Sermons on First Or Last:

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

Putting Others First Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 20, 2009

5 Ministry Maxims from Romans 12:9-10.

Putting Others First Romans 12:9-10 Rev. Brian Bill 9/20/09 I really appreciated Pastor Dick preaching last week when I felt too weak to do so. I liked everything he said with the exception of his opening illustration in which he made a crack about the Pack. I’m showing incredible restraint by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Christ First And Foremost

Contributed by Ivan Casteel on Apr 28, 2008

Giving Preeminence To Christ.

PP0911 DATE CHRIST FIRST AND FOREMOST! Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV) Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:18

Denomination: Baptist

Return To First Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

Revival; renewal, and repentance: They are all the same experience of getting back to first love-to the love that puts Jesus in the center of life. This is not a rare need, but a constant need, because we, as Christians, tend to decline.

O Henry tells a short story of the lad who grew up in a small village and sat next to a lovely young lady so innocent and sweet. He left that village for the big city where he got in with the wrong crowd and became a thief and a pick pocket. One day as he was working the crowd, doing quite well, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1

Putting God First Series

Contributed by Keith Walker on May 19, 2004

The first in a series on the Ten Commandments building from a series done by Rick Warren. Presents the foundation for a good family and the formula for a good family.

INTRODUCTION Parrot story – A woman bought a parrot in a pet store. She wanted companionship, someone to talk with. The next day she brought the parrot back and said, “He won’t talk.” The store manager asked, “Does he have a mirror in his cage? Parrots love mirrors.” She bought a mirror and left. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Who’s On First Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 14, 2012

if we want to experience the full and abundant life Jesus designed for us to live, we must acknowledge that He is Lord of all creation, that He is Lord of His new creation, and we we must trust Him to be Lord of our lives individually.

From his hospital bed on the eve of open heart surgery, Pastor Bruce McIver asked his cardiologist, Dr. Dudley Johnson, “Can you fix my heart?” The physician, known for being short and to the point, said, “Sure.” Then he quickly turned and walked away. Following the 12-hour surgery, McIver ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Zechariah - In The First Person

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Dec 12, 2016

An advent sermon about the life of John the Baptist and his parents as told from his Father Zechariah's perspective

Title: Zechariah - in the first person Text: Luke 1:5-25 and 3:1-20 Big idea: “May our prayers rise to heaven like incense.” It’s been 400 years since we have heard from a prophet. And as a result, things have been upside-down in our nation for far too long. We have long suffered under the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

First Place Only Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

It is important to see that our part is to seek and exert the energy in diligent search. It is God's part to see that we find.

Gerald Kennedy in his book The Christian And His America tells of hearing the head of one of the largest airplane companies at a luncheon where he was reporting on the situation facing America in the field of air defense. He described the growth of our air force, and the probable growth of the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:4-5

Our First Response Series

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Oct 24, 2003

What do we do when we have a problem? The Scripture is clear, and yet it is our our natural first response. The Bible tells us that our first response should be to pray. Why?

In the film, The Perfect Storm, a true story about an ocean going fishing boat that went off the coast of Massachusetts, way out into a storm. They didn’t go out into a storm but a storm developed in the ocean there, the North Atlantic. And they were trying to get back through the storm. And if ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

First One In The River Series

Contributed by Monte Wike on Sep 13, 2005

Leadership in untested and unusual areas

First United Methodist Church Sudan, Texas July 8, 2001 Rev. Monte Wike, Pastor “First One in the River” Leadership into untested areas. Leadership #2 A study through Joshua GREATER TEXT: Joshua chapter 3. TEXT: Joshua 3: 4c, “...that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The First Christmas Gifts

Contributed by Scott Hippler on Dec 3, 2001

What are you giving this Christmas? Where did all of this gift giving begin?

What are you giving this Christmas? I didn’t say getting, I said giving. What are you giving this Christmas? For the past few weeks I have been asking that question to almost everyone that I run into and have gotten some interesting answers and some great ideas. One Scrooge gave me a one-word ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, John 3:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

The First Recorded Tithe Series

Contributed by Bruce Morrison on May 14, 2003

Three important things we learn about the tithe from Abram’s encounter with Melchizedeck.

STEWARDSHIP SERIES #2 The First Recorded Tithe Genesis 14: 17-24 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:17-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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