Sermons on illumination of the temple:

Success Is Never About Defeating Giants [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2024

Fighting and winning one battle does not define your life, any more than fighting and losing one battle defines who you are.

1 SAMUEL 17:34-37 SUCCESS IS NEVER ABOUT DEFEATING GIANTS “David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:34-37

Denomination: Baptist

An Eye For An Eye - Matthew 5:38-39 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 20, 2024

It’s surprising to discover how many subtle ways we take revenge on those who hurt us. This message will help you discover them and show you the remedy Jesus gave us.

Matthew 5:38-42 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Go To Your Room - Matthew 6:5-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 28, 2024

Why does God promise reward for private prayer? And how can you make your daily prayer time the most enjoyable part of your day, instead of a drudgery or chore that is dry and boring? This message will help you actually look forward to your prayer time each day and come away closer to God.

Matthew 6:5-16 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6

Prayer & The Will Of God - Matthew 6:10b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 4, 2024

What would you think if a tragedy came into your life, and someone said, “Must have been God’s will.” Is that true? Is everything that happens God’s will? If so, why pray for God’s will to be done? But if His will is not always done, how do we know which things are His will and which are not?

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Deliver Us From Evil - Matthew 6:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 20, 2024

If a mafia boss put a price on your head or your children, how energetic would you be about protecting yourself? Jesus warned us of a far greater danger than a mafia hit and then taught us to pray for protection. This message explores how to do that.

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13

Samuel 8-11 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 26, 2024

Samuel tuned in to God at age 12! When everyone else tuned Him out because in those days everyone was doing was right in their own eyes!

Never seen before in 2024! We have learned in the last few weeks that we could say never heard before in 2024 – which is about hearing the voice of God in a day when few hear it or even listen to it! Our time is no different than in Samuels young years and in his later years. Thesis: Samuel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-22, 1 Samuel 9:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Self-Humbling - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

Fasting is never commanded in the NT, yet all the godliest people in the Bible did it. If it is important, why isn't it discussed in the epistles? If it is not important, why did Jesus do it? And why did he promise reward if we do it?

Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Greed Or God - Matthew 6:24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 4, 2024

Jesus says we can’t serve two masters, but who wants to serve two masters? Most people would say that’s 2 too many. They assume they serve zero masters.

Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and eating destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and eating do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24

Stress-Free Suffering - Matthew 6:27-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

Anxiety is not caused by trouble. It is caused by an untrusting heart’s response to trouble. There are six spiritual causes of anxiety, and Jesus shows us the solutions.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:27-34

Is It Enough?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 30, 2025

Jesus, the Son of God, has fulfilled the prophecy given through Isaiah promising God's redemption. The question many raise is, "Is It Enough?"

“It was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

What Did Jesus Say To Patrick? Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 1, 2025

A Scotchman (Britian and Roman Catholic) enslaved by Irish – rescued by God and sent back to Ireland to win the country for Jesus – which by the way he did!

Sermon: What did Jesus say to St. Patrick (Maewyn Succat) A Scotchman (Britian and Roman Catholic) enslaved by Irish – rescued by God and sent back to Ireland to win the country for Jesus – which by the way he did! Most of what we know about St Patrick comes from 2 of his writings: The Confession ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:44-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bottom Line: Fear & Obey - Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 1, 2025

Imagine if you could read and digest all those books and all the books from the past, assimilate all that knowledge, and boil it down to the final bottom line for life. That bottom line is revealed in this passage.

Ecclesiastes 12:9 In addition to the Teacher being a wise man, he constantly taught the people knowledge; he weighed, explored, and arranged many proverbs. 10 The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and write words of truth accurately. 11 The sayings of the wise are like goads, and those from ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Right Now Counts Forever - Ecclesiastes 12:14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 2, 2025

Is there going to be a Judgment Day for believers? Yes! And knowing what will happen on that day is crucial in the way you live this life. This message is a summary of Scripture’s teaching on the subject.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil. Introduction Summary of Ecclesiastes After 16 weeks ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:14

When God Says, "don't Pray For Them!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 16, 2021

God holds all mankind to account. All face judgement, and some are judged now. When God judges individuals and even communities, He informs His people, saying, "Don't pray for them!"

“Thus says the LORD concerning this people [Israel]: ‘They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore, the LORD does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.’ “The LORD said to me: ‘Do not pray for the welfare of this people. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 14:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Different Home; Different Hope - Philippians 3:20-4:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 25, 2022

Paul teaches us by example how to live as citizens of heaven with an urgent longing for the return of Christ and the exertion of his power in our resurrection.

longing noun strong, persistent desire or craving, especially for something distant: What do you long for? Most people just long for their current trial to be over. When you go somewhere, you expect some discomfort, but when you finish whatever it is you are doing, you want to be able to just ...read more