Sermons on Intimacy Relationship:

Rapture Ready--Living With Authentic Faith Matthew 23 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Sep 14, 2025

To be rapture ready, we must move from empty religion to authentic relationship with CHRIST. JESUS condemns hypocrisy and calls us to authentic faith expressed in humility, obedience, and servant leadership. Outward show can’t replace inward surrender. Be watchful. Be faithful. Be ready.

2025.09.14 Sermon. RAPTURE READY_LIVING WITH AUTHENTIC FAITH_WOE TO HYPOCRISY, YES TO HUMILITY Matthew 23 William Akehurst, HSWC Scripture Readings Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 3:1-3, 2 Peter 3:9, John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 23:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Matthew 23:39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Mountain High Enough Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 26, 2024

Jesus says, “I offer fulfillment. I will give you such a lasting, inner joy that you will willingly take persecution for being associated with my name.” This is eternal fulfillment that is rugged enough to handle anything thrown at it.

Memorial Day Of all the rich blessings we have from being Americans, the choicest of them is freedom of religion. I am grateful that no religion is established in America as the preferred and every citizen’s right to practice their religion is allowed. Because evil is so evil, we need men and ...read more

Scripture: John 4:7-30

Denomination: Baptist

Time To Go To Egypt

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2001

Fathers today, like Jacob, have been irresponsible; but, like him also, we can see that God is giving us another chance to redeem our relationships with our children, to allow Him to keep His promises, and to use major resources for Kingdom business.

This past Monday was our son-in-law’s birthday. We’ve cared about this young man for a long time, but now he’s even more special. He is our granddaughter Olivia’s father. And that makes him extra special. So we sent Don a birthday card and a little gift, and got an email response. In part, it ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Practice Wise Discretion

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Holy Spirit helps us act circumspectly in our speech, action and relationships by reminding us to be more like Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Remember, Jesus Christ and constantly keep Him in mind as risen from the dead." (2 Tim. 2:8 - Amplifie

How the Holy Spirit Helps Us Practice Wise Discretion Illustration:Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe. Augustine. 1. The Holy Spirit helps us act circumspectly in our speech, action and relationships by reminding us to be more like Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:5-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Windows Of Heaven

Contributed by Neal Gray on Jan 14, 2002

Trust, honesty, love, giving. Christians should apply all of these words to their personal relationship with God in Christ Jesus. Father God wants to pour out blessings upon us; to those of us who trust, are honest, who love God, and who give to His work

"The Windows of Heaven" Author: Dr. Neal Gray Passage: Malachi 3:7-18, KJV Purpose: Trust, honesty, love, giving. Christians should apply all of these words to their personal relationship with God in Christ Jesus. Father God wants to pour out blessings upon us; to those of us who trust, are honest, ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:7-18

Denomination: Holiness

Are You In Or Out?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 11, 2002

In the end we will not be able to say "I don’t want to play this religion game." It won’t be about religion, but about relationship with God. As Jesus prepares to go to the cross, He shares His very last teaching, about our lives, and about the end times.

A professor of a graduate-school class of gifted students included a HUGE amount of material on the midterm exam. Tension in the room built, people were sighing and gasping aloud as they realized how much material they had covered and were expected to recall. The following week, the professor ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-46

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Overcoming Temptation

Contributed by Todd Nelson on Nov 26, 2005

Whether it’s anger, insecurity, fear, low self-esteem, lust, infidelity, pride, financial problems due to over spending, laziness, unbearable marriages, broken parent-child relationships or being over weight, ALL of us have personal struggles in our lives

Overcoming Temptation: Discovering How To Reign In Life Those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:17) INTRODUCTION: Whether it’s anger, insecurity, fear, low self-esteem, lust, infidelity, pride, financial ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 27, 2005

This short chapter pictures the nation’s exile and return. The Lord makes known His plans for the redemption of the prodigal nation. Although this chapter is short, its prophecies survey God’s past (v. 1), present (vv. 2-4), and future (v. 5) relationship

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: I read about a young man who was determined to win the affection of a lady who refused to even talk to him anymore. He decided that the way to her heart was through the mail, so he began writing her love letters. He wrote a love letter every day to this lady. Six, seven ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Love That Changes Everything

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 4, 2003

Have you experienced the kind of love that changes everything? Does it consume you? Does it burn within your heart? Does it transform your relationships? Does it mold your speech? Does it break your heart over the needs of others? The love of God has been

A Love that Changes Everything Romans 5:1-5 Jack Kelley, a reporter from USA Today tells the story of a trip to East Africa in which he was taught a very valuable lesson. He was in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, to cover a terrible famine. It was so bad that as he walked toward the village he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

What Is A Family Part 3 Series

Contributed by David Azbell on Jul 24, 2004

We have covered both the male and female roles in a marriage or relationship. We also touched a little on love. I, however, have been directed to teach in alittle more detail on love here. Love, as we see it, is usually an emotional feeling down in the he

What is a Family Third in the series What is Love? We have covered both the male and female roles in a marriage or relationship. We also touched a little on love. I, however, have been directed to teach in alittle more detail on love here. Love, as we see it, is usually an emotional feeling down ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dig A Ditch

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

God never wants us to align ourselves w/ wickedness in a common goal. Instead, our relationships with the lost are to be a one way street w/ the goal of reaching them. God saved the day when His people separated themselves. Link inc. to text and PowerPoin

Dig a Ditch! II Kings 3:16-20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DigADitch.html Dig a ditch so God can fill it! That is a clear lesson from this passage. Our God specializes in FILLING things which are EMPTY. In the next chapter we will see the familiar story of the widow woman and her empty ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Not By Any Other Name Series

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Nov 29, 2007

Man may try to work his way to heaven but he will never make it. We must understand that it is God’s way. Hell is not a pleasant place at all. Torment and separation from God is the only thing awaiting anyone apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ

Not By Any Other Name Griffith Baptist Church – 10/22/06 A.M. Service Text: Acts 4:1-12 Introduction: In WWII when the marines captured the island of Saipan, the Japanese ordered the inhabitants to kill themselves by jumping off a cliff. Hundreds of feet below were the rocks ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Firestorms

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 1, 2005

Firestorms in relationships can ignite quickly and do maximum damage in a short period of time. Therefore, we need to learn how to prevent firestorms, we need to learn how to put out firestorms, and we need to know how to rebuild after a firestorm has sco

Firestorms in Life Thesis: Firestorms in relationships can ignite quickly and do maximum damage in a short period of time. Therefore, we need to learn how to prevent firestorms, we need to learn how to put out firestorms, and we need to know how to rebuild after a firestorm has scorched our ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Follow The Leader

Contributed by Ron Hicks on Jul 22, 2007

1. Answer the call. 2. Get in the place that God is calling you too. 3. Obey by saying yes to God’s will for your life. 4. Forsake your old life and develop a new one in Jesus. 5. Keep moving forward into a closer relationship with Christ.

FOLLOW THE LEADER Have you ever played, “follow the leader”? It was fun when we were kids. But it can be more rewarding today if we follow the right leader. Heb 11:8-10 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Prayer Keys - Abiding In Christ And Christ's Words Abiding In Us Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Feb 23, 2012

Abiding in Christ, a relationship more intimate than being at home with a loving family, is our source of life. Christ’s words abiding in us should be so familiar to us that when we encounter the false we know it. These are two keys to empowered prayer.

Prayer Keys - Abiding in Christ and Christ’s Words Abiding in Us “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you,” John 15:7. For this prayer key, I prefer the “old fashioned” King James Bible language. Abiding carries ...read more

Scripture: John 15:7

Denomination: Baptist