Sermons on In The Beginning:

Finders Weepers Losers Keepers - Mark 8:34-38 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2023

What does it mean to deny yourself and take up your cross? And how does it help you in your daily battle with sin?

Excerpt #1: You are a radical, fundamentalist, extremist Christian or you are a non-Christian. Excerpt #2: People title this passage, "The Cost of Discipleship," but it could just as well be called, "The Cost of Non-Discipleship." Jesus wants us to compare costs. Excerpt #3: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, Matthew 16:13-27, Luke 9:18-26

True Greatness - Mark 9:33-36 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 29, 2023

We read of the disciples arguing who was the greatest, and we see it as immature and crass. But all of us have far more of that in us than we realize. This sermon will help you discover areas of self-exaltation and show the path toward true greatness.

Mark 9:30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-36, Matthew 18:1-3, Luke 9:46-47

Rock And Role: Another Brick In The Wall - 1 Peter 2:4-5a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 9, 2024

You won't understand the purpose of your life very well until you have a thorough understanding of the nature of the Church.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-5

Thicker Than Blood - 1 Peter 2:5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 9, 2024

Most Christians fail to appreciate the value of what Jesus promised us in the Church.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5

Mission Imperative - 1 Peter 2:9-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 12, 2024

All ministry is based in praise, and we must take this monster calling seriously.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Wrong About The Shepherd

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 21, 2024

To fail to receive Christ as Shepherd of the soul is to position oneself outside of God's flock.

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

"alas, Babylon!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 28, 2024

God will judge this fallen world and those who live only for this world. How, then, shall the one who follows Christ live?

“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Beauty Tips: How To Attract A Man To God - 1 Peter 3:1-3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 30, 2024

Peter teaches women how to use female beauty to win a man, not to her, but to Christ.

1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-3

All Cultures Are Not Equivaent

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 4, 2025

The rules for war that Moses gave to Israel revealed a vast cultural gap between Israel and the nations they were to dispossess. The nations of the west in this day are culturally superior to much of the remainder of the world because the foundations of the west are found in the Word of God.

“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 20:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Men Have Forgotten God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 11, 2025

God must judge the sin of societies, and He does so even now. In the midst of judgement, He shows mercy to all who look to Him.

“The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned! For this our heart has become sick, for these things our eyes have grown dim, for Mount Zion which lies desolate; jackals prowl over it. But you, O ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Servant Who Hears God's Voice (Isaiah 50:4-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 13, 2025

Sermon's focus is on listening to God. The servant is part of the group of disciples who hear God's voice. The servant suffers, but is confident that he suffers innocently, and that God will vindicate him.

Our passage today is commonly called the third of the four servant songs in Isaiah 40-55. The other three, famously, are in Isaiah 42, 49, and 53. I've said before that over a century ago, a scholar named Bernard Duhm split off these four songs from the rest of Isaiah 40-55, and treated ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-11

Nehemiah Part 2

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jan 26, 2025

NASB, notes by biblegateway.com

Ezra Reads the Law 8 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they [a]asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had [b]given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

The Spiritual Nature Of Work

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 30, 2023

A message for the Labour Day weekend, emphasising that the work we perform and the manner in which we work reflect our understanding of God.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” [1] The necessity of going to work Monday morning despite being exhausted from the “rest and relaxation” pursued ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Drink With The Prostitute (Revelation 17:1-18) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 1, 2023

A call to avoid compromising with the world for the sake of power, pleasure, or wealth. A no rapture, practical reading of Revelation.

Many of us, at one point or another, have found ourselves desiring a different kind of life. A better life, with nicer stuff. A life with "more." This desire for more tends to run in four directions: (1) Power/fame. At times, we get tired of having no voice, no say, no authority. We ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:1-18

When Babylons Fall, Cry, Or Celebrate? (Revelation 18:1-19) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 11, 2023

A practical, no-rapture, academically rigorous approach to Revelation. A call to rejoice, and to "come out" from every Babylon.

Last week, in Revelation 17, we read in depth about two main characters: the Beast, and Babylon. We've seen repeatedly that the Beast is a symbol for evil human empires. Satan takes ordinary nations, and makes them extraordinary by giving them his power, and authority, and throne. But as ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:1-19