Sermons on Fruitful Tree:

An Encouragement To Grace-Oriented Giving Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 3, 2007

In today’s sermon, the last of four messages in the series on guidelines for grace-oriented giving, we see the underlying principle of all giving as well as five benefits of grace-oriented giving.

Scripture Today is the last in my four-week series of sermons titled, “Guidelines for Grace-Oriented Giving” from 2 Corinthians 8-9. Today, I want to look at “An Encouragement to Grace-Oriented Giving” from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Let’s read it: 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Defeating The Darkness Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jan 8, 2009

This continues in my expository series through the book of Acts.

The metaphors of darkness and light are widely used in the world of literature. Dylan Thomas wrote, “Do not go gentle into that good night; rage, rage against the dying of the light.” One of the most often repeated image patterns in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet involves the interplay of light ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Ruckus In Ephesus Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jan 8, 2009

This continues in my expository series through the book of Acts.

Christians, and perhaps particularly evangelicals in particular, are undergoing what seems to me to be a bit of an identity crisis. What word fits us? o “Christian” – Unfortunately, that’s a loose term, a bit of a “catch-all” which is used to encompass anyone professing allegiance to Christ, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"Our Hope An Anchor" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 16, 2009

Sermon 15 in a study in HEBREWS

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.” 15 And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. 16 For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20

Denomination: Orthodox

Marked Men

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 22, 2009

Cain’s problem is ours: we are fearful and anxious if someone else seems to be getting ahead of us, and our anxiety is the root of our violence. But in God’s curse there is a mercy and a clue for brotherliness.

For today’s message we are going back to the earliest moments in human history to look at one of the most basic issues in human life. We are looking at the way we feel about differences, and what we do about that feeling. The Book of Genesis, in its opening stories, teaches us about what it means ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Of These Is Love Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 24, 2009

Paul, Pt. 8

THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE (1 CORINTHIANS 13) “Darling,” he murmured into the phone, “I love you. I adore you. I'd climb Mount Everest in my bare feet for you. I’d slay dragons for you. I’d walk on hot coals for you. I would endure any hardship for you.” “Oh, Ralph, I love you, too. When ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ruth: Quitting Is Not An Option Series

Contributed by Ralph Juthman on Feb 10, 2009

This part 1 of a series on the life of Ruth. The theme is how God providentially moves in the lives of those who commit to Him.

RUTH: QUITTING IS NOT AN OPTION Ruth 1:1-22 By Pastor Ralph Juthman INTRODUCTION: Illustration- Ladies/Men Answer this Question, what is the title of your favotite movie, TV show or book ( other than the Bible). There are obvious differences. Personally, I like movies/tv shows and books that ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Like Priest, Like People Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

If Israel’s priests were accountable for Israel’s ignorance and wickedness, what does that mean for all believers as priests and pastors in particular?

[Note: I felt led to preach this sermon during the period leading up to Christmas.] Today is the beginning of the Advent season in churches that follow the ecclesiastical calendar. It celebrates the past, present, and future of God’s coming into the world. In fact, “advent” originates in the Latin ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-19

Denomination: *other

Moses' Rap

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

Moses used poetry and music to challenge Israel to remain faithful to God’s covenant.

You can hardly go to a sporting event without hearing the pounding beat—Boom, boom, BOOM! Boom, boom, BOOM! We shall, we shall ROCK you!” When I was younger, many of my favorite radio and television programs were sponsored by a company that guaranteed to make you as safe as the Rock of Gibraltar. ...read more

Denomination: *other

How To Get Yourself Killed Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 22, 2009

Stephen’s martyrdom calls to minds questions about our own faithfulness and witness.

In the magazine business, there is an inexorable law that says that you will sell more copies of an issue if you convince people that they can do more things or do multiple things more effectively. That’s why you always see lots of cover lines like: “100 Ways to Make Your Green Thumb Glow” or “50 ...read more

Denomination: *other

Caution! God's Favor ... Handle With Care Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Feb 23, 2009

God’s gifts are ultimately for God’s glory. Use them well.

This week I’ve begun reading a new book by one of my favorite authors, Malcolm Gladwell, titled Outliers: The Story of Success. The premise of the book is simple: no successful person is a self-made man; everyone who gets to the top had a lot advantages, help, and luck. He devotes two chapters to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

More Than Meets The Eye Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Feb 23, 2009

8th in a series from Ecclesiastes. We need to base what we think about God on His Word, not on what we observe in this world.

In 1984, James Ealy was convicted in the 1982 brutal murders of 33 year old Christine Parker, her two children and one grandchild. Two years later, the Illinois Appellate Court overturned the conviction - even as justices acknowledged Ealy almost certainly was guilty. They said police had arrested ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

How To Fit In At Church

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 5, 2009

“How do you fit in at church?” “Do you feel a part of our church?” “Are you part of the Body of Christ?” “Are you an active part of the community?" [Adaptable by adding your own church activities]

HOW to FIT IN at CHURCH Acts 2:42-47, Others INTRODUCTION… How to Fit in at Almost Any Church (www.bluefishtv.com) (02:29) I. DEFINITION OF COMMUNITY (all definitions and such: Horton, Paul. Sociology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1972. pgs 437-438) I would like to begin this morning with the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Satan's War Against God's Followers Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 8, 2009

The American church has been mostly exempt from persecution for more than 200 years. Could it be that we too have become lazy along the way? The fifth seal talks about those who have died for the Lord rather than live for the world. If you were given th

Revelation 6:9-11; 12:10-17 Purpose: To describe how and why martyrs die. Aim: I want the listener to accept persecution as a privilege. INTRODUCTION: The early church suffered much persecution. But from the death of Severus in 211 until the reign of Decius in 240, about 30 years, the church ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

By Faith

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Mar 8, 2009

Ask yourself the question, do you have faith? How do you know you have faith? What is faith, so you can know you have it? What hangs on whether you have faith or not?

BY FAITH: Hebrews 11:1-12:2 (Verse 1) gives us a two-fold definition of faith: “Faith is… (1a) …the assurance of things hoped for. (1b) …the conviction of things not seen. It is important to understand that these two words, assurance (substance in KJV) and conviction are two very hard and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist