Sermons on Hanging Gardens Of Babylon:

Hallowed Be Your Name - Matthew 6:9b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 1, 2024

Why does Jesus teach us to ask God to hallow his own name?

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9

Forgive Us Our Debts - Matthew 6:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 15, 2024

Most people think asking forgiveness means asking not to be punished. But there is far more to forgiveness than that. Asking forgiveness means requesting that God reverse the damage of sin in 4 areas.

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

Bringing A Sinner To Repentance - Luke 15:11-32 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 16, 2024

Our natural response to those in sin is to either be hostile toward them or ignore the sin to avoid an uncomfortable conversation. Both are unloving. God requires us to work at bringing the person to repentance, and this message is all about the various ways to accomplish that.

Luke 15:11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Self-Humbling - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

Fasting is never commanded in the NT, yet all the godliest people in the Bible did it. If it is important, why isn't it discussed in the epistles? If it is not important, why did Jesus do it? And why did he promise reward if we do it?

Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

The Assurance Of The Secret Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 9, 2024

Trouble comes into each life, even the life of the Christian. When trouble comes, the child or God will seek a refuge. The Psalmist points to the Lord God as the refuge for all who are redeemed.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? “When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Mission Imperative - 1 Peter 2:9-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 12, 2024

All ministry is based in praise, and we must take this monster calling seriously.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Suffering In His Steps - 1 Peter 2:20-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 22, 2024

Our calling was to follow Jesus, and His steps lead through undeserved suffering. Abuse is not a glitch in God’s plan that ruins your life. It is your calling.

1 Peter 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:20-21

Spiritually Extravagant - 1 Peter 3:1-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 30, 2024

Submission is not blind agreement or passive acceptance or subservience, nor is it demeaning. It is taking your God-ordained place in the home, which brings honor to both your husband and you.

1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-6

True Greatness - Mark 9:33-36 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 29, 2023

We read of the disciples arguing who was the greatest, and we see it as immature and crass. But all of us have far more of that in us than we realize. This sermon will help you discover areas of self-exaltation and show the path toward true greatness.

Mark 9:30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-36, Matthew 18:1-3, Luke 9:46-47

Exodus 32:1-35 - Leadership Challenges And Failures

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 18, 2024

Moses is taking too long and the people are grumbling. Aaron has a choice to make and instead of standing strong he chooses the path of compromise.

We are jumping back into Exodus, so we want to recap a little bit. Exodus is the story of the people of Israel being delivered from captivity by God Himself, using Moses as His leader. Today, we're going to be in Chapter 32, where we'll study two lessons in leadership with Moses and Aaron. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Exodus 19:1-15 The Holy Presence Of God

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 18, 2024

God is in the midst of His people. His holy presence comes with requirements of honor and reverence.

We are continuing through Exodus, our journey through Exodus. As you'll recall, this is the account of the Israelites being delivered from captivity in Egypt, but it's not really a story about the Egyptians, the Israelites, or Moses; it is a story about God. Today, we're going to be in ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sleepy Judas - Mark 14:10-16 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 28, 2024

Why did Judas sell out the man he had left everything to follow? Surely it must have been more than just the money, right? Jesus has been preparing us for the answer to that question throughout the whole book of Mark.

Mark 14:10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. 12 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:10-16, Matthew 26:14-19, Luke 22:3-13

When Heaven Came Down

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 24, 2024

Pentecost was a once forever event presaging the work of the Spirit in God's people. The phenomena were displayed once, but the power of the Spirit continues to be revealed through the testimony of God's redeemed people who are empowered to do this holy work.

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Who Honored The King’s Son - Mark 15:40-47 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 1, 2024

Why do all four gospels make such a point about the details of Jesus burial? His death matters, his resurrection matters, but why is his burial so important? And what are the implications for us?

Mark 15:40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 42 It was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:40-47, Matthew 27:55-61, Luke 23:48

Family Ties - Mark 3:31-35 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 9, 2023

How is your brotherly relationship with Jesus going? And why is it important? Have you ever thought of Jesus as your son? Why does Jesus call Christian women his mothers 3 times in 2 verses? 1The answers are a huge encouragement! And you will find them in this study.

Mark 3:31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent for him, calling him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:31-35, Matthew 12:46-50, Luke 8:19-21