Sermons on God Is Generous:

Obedience; Big "O” Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

Obedience, with a big “O” isn’t how we behave. Behavior is like obedience with a little “o”.

Obedience, with a big “O” isn’t how we behave. We talked about behavior a few weeks ago (Purpose Issue 16). Behavior is like obedience with a little “o”. It’s acting how we know we’re supposed to act everyday. It’s what most of us think the two greatest commandments, “Love the Lord your God with ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Courage Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 5, 2008

What Makes a Hero?

What Makes a Hero? Remember last week? Gideon fought the bad guys, the Midianites, and won. He was a Judge, remember? There was another Judge in old Israel, a few Judges down from Gideon; his name was Samson. In the eyes of most folks Samson was a hero; the kind of stuff Sunday school stories are ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wedding Ceremony

Contributed by Eddie Nicandro on Sep 23, 2008

A FILIPINO TRADIONAL CHRISTIAN WEDDING CEREMONY

WEDDING CEREMONY September 20, 2008 PRELIMINARIES Prelude Lighting of Candles PROCESSIONAL Principal Sponsor Officiating Ministers Parents of the Groom Best Man ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-28

Denomination: Baptist

Producing Fruit

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

“You are in control of your own destiny.”

I started True Potential Publishing to address how we define success and human potential in this culture. Before founding the publishing company I had been in business for several years and had been in full time sales for years before that. As a young, energetic, thinking salesman I gravitated ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Courage Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 5, 2008

Fear is a part of life. I don’t believe people who say they’re not afraid of anything. Everybody’s afraid of something.

Fear is a part of life. I don’t believe people who say they’re not afraid of anything. Everybody’s afraid of something. I used to be afraid of eighth graders. They terrified me, bullied me, threatened me and laughed at me. Of course, I was a seventh grader at the time. I’ve gotten over that ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being "Long Of Nose” Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

This week’s subject fruit is “patience.” How does possessing patience relate to understanding and achieving my purpose in life?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). This is week four of a nine week study of the fruit of the Spirit and what it has to do with finding purpose in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Kindness Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

Intentionally doing acts of kindness as opposed to not intending anything and letting nature take its course.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22) When I told my wife I was writing about “kindness” this week, she choked … I’m sure it was just a reflex action; nothing personal. But still, I figured I’d ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Years Resolutions

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

“A good resolution is like an old horse, which is often saddled but rarely ridden.” - Mexican Proverb -

“A good resolution is like an old horse, which is often saddled but rarely ridden.” - Mexican Proverb - I must be part Mexican. I love New Years resolutions … making them, that is. I’m not sure what happens on the keeping them side, but I make them faithfully. I have kept a personal journal, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Money Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

“I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor and believe me, rich is better.” My dad told me that.

“I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor and believe me, rich is better.” My dad told me that. I’ve mentioned it before. He was just kidding around when he said it and he sure wasn’t rich, but the saying stuck with me. Funny how some things stick, isn’t it? Everybody’s got an opinion about money. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blocking And Tackling Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

“The secret of success is in the blocking and tackling. Focus on the blocking and tackling and everything else will come along.”

It was something I should have learned in High School football. After all, I played tackle; it would have made my experience more meaningful if I knew it then. But I didn’t. It was a lot of years after high school; when I was in business and a mentor shared it with me. “The secret of success is in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Leading The Church Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Oct 8, 2008

Part 2 in a three part series on leadership.

ON A MISSION FROM GOD Part 2-Leading The Church Daniel’s Story Sunday, October 5, 2008 Pastor Brian Matherlee An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Wesleyan

Courage Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 5, 2008

“We have met the enemy, and he is us” - Pogo

“In those days Israel had no king; every one did as he saw fit.” (Judges 17:6) “We have met the enemy, and he is us” - Pogo We’re going to hang with the Judges for one more week. From last week’s letter you could tell that things were beginning to go astray in Samson’s time, but after he died life ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Money Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

A “talent” is a measurement of weight.

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.” (Matthew 25: 14–15) Remember the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Stage Obedience

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 1, 2008

One of the pitfalls a guy who lives inside his head so much can encounter is not knowing when to leave.

I’m an idea guy. I love ideas. That’s why I love books; they’re full of ideas. I read a lot. I think about things; turning them over in my head like a bread-maker kneads dough. A lot of my life has been spent inside my own head. We live out in the country and we’re real do-it-yourselfers. We build ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prophecy Conference

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

This was a prophecy conference. At prophecy conferences people talk about what hasn’t happened yet, but what they believe will happen based on what they think the Bible says about what will happen, held up to the light of what’s happening now.

Elaine and I were out all of last week at an “equipping the saints” conference. It wasn’t really named “equipping the saints,” but you know what I mean. It was a conference for Christians by Christians, with subject matter focused on a particular facet of the faith. This one was about “prophecy.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational