Sermons on First Steps:

In The Enemies' Court

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 15, 2018

The first chapter of Daniel establishes that God is the focus of the Book. God reigns over the nation and over the individual. His sovereignty is central to every event that is recorded.

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Hearing The Shepherd Means Following Him

Contributed by Eric Vertein on Apr 19, 2005

On Good Shepherd Sunday we consider how the first martyr Stephen not only heard the voice of the Good Shepherd, but followed him: in charity, in witness, and in forgiveness.

Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a,51-60 4th Sunday of Easter – ILCW Year A April 17, 2005 Peace to all of you who are in Christ (I Peter 5:14b). Amen. Judge Lynwood Smith asked Eric Rudolph, “Did you plant the bomb that exploded at the New Woman All Women clinic here in Birmingham on January 29, 1998?" In a ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Break Up Your Fallow Ground

Contributed by Ron Theis on Jul 1, 2010

My first sermon at HBC. A message that will challenge you to give all your heart to God and see the results in will bring to your life and your church.

BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUNDHosea 10:12IntroductionA.  What to say on the first day?1. Many will talk about vision.a. We already have one…it’s posted on the wall.b. I’ve had three weeks to come up with what I will share with you this morning.c. Only God waited until Monday night to ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 10:12

Denomination: Baptist

Filled For A Purpose

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Dec 3, 2010

The first coming of Christ was preceded by increased spiritual activity. As we celebrate His birth shouldn’t we also celebrate that same spiritual activity?

December 5, 2010 Morning Worship Text: Luke 1:11-17 Subject: The Announcement of John’s Birth Title: Filled for a Purpose It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Don’t you just love this time after Thanksgiving? I mean, what more could a person want; a time to go out and fight the crowds ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:11-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

In A World Of Trouble

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jan 5, 2025

In this life we will face trials and tribulations, but we take they head on with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We are overcomers because Jesus overcame the world first.

Good morning, beloved family of God. I stand before you today, not as one who has all the answers, but as a fellow traveler, walking with you on this winding road of faith. We are gathered here, not because we are perfect or because we have it all figured out, but because we need the grace that ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, Romans 5:1-5, James 5:10-11, Proverbs 3:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cut The Rope Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Feb 8, 2025

This sermon challenges believers to trust Jesus as the "Waymaker" by cutting the rope of complacency, fear, and self-reliance, fully surrendering their plans and ambitions to God's authority and stepping forward in faith through the doors of opportunity He opens.

Cut the Rope Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/sermons/ Apostle Paul exhorts us to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). While we often interpret this in terms of resisting sin, there’s a deeper truth here. Yes, with God’s help, we strive to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:8-9, Matthew 23:27, 2 Corinthians 12:9, James 1:22

Denomination: Baptist

The Invitation Of Pleasure Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 2, 2012

Wisdom's great rival, worldly lust, is no less earnest to destroy that wisdom is to save. Each invites to partake of her feast. Every man moves between these rival invitations in every step of life, The text presents three aspects of temptation's allurem

PROVERBS 9:13-18 THE INVITATION OF PLEASURE [2 Samuel 11:1-15] Wisdom's free and gracious invitation already has been set before us. Her invitation invites to goodness, holiness and peace. We might ask who in his or her right mind could resist? Now we have the allurement from the opposite ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Very Special "I Am” Of John’s Gospel – "Ego Eimi” – "I, I Am” – So Much Comfort In It – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 31, 2022

When does despair become relief? When does the dangerous trough of despondency become the glorious hill of deliverance? The answer is in verse 19 of John 6. Jesus drew near to the boat and when Jesus walked on the water and came closer to the boat, all the perspective changed.

A VERY SPECIAL “I AM” OF JOHN’S GOSPEL – “EGO EIMI” – “I, I AM” – SO MUCH COMFORT IN IT – PART 2 We looked in PART 1 at the marvellous I AM of John’s Gospel. It means “I, I am.” It stamped the authority of Jesus as the Elohim of the Old Testament, and that came with all authority. One of the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21, Matthew 14:26-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Place Like It!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2025

By focusing on the first congregation, we can discover how we can transform our own church into the powerful congregation God intends it to be.

“When [the disciples] had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

Wayfinding With Jesus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 16, 2024

Explores Jesus' call to repentance and belief in the kingdom of God, emphasizing the profound change it brings in our desires and lives.

Good morning, dear family of God. It's a beautiful day that the Lord has made and we're here, gathered together to rejoice, to learn, and to grow in His Word. It's always a joy to be in the presence of fellow believers, to share in the fellowship and unity that we find in Christ Jesus. Today, we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Topics: Christian Life

Weary Wayfarers Welcomed Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Mar 11, 2007

Although Jesus needed some R and R by sailing away to a different location on the lake, He wound up ministering to the needy multitude, by puting others first and Himself last.

MARK 6:30-34 WEARY WAYFARERS WELCOMED I. RESPECTFUL: Mark 6:30-32 A. Receiving. B. Remonstrated. C. Retreating? Mark 6:32 II. RABBLE: Mark 6:33 A. Recognized. B. Responded. C. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34

Denomination: Methodist

Cross Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2009

Jesus exposed the darkness in the hearts of men, but rather than stepping into the light, they decided to snuff out the Light. Summary of the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life w/ focus on 7 sayings on the cross. Link inc. to audio/video, PowerPoint.

Cross Matthew 26 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Cross.html Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus The Jewish leaders had become very hostile toward Jesus and His supposed authority, so they took counsel to kill Him. Matthew 26:1-4 1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-75

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance Matthew 4:17

Contributed by Todd Stacey on Nov 21, 2009

Repentance is the starting point

Matthew 4: 17 from that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (TNIV) Repentance is the first step to having the kingdom of God to enter our lives. What is repentance? Repentance is the profound change of mind involving the changing of the direction of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living A Questionable Life - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Jan 29, 2024

People have a preconceived idea of what a Christian is supposed to be or act like. They also have their understanding of what a local church is all about. How do we change the negative stereotype?

Questionable Living – Part 2 (Col 4:2-6) Intro: A. When a person hears the word “Christian” they immediately conjure up something in their head – good or bad, they have a preconceived thought of what it means for a person to claim to be a Christian. People call some Christians “hypocrites” for ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Come Rest A While Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on May 31, 2022

There are two dangers in Christian life. First, is the danger of excessive activity, work without rest. Second, is the danger of too much withdrawal. Jesus calls to balance it.

Mark 6:31-32 Come Rest a while He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while” —for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat. (AMP) Joke: A husband checked into the hotel. Then he decided to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31-32

Denomination: Methodist