Sermons on Growing The Church:

Hosanna

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 11, 2019

the Triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem, which we recall this Palm Sunday, we see: 1) The End of the Pilgrimage (Matthew 21:1a), the 2) The Exactness of Prophecy (Matthew 21:1b-7), 3) The Epitome of Praise (Matthew 21:8-9) and 4) The Element of Perplexity (Matthew 21:10-11)

Things are not always as they seem on the surface. When Elizabeth II had her coronation on June 02, 1953, to the casual observer, she made it look easy. As with so much in the line of royalty, the reality is a little different. Elizabeth II, who discussed her memories of her coronation in a BBC ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Other

Behold Your King! (John 18:28-19:16) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 6, 2022

When we look at Jesus during his trial, what do we see? Who do we see? Also, Pilate should not be read sympathetically. He's not open-minded, and he fears the wrong thing/person.

When you read commentators on the Gospel of John, there are two very different ways to understand our story today, about Jesus' trial before Pilate. Everyone agrees that the focus of today's story, in many ways, is on Pilate. He is the only one in every scene. He's like the glue that ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-40, John 19:1-16

Controlling Runaway Thoughts - Philippians 4:8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 16, 2022

Get control of obsessive thoughts by forcing them through each of these 8 standards one at a time.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

It’s Not Your Party - James 4:13-17 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

What is the difference between wisely planning ahead and prideful presumption on the future?

James 4:13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then disappears. 15 Instead, ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

No Paycheck On Wednesday - James 5:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

How to synchronize the clock of your expectations with divine providence.

James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See, the farmer waits for the valuable crop of the land, being patient until he receives the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7

Pain In Heaven - James 5:10-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

Learning from our heroes

James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See, the farmer waits for the valuable crop of the land, being patient until he receives the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:10-11

Separation Anxiety - Mark 10:17-27 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 20, 2024

Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler the way to eternal life is to keep the law? And why was he the one guy who had to sell everything in order to be saved? And what does all that have to do with your daily life?

Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good-- except God alone. 19 You know the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27, Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30

Your Stuff, Is Yours. Your Neighbor's, Your Neighbor's (Exodus 22:1-15) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 23, 2022

God expects his people to keep their hands to themselves. And God knows that property rights are part of the bedrock of what makes societies function.

One of the main topics discussed among my coworkers over the past year or two, has been inflation. All of us are constantly feeling the effects of it. Everything costs more. We find that we save a little less every month than we used to. We find ourselves reexamining what we buy, and thinking ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 22:1-15, Acts 5:1-11

We Saw It, But We Don't Really Believe It!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 28, 2024

The struggle to believe is real, but it is overcome when we meet the Risen, Living Son of God.

“On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

2 Samuel Part 3

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Aug 11, 2024

NASB

This is "one of the most famous and tragic events of David’s life. We will pay close attention to how the storyteller presents the narrative, taking care to learn as much as we can while focusing on the primary message being communicated. Perhaps the question is not whether we will fail, but ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Divorce And Remarriage Pt.1 - Matthew 5:31-32 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 16, 2024

The two ways to commit adultery are to look at another woman or divorce, which shows the two sides of love (delight and commitment).

Matthew 5:31-32 "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32

Feeling Abandoned By God? (Isaiah 49:14-50:3) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 3, 2025

Lady Zion feels abandoned by God. God comforts her by saying He will make her beautiful again, and give her children. God also says, she feels abandoned because she was-- but that's about to change.

A few weeks ago, in Isaiah 47, we read about the fall of Babylon, the capital city of the Babylonian empire. The city was described using female imagery-- as a delicate virgin daughter, as a queen. She was described as being proud, and boastful, and savage in her treatment of God's people. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:14-26, Isaiah 50:1-3, Isaiah 42:14

Spirit Powers - 1 Peter 3:18-22 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 24, 2025

What happened when Jesus confronted the most powerful evil spirits after his resurrection?

1 Peter 3:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

When People Hurt You - Ecclesiastes 3:15-4:3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 15, 2025

How do you avoid bitterness toward people who have hurt you and refuse to repent? Even when you affirm that God meant it for good, still, how do you not get upset over the fact that the person meant it for evil?

Ecclesiastes 3:15 Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed. 16 I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness. 17 I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous ...read more

Satisfaction Sold Separately - Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 20, 2025

“Don’t get all worked up when people in charge abuse their power.” Good advice, but easier said than done. This passage teaches us how to do it—joyfully!

Ecclesiastes 5:8 If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. 9 The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by ...read more