will adorn heaven.

“What Will Heaven Be Like?” Revelation 21: 3-5 January 24, 2010 Intro: A Sunday School teacher was teaching his class about heaven. He asked the children, “If I sold my house and my car, had a huge yard sale, and gave all the money to the church, would that get me into ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Twelve Tribes Of Israel Part 2 Northern, Dan, Naphtali And Ash Series

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Nov 6, 2011

Detailed individial look at each of the twelve tribes of Israel. With focus on the unique name and mission as a tribe fullfilling God’s plan.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel (Part 2) Northern, Dan, Naphtali and Asher “And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.” (Genesis 49:1) Intro: Last Sunday we started a sermon series titled “The Twelve ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 49:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Change Comes From Within

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 31, 2011

1 Kings 14

CHANGE COMES FROM WITHIN (1 KINGS 14:1-18) As Bill was approaching mid-life, physically he was a mess. Not only was he going bald, but years of office work had given him a large pot belly. The last straw came when he asked a woman co-worker out on a date, and she all but laughed at him. That does ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 14:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Glorified Christ Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 12, 2007

Christians picture Jesus as artists have portrayed Him when He walked the earth. Here John sees Jesus as we will see Him when we lay eyes on Him for the first time. He is the Resurrected Lord of Glory.

Revelations 1:9-16 THE GLORIFIED CHRIST As I approach this pulpit each Sunday there are two things attached to it that remind me of my priorities. One of them is a clock, which always reminds me that the time is short. The other is a plaque that says "Sir, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:9-16, Revelation 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Dedicated To Joy Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Mar 29, 2008

Joy isn’t ginned up with fun entertainment. Joy doesn’t pass with changing seasons or swinging moods. True, unquenchable joy comes only from God. That’s the kind of joy to be dedicated to.

1. Intro (6:16) 2. The first way we can be dedicated to striving for joy is with joyful sacrifice. (6:17) 3. The second way we can be dedicated to striving for joy is with joyful service. (6:18-20) 4. The third way we can be dedicated to striving for joy is with joyful separation. (6:21-22a) 5. The ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 6:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Value Of Participation Series

Contributed by Matthew Sullivan on Mar 30, 2008

This sermon is about the significant value of participation when it comes to the work of the Lord.

Visioneering: The Value of Participation Nehemiah 3 Matthew Sullivan Now, it’s probably pretty safe to assume that most everyone here today knows about Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Because just a couple weeks ago, that was the only thing anyone in town seemed to talk about. Extreme Makeover ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Follow The Leader Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Sep 2, 2008

Four ways to know that God’s people are ready to accomplish the work He has for them.

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been in Ezra, so I think it’s important that we spend a few minutes remembering where we are. That’s always an important thing to remember in your own personal Bible study. It’s very easy to get so wrapped up in a particular passage or verse that you forget the ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 10:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

What's All The Racket? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

Did you know that there are times that the church should be noisy? Not from idle talking and milling around during worship—but a church should be noisy just like the remnant was. A church should be noisy when it’s working.

1. Initial celebration (3:10-11) 2. Individual hesitation (3:12) 3. Ideal harmonization (3:13) One time there was an old farmer who wasn’t much into modern conveniences. As a matter of fact, he didn’t have much contact with the outside world at all. He thought that everything he needed was right ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Almost Right Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 27, 2008

The question isn’t whether we’re going to encounter opposition. The question is, how are we going to handle it when it comes. The remnant did exactly what they were supposed to do—almost. They stood strong in the face of opposition but they didn’t quit

1. How did the opposition respond to the remnant? a. With distrust (1) b. With deception (2) 2. How did the remnant respond to the opposition? a. With discernment (3a) b. With determination (3b) c. With direction (3c) It would be nice if everything in life was easy, wouldn’t it? It would be nice ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Urgent Warning Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 27, 2008

Throughout history, God continually gave His chosen people urgent warnings. As Jesus looks out over the city of Jerusalem, He laments the fact that they failed to heed those warnings by refusing to recognize Him as their Messiah.

1. The urgent warning of God’s permanent Word (37a) 2. The urgent warning of God’s passionate grace (37b) 3. The urgent warning of God’s present consequence (38) 4. The urgent warning of God’s pending judgment (39) MATTHEW 23:37-39 Thomas Huxley was known as Darwin’s Bulldog. He was one of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:37-39

Denomination: Baptist

Releasing Your Ownership

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jul 12, 2008

When You Give Your Child Back to God You Commit to Raise Your Kids God’s Way. Your children are not your toys to play with and enjoy life with. They belong to God and when you give your child back to God.

Opening illustration: Have you ever given your children back to God? Some of you may be thinking – why should I? This kid is mine and I have the sole ownership – if you don’t believe it, I’ll show you their ‘Birth Certificate.’ It has my name on it to prove that I am the parent. Well I always ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:24-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Blessings Of Submission Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 13, 2010

Submission is a key to life and humility and trust are a key to submission.

Introduction: A. Recently there was a remake of the movie The Karate Kid. 1. But how many of you remember the original movie? 2. The original movie began with Daniel, a skinny boy who was used to being bullied, asking for a neighbor named Mister Miagi to teach him karate. 3. Mr. Miagi agreed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dealing With Your Herod

Contributed by Jay Bunting on Dec 21, 2010

In studying the slaughter of the innocents we can learn how to deal with the Herods of our life.

1st Sunday after Christmas Matthew 2:13-23 Dealing with your Herod Another year is quickly drawing to a close. The holiday season is just about over. The gifts have been opened, the food has been devoured. Now what are we faced with? The hectic pace of the holiday season can leave us longing for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Anglican

All About Me Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Aug 3, 2009

When I give my life over to Jesus, it is not about me anymore, it is about Jesus Christ. Every event, every problem, every victory are about Jesus Christ. Simon is the personification of the person who does not understand this concept.

When NASA first started sending up astronauts into space, they quickly discovered that ballpoint pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat the problem, NASA scientists spent a decade and 12 billion dollars to develop a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

David The Caveman Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 9, 2009

There is much that we can learn from the way David reacts to his circumstances in the cave of Adullam.

Introduction: A. I thought we would start with a little humor from some cartoons I came across this week. 1. “Peter finds his faith much stronger in the winter.” Walking on the water is nothing if the water is frozen! 2. “Another Eskimo baptism gone bad.” The preacher should have kept his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ