Sermons on Higher Ground:

Expectations: Are You Swimming Or Sinking?

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Aug 13, 2008

Sometimes our EXPECTATION of something is due to our frantic pace, we don’t notice sin creeping into the back seat of our lives, putting us at great risk. Thank God that he’s always on the lookout for us, and that at times he uses setbacks to rescue us f

Expectations: Are You Swimming or Sinking? Jonah1:1 – 4:7 OPENER: Get a roll of toilet paper (individual is better) that is pre-wrapped. Carefully undo the wrapping and tape a $10 bill inside the roll and close the packaging. Tell teens that inside the paper bag is: Something that is very useful ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Great Apostasy

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 22, 2019

ONE OF THE SIGNS OF THE END TIMES BEING CLOSER IS A RISE IN APOSTASY, PEOPLE WHO WERE "BELIEVERS" TURNING THEIR BACKS OF THE FAITH.

THE GREAT APOSTASY 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-3 OUR “END TIMES” CLOCK IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING THE MIDNIGHT HOUR. WE SAW LAST WEEK WITH ISRAEL’S RE-EMERGENCE AS A NATION, THE CREATING OF MANY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSARY FOR THE OCCURANCE OF THE RAPTURE. OUR END TIMES CLOCK NOW STANDS AT 11:30 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Shield And Buckler Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Dec 3, 2020

The shield and buckler are weapons that protect one from the attacks of the enemy. The adversary may attack us from afar or from close at hand. Whatever be the case, God’s children must realize that God’s protection is available to us nonetheless.

Psalm 91 - Study 14 - Shield and Buckler We read in Psalm 91:4, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (KJV) The shield and buckler are weapons that protect one from the attacks of the enemy. The adversary may ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:4

Denomination: Other

As For Me And My House PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 1, 2024

Encourages Christians to foster faithfulness in their families, fortify their homes through service, and form a God-centered family, following Joshua's example.

Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a pleasure and a blessing to gather together in His name today. We are here, not by chance, but by the divine orchestration of our loving Father. And it is in this spirit of gratitude and reverence that we approach His holy word today. Our focus ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15

Topics: Strong Families

Understanding Our Mission Statement

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Dec 16, 2000

What is the importance of a mission statement and how do we apply it to our mission.

I have been in a reflective mood since seeing the doctor two weeks ago. He spoke to me concerning lifestyle changes I would need to make to ensure my health and longevity. I thought about change in relationship to the church, here at Ione Assembly, and I want to speak on this today, the changes ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Gifted Ministers Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 3, 2012

If you want a growing church that builds itself up in love, then accept your spiritual gifts, develop them and use them wherever and whenever you can.

When a local church broke ground for a new 500-seat sanctuary, an inventive church member made sure everyone could participate in the experience. The man attached a 145-foot handle to a stainless steel spade so that all 300 members could squeeze together to turn the first shovel full of dirt. A ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Do You Feel The Rain?

Contributed by Kenneth Tankersley on Feb 20, 2009

Lord, Rain on Us!” We need the Shower of the Holy Ghost in our lives like never before. During a good rain, vegetation is nourished -- animals are nourished -- the grass gets greener; rain refreshes the land. Rain causes things to grow and be fruitful. We

DO YOU FEEL THE RAIN? OR ARE YOU JUST GETTING WET CBC (adapted from a message by Dr. Wayne Lawton) 1/11/09 DEUTERONOMY 11: 14 Deuteronomy 11 (NEW INTERNATIONAL READERS VERSION) 14 Then the Lord will send rain on your land at the right time. He’ll send rain in the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:14

Denomination: Baptist

Solitude Is Delicious

Contributed by Bala Samson on Mar 10, 2022

There are moments when loneliness thankfully becomes solitude and solitude deliciously transforms into creativity. This was the divine purpose of God for my solitude!

WILDERNESS – DAY 3 Matthew 3: “Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Ministry of John the Baptist starts in the wilderness; isolation was inevitable for John because he was going to deal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Avoiding False Teachers

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Oct 1, 2024

As we continue in our series on Jesus' letters to the seven churches, we find ourselves looking at the words Jesus has to say to the church in Thyatira, how they have some good things, but they tolerate false teachings in the church.

Good morning, beloved congregation! It's a joy to be here with you, standing on the solid ground of God's truth, ready to open His Word together. We are not here by accident, but by divine appointment. And we are not here to hear the words of a man, but to hear from the God who fashioned ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29, 2 Timothy 4:2-4, John 16:13, Matthew 5:27-28, 2 Timothy 2:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Pair Expelled From The Garden Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 3, 2018

The pair has already shown their weakness when confronted by temptation; a lack of will-power and a desire to “do their own thing,” therefore the LORD God will act to insure they cannot eat from the tree of life.

September 3, 2013 Commentary on the Book of Genesis By: Tom Lowe Lesson I.B.6: The Pair Expelled from the Garden. Gen. 3.22-24 (KJV) 22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

Rain From Heaven PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2025

God abundantly refreshes and enriches our lives when we pray, turning our dry seasons into fruitful harvests through His faithful provision and grace.

Some of us walked in today feeling like cracked earth—stretched thin, thirsty, waiting for a cloud to gather overhead. You’ve known seasons like that. Maybe you’re in one now. The bills feel bigger than your paycheck. The grief feels heavier than your shoulders. The prayers feel longer than the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:9

Topics: Rain, River, God

Dead Seeds PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 4, 2025

True spiritual fruitfulness comes when we surrender our lives to God, trusting Him to bring new life and abundance from our acts of faith.

There’s a wonder in the way God works that often begins small and quiet, like a seed resting in the palm of your hand. If you’ve ever planted one, you know the hush of that moment. You press it into the soil, cover it with a thin blanket of earth, and walk away with a mixture of faith and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:24

Topics: Christ's Death, Sacrifice

Crime, Correction And Covenant: A Call For Revival

Contributed by Stephen Colaw on Sep 1, 2003

The church must allow God to break our hearts and prepare us spiritually if we are to expect him to pour out revival upon us.

Crime, Correction and Covenant Texts: Hosea 4:1, 5:14-6:1, 6:3, 10:11-12 Introduction: Your Honor, the jury finds the defendant, the church of the 20th century, guilty on all counts and recommends corrective action be taken. Guilty, what crime could we, as a church be guilty of? What ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 10:12

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Parable For A Rebellious House

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jan 5, 2008

This is a message to begin the year with a call to repentance and spiritual consecration.

Ezekiel 24:1-14 KJV Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day. [3] And utter a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Casualties Of War

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 15, 2001

Response to the Wedgewood shootings One need not have the prophetic gifts to read the signs of the times.

Amos 7:14  Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:  One need not have the prophetic gifts to read the signs of the times. Well, here we are again mourning another act of ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:2, Isaiah 5:20

Denomination: Baptist