Sermons on Intelligent Evil:

Unexpected Converts

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 26, 2000

Grace. Those most people thought were least likely to become God’s people are the ones who come to Christ; while the ones often thought to be most likely became his enemies.

Two of the surprises that we come across as we read the New Testament are the people who become close to Jesus, and the people who are alienated from Jesus. It is surprising because it is exactly the opposite of what we would expect to find. We would expect Jesus to be close to the religious folk ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

A New Law

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 26, 2000

Jesus and the New Covenant: The internalization of the law.

It feels good to leave the heavy messages of the prophets and come into the sunshine of the New Testament. But the message of the prophets, as well as the rest of the Old Testament, are very important to our understanding of the New Testament. As soon as we begin reading Matthew, the first book ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-19

Denomination: Methodist

Where Your Treasure Is ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 27, 2000

The act of giving is an act of worship, tells me where my heart is, and tells me how much I trust God.

Burt Reynolds starred in an old film entitled The End. In the film he decides to commit suicide by swimming out as far as he can until he is exhausted and then just go under. But after going under he is looking at the surface from the underside and decides not to go through with it. As he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Methodist

The Watchman

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 30, 2000

We are the watchman and have a responsibility for knowing God ourselves and making him known to others.

In a major speech to the country on March 23, 1983, Ronald Reagan outlined a national plan of defense called the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which soon became known as “Star Wars.” In the speech he said, “What if free people could live secure in the knowledge... that we could intercept and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:1-16, Ezekiel 33:1-33

Denomination: Methodist

This Is A Test

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 31, 2000

God makes a promise to us and then watches for obedience. He waits to grant the eventual blessing so that we might grow.

Back in 1997, USA Today reported that the Department of Transportation had set aside $200 million for research and testing of an Automated Highway System. The idea is that engineers could relieve traffic congestion with a new “super cruise control” built into our highways. In cities facing heavy ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

The Road To Ruin

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 1, 2001

Samson was on the road to ruin because he fraternized with the enemy, wasted his strength and was deluded by pride.

The story of Samson begins much like the story of the other judges of Israel. The nation was in misery because of the domination of a rival country that was oppressing them. That nation was the Philistine nation. (Interestingly, the word Philistine is where we get our word “Palestinian,” so this ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:4-21

Denomination: Methodist

Love Is Polite

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 3, 2001

Paul, what is so important about politeness? It sounds like a rather wimpy subject to me.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. As most of you know, I’m in the midst of a series of sermons based on 1 Corinthians 13, the "Love chapter" of the Bible. And that chapter begins with some powerful statements. Listen as I read those first 3 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Washing Dirty Feet (Cancelled Debts)

Contributed by John Skaggs on Oct 18, 2000

(Matthew 6:9-15 NASB) "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

(Matthew 6:9-15 NASB) "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. {10} 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. {11} 'Give us this day our daily bread. {12} 'AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE ALSO HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS. {13} 'And do not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6-8

When The Well Runs Dry

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

When we are weary and worn-out, there is a well of living waters from which we can draw from to restore our strength.

When The Well Runs Dry Revelation 2:1-6 More than twenty years ago a young man entered college. It wasn't just any college - it was one of the most sterling examples of Christian education in the nation, Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois. The young man was deeply in love with God and he wanted ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Reluctant Hero

Contributed by Duke Jeffries on Oct 18, 2000

A. INTRODUCTION 1.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. In our study last week we met B __ __ __ __, one of those less-than-perfect "heroes" that appear here and there in the Bible. His careful and cautious approach to the revealed will of God stood in sharp contrast to both the confident assurance of Deborah and the opportunistic ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-40

The Sword And The Stone

Contributed by Steve Hong on Oct 18, 2000

Turn to Nehemiah chapter 4 Since the beginning of time, people have fought with each other.

Turn to Nehemiah chapter 4 Since the beginning of time, people have fought with each other. Empires against Empires, Nations against Nations, People against People... A group of historians has compiled the following information: In the last 5,600 years (since 3600 B.C.), the world has only had ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-23

Taking The Church To Task

Contributed by Duke Jeffries on Oct 18, 2000

A. INTRODUCTION 1.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Our text passage this morning represents an enormous "pause" in a complicated theology lesson. The writer of the epistle has begun teaching about the priesthood. He has reminded his readers of their historical priesthood; he has just mentioned the mysterious Old Testament figure ...read more

The Danger Of Not Going On To Maturity

Contributed by John Stevenson on Oct 18, 2000

So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fulness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11, Hebrews 6:12

Victory Or Survival?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 9, 2001

Life is sometimes a matter of survival more than victory. We all need help.

VICTORY OR SURVIVAL? Gal. 6:1-5 INTRO.- SURVIVOR. The Australian Outback. The TV show. Did you watch it? How many of you watched at least one of the “survivors” shows? How about the whole series? Beginning January 28, 2001 the world watched as 16 people were stranded in the Australian ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Strong Muscles, Weak Morals

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 11, 2001

The story of Samson is not so much about his delivering Israel, but about God delivering him.

Samson: Strong Muscles, Weak Morals Bible background: Judges 13-16 tell about Samson… is he a success or failure? His leadership follows three little known leaders. Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. He is followed by two final leaders before God anoints Israel’s first king. Many times the cycle of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ