Sermons on Initiative:

Living Like The Family Of Faith

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jan 31, 2008

Prayer is the outworking of faith. And faith is the foundational characteristic of the believer. Here are some very practical ways to practice our faith in our church family.

Passage: James 5:13-20 Intro: In the post-game comments of several of the bowl winning teams, there was a common thread. 1. they talked about their team as family. 2. interesting that when people want to find the highest image for teamwork, support, love, they use family. Il) studies ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Going Up? Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

A sermon on the Rapture

THE END IS NEAR Part 2, Going Up? Sunday, August 9 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee Years ago I a friend and I were driving to Spartanburg from Southern Wesleyan University to spend the night at the church I was serving in order to catch an early morning flight the next day to San Diego for an ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Invasion Series

Contributed by Andy Payne on Dec 28, 2009

Where is God’s sovereignty more evident in Scripture than in the coming of Jesus, the Messiah—the Saviour, as a helpless infant of humble beginnings?

The Learning Servant Isaiah 50:4-9 Intro: ILLUSTRATION: “The Invasion” • In his book The Faith, Chuck Colson has a chapter entitled "The Invasion." In it he describes the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. • D-Day was the largest seaborne landing in history. • More than 150,000 U.S. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 5 - Part 16 - God Wants Us To Be Happy, So Why Don't We Get Divorce Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 6, 2010

In Matthew 5, Jesus is teaching His disciples some leadership principles on the mountain, preparing them for ministry and all of a sudden He comes up with radical new ways of interpreting the topic of DIVORCE. It is so radical that even many Christians to

Matthew 5 - Part 16 - GOD WANTS US TO BE HAPPY, SO WHY DON'T WE GET DIVORCED? Years ago, Julie and I began to have difficulty in our marriage. I was spending all my time pastoring a small Church and our relationship was being neglected. It suffered to the point where I needed to take time out of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Studies In The Minor Prophets Zephaniah Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Jan 10, 2010

In our survey of "The Minor Prophets" we now come to the first of three prophets who preached to Judah alone, following the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel

"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Zephaniah - Through Judgment To Blessing (1:1-3:20) INTRODUCTION 1. In our survey of "The Minor Prophets" we now come to the first of three prophets who preached to Judah alone, following the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel 2. The ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

It's All Greek To Me Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 13, 2009

Explanation of the Greek documents behind our New Testament

Text: 2 Peter 1:16-21, Title: It’s All Greek to Me, Date/Place: NRBC, 6/14/09, PM A. Opening illustration: speak to the uniqueness of the bible—Josh McDowell, New Evidence, pg. 4-15 B. Background to passage: Peter is explaining the reliability of the gospel and the testimony of the apostles. It’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Ready To Travel Series

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Aug 26, 2009

We were created to follow, if you are not following God then you are following someone else’s dream or vision for your life. There is an exciting path for us all to be on, yet many people are motionless, moving backwards, or trapped somewhere they were ne

As we begin this series I must highlight that this is for everyone, regardless of whether you’re a believer or not, whether you have been a Christian for 1 week or 30 years. We were created to follow, if you are not following God then you are following someone else’s dream or vision for your life. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:6-17

P.r.a.i.s.e.s. More Than Mere Lip Service

Contributed by William Akehurst on Apr 11, 2008

Acronymn for ’Praises’ - More than mere lip service. Our Praises to the LORD must be Personal, Real, Alive, Instantaneous from our innermost being, Sacrificial, Everyone needs to know, So Speak-Sing-Shout it out…to the LORD!

P.R.A.I.S.E.S. 4/13/08 William Akehurst, HSWC Our Praises to the LORD must be Personal, Real, Alive, Instantaneous from our innermost being, Sacrificial, Everyone needs to know, So Speak-Sing-Shout it out…to the LORD. Psalm 107:2 Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So Psalm 107:8 Oh that men would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:2-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't You Want To Be Like Him?

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 4, 2010

This little story is full of the tender, merciful heart of God as expressed through the actions of Jesus.

Passage: Matthew 8:14-17 Intro: When I saw this little passage coming, I wondered if I should just skip it. 1. not much going on, minor healings without any dialogue. 2. but what a mistake that would have been, because this passage reveals some really beautiful things about Jesus. 3. and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"Follow Me"

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 4, 2010

It’s simple,really. Jesus calls us to follow Him. Let’s see what that means.

Passage: Matthew 8:18-22 Intro: As a kid growing up in the church, there were certain songs that seemed dishonest for me to sing. Here was one: 1) “Earthly pleasures vainly call me, I would be like Jesus. Nothing worldly shall enthrall me, I would be like Jesus. Be like Jesus, this my song, in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Eyewitness Of Majesty Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 8, 2010

The Gospel writers did not collect hearsay, but put together eyewitness accounts.

Eyewitness Of Majesty (2 Peter 1:16-18) 1. Christianity is a personable faith. It is based on human eye-witness accounts and records. Christianity is God reaching down to man. Our relationship to God is a personal one, if we really know Jesus Christ. Other religions advocate man taking the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The God Of Hosea Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Jul 2, 2008

A lesson on the love of God displayed in the life of Hosea.

The God of Hosea Hosea 1:7 Intro By the discipline of cruel events, God taught Hosea much concerning the nature and character of Israel’s God. Because of Hosea’s faith and obedience to God, he was granted insight into the deep spiritual need of his generation and was endowed with a divine ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

"Heart Of Darkness"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 7, 2008

A sermon about overcoming fear with faith.

Matthew 14:22-33 “Heart of Darkness” By: Rev. Ken Sauer, Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, Soddy Daisy, TN www.graceumcsd.org Exactly two weeks ago I was cutting the grass in the backyard, when, before I knew what was happening—I was literally covered with about 150 or more yellow ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: United Methodist

Though I Be Absent

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 22, 2008

Pre-Vacation Message. Paul shows the church how to follow God and not man. We should see a summer surge, not a summer slump. No more, "When the cat’s away the mice will play!" Link inc. to text, audio, PowerPoint.

THOUGH I BE ABSENT Col. 2; Phil. 2; I Cor. 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ThoughIBeAbsent.html One of the Apostle Paul’s greatest joys was to hear about one of his churches continuing to grow and serve God…one of his deepest fears was that they would backslide in his absence. Col. 2: 5 For ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Succeeding Where Others Fail

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Jun 19, 2008

The Secret to succeeding where others before you have failed. (The Caleb Spirit)

“Succeeding Where Others Fail” Joshua 13:1-14:12 One of the most difficult tasks we have in life is to be faithful and to do the best you can when you are not in the spotlight, and someone else gets all the attention and credit. The hardest instrument to learn to play in life is “second ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God