Sermons on First City Of Refuge:

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

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

Purpose Of First John Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Jul 19, 2006

John gives us five reasons for his writing of the first letter of John.

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST JOHN Authorship and Date: Most scholars believe that the author of 1 John was the Apostle John. This was the universal belief of the early church. The many parallels of thought in the Gospel of John and the first epistle of John indicate a common authorship. Following ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13, 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Baptist

Prologue To First John Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Jul 19, 2006

In 1 John 1:1-4, the apostle shares out of his own personal encounter with “the Word of Life.”

PROLOGUE TO FIRST JOHN I John 1:1-4 The prologue of 1 John is similar to the prologue in the Gospel of John. The “beginning” in John 1:1 is a reference to the beginning of time. When time began, “the Word” (Logos) already existed. The “beginning” in 1 John 1:1 can refer to the beginning of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Taking The First Step Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jul 21, 2006

If we want to walk on water, we have to get out of the boat.

Taking The First Step Text: Matthew 14:22-33 Introduction 1. Read Matt. 14:22-33 2. Illustration: The physics professor had just finished his lecture about the pendulum, wherein he had shown the mathematical proof that an untouched pendulum will always swing in ever-decreasing arcs. He then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Methodist

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

Taking The First Step

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Oct 30, 2006

Every Journey in life has to begin with the first step. Our first step when learning to walk was not easy (for most) we had a tendency to fall and get up and fall and get up again and again and again until we finally could keep our balance and walk. So it

Taking the first step A grocer was down in the cellar of his shop when he noticed his small son standing at the edge of the open trap door. He called up, “Here I am, Sonny, jump down.” But the boy hesitated. “I can’t, Daddy; I can’t see you.” Up came the answer, “No, but I can see you; trust me ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Last And First Supper

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Jan 16, 2005

The last supper before His crucifixion was marked by sorrow but the first supper in heaven will be marked by praise, thanksgiving and rejoicing.

THE LAST AND FIRST SUPPER The last supper before His crucifixion was marked by sorrow as the Lord shared with His disciples what lay immediately ahead. The first supper in heaven will be the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and will be marked by praise, thanksgiving and rejoicing. I. THE LAST ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

The First Christian Sermon

Contributed by Frank Lay on Mar 4, 2005

My first sermon was certainly no model for Christian preaching. However, Peter’s first sermon presents a model that should characterize all Christian preaching today. Notice the elements in the first Christian sermon. There was explanation, exposition,

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN SERMON Acts 2:14-47 I remember my very first sermon. It was on Easter Sunday evening in 1961. For some years I had been wrestling with the call to preach the gospel. During the closing service of a revival meeting at Riverside Baptist Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi, I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:14-47

Denomination: Baptist

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

Who Is First? Pp Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 12, 2007

God wants to be first and He has earned the right to be first.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Priorities. In the hustle and bustle of life it is sometimes difficult to keep our priorities in the right order. • Most of us live a pretty fast paced life. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of making a living and raising a family that we can very ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ