Sermons on First Things:

Sowing And Reaping

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 30, 2002

What is the difference between a living church and a dead church? This message examines a person’s commitment to church.

SOWING AND REAPING Galatians 6:7 INTRO: C. S. Lewis’, “The Great Divorce,” is a fantasy on heaven and hell. In this fantasy, a chilling discovery is made. A thriving congregation exists in hell. The church is busy. It makes the same sounds and goes through the same motions as if it were ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Bondages

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on May 31, 2002

For bondages to be broken we must deal with sin: that we have committed and that which has been committed against us, then we can be free.

Breaking Bondages VCC August 19, 2000 Intro:God Wants Us Free! Last week we saw the importance of dealing with sin issues. Acts 10:38,39 -- “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18-19, Acts 10:38-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why In The World Should I Forgive, Anyway?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 22, 2002

A consideration of five reasons that we should want to pursue forgiveness.

We begin this morning with the knowledge that Jesus has commanded us to forgive. We add to that our general belief that forgiveness is a good thing. But, then, when we get into the actual situation where our heart has been stomped on and our emotions have been ripped to shreds, we need a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

"The Shepherd And The Valley"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 5, 2002

Christ the Good Shepherd can lead us through the dark valleys because He’s been there. He laid down His life for His sheep.

Funeral Service Meditation, “The Shepherd & the Valley” -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Psalm 23:4, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil; for Thou art with me.” These words were written by a shepherd—David lived with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Congregational

Where's The Power

Contributed by Chris Mason on Aug 6, 2001

Where is the power? The power is found in Christ alone! It sounds so simple, then why do we have such a problem following it.

Where Is The Power? No matter how hard I try, I just can’t stop using profanity, lying, cheating, stealing, turning my back on God! What I need to know is: where’s the power. Didn’t God say that He would never leave nor forsake me, then why do I find myself in these situations time after time. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28, 1 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Can Use Ordinary People

Contributed by Guthrie Veech on Oct 18, 2000

By most traditional standards she was a prude.

By most traditional standards she was a prude. She was a conservative fundamentalist. Those are not very popular today. She championed family values. She opposed abortion and was not afraid to voice her opposition. "Yet for from being lampooned by the secular media she was hailed in life and death ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Hell Is A Choice

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: God doesn't send people to Hell; people choose to go there.

Thesis: God doesn't send people to Hell; people choose to go there. Intro.: 1. Troublesome question: Would a good God send people to Hell? a. Some: Unthinkable--fit the crime? (No Hell/no God). b. Others: Yes!--relish idea; "roast `em & toast `em!" 2. This AM we want to approach this ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Pray! Pay! Obey!

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: Christians are good citizens of the governments they live under.

Thesis: Christians are good citizens of the governments they live under. Intro.: 1. This coming Tuesday our nation will celebrate Independence Day. 2. The Fourth of July is not a religious holiday, but it does provide the opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

How To Have A Healthy Crisis

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: Depending on how it is handled, a crisis can either make us or break us.

Thesis: Depending on how it is handled, a crisis can either make us or break us. Intro.: 1. Illust. The Chinese do not have an alphabet as we know it. Rather than letters, words are represented by symbols. They have an interesting word-symbol for "crisis." It is a combination of the symbols for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-31

The Trouble With Sin

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

Sin can seem so innocent. Today we consider how even the smallest sin has great consequences for us.

Introductory Considerations 1. Any example of someone committing a sin. (ie. teenager caught cheating and then reprimanded by parents). What’s the big deal. 2. What was the big deal with Adam and Eve taking a bite out of an apple or some other fruit? 3. Today the world looks at those things we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Pastor's Passion For America

Contributed by Steve Bain on Oct 18, 2000

The passage before us can only be understood if we back up and review its historical backdrop.

The passage before us can only be understood if we back up and review its historical backdrop. Isaiah was the prophet of the Lord to the nation Judah and her capital, Jerusalem, from 740 to 680 B.C. He was one of God's great voices during the reigns of four Kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 3:1-15

Christ's Principles Of Communications

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Communications can never be more effective than its source.

Communications can never be more effective than its source. Jesus communicated in such a way that people were amazed at His authority, power and truthful insights. The problem with so many communicators in our modern world is they are relying on theories that have not been given to them by God. Let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seeking God's Face Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

THOSE WHO SEEK GOD’S FACE CONFIDENTLY EXPECT DELIVERANCE

BIG IDEA: THOSE WHO SEEK GOD’S FACE CONFIDENTLY EXPECT DELIVERANCE INTRODUCTION: THE SECRET OF THE SEEKER -- How can he be so confident when the enemies are so terrible and the goodness of the Lord is nowhere to be seen? I. (:1-3) THE LORD IS THE ANSWER TO ALL MY FEARS (NO PANIC) A. (:1) The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Calling In The Heavy Artillery Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

UNDESERVED, MALICIOUS, PERSONAL ATTACKS CALL FOR DIVINE VINDICATION

BIG IDEA: UNDESERVED, MALICIOUS, PERSONAL ATTACKS CALL FOR DIVINE VINDICATION INTRODUCTION: When have you come under vicious, unjustified personal attack? What were the circumstances? How did you feel as your attackers heaped slander upon slander to try to ruin your good name and cause you great ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:1-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Feel Encouraged Despite Your Discouragement

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Sometimes people feel depressed, disheartened and frustrated when those around them are bubbly.

Sometimes people feel depressed, disheartened and frustrated when those around them are bubbly. Occasionally, clinical depression can be the cause of some feelings of dejection, but usually low feelings can be overcome. David was a man prone to depressed feelings like a lot of us. Once he wrote, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational