Sermons on Forgivenes:

Six Expressions Of Faith Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 12, 2023

The question … “Do I please God?”

INTRODUCTION: FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD 1. The irreducible minimum. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). a. The question … “Do I please God?” b. What does ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Matthew 17:20

Denomination: Baptist

It Takes Two Wings To Fly Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 12, 2023

God does what only God can do; we do what only man can do.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Only faith in Christ saves us. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). a. Faith is turning to God from idols. (1 Thessalonians 1:9), which is repentance. You can’t be saved by repentance alone. You can’t be saved without ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-20, James 2:26, Acts 16:31

Denomination: Baptist

The Denial By Peter.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2023

Watch and pray, lest you fall into temptation. Mark 14 verse 38.

THE DENIAL BY PETER. Mark 14:27-72. In the Bible, the weakness of God’s servants is held aloft as an example for all to see. The account of Peter’s denial of Jesus is a humbling reminder that even the best of men is vulnerable to the wiles of the devil, if he allows himself to be caught off ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:27-72

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Pain Hurts Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 27, 2023

God intends to give us what we need, not what we want.

A. THREE MYTHS ABOUT PAIN 1. God’s children are not supposed to suffer pain. 2. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with me. 3. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with God. B. WHY PAIN? 1. “If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy and if God were ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:10, Romans 8:18

Denomination: Baptist

Jonadab, The Snake In The Grass Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Oct 27, 2023

Amnon gets ungodly advice from Jonadab with tragic results

2 Samuel 13 tells of the tragic story of Tamar and how wickedness destroyed her life. While it's true that Amnon was the one who committed such a horrible crime, there was someone else at the epicenter that isn't alked about nearly enough. Jonadab is that friend NOBODY wants to have because ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:3-6

Becoming Prepared

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 31, 2023

Jesus prepared his disciples to receive the Holy Spirit. We also need a preparation period to understand the gift of the Holy Spirit which we receive through baptism.

Becoming Prepared John 20:19-23 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “1bPeace be with you.” 20 And ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: United Methodist

Jesus' Birth & Childhood

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2023

Let's look at the beginning of Jesus' life, his refugee status and move to Nazareth.

Let’s look at Matthew, a catechism or instruction book for new Christians. Preparing for Jesus (Matthew 1) Read Matthew 1. Let’s learn about Jesus' birth and John the Baptist. Abbreviated Genealogy Why did Matthew abbreviate this genealogy? The lineage in 1 Chronicles 6:3–14 is abridged in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Coward Gideon Experienced God For Courage Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 13, 2023

When God uses a coward.

A. WHEN GOD USES A COWARD: JUDGES 6:1-6 1. Desert raiders. The Midianties came – stole – and returned to the desert (Judges 6:2-3). 2. Gideon a coward. “Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites” (Judges 6:11). 3. Gideon felt he was too weak to fight. “My ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-6, Judges 6:12-24

Denomination: Baptist

Legalistically Stubborn Paul Experienced Jesus For His Indwelling Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 13, 2023

The most defining experience of your life will be touching/encountering Jesus.

A. INTRODUCTION: SAUL PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS 1. Saul was a successful failure. He was going to top of the religious ladder. “Paul was better qualified than all the legalists ... the best of all ... born a Jew into the tribe of Benjamin, and circumcised on the eighth day. He spoke Hebrew, kept ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:6, Acts 9:22

Denomination: Baptist

Eighty-Year-Old Moses Experienced God For A New Challenge Lesson 5 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 13, 2023

God’s call involves delivering people from bondage.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Life-changing events happen on average days. “Moses was tending the flock” (Exodus 3:1). 2. Life-changing events happen to those who do their duty. “He led the flock” (3:1). 3. Life-changing events happen in out of the way places. “To the back of the desert” ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 3:8

Denomination: Baptist

Faithful Servant Joshua Experienced God For Leadership Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 13, 2023

“The world has yet to see what God can do with a man totally committed to God.” ~Harry Varner

A. NEW CHALLENGE TO A NEW LEADER “After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, ‘Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:3-5, Joshua 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Facing The Many Decision Doors Of Life Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 6, 2023

Opening life's doors.

A. DOORS ABOUT HEAVEN 1. The door of salvation. “ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). 2. The door of discipleship. “You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow door. The highway to hell is a wide door for the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9, Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

How Could One Solitary Life Have So Much Impact - Christmas Eve

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

Church members and friends can support St. John's By-the-Sea by visiting our website https://www.stjohnsbythesea.com/donate, where a donation can be made by PayPal or credit card, if you prefer that to mailing your donations to the church.

Good Evening, and welcome again to St. John’s Church. And, as you can tell, I love our Christmas Eve Service. The first one at St. John’s was in 1892, 130 years ago. This is only my 5th Christmas here, and I absolutely love how this service paints a picture. It really has a feel to it. As we close ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

John - Faithful To The End Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 3, 2024

Make a list of things you must do before you leave this life/earth.

A. INTRODUCTION “This is a revelation from Jesus Christ … to His servant John … to the seven churches in … Asia … I am Alpha and Omega … who is – who always was, and who is still coming … I John was exiled to the island Patmos” (Revelation 1:1-9). B. BACKGROUND 1. John, an old disciple was ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-9, 1 John 1:9

Denomination: Baptist

Naomi - From Calamity To Change Agent Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 5, 2024

Always do right, you never know when the opportunity will come to transform/change your life/destiny.

“Elimelech … his wife Naomi … sons were Mahlon and Chilian … Elimelech died … Naomi left with two sons ... took wives … Moab … Orpha … Ruth … both Mahlon and Chilian died … rose up to leave Moab” (Ruth 1:2-4). A. THE PROBLEM 1. Book is about Naomi’s challenge and achievements but named for ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:20, Ruth 4:9-10, Ruth 1:16

Denomination: Baptist