Sermons on First Class:

The First Rapture?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 10, 2021

Is there a rapture in chapter 14 of Revelation? Sometimes we read something into the Scripture because church tradition decided it was there years ago.

The First Rapture? Revelation 14 Michael H. Koplitz Chapter 14 brings us to a point where I need to explain a common problem in biblical studies. It is called harmonizing. When we read a story in the Gospel of Mark, it is normal for us to recall what the other gospels say about the same story. ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Kingdom First PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

The main point of this sermon is to understand and embrace the truth that the Kingdom of God is here and within us, and we are called to prioritize it above all else in our lives.

Good morning, Church! Today, we're diving into something that's as radical now as it was when Jesus first spoke it: The Kingdom of God is here, the Kingdom of God is in us, and we're called to put that Kingdom first. Our guiding Scripture for today's sermon comes from Matthew 6:33, which says, "But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Topics: Kingdom, Life

God First PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 12, 2023

Explores honoring God through generosity and stewardship of wealth, emphasizing giving as an act of worship and trust in God's provision.

Good morning, beloved family of God. As we gather in this sacred space, let us turn our hearts and minds towards the wisdom of Proverbs, a book that is a treasure trove of divine insights, a guidebook for navigating the winding roads of life. Today, we will be turning the pages to Proverbs 3:9, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:9

Topics: Giving

Trying Times - "Mission Sunday School Class" Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Jul 11, 2013

Witnessing for Christ

Trying Times – “Mission Sunday School Class” by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (5/29/2013, 6/1/2013, 6/15/2013, 6/18/2013, 6/22/2013, 6/29/2013, 7/6/2013, 7/11/2013) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, ...read more

Denomination: Friends

The First Short-Term Missions Trip Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Short-term missions is mostly a modern concept, probably because technology and modern transportation makes it easy to do. Even so, it was Jesus who started the practice with his twelve disciples.

Introduction Our missions chairman has made it clear to anyone who gets in earshot of him that he thinks short-term mission trips is one great idea. He likes them because he thinks they are a great means to convert Christians into lifelong missionaries, whether they travel to another land or stay ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:6-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Kingdom Building 101: First Things First

Contributed by Joe Harding on Mar 6, 2004

WHEN THE KINGDOM IS FIRST IN OUR LIVES WORRY IS LAST IN OUR LIVES.

KINGDOM BUILDING 101: FIRST THINGS FIRST MATTHEW 6: 25-34 FEBRUARY 22, 2004 INTRODUCTION: A parable is told of a community of ducks waddling off to duck church one Sunday to hear their duck preacher. After they waddled into the duck sanctuary, the service began and the duck preacher spoke ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

First Things First: Know Your Identity Series

Contributed by John Knight on Jul 22, 2003

A look at the life of Daniel and knowing who we are to be identified with.

Series: When Cultures Collide Topic: First Things First: Know Your Identity June 2, 2002 Daniel 1 Introduction: Are you a thermostat or a thermometer? [Are you one who impacts your world, or merely an indicator of what the climate is?] In today’s ever changing culture we as ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Holiness

Keeping First Things First: Resisting Rules Series

Contributed by David Flowers on May 15, 2006

Using Colossians 2:11-17 as a basis, Dave looks into the second of three spiritual dangers, this one being religious legalism.

Keeping First Things First: Resisting Rules Jesus, Post-Resurrection part 4 Colossians 2:11-17 Wildwind Community Church May 14, 2006 In the first 10 verses of Colossians Paul confronts a danger that would keep believers from standing firm in their faith – that danger is what Paul called empty ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

The First Shall Be Last, And The Last Shall Be First

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 22, 2015

Jesus says that it isn’t the religious folk who are first in the kingdom of heaven. It is those who are most open to turning their lives around who are first in line, those who take action when Jesus says, “follow me”.

It’s painful to have someone you trust tell you that they are going to do something for you---and they don’t. Many of us can tell stories about people who have let us down by making promises and then not following up on them. For example, there is a story of a young widow whose husband ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Anglican

No Resurrection? How Does That Make Sense?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 17, 2024

It’s not clear what the back-story is for this claim, but it leads to one of Paul’s best little classes in logic. Perhaps there was a Sadducee-trained Jewish Christian in Corinth. They didn’t believe in any resurrection.

Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Course 2024 From the beginning of the Church way back in the first century Christians have been proclaiming and celebrating the physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That was a real historical event that occurred three days after He was murdered ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 17:1, Psalm 17:6-8, Psalm 17:15, Luke 8:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

First The Test Then The Miracle

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Apr 25, 2001

This sermon deals with the need to go through trials and tests before we see a miracle.

First The Test, Then The Miracle 10/1/2000 2 Kings 6:24-33 Matthew 14:22-34 There are a lot of people who want to see God do a miracle, but very few are volunteering to be in the circumstances which requires a miracle to take place. Many of us would like to walk on water, but don’t ask ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Contentment And Money Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 18, 2015

Better to be content than wealthy, but better yet to be content and good stewards of what God has given us.

Contentment and Money (I Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19) 1. Study after study show that the world’s happiest people are not from the richest nations; once basic needs are met, it is more a matter of relationships, family, and thankfulness; the topic most newlywed couples argue over is money. 2. We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ecclesiolae In Ecclesia!

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Nov 1, 2019

It is crucial for us to meet outside the normal schedule of the Church in smaller groups for prayer, fellowship, accountability, to grow in our faith and to gain confidence with sharing the Gospel. We band together as "little churches" outside the bigger Church!

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, WHO WAS THE ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE (MODERN-DAY TURKEY) SAID THIS OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE CHURCH: “HE ESPOUSED HER AS A WIFE, HE LOVES HER AS A DAUGHTER, HE PROVIDES FOR HER AS A HANDMAID, HE GUARDS HER AS A VIRGIN, HE FENCES ROUND HER LIKE A GARDEN AND CHERISHES HER ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-2

Denomination: Free Methodist

God First In The Home

Contributed by Wes Richard on May 7, 2003

Deuteronomy 4 helps us understand the importance of putting God first in the home.

Every so often, somebody calls to ask if we will marry them. We always say, “We’ll be glad to talk with you about it.” In some cases they are just thinking about marriage. In other cases they have already purchased their marriage license and have the date set. So, we get together to talk. And ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-40

Denomination: Brethren

The Salutation Of First Corinthians Series

Contributed by James Tilley on Dec 16, 2009

This sermon is an exposition of 1 Cor 1.1-3

The Salutation of First Corinthians Text: 1 Cor 1.1-3 Introduction: 1. Motivation is a huge factor in determining how successful we will be at anything we attempt. Illustration: A teenager lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist