Sermons on Initiative:

Blind Faith

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Sep 17, 2014

This text reminds us that we must blindly trust Jesus, even in the face of opposition.

35) As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36) When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37) They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ 38) Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 39) Those who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:35-43

Denomination: Baptist

Financial Bondage

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Mar 2, 2013

Those who find themselves in unmanageable debt are enslaved to their creditors.

Financial Bondage Those who find themselves in unmanageable debt are enslaved to their creditors. DEBT Romans 13:8 - Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. You are in debt if: * You do not have the money or any other means to pay for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8

Denomination: Charismatic

Mark Among The Gospels

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 29, 2013

The 4 Gospels were written by 4 different men with 4 different slants. Each of the 4 emphasize an aspect of Jesus personality, the well-rounded God-man, the Savior of all mankind.

Mark Among the Gospels 1. Topher and Fire and Flood. The youth group is amazing. All of you who help stand. Who participate. 2. One goal of our youth ministry is to develop the faith and service of our youth. It’s about Jesus. 3. If you read the four gospels in order, you will probably notice ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Confess And Believe

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 21, 2013

Made righteous through the righteousness of Jesus, which we receive by faith in Him. Whoever believes in Jesus shall not be ashamed. Whoever calls upon His name will be saved. Sincere faith leads to public confession of Christ.

CONFESS AND BELIEVE. Romans 10:9. According to a Roman historian, the Emperor Claudius ordered all the Jews to leave Rome after public disorders caused by the preaching of the claims of Jesus Christ in the synagogues. This fact is echoed in the Scriptures, where we find the Jewish Christian ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peculiar Pilgrims

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 1, 2014

Even when we are not great orators, it is no bad thing to own the good news concerning Jesus Christ as a valid subject for conversation.

PECULIAR PILGRIMS. 1 Peter 2:1-12. Jesus told His disciples, ‘You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). When persecution broke out after the martyrdom of Stephen, the church was dispersed throughout Judea and Samaria, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fasting Plus Prayer Plus Faith Equals God Being With Us

Contributed by Craig Condon on Aug 28, 2015

If we are in Christ, God will speak to others through us. God will tear down our shells or walls and then we can discover what our ministry passion is-i.e. teenagers, the elderly or drug addicts. God calls on us to minister to those in need.

In the reading from Ezra 8:21-36, Ezra and the Jews are returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon, just like the Jews travelled to the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses and Joshua. They decided to trust in God for protection instead of relying on an armed escort provided by the king of ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 8:21-36

Denomination: Anglican

Tried 'n True Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 25, 2014

Jesus began his ministry with at least 2 significant events -- his baptism and his temptation.

1. Greatness During Watergate Back in 1974, Richard Nixon's administration was falling apart due to the Watergate scandal so, to divert everyone's attention from that, he planned a trip to Russia and Italy and two of his closest aides came along... Alexander Haig and Ron Ziegler. Even though' ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On The Mount: Golden Series

Contributed by Darin Stambaugh on Jul 16, 2011

Part of a series of sermons on THE sermon. This one looks at the Golden Rule and give new light to an old understanding.

**** I read the entire Sermon on the Mount from the message Bible before each of the sermons in this series, I recommend it. Sermon on the Mount: Golden! Mat 7:12 We have all heard the golden rule; do unto other before they do unto you! No? *****There is a great clip from Sanford and Sons where ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Denomination: Foursquare

An Inevitable Breakup Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 18, 2011

God’s long term blessings often require times of discipline and disharmony

An Inevitable Breakup Hosea 2:1-2a, 6-7, 14-23 1. It's been a long but meaningful week. 2. Camp is a good time, but it makes for a mighty tight schedule. 3. I teach daily for two weeks, and I also start my lessons off with 15-20 jokes. 4. I didn't tell the joke about the couple who had twin ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 2:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

From Selfishness To Service Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Aug 15, 2011

Third in a series on the book of Acts. In the middle of the church’s peace, grace, and generosity, there was one dark spot. But the way the church dealt with its problems allowed it to shine.

From Selfishness to Service Acts 5 & 6 (Third in the series What’s Next? The Adventures of Growing in Christ) “Who do you think you’re going to kid? Did you really think you could lie to the Holy Spirit?” (Acts 5:3). “And the Word of God increased; and the number of disciples multiplied” (Acts ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paul: Man Of Prayer?

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 13, 2013

Can such a great Christian exist without prayer? Today we enter his prayer closet.

Paul: Man of Prayer? Ephesians 1:15-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/130213.mp3 When we think of prayer warriors we think of Moses praying for his people, David confessing his sins and seeking help, Elijah on Mt. Carmel calling down fire from heaven, or Daniel praying when it was against the law ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Church And Excluded Fathers

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Dec 5, 2012

A Christian response to fathers being excluded from their children’s lives.

Today is fathers’ day. While I would prefer it was celebrated on the Feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of fathers, I am grateful Amanda and Maria are making today memorable for me. To mark fathers’ day, I will be speaking about the Church and pastoral care for men, specifically those whom I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:23-24

Denomination: Anglican

Connecting The Disconnected

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 15, 2011

This sermon focuses on those who are connected to Jesus Christ as disciples as opposed to those who are connected with (asociated) Christ.

CONNECTING THE DISCONNECTED Text: Hebrews 4:14 – 16, 5:7 – 9 Just recently I read a sermon in last Friday’s edition of the Times and Democrat by the Rev. Frank Hay. He made some interesting comparisons in his sermon. He mentioned how Judas’s kiss which ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Connecting The Messianic Dots

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jun 16, 2011

Here is one of the most gracious revelations of Jesus to the religious leaders of His day. God is a revealer of the truth, and we need to listen.

Passage: Matthew 22:41-46 Intro: Have you ever helped a small child do a connect the dots puzzle? 1. pretty easy if you can count. 2. but small children need help to understand the concept, and then with that help they can complete the puzzle. 3. Jesus has been under attack in the days ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:41-46

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Israel In The End Times

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jun 16, 2011

It can get very confusing when we talk about Israel and the end times. But here is what Jesus says on the matter.

Passage: Matthew 24:15-28 Intro: Any study of the end times can get very confusing very quickly. 1. approaches, viewpoints, interpretations abound. 2. but the more I study God’s word, the more I am convinced that God speaks with incredible clarity. 3. and we need to come to this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-28

Denomination: Evangelical Free