Sermons on Hidden Life:

Why Did The Angels Announce The Birth To Shepherds?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 6, 2017

A message about the choice to proclaim the news of Christ's birth to the lowly shepherds. The sermon looks at how the shepherds were a foreshadowing of who the ministry of Jesus would focus on.

OF COURSE IT WAS SHEPHERDS: We act like this was an inevitable part of the story, but it wasn’t. - Luke 2:8-12. - The Christmas story is so familiar that we presume that each part had to happen that way. “Of course the shepherds heard from the angels. It had to be like that.” Only it didn’t. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Witness Of John The Baptist

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Dec 13, 2017

John the Baptist pre-figured and prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus but the religious authorities of the day could not understand what John was doing in his preaching and especially in baptising Jewish people when there was no need to do so.

THE WITNESS OF JOHN (John 1:19-28) In this 1st chapter of John’s gospel he begins his message, his good news to demonstrate that Jesus is the Mind, the Reason, the Word of God come into this world in the form of a human being. Having set down this central thought, John now begins to tell the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-28

Joy Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Sorrow is but for a time. The power of prayer, memories of God’s past healing and His loving-kindness sustain Israel. God heals the pain of the present in the same manner as He has healed the pain of the past.

Joy is the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying: it is keen pleasure, or elation. Joy is more elusive, subtle, and nuanced than happiness. We can manipulate circumstances to our own advantage to obtain what we think will bring happiness, or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Other

Freedom In Our Fellowship Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 26, 2017

The Lord intends us to enjoy fellowship together that has the intimacy of a family, the interdependence of a body and an acceptance of one another, despite our differences. Such fellowship may really grow, if we understand crucial Biblical principles.

FREEDOM IN OUR FELLOWSHIP - PART 3 OF 5 1. INTRODUCTION A. ENJOY FELLOWSHIP We have seen that the Lord intends for us to enjoy fellowship together in His church, which has: 1) The intimacy of a family 2) The interdependence of a body 3) An acceptance of one another despite our differences B. ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Church Of God

An After Christmas Word

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Dec 29, 2017

The legacy of Anna and Simeon for Christmas celebration

Weekend Message/Devotion Reading: Luke 2:22-40 Let me begin by hoping you all had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a NEW YEAR of blessings and prosperity. Let us seek prosperity in gainful knowledge and practice of God’s Word and Will for our lives. – AMEN In this week’s Gospel ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40, Exodus 13:12-15, Psalm 119:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More Than Resolutions Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jan 8, 2018

Vision for 2018, growth based on church health, not necessarily numbers.

Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, Title: More Than Resolutions, Date/Place: WHBC, 12/31/17, AM A. Opening illustration: Jonathan Edwards resolutions, Continuation of growth or health? Quote from the Words to Winners of Souls about pastors who can assess numbers… (p. 20) B. Background to passage: With ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Back On Track Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Jan 20, 2018

This is the first sermon in a three part series that calls us to make a commitment to God not just a resolution. It encourages folks to look back and try and figure out where they got off track and right their course.

Well here we are entering a brand New Year, its funny how we see the mark of a New Year on the calendar as a place to start over even if it’s just another day. A lot of people make New Year’s resolutions, things like losing weight, going on a diet, or spending less money and making more to try and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Benefits Of Generosity Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 19, 2016

When we give to the LORD's work we are blessed immediately with the joy of participating in something bigger than ourselves. We also look forward to eternal rewards as God gives to us rewards for the reach of our gift far beyond what would could imagine.

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6

Denomination: *other

The Visitor Who Never Arrived Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 12, 2016

Whereas the Magi devoutly and innocently sought out the newly born Messiah-King, wicked King Herod never set his evil eyes upon Him. He, like so many others, never arrived.

The Visitor Who Never Arrived Christmas “Thwarted Plans” Series (Matthew 2:1-8, 16-18) 1. A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other were their looks. Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom and gloom pessimist. Just to see what would ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"In Search Of The Perfect Gift"

Contributed by David Henderson on Dec 29, 2016

Some of us have in our lives a person who is very difficult to buy for. Perhaps they already have nearly…you know what do you buy for the guy who has everything? What does Bill Gates‘ wife get him for Christmas?

“In Search of the Perfect Gift” John 3:16 Some of us have in our lives a person who is very difficult to buy for. Perhaps they already have nearly…you know what do you buy for the guy who has everything? What does Bill Gates‘ wife get him for Christmas? After all, he is now worth 75 billion ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Elisha Goes Solo Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 9, 2017

It can be difficult to represent God to others, but if we have a heart to serve and the empowerment of the Spirit, we can faithfully serve God.

Elisha Goes Solo (2 Kings 2) 1. Some people with important jobs end up doing a lot of things that are quite trite. 2. Take police officers, some real calls via Reader’s Digest: From the police blotter, ?or, what a beat cop deals with ?every day: • A deputy responded to a report ?of a vehicle ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Loving God

Contributed by Matt Skiles on Jan 14, 2017

If you ask the average person if he loves God, his answer will probably be “yes.” However, many people who sincerely believe they love the Lord are mistaken. Sadly many people who say they love God don't even really "know" Him.

Introduction: If you ask the average person if he loves God, his answer will probably be “yes.” However, many people who sincerely believe they love the Lord are mistaken. Sadly, they may not even know Him. Words alone are no proof of love. In fact, we use the word love rather loosely, ascribing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

Man's Desires, God's Will Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 20, 2017

When man's desires take precedent, we lose sight of God's will. We need to "sanctify" our desires by seeking God to know His will and surrender our will to His ways.

Man has his desires, God has His will. Our desires do not always sync with His, of course. • We can have godly desires, knowing what God wants. We can have ungodly and selfish ones, driven by what we want. • There is nothing wrong with human desires; God made us with such longings. • But our ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

One Mightier Than I - Part Two

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Mar 10, 2017

Statistics of today’s church (and Christianity) says 85% claim to have a Christian faith/religion, while only 5% actually attend church regularly.

ONE MIGHTIER THAN I Part Two Review of last week – 1. JTB is a model for us as we walk through our “wilderness” 2. Bible says each of us have gone astray from the path that God had designed (in the beginning ) for Adam and Eve. 3. The wilderness we walk in is a result of the sin a)that we were ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Facing And Overcoming Major Problems Lesson 10 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 27, 2017

Attitudes to Overcome Problems

A. INTRODUCTION: FACING PROBLEMS - EXODUS 13:17 TO 15:1 1. Our greatest problems come after our greatest victories. From deliverance from Egypt to imminent destruction at the Red Sea. “The Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist