Sermons on If Only:

"4 Elements Of The Birth Of Jesus We Can Believe"

Contributed by Brad King on Dec 1, 2020

A challenge with basing our lives upon philosophical naturalism is that the birth narrative is full of God's supernatural mighty work. So we have a decision to make. Is the birth of Jesus to be viewed only as any other?

Matthew 1:18-25 offers four elements about the birth of Jesus we can believe. 1. We can believe the birth of Jesus involves supernatural origins. 1:18 2. We can believe the birth of Jesus involves supernatural interventions. 1:19-20 3. We can believe the birth of Jesus involves supernatural ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven Help Us

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 18, 2021

At no time in my lifetime have I witnessed such a widespread and long-term anxiety as we are in now. Our fear and anxiety have multiple layers to them like a tall cake – only this isn’t sweet to the taste.

At no time in my lifetime have I witnessed such a widespread and long-term anxiety as we are in now. Our fear and anxiety have multiple layers to them like a tall cake – only this isn’t sweet to the taste. We have the usual worries of how our children are doing and how to care for our grandparents. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The True Meaning Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Dec 21, 2022

The heart of Christmas is beautifully described in the gospel of John. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life

Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. If there is a single word that describes what Christmas is all about, it is a Hebrew word, “Emmanuel” found in the gospel of Matthew: It reads "Look, the virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, John 1:1-2, Matthew 1:21-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Useful To God? Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 24, 2022

God does not want believers to isolate or insulate themselves from the world and those who are lost. Like salt, Christians are called to make the world tastier; and like light, believers will shine the brightest only in the darkest places.

Are you useful to God, or have you made yourself useless? When we come to know Jesus Christ, we are transformed into a holy instrument to be used by the Lord. We all have a purpose, but some of us choose to make ourselves useless by not allowing the Lord to touch us with His hand. To put it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Two Revealing Prayers Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 28, 2022

This passage records two prayers, in which are shown two kinds of hearts, whose contrast is not only seen in the way they make their requests, but also in the way they approach God. Some people trust in themselves; others trust in God.

This evening’s sermon is entitled “Two Revealing Prayers,” and it’s taken from what is commonly called “The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.” Darrell Bock, in The NIV Application Commentary, says, “This parable is really the parable of the two prayers. In those prayers appear two ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Good News Of The Gospel-Pt.2-"saved By What?"

Contributed by Robert Walderman on Feb 16, 2021

Today, I want to explore the salvation that is ours by answering the question, “Saved by what?” As we consider the work of Christ, we need to consider not only His death but also His life. Both are needed for our redemption.

Last week’s sermon, Pt.1, “Saved from what?” was hard to listen to. It was a 100% true, but it was a difficult topic to explore. There is nothing easy or attractive about hell and the doctrine of conscious, eternal punishment. But hopefully, the desperateness of the situation, the hopelessness and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Denomination: Baptist

What Kind Of Loving God Is That? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 20, 2021

The story of Abraham's call from God to sacrifice his only son, the son of the promise, can be confusing if we don't see the larger picture of God's love for humans.

2nd Sunday in Lent 2021 Imagine a young man, maybe eleven or twelve, picking up the Bible and reading this story of Abraham and his only son, Isaac. If he’s read the chapters leading up to this scene, he knows that Abraham and Sarah were promised a son by God, and that after decades of waiting, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-10, Romans 8:31-34, Genesis 22:1-18, Genesis 18:1-15, John 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Behold The Man! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 5, 2021

The only man who seemed to know who Jesus was was Pilate, and he says things that make you think he's reading from a script... God's script. Why would that be?

A group of people volunteered to do a parachute jump for charity. On their first day of training, the instructor made an important point about preparing for landing at 300 feet off the ground. One woman asked “How do you know when you’re at 300 feet?” The instructor smiled and said: “Good ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Remarkable Rainbow Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 9, 2021

There are rainbows everywhere, but the most amazing rainbow on record is the one the Apostle John saw in heaven. Here is the only permanent rainbow that exists. They fade so fast on earth, but this one is part of the furniture of heaven. It is part of the presence of God.

I never realized how many rainbows there are in the world, until our trip to the West Coast. We would get up early to travel before the Sun came up. When it did come up it was at out back, and it was at just the right angle when we went past the irrigation systems. The light of the Sun hit that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11

Repent And Be Converted Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Sep 29, 2020

To repent and be converted for the believers' sins to be blotted out” is the same promise as: “to repent, and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins." True conversion is only possible through faith and obedience to God.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Repent and be converted Introductory Remarks. 1. Today's lesson will discuss the theme: “Repent and be converted." This is the sixth lesson in the sermon series, "Re-digging in Old Wells." There will be many others bearing this title. We are re-digging in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Mark 4:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

War Of Your Worlds Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

When you see yourself as an alien and an exile with your citizenship in heaven, and God as your only Sovereign, you stop drifting with the current of the day. You ponder what is good for the soul and what honors God in everything.

When is something worth nothing? Zimbabwe’s central bank will introduce a $50 billion note -- enough to buy just two loaves of bread – as a way of fighting cash shortages amid spiraling inflation. Zimbabwe is grappling with hyperinflation now officially estimated at 231 million percent, and its ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Sin? Series

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 12, 2021

Does sin still matter? A USA Today article asked, “Is Sin Dead?” The Pope said the world is losing the notion of sin. We look at the nature of sin, the problems it brings, and the only real solution to it.

THE SUMMER OF SIN, PART 1 “WHAT IS SIN?” Jer. 2:2-13 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE ANSWER IS SIMPLER THAN YOU THINK 1. An engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian were hunting in the wilds of Northern Canada. They came across a isolated cabin, and decided to check it out. Inside was normal except ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:2-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Joseph: An Example Of Salvation Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jul 17, 2021

Joseph, serving as Jesus’ earthly father figure, was an exemplary father. He was not only an excellent role model for his son, but within Joseph lies a certain character trait, which just happens to be Jesus’ strongest attribute.

The Christian singer Michael Card wrote a piece entitled Joseph’s Song. To begin this morning, I am going to read a few lines from this song. Listen closely, and from what you know about Joseph from the Bible, think about whether these words could have come from Joseph’s own heart: Lord I know ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Babies Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

Jesus is the only person in history who chose to be a baby. This tells us just how important the baby centeredness of Christmas is to Him. The message of Christmas is not that the angels came; that the shepherds came, or that the wise men came, but that the baby came.

Elenor Cicok had a three year old daughter who developed an emotional block and ceased to talk. She never said a word, not even mama when she wanted her mother. It was a terrible ordeal as she went month after month in silence. Her mother taught her about God and prayer, and read to her about ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Patriotic In Prayer Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Paul is saying that no Christian can stay out of politics. If you are obligated to pray for politicians then you are involved on the highest level. The only way to stay out of politics is to stay out of the will of God on this issue of prayer for your leaders.

Paul was a man of authority who respected the authority of others. In Acts 23 it is recorded that he was struck on the mouth, and he began to rebuke the one who did it. Those who were near by asked, "Would you revile God's high priest?" Paul answered, "I did not know brethren ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-8