Sermons on First Works:

Psalm 5 - Get The Inside Right First Series

Contributed by Rob De Jongh on Mar 15, 2021

God wants us to be right from within, and no amount of flattery on the outside will cover a rotten inside. We need to work on our own inner thoughts and desires first, so that the outward words and actions flow naturally from within.

In Psalm 5, David says this: "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue." (Psa 5:9) Notice here that there are people who can flatter you and seem great on the outside, but ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:9, Psalm 51:6

The Second Most Important Decision Of Your Life Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Aug 8, 2022

The first most important decision of your life is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Find out in this sermon, what is the second most important decision of your life.

Introduction We make decisions every day of our life. According to Cornell University, we make 35,000 remotely conscious decisions each day. And if a person lives to age 75 that means, in our lifespan, we will make 945 billion decisions. But let’s be honest, some decisions are more important than ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Creative Work In The Church

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 5, 2017

At Pentecost God sent his Holy Spirit, for the first time, to remain in believers forever. Since the Holy Spirit manifests through each believer, we cannot say "I don't have anything to offer." We also can't take the credit, since God does the work.

1 Corinthians 12:4-12, 27 God’s Creative Work in the Church Today, local church membership has lost its appeal. Why bother? Why not drift from church to church and see what meets my needs? Back in the beginning, though—before church buildings and budgets and board meetings—church membership at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-12, 1 Corinthians 12:27, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:11-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom, It Comes Apart From Law (Part One) Series

Contributed by Robert Odle on Jun 15, 2002

Paul now begins to unpack his Grand Proposition (2:15-21). In 3:1-18, Paul supports the first part of his proposition: legalism is not the SOURCE of human justification.

Freedom, It Comes Apart from Law (Part One) (Galatians 3:1-5) Theme: As faith justifies a human being, justification morally obligates that human being. Purpose: What do I want to happen in the hearer when I preach this sermon? A. Increased knowledge. After I preach this sermon, the hearer ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Be Right With God (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 22, 2007

In Romans 3:21-25a, Paul gives us seven elements of the righteousness that God divinely imputes to those who trust in his Son. This sermon looks at the first element.

Scripture In his commentary on Romans, John MacArthur notes that centuries ago Job asked the most important question it is possible to ask: “But how can a man be in the right before God?” (Job 9:2b). That is, “How can anyone be right in the presence of God?” Job then said of God in Job ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Giving Works (Re:gift)

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Oct 15, 2019

Many people give out of guilt. The apostle Paul says we should give with joy! The only way we can do this is if we first realized just how joyfully generous God has been to us. When we see His joyful generosity, that encourages us to be joyfully generous ourselves.

Opening and Introduction In our lesson tonight, we hear about farmers that plant seeds. If a farmer doesn’t plant, there won’t be anything to harvest later in the year. His livelihood depends on generously planting as many seeds as he can. This passage uses a lot of farming imagery. But what ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Losing Your First Love

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Jun 19, 2018

The Church at Ephesus

“Losing Your First Love: The Church at Ephesus” Revelation 2 1/10/10 Intro: Turn with me this morning to the last book in the Bible, the book of Revelation. Here in this book, we find a message that is given to us by God to prepare us for the future. In chapter 1, we these words: the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pastor's Perplexity Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 26, 2005

In this personal section of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul first appeals to them, then he fondly remembers their loving acceptance of him, and finally he reminds them of his attitude towards them.

Scripture We are working our way Sunday by Sunday through the apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians. One of the advantages of this approach is that we cover the whole counsel of God—at least as it is revealed in this portion of God’s Word to us. By studying books of the Bible, or large sections ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:12-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Jews, The Law And God Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Mar 4, 2002

Jews have an advantage in that they have God’s law in written form and were the first to receive God’s grace but it doesn’t help since they’re unable to keep the law.

There is no doubt in Paul’s mind as he writes to the Church at Rome, that the Jews are pre-eminent in God’s sight. He makes it clear in 1:16 that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Mind you he uses the same hierarchy in ch ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

How God’s Working Enables Good Works Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Jul 25, 2010

God graciously works obedience into the lives of his people.

Scripture Introduction Christians have disagreed and debated, since the earliest days of the church, God’s role versus the believer’s role in growth in godliness. Some Bible verses, considered by themselves, seem to support popular phrases like, “Let go and let God,” or “I can’t; God can.” Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's Your Choice!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 26, 2001

God is saying, "It’s your choice. You can choose either blessings or a curse. If you want blessings, then keep my commands."

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL. KANSAS, OK A. Last Sunday the Israelites had begun their invasion of the Promised Land. Now today’s message begins some 5 years later as the invasion has come to an end. God has led them to victory after victory, & now the tribes are ready to ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:26-28, Matthew 7:13-14, Joshua 24:14-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Secret Of Priorities: How Seeking God Brings Everything Else

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Apr 6, 2025

This sermon talks about how seeking God first, His kingdom and His righteousness, leads to provision.

Life constantly tempts us to chase after many things — success, security, approval, comfort. Jesus knew this. In Matthew 6, He addresses our human anxiety about daily needs — food, clothing, and tomorrow. Then He drops a revolutionary command: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Power At Work Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 18, 2023

Luke starts Acts with, 'In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus BEGAN to do and teach...' Now he's going to talk about what Jesus CONTINUED to do. In Acts 16 we have a great example of Jesus witnessing to himself - and Paul and Silas fitting in.

Acts 16 God’s power at work Let’s suppose you hear God speaking to you, telling you to do something. You do what God tells you. But then, within a short time, the situation looks a complete mess. What would you think? Did you hear wrong? Has God let you down? Let’s suppose God calls you to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Broken Altar - When Worship Becomes Work Series

Contributed by Barry Tallis on May 2, 2025

The first in a four part series confronts the subtle drift from passionate devotion to empty religious routine, challenging believers to recognize the cracks in their spiritual foundations and commit to rebuilding authentic altars of worship in their daily lives.

INTO: Today we're kicking off a brand-new series that's going to challenge your spiritual comfort zone and reignite your relationship with God. We're talking about being SET APART in a world that wants you to fit in! Have you ever felt like your relationship with God has become more ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 29:13, 1 Kings 18:30, Romans 12:1

Put Your Faith In What Works, Not In Your Works

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jul 25, 2011

It seems that we have always looked for that super human. Superman, Spiderman, and Bat-man and now we have on TV a hero called the Cape

It seems that we have always looked for that super human. Superman, Spiderman, and Bat-man and now we have on TV a hero called the Cape. Fights for goodness and hates evil, upholds the law and always wins the battle for truth and justice. I was born on Christmas day in 1948 and when I was around ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:16

Denomination: Baptist