Sermons on First Steps:

The First False Believer Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jan 3, 2008

Exposition of Acts 8:5-25 about the false profession of Simon Magus, and some indicators of true faith

Text: Acts 8:5-25, Title: The First False Believer, Date/Place: NRBC, 12/30/07, AM A. Opening illustration: Talk about Dr Bennett and tell of his estimation of the greatest heresy plaguing Southern Baptists today. Talk about the list of names that need to be removed from off of our church roll, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

Love God First Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Mar 22, 2009

If you don’t love God first above all other things, consequences to sin will soon follow.

Remember what we talked about last week? God chose Abraham and his descendants to be a testimony for Him. Abraham passed the “baton” of being in God’s team to Isaac who in turn passed the “baton” to Jacob. Please open your Bibles to the end of Genesis Chapter 28; we read……. Jacob heard the godly ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The - First Light - Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2008

To some people, the world is a dark and difficult experience. But in the midst of their frustration, there is the hint of eternity that makes them hope that there is something more than they are presently experiencing.

(Twenty years ago I heard a preacher give a sermon with the same kinds of opening and closing illustrations. It left such an impression on me that I have waited all this time to preach this specific sermon.) OPEN: Nine men lay trapped more than 200 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

First Class Treatment Series

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Nov 14, 2008

Showing partiality to the rich not only violates the 2nd commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself," it is breaking the whole law

Here’s a typical scenario for you at Narita Airport. Let’s say John and Chihoko are flying to JFK. I’m the purser or the head steward. I’m at the door to greet the passengers when they come on the 777. I see Chihoko dressed in very fine clothes. She is like the person we just read about. She ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

First And Last Things Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

We live in a world that is often difficult to understand, where sometimes we just have to trust that God is in control, even if it seems that things are upside down, even if we find we can’t straighten out the things that are crooked in this world. But we

How did a book like Ecclesiastes get in the Bible? Did someone make a mistake, do you think? I don’t know about you but I find the beginning of the book a bit depressing. Some people find it quite disturbing as it reinforces the doubts that they may have already about God’s place in the scheme of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Pride The First Sin. Series

Contributed by John Morris on Mar 5, 2008

All other sins usually come from this first sin of Pride.

The legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi was known to be a rather prideful man. He also became accustomed to fans seeking his autograph. One day while eating at a restaurant, he spotted a kid approaching his table. Lombardi grabbed a menu and quickly scribbled his name. When the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jonah's First Call Series

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Aug 27, 2007

An examination of Jonah’s first call and the God Who called.

Jonah’s First Call Jonah 1:1, 2 INTRO.: As a boy, if I asked permission to go somewhere when it was close to mealtime, my mother would often say, I’m only going to call you once,” or “Don’t make me call you twice.” I knew, if she stuck her head out the door and called, I better be close enough to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Purpose Of First John Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Jul 19, 2006

John gives us five reasons for his writing of the first letter of John.

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST JOHN Authorship and Date: Most scholars believe that the author of 1 John was the Apostle John. This was the universal belief of the early church. The many parallels of thought in the Gospel of John and the first epistle of John indicate a common authorship. Following ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13, 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Baptist

Prologue To First John Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Jul 19, 2006

In 1 John 1:1-4, the apostle shares out of his own personal encounter with “the Word of Life.”

PROLOGUE TO FIRST JOHN I John 1:1-4 The prologue of 1 John is similar to the prologue in the Gospel of John. The “beginning” in John 1:1 is a reference to the beginning of time. When time began, “the Word” (Logos) already existed. The “beginning” in 1 John 1:1 can refer to the beginning of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Putting Others First

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Aug 13, 2006

A message about putting aside our own agendas for the sake of others and the kingdom.

Putting Others First Philippians 2:1-11 August 13, 2006 Introduction We live in a very “me-centered” culture, don’t we? I think most cultures are me-centered to an extent, even those where respect for others is much higher than it is here in the United States. There’s a word for being ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

The First Pentecostal Martyr Series

Contributed by Gerald Van Horn on Sep 8, 2006

The church was growing very fast and with it came problems. The Holy Spirit has the answer.

THE BOOK OF ACTS - LESSON # 12 “The First Pentecostal Martyr” Acts 6:1-15 The church is growing. Amid great results came a great problem. God has the answer. God has prepared Spirit filled men, gifted men, to solve the situation. Through the centuries, God has always placed gifted Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Put God First Series

Contributed by Chris Hodges on Jul 29, 2003

To stress that God must be our supreme priority in everything.

The 10 Commandments #1: Put God First Text: Exod. 20:1-3 Thesis: To stress that God must be our supreme priority in everything. Introduction: (1) Illustration – In the early 1990’s, several university professors passed out copies of the 10 Commandments to students and asked them to arrange the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Is First

Contributed by Jimmy Giffin on Mar 6, 2004

This sermon looks at what the believer is to expect when God is first in their life.

WHEN GOD IS FIRST Text: Matthew 6:25-34 This passage takes place in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has been teaching the basics of the Kingdom of God. But here He comes to a principle that all the Jews listening should have been able to relate to. In this passage Jesus tells them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Church Of God

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