Sermons on First Impression:

Purpose - The Indispensable Gift Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 14, 2005

The marvelous gifts God gave to us on that first Christmas

(Based on a series by Paul Snoddy, Tri-Village Christian Church, Pataskala, OH) SERIES: “GIFTS UNDER THE TREE” TEXT: LUKE 2:8-20 TITLE: “PURPOSE – THE INDISPENSABLE GIFT” INTRODUCTION: A. The head of an executive search firm in Chicago uses a simple question to disarm ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Whole New World (Acts 16:9-16)

Contributed by Victor Yap on Apr 4, 2019

THE FIRST CONVERT IN EUROPE (ACTS 16:9-16)

A WHOLE NEW WORLD (ACTS 16:1-15) A whole new world emerged to me when I moved from USA to Hong Kong in 2008 after living there for 21 years. Hong Kong was the gateway to China, the pearl of the Orient, and, more importantly, my wife’s hometown. I had no choice. Doris said, “If you’re not going to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Treat Guests

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Jul 11, 2007

Discover principles about the treatment of guests as you examine James’ teachings about partiality.

How should we treat guests? James devotes a section of his book to this subject. In James 2:1-13 James discusses partiality. He compares our treatment of rich guests as opposed to our treatment of poor guests. James condemns the sin of partiality. As we study James’ treatment of partiality we can ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit: For Theirs Is The Kingdom Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Jun 27, 2017

The first beatitude. Not the economically poor but those who are poor in spiritual qualities.

Certain portions of Scripture seem to be etched more deeply into people's minds than others. Psalm 23 is definitely one of these, so also is I Corinthians 13 and Hebrews 11. The Sermon on the Mount, as Matthew chapters 5-7 is commonly called, is another. Its popularity may stem from its position ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-3, Luke 18:9-14, Isaiah 66:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Eliminating False Discernment Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on May 6, 2008

How do we as Christians prepare our hearts so we can accuragely discern what is happening in the unseen realm. (Material taken from The Three Battlegrounds by Francis Frangipane)

Discerning of Spirits- Eliminating False Discernment Introduction Last week, started a series on- Discerning of Spirits. We looked specifically at the Gift of Discernment. This week- safe guards against false discernment. What is Spiritual Discernment? Spiritual discernment is the grace to see ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10

Denomination: Charismatic

The Lord's Prayer Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 27, 2022

One of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). Jesus said that prayer should not be a way to get attention and praise from people. It is wrong to pray to impress people. It should be done with a right heart toward God.

The Lord's Prayer Main Point: God wants us to spend time with Him in prayer. Key Verse: Jesus often went away to be by Himself and pray. - Luke 5:16 Background/Review Jesus had come to earth to bring the Kingdom of God to men. Jesus made it clear that things in the Kingdom were very different ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:16

Denomination: Baptist

Abandoned To The Potter

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Apr 5, 2008

When clay is soft and pliable it is easy to make an impression on. When it becomes dry and hard change doesn’t come easy. In fact it can’t come unless the potter applies water and pressure to bring a pliable nature back to the clay.

JEREMIAH 18; Go down to the shop where clay pots and jars are made. I will speak to you while you are there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Superheroes Vs. Christians

Contributed by Warren Curry on Sep 22, 2004

So what about Christians? How do they compare or contrast with these superheroes we have been looking at. We’ll look at three principles to examine the superheroes and the Christians, but instead of trying to impress the pop culture, we will seek God’s

Superheroes vs. Christians Introduction: Throughout the last century, superheroes have played a major part of our American culture. Comic books, cartoons & science fiction have all played a part of making superheroes a major icon in our society. We can look way back in our history to see that ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Miss The Baby Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

A look at those who missed the baby that first Christmas day.

Luke 2:1-7 – Don’t Miss the Baby (Carols Devotion) Two men went to the train station with a friend. The train was late so they sat down for a cup of coffee. They talked and drank and forgot about the train. Suddenly they heard the last announcement about the departing train. They all got up ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Search For Meaning Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Feb 8, 2016

Principally and introduction to the study and the exposition of first eleven verses

A study of the Book of Ecclesiastes Finding Satisfaction In Life ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Takes Commitment Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 6, 2013

First, we see the calling of the first deacons and second, we see the capture of one of the first deacons, a man named Stephen and his testimony to us to stand strong! (Acts 6:1-15)

Serving takes Commitment Acts 6:1-15 Introduction - This chapter contains two different thoughts which are tough to separate - It is because one lends to the other that we will tackle both of them today - First, we see the calling (recorded by Luke) of the first disciples -- These were men ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Treasure

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 9, 2016

If we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness – if we seek first to be in his kingdom, and if we seek first to live for his kingdom and as citizens of his kingdom, well, the rest works out.

Matthew 6:19-34 True Treasure 6/27/10e D. Marion Clark Introduction Earlier today we presented Phil and Lisa Ryken with an original painting by artist Makoto Fujimura. On that painting the artist wrote in gold lettering the very passage we are considering tonight, up to verse part of verse 26, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dying Declarations!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Jan 3, 2012

While “aspire to inspire before you expire” is a catchy, insightful one-liner, when it comes to the lives of numerous heroes’ of faith, it is how they expired with motivational words seemingly on their dying lips, which leaves an indelible impression in u

Dying declarations “Nemo moriturus praesumitur mentire”! Now is this Latin maxim, all “Greek and Latin” to my congregation? I can “justifiably” empathize with those not in touch with the “World of Justice” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:46

Denomination: *other

Prayer And The Lord's Prayer

Contributed by David Mcnally on Feb 24, 2014

The Lord's Prayer is not a 'carved in stone' set of words that we must use, but is a good guide for how to talk to God, Who wants us to pour out of hearts to Him, but not to try to impress others by our long and fancy words and 'super-spirituality'.

Matthew 6 verses 5 – 13 PRAYING and THE LORD'S PRAYER Jesus based his teachings, and advice, and especially his parables on things, events and situations, that would be instantly recognisable and understandable to the people He was addressing. So, when He said ‘When you pray, do not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Super Cool Or Super Real?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 27, 2011

Are you real? That might seem like an obvious question but consider the lengths you go to in order to present yourself as "all together" to your friends and brothers and sisters. Being impressive by appearance can actually impede both your growth in the L

We talk a lot about natural human behavior and how that often runs counter to the real life given to us in Jesus Christ. Today I want to talk about your image. In our natural state we try really hard to present a good image to the world. We try to clean up, dress well, and act civilly. Beyond that, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel