Sermons on Initiation:

The Temptation Scheme Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Nov 18, 2021

The devil is always trying to gain a foothold in our life, and he begins his initial onslaught of attacks with the temptation to sin. Temptation "can" be overcome! We must overcome it, so we can refrain from committing sin.

Satan is looking to pound on our weakest areas . . . When we leave an opening by yielding to temptation, he’ll take advantage. - Kent Crockett(1) In Ephesians 4:27, the Apostle Paul warned, “Do not give the devil a foothold” (NIV). The devil is always trying to gain a foothold in our life, and he ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-15, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Baptist

God Restores Elijah / Preparation

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 3, 2020

In this first-of-two talks we look at some of the initial things that helped Elijah recover from depression. They are things we can also do. They paved the way for God to address the root cause of the problem: Elijah's sense of failure.

INTRODUCTION We’re now onto the second talk in our series called ‘Bible Stories for Grown-Ups.’ In these talks we’re going back to some of the famous stories in the Old Testament which we may have heard as children, perhaps at home or at Sunday School. The idea is to take a fresh look at them as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Light Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Jul 7, 2024

Our words and deeds should not mimic the world’s futile search for significance but should instead reflect a passion for God so strong and divinely initiated that our good deeds point to the sinless One who holds the keys to both death and life.

The Light of the World John 8:12; Matthew 5:14-16 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 How can one cast a shadow of significance upon a world that is filled with constant change, ever evolving thought processes and constant innovation? In a world of quantum computers that ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

4. Thoughts In 2 Peter - Number Four - Stirrers In The Lord – Peter Is A Correct Stirrer - 2 Peter 3:1-2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 11, 2026

The perceptive preacher will challenge with the same scriptures BY WHICH HE HIMSELF IS STIRRED UP, otherwise preaching has become a farce and is empty. A man can not preach a word to touch others if he, himself, has not been touched initially by the word he preaches.

4. THOUGHTS IN 2 PETER - NUMBER FOUR - STIRRERS IN THE LORD – PETER IS A CORRECT STIRRER - 2 PETER 3:1-2 PART 1 – THE INTRODUCTION We live in the days of professional stirrers. These agitators seem to be found at every protest, whether it be political, environmental, “gay rights”, mining ...read more

Scripture: John 21:18-19, 2 Peter 1:12-15, 2 Corinthians 10:10, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Peter 3:2, Hebrews 12:1-2, Philippians 1:10, 2 Peter 3:1, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Matthew 10:37-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discovering Intimate Allegiance Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 22, 2009

This morning I want to begin with the question: Who is your god / God? That’s a question that we may initially begin to answer quickly… but then may find ourselves realizing it’s more dynamic than simply providing a statement… the answer is reflect

This morning we’re continuing in our series “The Call” … focused on seeking to capture or recapture the dynamic of God’s Call to our lives. I believe… The Call of God seeks to penetrate our independence and isolation. This morning I want to begin with the question: Who is your god / God? ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Letting Go Of The Leash Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Sep 30, 2013

Today we will see what life looks like when God gives a people over to their sin. Human history is not evolution but devolution: man initially walked with God and sin caused a fall and that man will become progressively more wicked until a final rebellio

Lynne and I often like to go to the running trail near our house. She will sometimes take our two little dogs and walk them while I run. These dogs are two small dachshunds who think they are German shepherds. They constantly pull against the leash to try and go the ways they want to. The one ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:23-32

The Way Of Jesus # 2 – "I Am Being Sent By Jesus To Bless Others..."

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 15, 2017

Not only does Jesus save us, He then calls us to go, He send us out in His name to be a blessing and invite others to follow Him. This is the 2nd in a series on The Way of Jesus, an initiative of my denomination the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada

Sermon - January 15, 2017 The Way of Jesus # 2 – “I Am being Sent By Jesus To Bless Others and to Invite Them to Follow Him” John 3:16-17; John 20:21 Last week we began this series on the Way of Jesus by looking at the first marker of the Way of Jesus: “I have begun following Jesus and I am ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17, John 20:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Commissioned

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 30, 2022

Isaiah's perspective on God in the initial four verses gives us a feeling of God's significance, power, and mystery. Isaiah's case of perceiving his sin before God urges us to admit our own wrongdoings.

The image of absolution, that Isaiah gives, advises us that we are pardoned as well. At the point when we perceive how incredible God is, how guilty we are, and the degree of His absolution, we get the strength to accomplish His work. How does our idea of the significance of God match ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Beauty Of Grace Verses The Beast Of Sin Series

Contributed by Peter Bines on Sep 22, 2005

After all that’s happened so far – Jonah’s initial disobedience; God’s humbling of Jonah; Jonah’s going to Nineveh at the second time of asking; the Ninevites’ believing the message and being spared – surely you’d expect there to be a happy ending!

JONAH CHAPTER FOUR INTRODUCTION Most of us love happy endings! My girls when they were little loved Disney’s, ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ In the closing scenes the beast lies dying from a wound inflicted during combat with Gaston his enemy. Belle the beauty finally confesses her love for the beast ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Feasting Through Fastiing

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

“Fasting”… topic we don’t hear much about in the church to day - Many of us may think of fasting as for the spiritually elite… those specially gifted… a gift we seek about as much as celibacy or martyrdom. - Many of our initial thoughts, or even experi

“Fasting”… topic we don’t hear much about in the church to day - Many of us may think of fasting as for the spiritually elite… those specially gifted… a gift we seek about as much as celibacy or martyrdom. - Many of our initial thoughts, or even experiences conjure up thoughts of sitting around ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mentoring Potential Leaders

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Jan 20, 2013

Having mature persons investing in one’s life will pay huge dividends in a person’s development. Emerging leaders have a lot to learn from seasoned veterans. It is important to take the initiative to build long lasting relationships with those that can im

Mentoring Potential Leaders Mentoring has been defined as a process of an integrated approach to advising, coaching, and nurturing others with a focus on creating a viable relationship to enhance an individual’s personal growth and development. The following factors can help to determine ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Charismatic

Interrupted Respite In Phoenicia: Syrophenician Healed Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 18, 2017

A mother’s heart is one of the most potent motivators known. A Syro-Phoenician (or Canaanite) woman exhibited this during one of Jesus’ teaching tours. We do not know her name, but we do know this mother had insight, courage, persistence, and initiative

-AD 29- Phoenicia Lesson: Interrupted Respite in Phoenicia: Syrophenician Healed Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30 -Matthew- A mother’s heart is one of the most potent motivators known. A Syro-Phoenician (or Canaanite) woman exhibited this during one of Jesus’ teaching tours. We do not know her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30

Denomination: Baptist

Show Me Your Glory

Contributed by Marty Baker on Dec 2, 2019

Moses, after his initial trip to Mt Sinai, asked God to "Show Me Your Glory". Glory is what you are known for. God's response was ... I will show you my goodness. God is known for His Goodness.

Glory Show Me Your Glory Dr. Marty Baker / Exodus 33:12-19 /December 1, 2019 Good morning. Merry Christmas and welcome to Stevens Creek Church. I hope that you have had a good week. The fact that you are here means that you made it through Black Friday. How many of you went shopping on Black ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

The Entire Bible In Miniature Form Series

Contributed by Mike Cleveland on Mar 11, 2008

This message examines five points that come directly from John 3:16. Four of these points have to do with God, and one has to do with us. 1. God’s initiation of salvation 2. God’s motivation in salvation 3. God’s inclusion in salvation 4. God’s

Let’s open our Bibles this morning to John chapter 3. We’ve been studying in John 3 for several weeks now; we’ve seen from verses 3-7 that the requirement of salvation is to be born again, we’ve seen from verses 15-16 that the method of salvation is Jesus’ death and our faith in Him, and we’ve seen ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Running On Faith

Contributed by Donald Carpenter on Jan 9, 2003

Sometimes living a Christian life in a strong soul-winning church is much like my initial experience with the cardio-vascular machines. We become exhausted and there is a stitch in our sides, as we suck spiritual air and we wonder how we can go on. Some

Running On Faith Hebrews 11:32-12:3 Introduction: Believe it or not, for the past four months, this preacher has been working out in a gym on the average of 1 ½ hours a day, five days a week. Most of the routine was bearable at the beginning, except ...read more

Denomination: Baptist