Sermons on First Things First:

Provoking Thoughts From First John (1 Of 16)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 10, 2022

1 John is called one of the “General Epistles,” because it was not sent to a specific church. Rather, it was sent to churches in general.

The three books of John are referred to as “letters, however, the first was not written in the form of a letter. For example, it has no salutation nor conclusion. In fact, it has all the characteristics of a sermon in which a pastor is revealing his love for God’s people. To have a good ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Putting Jesus First Isn't Easy. Series

Contributed by Michael Blitz on May 5, 2024

Martha's jealousy and anger drove her to the point where she was literally yelling at the Lord, and bossing him around. How did she get to this point? What is the point of service to God, family and church, and what can get in our way?

Good Morning. I got a fun story to start with as we dig into the story of Mary and Martha. It took place in 1956, and Tom Attridge was test piloting the brand new jet they wanted to use for the famous Blue Angels. Gunning it up to break the sound barrier, he was instructed to test fire his guns at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Anglican

The Church Of Ephesus, The Church That Had Left Their First Love Series

Contributed by Vernon L Caruthers on Apr 16, 2010

This is the 1st message from the book of Revelation. It focuses upon the letter Jesus sent by John to the church at Ephesus. Here was a church that had at one time loved the LORD with their all but in about 40 years that love had disappeared.

Sermons from the Book of Revelation: 04/11/2010 Sermon #1: The Church at Ephesus: The Church That Had Lost Its First Love: Scripture Ref: Revelation 2:1-7 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; ‘These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

A Study Of The Letter Of First John – Praying According To The Will Of God Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 10, 2020

John wants to assure believers of the eternal life they possess and spur them on toward continued faith in Jesus Christ.

The Christian’s assurance concerning salvation (vs. 13) “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.” One of the purposes of John’s letter was to convince the unbelieving, Gnostic follower that Jesus was the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

People Of The First Christmas-The Magi Or Wise Men Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 29, 2020

Even though the Magi or "wise men" have had a Christmas carol or two (or more) written about them, they're only mentioned in one paragraph of Matthew's Gospel. They came from a far distance, worshiped the Christ Child, and then went back home, never to be heard from again.

Introduction: the shepherds of Bethlehem were the only recorded visitors to go see Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus on the night He was born. Sometime later, Matthew recorded that “wise men (KJV)” or magi (several other translations) came to Jerusalem. The purpose of their visit was to worship the One ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8, Micah 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

A Study Of The Letter Of First John – Proving That You Are A Christian Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 13, 2020

One cannot have fellowship with God and at the same time walk in darkness.

John wrote his first epistle from the city of Ephesus. It helps to understand this epistle if you know something about the city of Ephesus at the beginning of the second century. There were four important factors that were in play in Ephesus and throughout the Roman world when John wrote this ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus’ Chooses His First Team Members

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 18, 2014

Are we willing to make his service the priority in our life? Are we proclaiming the gospel in the confidence that comes from knowing Jesus, who taught with authority, who cast out demons and healed people of incurable diseases?

Jesus begins his ministry with this clear announcement: “The time is fulfilled.” That is, it’s complete. Time’s up. We’re at the end of the line. Notice that John, the one who’s like Elijah, has finished his ministry. Mark wants to make it clear that the time of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-23

Denomination: Anglican

When Your First Choice Is God's Second Choice

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jan 6, 2012

A sermon about the providence of God as discovered in the life of Paul.

Acts 16:7-8 KJV After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. [8] And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. I. INTRODUCTION—THE CHALLENGE OF CONTENTMENT -One of the most challenging spiritual battles that many face in our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:7-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

An Overlooked Key First Step Toward Spiritual Harvest

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 6, 2014

A look at the evangelism prayer that Jesus told us to pray (but we don't) as well as five of the reasons we need this prayer.

THE SIMPLE, OBVIOUS, PATHETIC, MYSTIFYING TRUTH: We do not pray this prayer. - Matthew 9:38. - I do not have an explanation for this. - It’s not hard to do. It’s not hard to understand. It’s not controversial. Yet it’s rare that any of us pray this prayer at all. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:37-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Trumpet Judgments, Part I The First Four Judgments Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Jan 22, 2014

Revelation 8 sermon on the first four trumpet judgments

The Trumpet Judgments, Part I The Seventh Seal When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Rev 8:1, NKJV J. Vernon McGee in his "Thru the Bible" commentary related this story: "Many years ago I was speaking at a conference to about three or four hundred ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:1-13

Denomination: Bible Church

How The Early Church Weathered Its First Crisis

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Aug 7, 2006

The early church faced many crises that threatened its very existence but none greater than that posed by the Judaizers.

HOW THE EARLY CHURCH WEATHERED ITS FIRST CRISIS “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

"the First Steps In Rebuilding People"

Contributed by Christopher Arch on May 21, 2020

From a series on Nehemiah.

Intro: 1st Steps in Rebuilding People Script: Neh. 8 Type: Expos./Series Where: GNBC 3-1-15 Intro: Dr. Paul W. Brand, the noted leprosy expert who was chief of the rehabilitation branch of the Leprosarium in Carville, Lousiana, had a frightening experience one night when he thought he had ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

First Sunday Of Advent, Year B: Advent Hope

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 5, 2023

Optimism is an assessment. Hope is an act.

A man named John Hakel says his three-year-old daughter looked at a calendar and asked him, "Daddy, how many BE GOOD days until Christmas?" 1 Advent is not a penitential season; it’s a period of devout and expectant delight, yet we intuitively understand that it is not possible ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:33-37

Denomination: Catholic

Kindred United: God First, Everything Else Second Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Jan 12, 2014

Do we REALLY love God, or just giving God and others lip service?

Back in 2012, we had a three part message series on the year's theme DRIVEN. I find that for us to be united as brethren here in our church, we need to use these same principles.Thus, we are going through these same three messages then one more message beyond that, and finally, Lord willing, back ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:30-31

Denomination: Bible Church

How Did We Get Here In The First Place Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Nov 13, 2014

First message in getting to the promised land. Deals with sin and overcoming it.

How did we get here in the first place? Series: Getting to the Promised Land Theme: What does it take to get to the promised land and how did we get where we are. Text: Jeremiah 29:11; Genesis 3 & 4 Introductions Study Review Thank you for being here tonight. Over the next few months we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Church Of God