Sermons on Illinois:

Power In The Thorns Of Life

Contributed by Randy Shepard on Jul 9, 2018

If we are humble enough to ask, Christ will let His power rest on us to help us dear with the thorns we encounter in life.

The year 1527 was the most trying year of Martin Luther’s life. On April 22 he was preaching in Wittenberg when he became dizzy and fainted. Over the next several months he dealt with debilitating depression and sickness. It had been 10 years since he had published his 95 theses. He had battled ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Are You Listening To God Or Goliath?

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Dec 13, 2016

I wish that once I became a Christian my struggle with sin, depression, discouragement, bad habits would be overcome with just a prayer. If we want freedom/victory it means we have to square off with our devils . . . just like Jesus did in the wilderness.

Are You Listening to God or Goliath? (Inspired by article in Charisma August 2016 by Larry Dugger) 8/10/16 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A I wish that once I became a Christian my struggle with sin, depression, discouragement, bad habits would be overcome with just a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13, Luke 17:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Audacity Of Hope

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Dec 11, 2017

Advent lets us go to those places of waiting and unearth them, hold them out in front of us, and cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus!" “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel.”

TITLE: THE AUDACITY OF HOPE SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 64:4 We continue our Advent series this morning with the thought – The Audacity of Hope. It was the REV. DR. JEREMIAH WRIGHT, former Pastor of TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, who ultimately served as the Pastor to former President Barak and First ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Chain Reaction In The Manger

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Feb 11, 2014

This morning I want to look at 6 ways our world has been shaped by the divine chain reaction that was started by a baby’s cry in a dark & dirty stable over 2,000 years ago.

A Chain Reaction in a Manger (Inspired by Rev. John Hamby’s message “What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?”) December 22, 2013 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, speaker Introduction: A In Frank Capra’s Christmas Classic “It’s a Wonderful ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21

Denomination: Baptist

The Revelation Of Jesus Christ, Which God Gave Unto Him, -- Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Jan 3, 2018

God is a Trinity, God the Father-- God the Son -- God the Holy Spirit. -- There is One God, but He manifest Himself in 3 ways. -- We as believers must understand this great truth.

#4 Rev. 1:1 New revised Revelation Study ? Lets look at verse 1 again. 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, which God gave Him In case there are some listening that might be wondering why God gave Jesus the Revelation since Jesus Himself is also ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Taking A Stand Or Taking A Knee?

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Sep 30, 2017

Division has been Satan’s primary means to obtain his loyal followers. It is a time-honored emblem of his control over mankind in the place of God or his Son.

Our culture is very confused, very distracted and very divided in determining what is right and what is wrong. Satan is dividing our nation and deceiving the population making it very hard to speak out and teach our neighbor what is truth. The words of Abraham Lincoln, in his House Divided speech ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-6, 1 Peter 2:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Big Happy Family

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Nov 12, 2019

In 1 Peter 3, the Aposlte Peter gives some powerful advice for getting along with one another in the church. He says to be compassionate, be composed, and be conciliatory.

ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY Scott Bayles, pastor Church in the Park, Modesto: 9/8/2015 Good morning again and welcome to Church in the Park. I read a story this week about a little old lady who was very impressed with the nice young man next door. He was always helping her out by raking her leaves, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Be Transformed Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 8, 2023

Paul tells us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. How are we transformed into a living sacrifice and live that out? Consider these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell

Read passage and pray. For the month of January, we’re preaching on the theme of Collide. The idea is that the ways of God often collide with the ways of the world. How do we conduct ourselves to align with God and point the world to Him? Last week, Jeff shared how to stand firm, today, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What It Takes To Please God

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 4, 2022

One of the things that many Pastors enjoy doing is reading of great churches across this land that are reaching the lost for Christ.

But the fact is, you can visit these wonderful soul winning churches to see how they do it, and come back and implement the same things they are doing in your church, and not get the same results, if any results at all. Why? Because what might work for one church might not work for another. That ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Soiled Faith

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 6, 2022

Jeremiah's prophecy of the sash. The effort put forth in holding up one’s clothes represents a willingness to labor for the Lord, and letting ones clothes drag along the ground is symbolic of laziness and a lack of zeal for God's work.

In days of old, ladies who wore long dresses would lift them up past their ankles when they were walking near a mud puddle or climbing up some stairs. One reason why they did this was so they would not trip and fall; but another reason was to keep their clothing nice and clean. In order to keep ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 13:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

For The Common Good (January 16, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 11, 2022

Paul was addressing a diverse group of people in Corinth who obviously were not all alike but all gifted by God’s Holy Spirit. Paul was pointing out how God brings people from all walks of life together and unites them in ministry in spite of their diversity.

FOR THE COMMON GOOD (January 16, 2022) Text: I Corinthians 12:1 - 11 1 Corinthinas 12:1-11  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.  (2)  You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Content And Container Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 26, 2022

This message looks at the cup (container) and the wine (content). The wine is still wine, no matter what container it’s in. Today's culture has a new cup; yet the content (gospel message) in the container can still be the same.

How many of you have a favorite glass that you prefer to drink out of? I do. For example, when I drink coffee I like to have a really big cup. My wife, on the other hand, likes to have a little dainty china cup, with a handle just big enough to fit her finger through. Ask either one of us to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:37-39

Denomination: Baptist

Always Remain Watchful Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 26, 2022

The two parables here serve to caution us about slacking off in kingdom work. We need to keep our waist girded and be ready for service; and be alert and watchful at all times, so we don’t miss opportunities to share the love of Christ.

This evening’s message is entitled “Always Remain Watchful,” and it’s taken from two short parables commonly called “The Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servant” and “The Parable of the Thief.” In these two short parables Jesus spoke a word about faithfulness; the kind of faithfulness that leads ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

Every Tongue Shall Confess

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 6, 2022

Our "confession" is an act of open commitment made to God in the presence of the world, by which we bind ourselves in loyalty to Jesus Christ. The New Testament teaches four important things to know about one's confession.

I have entitled our message this morning “Every Tongue Shall Confess,” and I will be discussing the subject of our “confession.” Our confession is a common theme found in the New Testament, and that’s because it is significant to our Christian walk. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is called ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:9-11, Matthew 10:32-33, John 12:42-43, Romans 14:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Relationships And Hospitality (Twelveth Sunday After Pentecost, August 28, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 25, 2022

Hospitality is a big deal for relationships. Relationships build or crumble based upon good or poor hospitality. .... Today we want to explore relationships, hospitality as they relate to kingdom etiquette, kingdom priorities and kingdom building because they all matter.

RELATIONSHIPS AND HOSPITALITY Text: Hebrews 13: 1- 8, 15 -16 Hebrews 13:1-25 Let mutual love continue. (2) Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (3) Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-8, Hebrews 13:15-16

Denomination: United Methodist