Sermons on Heavenly Sanctuary:

Image Is Everything Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 24, 2019

We live in an image-driven culture and our churches seem to be buying into the concept in their efforts to reach people, but more than ever, what people need is for us to be genuine followers of Christ. Consider these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

*Disclaimer- You need to know your audience to do what I did. It could probably be tamed down with wearing just a pair of sunglasses. I started behind the closed doors at the entrance of the sanctuary. When the entrance music for WWE’s The Big Show started to play, I flung the doors open and ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Is Like A Garden

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 1, 2019

Church is a Growing Place

When this building was first constructed, it was called Garden Methodist Church. The name was changed to First United Methodist Church when Garden Church and Redeemer Church merged in 1975. But on this day, when we dedicate our memorial walkway, I want to look back a bit and then look forward. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-11

Israel Defended Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 4, 2019

Paul expressed his grief over the fact that most of the Jews were alienated from God. He wished himself “accursed” (Gk. anathema) and that he would be destroyed in place of his countrymen.

(30) Israel Defended Romans 9:1–5 1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Man Am I Thirsty!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jun 3, 2018

Are you a pursuer this morning? Are you a seeker? Don't come to church, to be an observer....come to the house of God to drink of His living water and have your thirst quenched!

Isaiah 44:3 MSG. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring; When I think about the word thirsty, I wonder about the different degrees of the word. Sorta thirsty, Really thirsty, or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:4-6, Psalm 63:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hitting And Hair Pulling Permitted Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jun 20, 2018

Message 20 in our exposition of Nehemiah. This message explores Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem after an absence to find things not the way he would like.

Chico Alliance Church "HITTING AND HAIR PULLING PERMITTED" INTRODUCTION Sometime after the dedication, after 12 years of strong leadership, Nehemiah returned to Susa to his cupbearer's task for the king of the Persian Empire. How long Nehemiah remained in Susa is unknown. In chapter 13 Nehemiah ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1-2, Malachi 3:13-15

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Why Doesn’t The American Church See More Changed Lives?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

A look at Jesus' selection of the twelve disciples and what that means for the way that we should organize our efforts if we want to have maximum impact.

THE BEST STRUCTURE: Does the American church have the best structure for changing lives? - Matthew 10:1-4. - Here I have a golf club. If I need to dig a hole, I can make it happen with a golf club. Now, it certainly will not be particularly efficient, but I will eventually get the job done. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Hosanna In The Highest Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 25, 2018

Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly just days prior to the crucifixion. Many were overjoyed with the Lord that day, but the cries of Hosanna would soon fade and another cry would be heard - Crucify! I am thankful for the commitment of our Lord.

Hosanna in the Highest Mark 11: 1-11 Our text deals with a significant moment and time in the life of Jesus. Most title this passage – the triumphal entry. It begins what has come to be known as Passion Week. The Lord makes His initial entrance into Jerusalem, preparing to offer Himself on the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

He Lifts Us Up

Contributed by David Nolte on Jul 24, 2018

When we are pressed down, perplexed and persecuted, God lifts us up

“He Lifts Us Up!” 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 David P. Nolte Christian people should never be sad or depressed. Christian people should live problem free lives. Christian people should have no failure. Yeah! Right! In a perfect world, ok. But this is a broken, corrupted, dying world where ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Four Miracles Surrounding Jesus’ Death

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 28, 2018

A look at the four miracles that happened at the death of Jesus (darkness, veil, earthquake, and the resurrected saints) and what the spiritual significance of each was.

- We often preach about the amazing things that accompanied Jesus’ resurrection from the death. The scene on Easter morning certainly deserves attention from us. - It’s not just the resurrection of Jesus that had miracles though. The death of Jesus also was accompanied by miracles as well. - ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wash Away My Guilt

Contributed by Joel Hoyer on Nov 8, 2018

2nd in a Lenten Series on Psalm 51

Psalm 51:2 2/18/18 (Create in Me a Clean Heart #2) Wash Away my Guilt I can’t repeat my whole sermon from Wednesday, but in order for this series to be as effective as possible, I do have to make sure that everybody has some background to this amazing Psalm of David. David was a prolific ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:2

Denomination: Lutheran

The Joy Of Salvation

Contributed by Joel Hoyer on Nov 8, 2018

12th in a Lenten Series on Psalm 51

Psalm 51:12 3/25/18 (Palm Sunday) (Create in Me a Clean Heart #12) “The Joy of Salvation” I’m sure I’ve said before that Palm Sunday was a weird, weird day. The Bible says that as Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, Jesus was on a donkey, fulfilling a prophecy of Zechariah that the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:12

Denomination: Lutheran

His Last Days! From The Lord's Supper To The Cross!

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Apr 9, 2019

Many events and observations of Christ's last days before The Resurrection

Weekend Message/Devotion April 14, 2019 Luke 22:14-23:56 HIS Last days! This week’s gospel reading covers many events and observations. Let’s just walk through them and really absorb the events in the last days of The Messiah leading up to His resurrection. We begin this reading with Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:17, John 18:10, Matthew 26:31-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does God Expect Of His Pastors?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 26, 2012

A look at God's complaints about Israel's shepherds and what that means for pastors today.

OUTLINE: The Pastor Is God’s Representative, Right? There are a lot of Biblical references where God is displeased with pastors. - Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 23:1-4; Ezekiel 34:1-31; Matthew 23:1-39. What A Good Shepherd Looks Like: 1. The focus is on the sheep, not the pastor. - Ezekiel ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:15

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming A Prayer Centered Congregation Series

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Feb 18, 2012

To lay out the vision and strategies for becoming a prayer centered and prayer driven church.

[S] I went to visit members in the hospital on Thursday when I ran into one of older members strolling the hall with his walker and his physical therapist. So, I joined the journey. We walked up and the down hall together and then entered a series of short hallways that wrapped around the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:6-8

Denomination: Methodist

Strange Fire

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Feb 26, 2012

In Leviticus 10 we have a lesson about the worship of God. As we look at the account of Nadab and Abihu we will see that in the worship of God there’s a proper way and a wrong way to worship God as they offered strange fire unto the Lord.

Strange Fire Leviticus 10:1-11 Introduction: Romans 15:4 tells us that “…whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” In Leviticus 10 we have a lesson about the worship of God. As ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 10:1-11

Denomination: Baptist