Sermons on Extravagant Grace:

The Search For A Queen (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 10, 2021

God's people were bound in captivity, but they were not forsaken. The Lord was working behind the scenes, orchestrating events that would benefit and prosper them. We see His sovereign hand at work in the selection of Esther as queen of Persia.

The Search for a Queen (Part 1) Esther 2: 1-9 As we studied chapter one, we discovered a detailed picture of what life was like within the Persian Empire. King Ahasuerus was a man of great wealth and power. He sought to expand the kingdom, and nothing was off limits in his pursuit to do so, not ...read more

Scripture: Esther 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Marching For A Miracle

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

“Without God man cannot. Without man God will not.” God is a user of means, and men are His major means, and the marching of men is one of those means. It is one of the ways we cooperate with God to make a difference.

We don’t sing Onward Christian Soldiers marching as to war very much any more, for we seldom see the relevance of being soldiers of the cross fighting the forces of darkness. Marching seems irrelevant also, for even in the military world the real force is now in the air and on the sea. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-21

The Power Of Prevention

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

Remember, it is not just what happens, but what does not happen that makes life victorious. God's providential prevention is a part of every life that is truly blessed

A great cholera epidemic sweep through London in the 19th century. John Snow observed that those who pumped water from the Broad Street pump tended to get cholera, but those who took their water from other pumps did not get it. He knew nothing about germs, bacteria, and polluted water, but he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

What Is Success?

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

There is really only one question by which we evaluate all of life, and all human activity: Is it pleasing to God?

Paul Aurandt in his book, Destiny tells of the life of Bartholomew Roberts, one of the great sea captains. He commanded 3 ships-The Fortune, The Good Fortune and the Royal Fortune. Back in his day the ships musicians were on call to provide music anytime of the day or night. But his musicians got ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Successful Prayer

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

If success is pleasing God, and God is not pleased with all kinds of external forms and activities, where the heart is far from him, than it follows that the only road to spiritual success is the road to inner space.

Henry Brown prayed for a way to escape. He was a slave in Richmond, Virginia, and desperately wanted to be free. He finally felt his prayer was answered when he was inspired by a unique idea. He had the plantation carpenter construct a box the same size of the largest boxes that were shipped in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

The Greatest Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 15, 2021

The reason that the sacrifice of Jesus was the greatest ever is because it is the only sacrifice that ever worked. All the animal sacrifices just pointed to the need for blood to be shed and life paid for cleansing from sin.

One of my favorite poets is William L. Stidger, and I want to begin this message with one of his poems- I SAW GOD WASH THE WORLD I saw God wash the world last night With his sweet showers on high, And then, when morning came, I saw Him hang it out to dry. He washed each tiny blade of grass And ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-3

Our Excelling Example Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 16, 2021

We look to Christ as our example, and He teaches us a positive type of humility that says I have ability and blessings which I will use, not for self-glorification, but for the edification of others.

You cannot imitate what you do not know. Any parrot who learns to swear does not reveal its own character, but rather that of its owner and example. To copy or imitate by definition implies an original to go by. It is the original that determines the nature of the copy. This concept is ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

The Search For A Queen (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 17, 2021

As chapter two of Esther continues, we see more of the sovereignty of God revealed. Although it appeared His people had been forsaken, God had a plan and would use Esther to help bring about its fulfillment. Sovereignty is an attribute that brings peace and comfort to believers.

The Search for a Queen (Part 2) Esther 2: 10-18 We have learned that due to her refusal to accommodate the king’s ridiculous demands, Vashti had been removed from her position as queen. After some time had passed, the king’s advisors developed a plan to locate and crown a new queen. The plan ...read more

Scripture: Esther 2:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Positive Attributes Of Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

Love does not just patiently put up with people. It also positively puts out for people. In other words, it is not enough to just turn the other cheek. You must also walk the extra mile.

The theme of love has been associated with the Lord's Supper down through the centuries. The early Christians had what came to be known as an Agape feast before they partook of the Lord's Supper. This was a time in which they ate a full meal together in an atmosphere of Christian ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Legalism Versus Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

We are in a world of great religious competition. We will all tend to follow one of these two strategies: The legalistic or the loving, the rule book power, or relationship power.

We live in a world where competition is a master motive. When the news reach Russia in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin ordered secret scientists to find a way to catch up to the U.S. Andrei Sakharov was only 24 years old then, but his brilliant mind was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Love's Limitations Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

All of life is a competitive battle between the love of the eternal and the love of the temporal. One or the other must win, for one excludes the other. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.

"Atlanta's Race" is the title of Sir E. J. Poynter's most successful paintings. The story behind the painting is from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Atlanta was the daughter of Schoenus of Boeotia, and she was famous for her matchless beauty. She was also so swift of foot that none ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Advance Through Arrest Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

Jesus indicates that one of the key ways of getting the Gospel spread would be through the courts. The persecution would lead to opportunities to defend the Gospel before high officials and leaders in high places.

There is a difference between sin and error. It I say 2+2=5 I am in error, but I am not sinning. That is, if my motive is to come to a right answer I am not sinning. If my human fallibility leads me to a wrong answer it is not sin. If I say 2+2=5 in order to confuse a young person so that they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13

Law And Gospel Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

A knife is good for cutting your meat, but bad for cleaning your eyes and ears. Every good thing can be used in a way that is improper, and then it become harmful and dangerous, and so it is with the law.

There is mystery enough in life without us adding unnecessary mysteries of our own making. For example, like the woman who evicted a man from her boarding house, and when she was asked why she did it she said, "Something mysterious is going on when a man hangs his hat over the key hole every ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:7

A Title Of Honor Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 30, 2021

This is the greatest and highest title available to those in the kingdom of God. That is why you will find the Apostles proud to declare themselves to be servants of God.

In the old days when people traveled in coaches the driver would charge three fares. The first class, second class, and third class. All passengers were placed in the same coach and those who paid the first class fare would often complain that there was no difference, and that they receive no ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1

The Oil Of Peace Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 30, 2021

Peace is the lubricant that keeps a good thing going. It keeps us in flight, and protects us from the heat of frustration, and the wear and tare of worry and tension that can cause us to lose altitude, and even crash.

Years ago a visitor returning from Dublin told of how he put MacDuncan, the village fool, to the test. He poured the contents of his purse out on the ground, and told him to take any coin he wished. MacDuncan's eyes lit up, and the people of the village gathered around for another ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:2