Sermons on Initiation:

Spiritual Encounter

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Aug 7, 2009

We are to be a bread and butter church

John 3:1-17 Spiritual Encounter - “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” - Born-again Christians are not exactly what I wanna be - heartfelt Mormonism - love mircales: Glenn Beck crying for job, statehood revelation requirements - legalistic ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Congregational

It's A Good Hurt

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Sep 4, 2008

A message on the good that can come from suffering.

IT’S A GOOD HURT 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Pastor Brian Matherlee I recall a “Far Side” cartoon that has a cowboy filled with arrows and he says to his partner, “It hurts Clem….but it’s a good hurt.” What good can come from suffering? 1. God is the Father of compassion and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

An Appeal For Christian Unity

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 3, 2016

A call for unity based in our common experience of Christ, our baptism into Him, and the preaching of the cross.

AN APPEAL FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY. 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. The Apostle Paul had heard from some members of the household of Chloe that cliques were forming in the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:11). A report from Chloe was evidently serious enough to raise Paul’s concerns; and at the same time ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holy Boldness And Gracious Submission.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 11, 2022

Shaping our prayers in accordance with what we know about the character of God.

HOLY BOLDNESS AND GRACIOUS SUBMISSION. Genesis 18:20-32. This is the earliest prayer to be written down in the Bible. The prayer conversation was not initiated by Abraham, but by the LORD, who allowed Abraham to overhear His musings about the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20-21). The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:20-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Word Of Faith That We Proclaim.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 3, 2022

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God Him raised from the dead, you shall be saved.

THE WORD OF FAITH THAT WE PROCLAIM. Romans 10:8-13. For Moses, the word was ‘nigh thee, in your mouth and in your heart, THAT YOU MAY DO IT’ (Deuteronomy 30:14). The Apostle Paul makes a new application of this as “the word of FAITH which we proclaim” (Romans 10:8). According to Paul, the object ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:8-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Is It Significant That Jesus Died At Passover? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 5, 2020

It's an overlooked detail of the Last Supper story that it happened at Passover. What's the importance of that? What's the connection between Passover and the Last Supper?

AN OVERLOOKED DETAIL: Why is it significant that Jesus died at Passover? - Luke 22:7-8. ISRAEL'S PASSOVER: Enslaved people longing for freedom and to go home are freed by God’s decisive miracle through the Passover lamb. - Exodus 12:1-14. - Unpack Passover in general – focus here on the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Importance Of Love & Doctrine Series

Contributed by Othniel Andrew on Mar 16, 2018

There is a lot of confusion and confrontation when it comes to love and doctrine. Many argue that love is more important or love is enough! On the other hand, there are others who emphasize more on doctrine and avoid others who don't agree with them.

The Importance of Love & Doctrine ***************************** Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall ...read more

Denomination: Independent Bible

The Text For Us All

Contributed by Pastor Dr. Tim Awotide on Apr 29, 2018

What if God had not loved the world.

Text: JOHN 3:16-18 AMP ““For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Is The Sky Blue?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 15, 2020

Jesus answers his adversaries difficult question with a creative answer.

Why Is The Sky Blue? Matthew 22: 15 - 22 Intro: Anyone who has interacted with children knows they can ask a lot of difficult questions. Examples: Why do leaves change different colors? / If shampoo comes in so many colors, why is the lather on your head always white? / If the No 2 pencil is so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Christian Responsibility Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 7, 2021

Jesus came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. But in so doing Jesus made us not merely servants of God, but sons and daughters of God.

Homily for Monday of the 19th week in course Did the early followers of Jesus consider themselves to be Christians or Jews? The answer is that their discipleship to Jesus was, in their minds, the completion of Judaism. Jesus came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. But in so doing Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:22-27, Deuteronomy 10:12-22

Denomination: Catholic

The Truth About Truth Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Mar 18, 2019

Truth begins and continues with God. It has no end.

THE TRUTH ABOUT TRUTH I TIMOTHY 4:1-16 Introduction: Chapter one – the message (proclaim it). Chapter two – worship (participate in it). Chapter three – leadership (provide it). Chapter four – doctrine (protect and promote it). There are some in our congregations who have departed from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed To Be A Blessing Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Mar 14, 2016

We are a blessing because we are blessed! God has called us to be a blessing!

Blessed To Be a Blessing Text: Phil. 4:19 Definition: glory <kabowd> (kaw-bade'); numerous, rich, honorable; abounding with, promote, be rich - glory is a state of the spirit (you can live in this realm of glory!) I. The glory of the Lord is connected to the goodness of God. Exodus ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:15-19

Denomination: Church Of God

Visionary View: Where Are You Looking Now? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 13, 2023

Where are you looking now? In a world filled with distractions, it's crucial to consider where our focus lies.

"Visionary View: Where Are You Looking Now?" Today, we explore a profound question: Where are you looking now? In a world filled with distractions, it's crucial to consider where our focus lies. Let us turn to the New Living Translation of the Bible to gain insight into this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Beginning Of Jesus' Ministry.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 7, 2023

The Baptism, Temptation, and Preaching of Jesus.

THE BEGINNING OF JESUS’ MINISTRY. Mark 1:9-15. MARK 1:9-11. The Baptism of Jesus. Jesus came to John to be baptised in the River Jordan. Jesus did not have any personal sin to repent of, but His washing with water may have signified the ritual washing of a priest when he is first ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Under The Influence

Contributed by Herb Pulse on Jun 19, 2023

Being under the influence of the Holy Spirit

Spirit; The term, under the influence” is one very familiar to individuals of western culture, and one very traumatic to many. For many this term has been connected with painful, tragic events that caused the premature death of a loved one, and for others gripped by its dominance, life altering ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:15, Ephesians 5:18

Denomination: Christian Church