Sermons on First City Of Refuge:

Putting Others First

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Aug 13, 2006

A message about putting aside our own agendas for the sake of others and the kingdom.

Putting Others First Philippians 2:1-11 August 13, 2006 Introduction We live in a very “me-centered” culture, don’t we? I think most cultures are me-centered to an extent, even those where respect for others is much higher than it is here in the United States. There’s a word for being ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

The - First Light - Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2008

To some people, the world is a dark and difficult experience. But in the midst of their frustration, there is the hint of eternity that makes them hope that there is something more than they are presently experiencing.

(Twenty years ago I heard a preacher give a sermon with the same kinds of opening and closing illustrations. It left such an impression on me that I have waited all this time to preach this specific sermon.) OPEN: Nine men lay trapped more than 200 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who’s On First

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on May 23, 2008

A powerful sermon on the true mission of the church, based upon a sermon from the late Dr. E. V. Hill and the iconic skit by Abbot and Costello.

Who’s On First Luke 19:10 Back in 1986 I heard Rev. E. V. Hill preach at a pastor’s conference. It was great. He preached a sermon he called, “A Spiritual Homerun.” Today I want to use that sermon as a skeleton for my own. E. V. told about preaching at a conference in Lucerne, Switzerland. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

Denomination: Baptist

The First Steps - #1 Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 6, 2007

This is the first in a series of messages for the "Just walk across the Room" emphasis. These messages are adapted from the book by Bill Hybels.

JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM - #1 The First Steps Galatians 4:4-5 (For PowerPoint go to http://www.hueytownbaptist.com/pastorspage/sermondownloads.html) > This morning take a minute, look around the room, select a face of someone you don’t know, and then play the pretend game with me. Pretend we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

The First Easter Evangelists Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Nov 24, 2007

Easter

THE FIRST EASTER EVANGELISTS (LUKE 24:1-12) A Catholic sister, Sister Chris Schenk, was shocked when she was told in a theology class that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. Then Schenk learned there were efforts to restore the reputation of Mary of Magdalene by an organization called FutureChurch, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Putting God First

Contributed by Mark Roper on Nov 27, 2007

We face many different dilemmas because our prorities are mixed up.

Putting God First (See also "Love grown Cold") Hag 1:5-6,9 Hag 1:9-10 Overview Haggai was a prophet who spoke to the tiny Jewish community, which had settled again in the Promised Land after the Babylonian Captivity. His message was a reminder of the importance to; Put God First God’s ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:5-10

Denomination: Church Of God

The First Melancholy Christmas

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Dec 22, 2006

The Christmas season is a difficult time for some to celebrate when they have suffered tragedy during the year. That first Christmas also had their share of tragedies.

Matthew 2:13-23 The First Melancholy Christmas Introduction – I Heard the Bells Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1861. The Civil War broke out that same year and it seemed this was an additional punishment. Two years later, Longfellow ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Love God First Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Mar 22, 2009

If you don’t love God first above all other things, consequences to sin will soon follow.

Remember what we talked about last week? God chose Abraham and his descendants to be a testimony for Him. Abraham passed the “baton” of being in God’s team to Isaac who in turn passed the “baton” to Jacob. Please open your Bibles to the end of Genesis Chapter 28; we read……. Jacob heard the godly ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Taking The First Step Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 7, 2007

Israel is now on the verge of victory after 40 years of wandering in the desert. But they must act in order to activate God’s promises.

Taking the First Step Joshua 1-4 Rev. Brian Bill 1/7/07 A husband and wife were having problems remembering things, so they decided to go to the doctor. The doctor encouraged them to begin writing things down to see if that would help their memory. Later that night while watching TV, the husband ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Putting The Mission First Series

Contributed by Sean Lester on Jan 8, 2007

The first in a four part series using the Warrior Ethos as a philosophy behind true Spiritual Warfare.

The Warrior’s Code #1 Sean Lester January 8, 2007 I will always place the mission first… Text: Luke 9:57-62 Introductory thoughts a. Every follower of Christ joins in the mission of the church. Jesus issued the order before he ascended into heaven. The order is… a. Go throughout the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:57-62

Denomination: Pentecostal

Personal Faith First

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 17, 2007

We cannot expect to help others follow Christ well, if we haven’t learned how to do it ourselves. We must give attention to our own spiritual walk if we are to be effective disciples of Christ.

Personal Faith First Luke 4:38-39 Imagine taking your car to be fixed by someone who has not prepared himself in car repair. Yep, that’s a Chevy! If that person’s car is sitting on blocks and the pieces are strewn about the yard, you might have questions. What is that car all about, an on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:38-39

Denomination: Mennonite

There's Gotta Be A First Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jan 21, 2007

This is the first in a series of CSI messages and looks at what we can learn from Cain and Abel

It should have brought them together but instead it tore them apart. They both worshipped the same God, they had both offered their God a sacrifice and that is where it seemed to fall apart. Cain was a farmer, he toiled in the dirt and raised crops, his younger brother was a shepherd, and he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

Commitment: To Christ First

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Nov 3, 2005

A 2 point sermon inspired by Steve Shepherd’s Commitment series sermons.

A newspaper journalist was assigned to Jerusalem and when he got there, he decided to get an apartment overlooking the Wailing Wall. After several weeks of watching out over the wall, he realized that every day, the same old Jewish man would come and spend most of the day praying vigorously at ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: *other

The First & Last Adam

Contributed by Val Black on Nov 16, 2005

We can admire the paintings of the old master artists but the Bible is the only true picture of Jesus that we have. It’s a "photo Album" in words.

The First & Last Adam Wed. Eve. – July 20, 2005 Photo Albums: Almost every family has one. It’s good to go back and look at the pictures of family of friends. Lots of memories are brought to mind looking through an album. They say a picture is worth a 1000 words and that’s true but if you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:27

Denomination: Charismatic

The First Advent Tree

Contributed by Dennis Mardis on Dec 7, 2005

Was that first tree in the Garden a mistake, or always a part of the plan

Introduction There have been some big changes in our sanctuary since last Sunday. What catches your attention the most? For some it is the glow of the advent wreath candles, or the arrangements in the windows but for me, hands down, it’s the tree. For my money there is nothing like a tree. When ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Methodist