Sermons on Investment:

Multiethnic Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 19, 2013

God is no respecter of persons and He desires His House (His Church) to be a place for all nations – all people. A church is to be a place where there is no favoritism and all are treated fairly and equally.

Series: We are Here! Sermon 6: Multiethnic (or multicultural, or diversity) Introduction: Show pictures of our changing world in this area of South Chicago: The Orland Mosque, the Lemont Hindu Temple, and the Chicago Buddhist Temple all represent how diverse our community is becoming. Our society ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Share Of The Crops Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 14, 2015

Rewards come only after we work. The Apostle is encouraging those who are called by the Name of the Son of God to work diligently.

“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” [1] Paul has presented a variety of images to illustrate the strong spiritual life expected of those who will follow the Master. As we saw in a previous message, the emphasis in these verbal pictures the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

Challenges To/For Public Worship-4 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 17, 2015

4 of 7. Jesus made it plain that the temple worship had become tainted with improprieties. Public Worship is to be free from impropriety. But What is consonant with public worship? A challenge to (harmonious)public worship is its...

CHALLENGES To/For PUBLIC WORSHIP-IV—John 2:12-25 Attention: The Church can be tempted toward many directions regarding the manner & message of its Public Worship. There are real Challenges to bringing about Public Worship!...There are dynamics which, if we deny, will keep our church & the ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-24

Denomination: Baptist

When The Protectors Become Predators

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2019

Church leaders are appointed to protect the flock. When the protectors become predators, you may be sure that God will shortly expose the sin and deliver judgement.

“Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore, she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away.” [1] Shocked, disgusted, grieved, hurt—what a confused jumble of emotions flooded the heart of Christians when they ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

What The Stones Are Saying

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2019

An examination of the importance of memorials conducted through studying the memorials Joshua erected at Gilgal.

“Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, ‘Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing The Miraculous In The Mundane

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2019

Jesus' first sign was quiet, not at all spectacular as one might have supposed. Yet, what He did at that time anticipates God at work in the mundane. He performs the miraculous in the mundane facets of life on any given day.

“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Hearing God’s Good News-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 30, 2017

1 of 3. Shepherds were given an official announcement of Jesus’ birth. Jesus’ birth has been publicly announced. BUT... Who will hear God’s Good News? Those who Hear/Discover God’s Good News...

HEARING GOD’s GOOD NEWS-I—Luke 2:8-20 —OR— DISCOVERING The GOOD NEWS! Attention: FBCC wants you to have a ‘Touchy-Feely Christmas’!--So that God will ‘touch’ you! That you will ‘feel’ God’s presence!... ...And to Know that there is actual Substance to Christmas even when surrounded by the Worldly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Seeing God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2016

Familiarity with God can result is treating Him with casual disregard leading to judgement.

“Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 24:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

For This Purpose I Have Come Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 1, 2018

The Advent series this year explores the instances when the Master spoke of the purpose in His coming. This is the first message in this Advent series as Jesus spoke of the purpose of His coming.

“‘Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour?” But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it ...read more

Scripture: John 12:27-36

Denomination: Baptist

Gentiles Hath Received Isaiah’s Report (Lesson 3) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jun 2, 2021

To establish that Isaiah’s report was the: good news of the coming Messiah. He came to be offered in sacrifice for the sins of the world. Israel rejected this message, but the Gentile nations gladly received it. This lesson deals with one's faith and obedience to the gospel.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 3. Gentiles Hath Received Isaiah’s Report Introductory Remarks. 1. This is lesson three in this sermon-series: “Lord, who hath believed our report?” The question originates from the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 53:1. This was Isaiah’s report of the coming and work of the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12, John 12:38, Romans 10:16-21, Mark 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Do You Know?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 21, 2020

Knowing God means that we love the brothers and build them in the Faith.

“Concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.” [1] “I’m as good a Christian as you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

God's Crybaby

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 27, 2020

The wickedness witnessed in contemporary society breaks the heart of the follower of Christ, just as such evil breaks the heart of the Saviour.

“‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.’ For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Moses Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 3, 2024

To see something we have never seen before in 2024 - we must do something we have never done before in 2024! God's question to you is "What is in your hand?"

Moses: 2024 Series: Never seen before in 2024! Thesis: To see something we have never seen before in 2024 - we must do something we have never done before in 2024! What is the one thing you need to do? Is it read the Bible daily – Pray – have consistent devotions? Step out in faith? Follow ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:23-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Spirit Of The Age; Preparing For What Is Coming

Contributed by James May on May 28, 2023

This speaks of Conditions in America, the Spiritual Awakening around the world and the Spirit of Antichrist that are manifesting in our world right now as we draw ever nearer to the end of the church age. 2 part message.

The Spirit of the Age Preparing for what’s coming! Sunday, 5/21/23 & 5/28/23 Something that amazes me is that there are many in the church today who believe that prophets and prophecy are no longer relevant or active in this era of the New Testament, and that they ceased operating like they ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 14:1-4, Habakkuk 2:2-3, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Luke 17:26-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How God Uses Evil For Good Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 15, 2023

Three progressive features show "How God uses Evil for Good", describing: 1) Persecution (Act 8:1–3), which stems from 2) Preaching (Acts 8:4-7), which results in 3) Productivity (Acts 8:8).

Acts 8:1-8. [8:1] And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Other