Sermons on Gray Pragmatism:

The Christian Response To Persecution Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 4, 2020

If and when we are persecuted, how shall we resond?

The Christian Response to Persecution Acts 4:23-31 In America, where I live, we formally have freedom to worship and express our religious views. I use the word “formally” because there is increasing erosion to these freedoms. We have not suffered the severe persecution our Christian brothers ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31, Romans 8:28, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Corinthians 2:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Hidden Years Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Denis O'callaghan Ph.d. ,th.d., D.d., D. Phil. on Sep 20, 2012

What did Jesus learn about God from his “rabbi-pastor,” as He studied the first three chapters of Genesis?

Let's consider what Jesus might have learned: What did Jesus learn about God from his “rabbi-pastor,” as He studied the first three chapters of Genesis? The New Testament provides only brief glimpses of Jesus’ youth and training. One such glimpse is found in Luke 2:40, where we ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Searching For The Lost: An Exposition Of Luke 15

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 18, 2019

What is God's attitude toward repentant sinners?

Searching for the Lost: An Exposition of Luke 15 There are three well known parables in Luke 15, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Parables are illustrations which use a story to shed light on spiritual truth. Jesus wasn’t the only one who taught in parables in his day, but he was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32, Luke 15:1-32, Luke 15:4-11, Luke 15:1-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's All In The Timing

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Oct 4, 2013

How often do we think we can run God's schedule better than He can?

It’s All in the Timing John 7:1-9 Introduction Last week, we saw a decisive shift in the ministry of Jesus. Most of his “followers” had left Him because of the harshness of His message. They had wanted the free handouts, but were not interested in the scandalous yoke of ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

“the Priority Of Worship” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Sep 9, 2014

What can we do to insure our experience of worship is everything God wants it to be?

(Show video - Be the Church) Today, I want us to do just what that video challenges us to do - talk about how our church can become a church that makes a difference. Sadly, what the video reports as being true of America, is also true of Portales. We have more churches than we have gas stations, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Divorce Plague Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 8, 2014

How does the church deal with divorce?

The Divorce Plague Matthew 5:31-32 In many respects, Jesus’ teaching on divorce in these verses is closely linked to the topic of adultery which he has just commented upon. One leads to the other in many other cases. It is also related to hate and murder, the first topic Jesus addresses. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Parable Of The Rich Fool

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 19, 2018

Parables are easy to understand but hard to live.

The Parable of the Rich Fool Luke 12:13-21 There is nothing like a simple store to illustrate a point. We gravitate to storytellers, and Jesus was a master of the story, in particular the parable. They are stories from everyday life. This makes them easy to understand. One does not need to go into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Power Of Faith: Embracing The Unseen

Contributed by Pastor Matthew Faure on Jun 4, 2023

The Power of Faith: Embracing the Unseen

Introduction Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today, I stand before you to discuss a topic that lies at the very core of our Christian journey: having faith in things unseen. In a world dominated by empirical evidence and rationality, the concept of faith can sometimes be met with skepticism. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6

Overly Harsh Words?

Contributed by Jason Jones on Nov 16, 2022

It seems that God has had just about enough of their blasphemies and announces coming judgment.

A. Opening illustration: The great Puritan preacher Richard Baxter wrote a pamphlet in which he lumped the Quakers with “drunkards, swearers, whoremongers, and sensual wretches” and other “miserable creatures.” And then—just in case he had not yet insulted them enough—he insisted that Quakers are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Unforced Rhythm Of Strength

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 23, 2025

This sermon contrasts the world's frantic and exhausting path to strength with God's divine invitation to find salvation and power through the "unforced rhythm" of returning to and resting in Him.

Introduction: The Tyranny of the Urgent I want you to picture a scene. It's late at night. A student sits hunched over a desk, surrounded by textbooks and empty coffee mugs. Their eyes are gritty with exhaustion, their mind a frantic buzz of facts and figures. Fear of failure is a physical ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:15

Denomination: Baptist

Rising Or Rejecting? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 21, 2009

The man at the pool of Bethsaida had lost his will to achieve, and blamed others. Jesus, however, gave Him his self-worth as well as his health. Do not blame prejudice or racism for failure; turn to Jesus and be healed and motivated.

The day dawned like any other day ... a little chillier, maybe, than you might have expected this time of year. But still, about as gray and bleak and unpromising as any other day. After all, every day was about like every other day. What reason did he have to expect anything different? For 38 ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Proverbs 16 - Contrast The Upright And The Wicked Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Mar 23, 2012

This is a look at Proverbs chapter sixteen.

Pearls From Proverbs – Chapter Sixteen We will now look at Proverbs chapter sixteen: Contrast the Upright and the Wicked 1 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:1 (NASB) This verse can be understood to mean that the final outcome ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:1-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Is Lord!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 28, 2022

I don't know how to explain what happened. But remember this story, because I have another one that I want to tell you at the end of this message.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 9:57-62 ILL. This happened in 1968 in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War to a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62, Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 6:46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jacob's Prosperity, By God's Grace

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 12, 2024

Jacob worked 14 years for his wives, and family, but he had nothing. He wanted to leave to go home, but used his father-in-law to gain wealth for himself by means of his own. However, it was GOD's GRACE that took over, despite Jacob's actions.

2024.08.11.Sermon Notes. Jacob’s Prosperity by GOD’s Grace William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: Jacob has finished his 14 years working off the dowry for his wives. And yet he has nothing. He wants to leave and go home, but realizes that he must provide for his family. And does so, at the expense of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10, Genesis 30:25-43, Genesis 31:1-16, Philippians 2:15-16, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 6:10, John 15:5, Matthew 6:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 30, 2005

Life is full of temptations and we can be guided through them by the example of Christ at his temptation by the devil. This sermon unites Luke 4: 1 – 13 and Deuteronomy 26: 1 - 11 to gain a Biblical perspective on temptation.

If Luke 4: 1 – 13 / Deuteronomy 26: 1 - 11 Intro: It’s a small two letter word. --- Often it carries with a great burden. --- If --- If I had known, If I had gone, If I were rich, If … If. Our lives can be full of ifs. Jesus was no different. I. Verse 1-3 – Jesus is at his weakest – he is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed