Sermons on Family Pressure:

Back To The Basics: The Church Series

Contributed by Brian William on Oct 25, 2007

Fourth in the "Back to the Basics" series, exploring the foundational beliefs of Christians. This sermon addresses the question, "What do Christians believe about the Body of Christ, the Church?"

This past week, someone brought to my attention a different kind of church. Travel a half-hour south of Dallas, Texas, and you’ll find the Cowboy Church of Ellis County. Based on the photographs they provide on their website, you’ve got a few choices if you want to lead worship at the Cowboy ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Methodist

An Explanation Of Grace-Oriented Giving Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 27, 2007

In this message, we learn from the Apostle Paul how grace-oriented giving works.

Scripture Today is the third in my four-week series of sermons titled, “Guidelines for Grace-Oriented Giving” from 2 Corinthians 8-9. The first week we looked at “An Example of Grace-Oriented Giving” from 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. The second week we looked at “An Exhortation to Grace-Oriented Giving” ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"The C Team: Nathaniel" Series

Contributed by Mike Rexroat on Oct 27, 2007

The second message in a series on the apostles.

We are continuing our series on the “C” Team today by taking a look at another of Jesus’ twelve apostles…and today we are going to take a look at the Nathanael. Now, I before we even begin I want you to realize one very important thing…this guy, as far as the Bible is concerned…he is as average as ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Unity Looks Like Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Oct 28, 2007

We’re to be united as believers in order to accomplish God’s mission. But being united doesn’t necessarily mean being unanimous on everythig.

-->Sir Francis Drake once expressed this prayer: “Disturb us, Lord, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we have sailed too closely to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wilder seas where storms will show ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Get Back? - Never! Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Oct 29, 2007

33rd in a series from Ephesians. Once we’e experienced the new life in Christ, there is no way we ever want to go back to our old life.

In April 1969, the Beatles released a song with some ties to Tucson. I know that Steve Ponzo, and maybe many of the rest of us, are familiar with these lyrics: Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner But he knew it wouldn’t last. Jojo left his home in Tucson, Arizona For some California ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Descending Into Greatness Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

Putting others before ourselves will bring us to our knees. Learning to give ourselves away is also the first step to a deeper experience of true joy.

There is something that stirs deeply within us when a man or woman gives up their life for another. A few decades ago Roger Rosenblatt wrote a moving tribute in Time Magazine. It was about a passenger on Air Florida Flight 90 that crashed into the Potomac River. The nameless 50-some-year old man ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Solving Big Problems In My Life Through Teamwork Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Nov 4, 2007

Three ways teamwork can help me solve my big problems.

As we continue our series today on Teamwork, “Together We Make a Difference,” we’re going to look at “Solving Big Problems in My Life Through Teamwork.” A lot of the problems I face in life, especially the bigger ones, often aren’t solvable on my own. Not only do I need God’s help but I also need ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Got Joy? Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Nov 5, 2007

The way of the world seems to focus on pleasing ourselves or pursuing a life of ease. But that brings no lasting satisfaction. God is so much bigger and has so much more for us, no matter our circumstances.

Introduction Years ago, Robert Fulghum wrote a profound essay. This is how it began. “Most of what I really need to know about how to live…I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand box at nursery school. These are the things I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Are You A Slave To?

Contributed by Amy Bickel on Nov 10, 2007

Exploring what it means to be a "slave of Christ"

What Are You A Slave To? (Romans 6:16-22) Today is Veteran’s Day, a day in which our nation remembers all those soldiers who fought and died, and those who are still fighting so that we could enjoy the freedoms that we have today. Someone wrote, “It is the soldier, not the preacher, who gives ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

Gifted For Ministry

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 10, 2007

We are a gifted church, with diversely gifted members, and we need to turn that into creative expressions of love for our community.

I don’t get to watch the Miss America pageant any more. Used to be, every September I would hunker down in front of a TV set and prepare to ogle. Gorgeous gals, we called them, in those Neanderthal days, before our language had to become politically correct. Beauty contest, we called it, before ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jehovah Jireh Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Nov 13, 2007

This is the test. God is saying, “We’ve walked together for many years and now you have the son you’ve longed for. Tell me, Abraham; is this son more important to you than your relationship with me?”

Encountering God – Part 11 – Encountering Jehovah Jireh Overview and review We have been looking at what it means and what it is like to encounter God and how we respond to Him when we encounter Him. Over the past few weeks, we have moved from the subject of encountering God in corporate worship ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Prepare For Peace Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 16, 2007

Paul delivers some closing exhortations to the Philippian saints which will result in God-given peace. He tells them that if they engage in proper prayer, proper ways of thinking and follow his teaching and example, they will experience peace.

1. The first preparation for peace is looking to the right source (6-7) 2. The second preparation for peace is living with the right mind (8) 3. The third preparation for peace is learning from the right man (9) PHILIPPIANS 4:6-9 Have you ever just had one of those days? Maybe you can relate to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Golden Compass

Contributed by C Jordan on Nov 20, 2007

A compass is defined as, “a device used to determine geographic direction; as by means of a freely rotating magnetized needle that indicates magnetic north.” Based on that definition, there is nothing ‘golden’ about this compass.

NOTHING GOLDEN ABOUT THIS COMPASS: A CRITICAL RESPONSE (By Pastor Chris Jordan – November 2007) HARRY WHO? For over 10 years, I served as the Youth Pastor and Christian Education Director at Bible Fellowship Church in Surrey, BC. During that time, I had the privilege of partnering with parents ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:20

Denomination: *other

Conquering Christians Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 26, 2007

Using a Q&A format, we will see that God protects us, provides for us, purifies us, prays for us and preserves us.

Conquering Christians Romans 8:31-37 Rev. Brian Bill 8/26/07 www.pontiacbible.org 5-year-old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone: “It’s dark in there and I’m scared.” She ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose Of Testing Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

As Christians today, we have to endure testing. But God doesn’t only call us to endure it, He calls us to have joy in it. He calls us to have joy in it because there is a purpose behind it.

1. Testing produces patience (3) 2. Testing produces perfection (4) 3. Testing wants wisdom (5) 4. Testing finds faith (6-8) JAMES 1:2 It’s back to school time, isn’t it? Teachers are excited. Parents are excited. Kids are excited. You can just feel the excitement in the air, can’t you? Well, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist