Sermons on Gracious:

You've Come This Far By Faith

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Nov 9, 2024

This message recognizes our Church's upcoming 99th anniversary. In this message I used the old gospel sonmg "We've Come This Far By Faith" to illustrate the continued journey of this Church.

You’ve Come This Far By Faith! Scripture: Second Corinthians 5:7; Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:12 Good morning Strangers Rest. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” When this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Way Back Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Nov 18, 2024

James writes that if you feel distant from God or pride has gotten the best of you, there is always a way back.

James: Practical Faith  James 4:7-10 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church  11-17–2024 Intro When I was a youth pastor in Mississippi, a girl brought her new boyfriend to youth group. She was 13 years old and he was about to be 18 years old. I made an offhand comment ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Do It Without Me 2024

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Dec 9, 2024

This message is about being involved in what Christ is doing in this season.

Don’t Do It Without Me Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:11; First Peter 4:10-11; Isaiah 6:8 Good morning Strangers Rest. If you recall from my message last week, I talked about how you, as a Church, have come this far by faith. Next week we will celebrate the Church’s 99th anniversary and as I concluded ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 6:8, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

2 Corinthians Series: Between A Rock And A Hard Case Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 4, 2025

"Father of Mercies and God of All Comfort" offers Himself to you and I when we are between a rock and a hard case. God does not leave us alone, but draws near and encases us in His love.

2 CORINTHIANS SERIES Between a Rock and a Hard Case 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1-24 #2corandmore PERSON FROM CONGREGATION READS 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1-24 READ 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1-24 (ESV) “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jonah - The Back Story

Contributed by Jeff Booth on Aug 16, 2025

God does not call the equipped… He equips those that He calls.

You know, I’m not sure about my colleagues out here… but for some pastors, like me… a lot of times when we come up here to deliver a message, sometimes this can be kind of like free therapy for us. We can come up here and speak our minds and talk about some issues and troubles that we might be ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:2

We Bless The God Who Blesses Us (Ephesians 1:1-14) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 2, 2025

Paul's whole letter, and our whole lives, start right here, at a place of gratitude and praise toward God, for what He's done for us "in Christ."

An opening note for my readers of this series: Roughly 8 years ago?, I wrote a series of sermons on Ephesians. I wrote them at a time of "almost." Academically/exegetically, I was "almost" comfortable with discourse analysis (Steve Runge style), but I had little idea how to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Giving To Please God Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 14, 2025

Because we’re partakers of grace and partners in the gospel, we’re to participate in giving to God’s work by practicing joyful generosity.

Giving to Please God Philippians 4:14-23 Rev. Brian Bill April 12-13, 2025 When I was growing up, my mom insisted that my sisters and I had to write thank you notes whenever we would receive a gift. To reinforce this, she would tell us we couldn’t use the gift we were given until the note was ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:14-23

Denomination: Baptist

Easter 2025: When Adversity Comes

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 15, 2025

Everyone faces times of adversity but it is how we view and respond to the adversity that determines how those times will affect us. The disciples experienced this when Jesus was arrested and crucified. Their response can teach us about responding to adverse times.

Easter 2025 – When Adversity Comes Scripture: John 8:12; Mark 10:32-34; 16:9-11; James 1:2-3 Good morning Strangers Rest and happy Easter. This is surely the day the Lord has made so let us rejoice and be glad in it! Today we pause to commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord and ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, Mark 10:32-34, Mark 16:9-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Has A Loving Heart For Humanity Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 7, 2024

We can see it... 1. In His witnesses (vs. 5-11). 2. In His way to eternal life (vs. 9-12). 3. In His assuring words (vs. 13).

God Has a Loving Heart for Humanity 1 John 5:5-13 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The First Epistle of John (Prepared February 7, 2024) MESSAGE: *Christians: Our God, the only true and living God, -- God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a caring God. He has a compassionate, loving heart for ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Your Steps Are Ordered

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 9, 2024

This message was given for a specific Church going through a time of transition (seeking a new pastor.) In this message God reminds us that if we are communing with Him, He has ordered our steps and we just need to prayerfully follow them.

Your Steps Are Ordered (Strangers Rest Baptist Church - 2/18/2024) Good morning Strangers Rest. I give honor to God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Pastor Emeritus Banks and to each of you attending this service live or via live stream, I thank you for this opportunity to come and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:133, Psalm 37:23, Jeremiah 15:16, 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keys To Effectual Fervent Prayer Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 12, 2024

The words “effectual” and “fervent” are the translation of one Greek word energeo meaning to be operative, be at work, put forth power, to effect, show one's self operative. It has the prefix en which means “In” “inside” or “within” so the emphasis is what is going on within our own soul.

LESSON 5; KEYS TO EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER Keys To Effectual Fervent Prayer. James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” A. Introduction The words “effectual” and ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16

The Prodigal Father And The Lost Son

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jun 9, 2024

A message about the story of The Lost Son, and the problem shared by every human - sin...and the solution available to every person - Jesus the Christ.

June 9, 2024 Sermon I don’t want to alarm you, but we have a problem. It’s not just our church. It’s not just the Yonge Street Mission. But we have a problem. The problem we have is actually universal. The apostle Paul summarized the problem in this way: We know that the law is spiritual; but I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Romans 7:14-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Wisdom For Children And Those Who Love Them Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 1, 2024

1. Children: Give honor to your godly parents (vs. 1-3). 2. Parents: Help your children live godly lives (vs. 4).

God's Wisdom for Children and Those Who Love Them Ephesians 6:1-4 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The Book of Ephesians (Prepared July 1, 2024) BACKGROUND: *The Apostle Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote this letter to the Christians in Ephesus. Bible scholars generally agree that it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

You Are A Watchman

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 5, 2024

We have a responsibility as watchmen to sound the alarm of impending judgement for those living contrary to the Word of God. Are you telling those that you love about Christ and what an eternity without Him will be like?

You Are A Watchman Scripture: Ezekiel 33:1-16; Luke 10:25-29; First Timothy 2:1-4 “(1) Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (2) ‘Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: 'When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:1-16, Luke 10:25-29, 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marriage Part 4: The Four Horsemen Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

Part four of this five part series on marriage focuses on how to handle conflict based on the Gottman Institute identifocation of the Four Horsemen that can destroy a marriage. I highly recommend everyone to visit their website for resources for addressing marital conflicts.

Marriage Part 4: The Four Horsemen Scripture: First Peter 3:7; Matthew 5:22-24; Ephesians 4:26-27 Good morning Strangers Rest. This is part four of my series on marriage. The title of today’s message “The Four Horsemen” and I will be focusing on when we face conflict within our marriage. In part ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7, Matthew 5:22-24, Ephesians 4:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational