Sermons on First Importance:

Why Have You Sent For Me?

Contributed by Steven Cordle on Feb 14, 2018

A look at the work of the preacher. This is the first sermon I preach in a new congregation. I received the original outline from Wayne Burger at the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver and modified it over the years.

Change is something new and exciting. Not only that, it can be scary because when things change there is a certain unknown element we face. What will change bring? Will it be for the good or bad? Will this work? Did I make the right decision? All of these questions and thoughts are natural ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Driving Out The Enemy

Contributed by Gary Smith on Feb 27, 2018

This is a sermon about driving out the enemy or evicting the devil from the territory that God has given unto the church. Jericho was the first city Joshua and the Israelites encountered once they crossed the Jordon River.

“Driving Enemy Out” TEXT: Joshua 6:1-5 (KJV) 1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. 2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. 3 And ye shall ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God

One Way Hate

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 26, 2017

The Bible tells us that the world will hate us because it hated Jesus first. What does that mean to us? Should we consider the world to be our enemies? How should we respond?

Please open your Bibles to John 15:18-16:4 which we will read in a few minutes. In the Bible we often read of “the world”. The world consists of those who stand against Christ and His kingdom. In the time of Christ the world often referred to Jews who rejected the Jesus the Messiah. In a broader ...read more

Scripture: John 3:20, Acts 9:1-2, 2 Corinthians 11:24-26, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Matthew 5:43-45  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Martha Syndrome Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Nov 29, 2022

Entering into the first Sunday of Advent, hope outshines disappointment. At some point of all of have come down with Martha Syndrome. When our caring and compassion tanks are nearing empty - Watch Out!

It was Junior High in the mid 1980’s when the Wilder family opened up Tokens Video Arcade in my home town of Lansing, IL. Today, you can go to Google Play or the Apple Store to download a pinball game, but it is nothing like the original. The pull of the spring tensioned launch button, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:28-31

An Outline Of Acts 11:1-18

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 9, 2022

Peter faced a challenge after he had preached the Gospel to Cornelius. This first section of Acts 11 gives his answer to the charges against him. Good things happened at the end, though!

Introduction: This first section of Acts 11, verses 1-18, describes Peter’s response to those who were upset he had eaten with Gentiles. This would certainly be Cornelius’ household in Caesarea (see Acts 10), but the Jews in Judea didn’t have all the facts. Peter gave a step by step account of what ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

"Check The Fruits, Fix The Roots” --8th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 4, 2019

Our First Reading relates the steady application of three processes over time to create a separation or distinction based on intrinsic properties of quality: faults revealed when one speaks, santification, and discernment

Sirach, chapter 27, from our First Reading, relates the steady application of three processes over time to create a separation or distinction based on intrinsic properties of quality: 1). The first is the image of shaking a mesh strainer to reveal the husks from the kernel which is similar to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:39-45

Denomination: Catholic

God’s Revelation To The Prophets Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 21, 2019

Without any small talk and even without any salutation, the letter of Hebrews is unveiled. From the very first sentence, there is a powerful proclamation of the good news of God through Jesus Christ the Son.

1/15/19 Tom Lowe Lesson 1: God’s Revelation to the Prophets Scripture: Hebrews 1:1 (KJV) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, (1:1) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Repent And Do Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 19, 2020

Every one of us, at the end of every day, should ask the same question: are we the first son or daughter, who refused, or the second, who said “yes, sir,” but didn’t do?

26th Sunday in Course 2020 Anyone who has raised more than one child can empathize with the parent in this story from St. Matthew’s Gospel. In fact, it’s a little like the story of the Prodigal Son from St. Luke. Dad says to the first son, presumably the oldest, “Go work in the vineyard today.” He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32, Ezekiel 18:25-28, Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

The Pursuit Of Ministry Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Oct 8, 2020

Things have changed much since the first century, and yet much remains the same. Paul realized the danger of majoring on the minor and minoring on the major. His insight still speaks for ministries today.

The Pursuit of Ministry 1 Thessalonians 2: 4-9 We have spent much time laying the groundwork for our study in this precious book. Paul was well aware of the faithfulness and influence the church in Thessalonica had on those around them. He was encouraged with the presence of their faith, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Gets The Last Word: An Exposition Of Matthew 22:34-46

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Oct 17, 2020

Jesus has the last word with the Pharisees just as He did with the Sadducees. And He will have the last word on everything just as He had the first. Sermon for Proper 25 After Pentecost Year A

Jesus Gets the Last Word: An Exposition of Matthew 22:34-46 The passage we are studying this morning occurred at the Temple just a few days before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The Pharisees and Sadducees had taken turns trying to trap Jesus in His words. The Sadducees had just tried to trap ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fake News Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 10, 2019

If you want to do well in an era of “fake news,” first, don’t believe everything you hear. Instead, consult the Lord about everything; keep your word and confront the lie.

This last week, as I was preparing for this message, I came across some very interesting research. In His book, The Honest Truth about Dishonesty, Dan Ariely says, “Over the course of many years of teaching, I have noticed that there typically seems to be a rash of deaths among students' ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Do You Love Sinners? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Think of this: what if the first person to meet the younger brother was the older brother. Think of the anger that would poured out his mouth: “You have a lot of nerve showing up here.”

Today, we complete a three-week look at one of the most famous of all of Jesus’ teachings – The Parable of the Prodigal Son. This is a story that badly needs rescuing for many, if not most, stop the story when the younger son returns. But Jesus continues the story to an unfinished conclusion. This ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-31

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is At A Different Level Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 16, 2021

If Jesus were an ER physician and had dealt with the chronic condition of the women first, only to allow the twelve-year-old girl to die… He would have been sued for wrongful death.

We find ourselves in a section of Mark where he reports on four miracles 1) Jesus’ authority over nature – the winds and waves obey Him; 2) Jesus’ authority over demons – a man who has not one demon but a legion of demons is delivered; 3) & 4) are today’s two miracles where is authority extends ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Baptist

Hope: The Anchor Of God's Promises Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 6, 2020

This is the first sermon in a series on hope, which is our anchor in times of trouble. God's promises are the anchor that helps us in the storms of life. God is a promise making and promise keeping God.

A. The story is told of a time when a storm was raging on the open sea, and a sea captain realized his ship was sinking fast. 1. He called out to his crew, “Does anyone here know how to pray?” 2. One crewman stepped forward, saying, “Aye, Captain, I know how to pray.” 3. “Good,” said the captain, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reflection B.1 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / How To Approach The Question

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

We should ask whether God has a purpose in coronavirus. It's a logical and reasonable question to ask. But we first need to think about how to even approach the question.

In my second Reflection I wrote: “Some Christians are asking why we’re experiencing this pandemic. Is coronavirus a judgement from God? Are we living in end times?” In my fifth Reflection I noted that the Daily Express [an English newspaper] had asked another question: “What does the Bible say ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-11

Denomination: Baptist