Sermons on Gather Spoils:

Christ-Likeness

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 30, 2003

All who claim Christ need to become like Him.

INTRO.- ILL.- What do you think of my mustache? I haven’t always worn a mustache. I grew it for a fun program that we had at our last church and Elaine liked it so much that I just kept it. BESIDES, DON’T YOU THINK I LOOK AN AWFUL LOT LIKE TOM SELLECK OF MAGNUM PI FAME? Don’t answer that! It’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Impotent Man Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Oct 14, 2003

Four things true of every encounter with Jesus

John 5:1-16 The Impotent Man Introduction Sometime after Jesus healed the nobleman’s son, He headed back south to Jerusalem to observe another feast. The Bible doesn’t say what feast it was, nor does it say how much time had passed since John 4. I want us to read the first 16 verses of chapter 5, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The God Of Intimacy Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 12, 2003

Our God is intimate in his Character - he created human intimacy, and has a plan for it, And he wants an intimate relationship with His Church and with the Christian individual

God Stories – Attributes of God May 11, 2003 God of Intimacy Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) This is a piece of the scriptures that we usually ignore – I have never preached a sermon from this book, and I have even preached from Nahum! I think that we ignore it because it is so hard to figure ...read more

Denomination: *other

Our Omnipresent God Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 13, 2003

This morning we’re going to learn about God’s omnipresence. There are really three attributes of God that should always be kept together in your mind ­ they all begin with the four-letter prefix “omni”: Omniscience, Omnipotence, and Omnipresence. God

Our Omnipresent God Since this is Super Bowl Sunday, I thought it would be a good idea to begin with some football terminology that has made its way into church. Draw Play ­ What many children do with the bulletin during the service. Backfield in Motion ­ Making a trip to the bathroom during the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Little Man Meets A Big God Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 15, 2003

This morning we’re focusing on a high-ranking IRS man named Zacchaeus who cheated not on his return, but on everyone else’s. He had figured out a way to skim some money off the top and squeeze the last drop from people’s wallets. Jesus not only changed h

A Little Man Meets a Big God There’s a story about a local fitness center, which was offering $1,000 to anyone who could demonstrate that they were stronger than the owner of the place. Here’s how it worked. This muscle man would squeeze a lemon until all the juice ran into a glass, and then hand ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

"Who Is God?"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 16, 2003

A systematic devotional study

When I was a boy I remember my father describing the God he grew up with. That God was a muscular, white-haired, bearded, royal figure, sitting on His golden throne sporting a scowl and just waiting for my father to make a mistake. Not long ago I saw a list of responses a class of children ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:13, Psalm 90:2

Denomination: Orthodox

The Imperatives Of Worship Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 20, 2003

While I recognize that sometimes a church service can seem dull, especially to a non-Christian, I want to suggest this morning that true worship is anything but boring. The very essence of what worship is does not allow us to be bored. When we come befo

The Imperatives of Worship I’ve always liked hearing oxymorons, or self-contradicting phrases. The word itself comes from “oxus” which means sharp and “moros” which means dull. Here are some of my favorites. Jumbo shrimp Freezer burn White chocolate Plastic silverware Airline food Sanitary ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-13, Psalm 96:1-96

Denomination: Baptist

Discovering You Style (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

Some people, like the Samaritan woman, are very good at using the invitational approach. They might not be able to give a complete explanation of everything that Christ has done, but they can say, “Come, see a man…could this be the Christ?” Others, like

Discovering Your Style, Part 3 Rev. Brian Bill 3/11/01 Prayer. The woman in the drama is in desperate need of healing. She needs to know that in spite of all that has happened, she can experience the awesome power of God’s love and grace. There are people just like her all around us. Many ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42, Acts 9:36-42

Denomination: Baptist

Maynard's Motorcycle

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on May 31, 2003

There is a rumor about the Presbyterian Church -- we are the "frozen chosen." Not true! Our church is filled with the Holy Spirit and hard at work seeking and doing the will of God.

Acts 2:38-47 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38-47

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Getting To Know God – Immanuel – God With Us Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

A Study of the Names of God – Immanuel – God With Us. Looking at the wonderful nature of his gift at Christmas.

Getting to Know God – Immanuel – God With Us I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. It is a great time of year isn’t it. Time that we can spend with family and friends. Deanna and I had a great time in Brisbane, catching up with old friends and with our families. We enjoyed some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Mentoring Men Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 2, 2004

Teaching does not have to be in a formal setting; in fact, the best kind of learning takes place in every day life, when we simply speak spiritual truth.

As we turn today to Titus 2, the focus, as John MacArthur states, “changes from the pastors to the people, from the elders to everybody, and from the leadership to the laity.” Specifically, Paul’s passion is for people to live out the transforming power of the gospel and not to look like the “same ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"No Longer Children" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jun 12, 2003

It’s time to grow up... (#15 in the Unfathomable Love of Christ series)

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;” E. K. Simpson, in commenting on this verse, points out that the Christian is to be ever a child and childlike ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14

Denomination: Orthodox

Of Florida Swamps And Brooklyn Bridges

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 23, 2003

As Jeremiah risked everything to buy some apparently worthless real estate in order to give a sign that the Lord would triumph, so I also asked our church to adopt a new but venturesome vision for its life.

Could I offer you a real estate deal this morning? Oh, it will be the deal of a lifetime! You can’t pass this up! Can I get you to buy a piece of land, sight unseen, in a sort-of shaky area? True, it might be taken over by the military, but, hey, who’s worried about that? Come on and buy! ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

Has My Life Been A Failure? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 26, 2003

Joshua’s life reveals that success in old age is measured by faith and not sight, by what we have left for the next generation to complete, and by passing on a warning about the lessons he had learned.

And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one thing has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you; all have come to pass for you, not one of them has failed. Not one thing has failed. It would ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Sump'n Other Than Slump'n

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 8, 2003

Churches, like individuals, have "body language". If we seem to be slumping, let’s look at our victories; and let’s look at the body language for mission: bending the knees, touching power, expecting the Presence.

Even if you cannot hear what someone is saying with his lips, you can often read his body language. The words may not be clear, but the body language may be eloquent. What is body language? Body language is posture, gesturing, facial expressions, the way you present yourself to others. And that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21, Acts 1:8

Denomination: Baptist