Sermons on Firsthand:

Witnesses And Witnessing

Contributed by David Mcnally on Aug 15, 2011

Jesus' 'Great Commission' applies to all; we must get up and get out and share our faith with the help and strength of God so that the number in 'the great cloud of witnesses' can increase and morality and behaviour in society be improved in ways that pol

Hebrews 12: 1 Sermon: Witnesses and witnessing According to the Bible we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. I don’t think this means that we are living our lives on a stage and that the angels and all of God’s people who have died and gone to be with the Lord are up above ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Finding Joy In The Season Of Christmas"

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Dec 12, 2010

Especially at Christmas we are reminded how important it is to find joy in our lives.

Finding Joy in the Season of Christmas Back in 1975 I learned a valuable lesson about joy and time, and I learned how many hours are in a week. I also learned about the power of prayer and leaning on God to endure, finding joy in all things. As a naive and much too enthusiastic youth director ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Holy Communion: A “humble Pie” Not “black Tie” Event Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Apr 2, 2010

How does one prepare for Holy Communion? With a humble faith. The parable of the Prodigal Son will illustrate such a faith.

The Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA) held the grand opening of its hip new $88 million building in January. Were you invited to this black tie event? Neither was I. Then again I didn’t give a million dollars for the construction of the Gallery nor am I a friend of the mayor. Gallery openings are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24, Luke 14:7-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Anatomy Of Belief

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on May 1, 2011

God is not concerned with only the ways in which we think and believe; he’s concerned about the ways in which we act upon our beliefs.

INTRO Have you ever watched Star Trek? Mr. Spock, “the pointy-earned Vulcan” who served as Captain Kirk’s first officer said, “Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” This quote is an offshoot from a scientific principle known as ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Purity – The Sixth Step To Happiness Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Feb 26, 2008

This is the sixth of the "be" attitudes. THREE STEPS TO HAVING A PURE HEART 1. Remember that God sees EVERYTHING. 2. Review my MOTIVES. 3. Realign my PRIORITIES.

Purity – The Sixth Step To Happiness We have been making our way through a section of scripture known as the beatitudes. They are found in Matthew chapter five. Each of the beatitudes begins with the word – blessed. This word could also be translated – “Happy”. So as we have been making our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 8, 2008

In Ezekiel 34, using the language of promise, God introduces a new plan for shepherding his people which we see fulfilled in John 10. Jesus, the Good Shepherd still calls his sheep.

The Good Shepherd Ezekiel 34:1-6; 11-16;23-24; 30-31 Children’s Story Just before school started, I invited four kids from next door to go with me to the city library. These kids ranged from 7 – 10 years old and had never been to the library. We went upstairs where they have all the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-31

Denomination: Brethren

A True Disciple

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Oct 26, 2008

What does it take to be a "true disciple" of our Lord?

A True Disciple Luke 9:23 * Were I to ask this group of people, “Who wants to be a disciple of Christ?” Most everyone would raise their hands and honestly, would do so without giving any thought to what being a disciple really means. One of the classic books on discipleship was written by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: Baptist

Getting The Right Idea About Jesus

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 3, 2008

Message about Jesus’ challenge to the Pharisees regarding the identity of the Messiah.

Getting the Right Idea about Jesus Matthew 22:41-46 October 12, 2008 Me: One of the things I’ve noticed over the years, especially since giving my life to Christ in the fall of 1982, is that there are a lot of ideas about Jesus. Who He was, what He did, what He said, whether He should have died, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:41-46

Denomination: Wesleyan

Blessed Are The Persecuted Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 2, 2008

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of Jesus. Part 8 in the series.

Blessed are the Persecuted November 23, 2008 Matthew 5:1-12 As we look back on the past weeks that we have been talking about the Beatitudes, Why does Jesus say the poor in spirit will be blessed? How can you be considered fortunate in the midst of mourning or being meek, especially in a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Loyalty Of God

Contributed by Larry Elder on Aug 1, 2007

There are many different occasions when we will have a need for strength, whether it is physical, mental or emotional

The Loyalty of God 2 Tim 4:16… But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength, NLT Joke… Day care Lessons … In the Busy Bee Day Care the teachers would often sing actions songs with the children. Two of the songs were the Hokey Pokey and the B.I.B.L.E. One day a four year old named Claire ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Where Is Your Faith Taking You?

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Aug 13, 2007

How is your faith today? Can you learn anything from Abraham and Sarah about the power of faith to follow God into the unknown?

Where is Your Faith Taking You? Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 August 12, 2007 After Noah built the ark, the animals started to board the ship two by two. Pair after pair of animals passed by Noah, heading up the ramp into the ship. Finally a lone hippo waddled up and Noah asked him where his mate was. "I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16

Denomination: Methodist

When God Shows Up

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Oct 17, 2010

Things change, things happen, and things are different when God shows up. The question is, have I experienced the things which take place when God shows up in life?

When God Shows Up Acts 3:1-10 * If this afternoon you were sitting in your house, the doorbell rings, you answer the door, and when you open the door – you discover Jehovah God has come calling; what would you do? How would respond? What would change in your day &/or week? It is true that God is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Is It Good For?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 20, 2010

All Scripture is God-given and useful!

Title: What Is It Good For? Text: II Timothy 3:14-17 Thesis: All Scripture is God-given and useful! Introduction In 1969 I was a divinity student preparing for the ministry and had a very high draft lottery number so, despite having taken my physical; I was ultimately exempted from the draft to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Mother's Most Solemn Duties

Contributed by Jason Jones on May 12, 2008

Mother’s Day message on Timothy’s mother and grandmother who exhibited and passed on the faith to him

Text: 2 Tim 1:5, 3:15, Title: A Mother’s Most Solemn Duties, Date/Place: NRBC, Mother’s Day 5/11/08, AM Opening illustration: 10. To be able to eat a whole candy bar (alone) and drink a Coke without any "floaters." 9. To have a 14-year-old answer a question without rolling her eyes in that "Why is ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Be Confused About The Term Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Nov 7, 2010

The modern-day, Americanized church is a poor representation of the 1st Century church. We are confused about what we are.

Don’t be Confused – (THE TERM) - #1 Matthew 16:13-19 * This morning I carry you on a brief journey on which, for the past couple of weeks, I have found myself. Quite honestly, this journey has been painful and helpful as well as hard and exciting. My first disclaimer is that my desire is not to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist