Sermons on First Principles:

The Last Shall Be First Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 9, 2018

The world teaches that those who finish first are always declared the winner. Much emphasis is placed on our perceived position and status in life. Jesus challenged this teaching, declaring the Last shall be First.

The Last shall be First Matthew 20:16 Much of life is guided by perceived standards and expectations. We are quite familiar with these standards, being exposed to them as long as we can remember. In order to be accepted and successful, one is taught to believe they must abide by these long held ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Loving Jesus First

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 11, 2022

Martha was working in the kitchen to earn Jesus’ approval, while Mary was sitting in the living room listening to Him teach. But Jesus had no problem with Mary. Why? Because our love of Him must come before our service.

The living room intimacy Mary enjoyed with Jesus will never come out of the busyness of Martha’s kitchen. Busyness . . . breeds distraction. - Joanna Weaver(1) One time a counterfeit bill made it into circulation and no one knew it was fake for quite some time. It was spent hundreds of times on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Your First Million Series

Contributed by Glenn Teal on Nov 20, 2001

Stewardship Challenge

Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Part I – Your First Million Glenn H. Teal, CrossRoads Community Church Sunday February 6/00 Millions of people are watching ABC’s game show “ Who wants to be a Millionaire?” In fact it has become a phenomenon. Week after week this melodramatic TV game show with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:6

Denomination: Free Methodist

First Stumbling Steps Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 16, 2009

We cannot live our lives without the guidance and companionship of Christ; but then, when we have that guidance, we will either share it for others’ benefit or we will let them stumble in the darkness.

Without question one of the most challenging periods of parenting is that time when a baby is first learning to walk. This is the time when you have to work at child-proofing the house. You put barriers across the stairs; you put stoppers in all the electrical outlets; you hide as many wires as you ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

Putting God First Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Nov 18, 2014

Today we will talk about the priority of the tithe. Not only does it show who you trust, but it shows who is first in your life.

Putting God First -Intro: Last week we talked about the tithe being a “trust” fund. Why did we call it that? Because whoever you give the tithe (the first tenth of your income), that is where you are putting your trust. Every time you receive income there is a test. Every time you ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:1-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus' First Words Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 21, 2012

With his first words, Jesus ushers in the kingdom of God.

Introduction We are now moving out of Mark’s introduction to Jesus’ life and ministry, and getting into the story of his ministry. In verse 1 he introduced the theme of his writing – it is about the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; verses 2-8 presented John the Baptist ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

But First You Obey

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 28, 2003

This is a stewardship message based on Elijah and the Widow

If there is one type of sermon that really bugs people more then any other, one sermon topic that really bends people out of shape it’s when the preacher talks about money, That’s right good old filthy lucre. He can talk about adultery, not a problem, stealing, murder, lust s’alright. When he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

The First & The Last Series

Contributed by Chris Haley on Feb 24, 2025

A sermon on the first chapter of Revelation introducing how the book of Revelation works.

Introduction I can still remember the first Bible study I ever went to on the book of Revelation: “Revelation made simple” they said, “come and understand it better” they said. I was 19, I left that study after two hours with a mind filled with words that I couldn’t pronounce let alone spell! I ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's First Promise Series

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Nov 26, 2011

God didn't waste any time telling us that Christmas was coming. He began predicting Jesus' appearance in the very first book of the Bible.

God’s First Promise Date: November 27, 2011 Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24 Introduction I came across a story/man/very qualified TV meteorologist  But for Some reason he did a terrible job when it came to actually forecasting the weather.  In fact, he became/local joke when a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Calendars

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 5, 2022

Do principles from the Old Testament worship calendar help us celebrate great Christian events?

Do principles from the Old Testament worship calendar help us celebrate great Christian events? Worship Calendar Leviticus 23 summarized Israel’s annual worship calendar, including the weekly Sabbath and annual sabbaths. Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread commemorated the Exodus, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Putting God First Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 24, 2012

You will not win unless God is first.

Putting God First Exodus 20:1-3 Rev. Brian Bill 6/26/12 A friend of mine took me to Spoon River Raceway in Canton on Tuesday. It was my first experience at the track. My ears are still ringing and I can’t get the dust out of my mouth. Since this was a new experience for me, I had a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

First Share Of The Crops Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 14, 2015

Rewards come only after we work. The Apostle is encouraging those who are called by the Name of the Son of God to work diligently.

“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” [1] Paul has presented a variety of images to illustrate the strong spiritual life expected of those who will follow the Master. As we saw in a previous message, the emphasis in these verbal pictures the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth - 5 Spiritual Principles Of Studying Your Bible

Contributed by Bruce Hadley on Jun 7, 2022

The Truth - 5 Spiritual Principles of Studying Your Bible

2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The word “study” is the word sp??d??? spoudazó (spoo-dad'-zo), which means, to make haste, give diligence, be eager, be zealous; to “shew”, not “show”; which ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Working Toward A Great Marriage, Part 1 – Six Principles We Can All Apply

Contributed by Brian La Croix on May 24, 2010

First in a two-part series on marriage.

Working Toward a Great Marriage Part 1 – Six Principles We Can All Apply Various Scriptures May 16, 2010 Me: In our year-long emphasis called, “The Year of the Family,” we’re focusing on how we can become a stronger family within the family of God, and also looking at ways ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:4-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Six Principles For Giving & Growing In Faith Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 27, 2006

I want to address those more this morning, but not without sharing my honest concern in addressing these things, concerns for what some of you may carry from the past; that THE CHURCH IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR MONEY THAN YOU

Last Sunday night as I met with our elders and home group leaders¡K great time of discussion, and as they began to impress upon me how positive these past couple of weeks of focusing on stewardship with God and giving have been, and at the same time, how many practical questions still seemed to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational