Sermons on Hold Fast:

The Churches At Smyrna And Pergamum

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Oct 9, 2005

What can we learn today from the churches at Smyrna and Pergamum, one of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 ?

Why would letters be written to these churches? Well, Smyrna was a very important centre of trade, with a valuable harbour, and big wine business. It was a very beautiful city, even outstanding. In all the civil wars, the people of Smyrna always chose the right side to be: it was politically ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sophomore Or Saint? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 10, 2008

We tend to use our limited knowledge to bludgeon others who do not know what we know or whose behavior does not match our standards; but we are called to be in Christ first and to love them, letting behavior flow from the relationship.

There is an old, corny story – and please don’t stop me if you have heard this one – a story about the young man who was the first in his family to go to college. In fact, he was the first in his small town to go to college. And so when he came home after his freshman year, he was the apple of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Wedding: Hackney.woodall

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Jan 28, 2006

Short Wedding Ceremony

July 16, 2005 Kevin Higgins Denison, TX There have been many beautiful expressions of love given to us through the years. One of my favorites is the story of how Jacob loved Rachel and served her father fourteen years to gain her hand in marriage. The Bible says concerning these years, “They ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:20

Denomination: Baptist

All Is Vanity Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Nov 15, 2005

Kings of Judah, Pt. 1: "Solomon" - Sermon 3

ALL IS VANITY (1 KINGS 11:1-14) A Jewish story tells of Alexander the Great’s presence before the gates of paradise on his journey home after he had conquered the whole world. Seeing that the gates would not open for him, he asked for a token to prove that he was there. All he got was a human eye. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

All Is Vanity Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Solomon, Pt. 3

ALL IS VANITY (1 KINGS 11:1-14) A Jewish story tells of Alexander the Great’s presence before the gates of paradise on his journey home after he had conquered the whole world. Seeing that the gates would not open for him, he asked for a token to prove that he was there. All he got was a human eye. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Not By Bread Alone

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jul 8, 2009

Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these s

NOT BY BREAD ALONE Dr. D. K. Olukoya Let us pray: Father, we pray that Your power will descend on us and empty us of everything known as self and drain out every unbrokenness from of spirits, so that Your word can have root in our lives, in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. Beloved, the Bible ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Seek Righteousness…seek Humility”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Feb 27, 2023

Sackcloth and ashes. Fasting and weeping. Tearing clothes and pulling out hair. Lying face down in the dirt. What does repentance look like for New Testament believers? The Prophet Zephaniah reminds of us what believers do when they are repentant.

Sackcloth and ashes. Fasting and weeping. Tearing clothes and pulling out hair. Lying face down in the dirt. Those are some powerful pictures of repentance, wouldn’t you agree? And what were Old Testament believers saying with these traditions? Wearing clothes made from rough ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 2:3, Zephaniah 3:11-13

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Rescue Plan

Contributed by Derek Geldart on May 10, 2025

Though we are hopelessly lost in the storm of sin and powerless to save ourselves, God in His mercy sent Jesus Christ — fully God and fully man — to rescue us through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection.

God’s Rescue Plan Romans 3:10-12; Psalms 14:1-3; Colossians 1:19-20; Hebrews 10:23-25 Picture yourself lost at sea — no land in sight, tossed about by relentless waves of indifference, selfishness, and rebellion. The wind howls. The sky is dark. You grip whatever you can as each towering wave ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:10-12, Psalm 14:1-3, Colossians 1:19-20, Hebrews 10:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

Walking In The Shadow Of Darkness

Contributed by Nettie J Pennington on Nov 19, 2020

When we walk in the shadow of darkness, we know right but choose to do wrong. We are sojourners who know the Word of God and are familiar with how deeds driven by the flesh can lead to ungodliness.

When we walk in the shadow of darkness, we know right but choose to do wrong. We are sojourners who know the Word of God and are familiar with how deeds driven by the flesh can lead to ungodliness. People walking this leg of the journey are witnesses to the fact that “People's desires make ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19, Ecclesiastes 7:17

Denomination: Other

Smyrna And Pergmos Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Jan 26, 2024

To the angel at the church in Smyrna write.....

January 27, 2024 Today we will discuss churches 2 and 3 – Smyrna and Pergamos Smyrna (2:8-11 - shortest message) Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey) was a Greek city located about 35 miles northwest of Ephesus on a narrow isthmus on the Aegean coast. The City • Had a major seaport and was an ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Doctor Of Spiritual Medicine Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 10, 2015

A study of the book of Hebrews 4: 1 –16

Hebrews 4: 1 –16 Doctor Of Spiritual Medicine 1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Holiness

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 26, 2002

Because God is Holy, we must hold onto His gift of holiness which he gave us through His Son Jesus Christ.

HOLINESS? Thesis: Because God is Holy, we must hold onto His gift of holiness which he gave us through His Son Jesus Christ. Text: Lev. 19:2 2 "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: `Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. Lev. 20: 7,8 7 "`Consecrate ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Dealing With Grief"

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Sep 3, 2004

Grief is something to go through, not hold on to. God’s comfort can bring us through difficult times and he certainly will do it.

Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches September 5, 2004 “Dealing with Grief” John 14:1-6 I Thess. 4:13, 14 Introduction: This week marks the third anniversary of 9/11, that horrible day when we saw unfolding before our very eyes on TV where terrorists brought death and destruction to the lives of 3000 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Denomination: Methodist

The Strength That Lasts Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Followers of Christ can be confident of salvation and sanctification because of the work of the Holy Spirit. We’re to stand firm and hold to the truth of the Bible in these final days.

The Strength That Lasts I hope you had a good Thanksgiving! How many of you ate too much? Here are three signs that you may have overdone it. Paramedics had to bring in the ‘Jaws of Life’ to pry you out of the EZ-Boy. You set off 3 earth tremors on your morning jog Friday. When you had your ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

To Err Is Human; To Forgive Divine Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 11, 2006

When you hold onto the sins and shortcomings of others, it hurts you. Forgiveness can release you of that pain. To err IS human; but to forgive FEELS divine!

INTRODUCTION In the series entitled “No, that’s NOT in the Bible” we discover some of these pseudo-scriptures actually contradict the Bible. For instance, believing the adage “God helps those who help themselves” can hinder a person from seeking God’s help. The aphorism “God won’t put more on you ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-13

Denomination: Baptist