Sermons on Irreducible Complexity:

The Beginning Of… God Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 10, 2010

God alone is self-existent; we depend on him for life and being.

Scripture Introduction Thomas Boston pastored from 1699–1731. A biographer wrote of his ministry: “If Scotland had been searched during the early part of the eighteenth century there was not a minister of Christ within its bounds who, both in personal character and in the discharge of his pastoral ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Beginning Of…the Earth Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 14, 2010

God centers his creativity on the earth, forming a “nursery” for his children and revealing himself as gloriously worthy of worship.

Scripture Introduction Sir Arthur Conan Doyle understood well creation’s testimony to the goodness of God. In his memoirs, Sherlock Holmes makes a rather remarkable speech to Watson: “What a lovely thing a rose is…! Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Beginning Of… Mankind Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 14, 2010

God humbles and gives great hope to mankind, created in his image.

Scripture Introduction “There are one hundred and ninety-three living species of monkeys and apes. One hundred and ninety-two of them are covered with hair. The exception is the naked ape…homo sapiens.” So wrote Zoologist Desmond Morris in his effort to analyze human behavior through the actions ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Beginning Of… Work Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 15, 2010

God lays the foundation for all of life and godliness in Genesis.

Scripture Introduction In honor of the “Green Eggs and Ham” which Rebekah made last week, I found the story, Dr. Seuss Goes to Work: I love my Job, I love the Pay! I love it more and more each day. I love my Boss; she’s the best! I love her boss and all the rest. I love my Office and its ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Barriers Roadblocks And Bottlenecks Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Apr 15, 2010

Ultimately, the Gospel will not be hindered.

I had this job one summer where I delivered eggs to omelet shops, small groceries, bakeries and such on the East side of the San Francisco Bay. It was a crazy job fraught with difficulties and adventure. You would think the most difficult place to make deliveries would be Berkley because of all the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:16-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Beginning Of… Temptation Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 16, 2010

God’s ways, words, and wisdom, are questioned in tempting us to sin.

Scripture Introduction So, three men walk into a museum, one British, one French, one Russian. They stand together admiring a painting of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The Brit says, “Look at their reserve, their calm. They must be British.” “Nonsense,” the ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Being Pure In Heart" Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Apr 19, 2011

When Jesus spoke the Beatitude revealed in verse eight, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" He was really answering the question that is on every one’s mind. "Who Can Stand Before A Holy God?"

“Being Pure In Heart” Matt 5:8 There are only two kinds of religion in the world – and only two. One is the religion of human achievement, which the belief ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

A Humble & Obedient Heart

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Apr 21, 2011

A message about the necessity of humbling our hearts, as shown by Jesus in LUKE 14:1-14. It is an explanation of this passage.

MATTHEW 23:11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant.” When I was a teenager, I remember telling my father that I wanted to be a successful businessman when I grew up. He asked me what type of business I wanted to work in, and I told him I didn’t know, I just wanted to be a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: *other

The Three In One

Contributed by Chris Willis on Sep 12, 2007

There are certain beliefs that we hold that make us ONE. The doctrine of the Trinity is one such belief.

ONE The Three In One Ephesians 4:4-6 This morning as we enter into a new season as a church, we’re beginning a new mini-series as we journey through Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church. The Mini-series is called ONE and is based on ONE long sentence (like only the apostle Paul can write) that has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Camel Squeezed Out From Tail To Snout

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Oct 10, 2007

Jesus call to discipleship is a call of sacrifice. Anything that stands in the way of answering that call must be deserted. This truth is shown through the encounter of Jesus with the rich young ruler.

Little did I know when I planned this sermon, that we would have a live camel at VBS this year. At any rate, I want to tell you a story. It is the story of the ill-fated Franklin expedition to the Arctic in 1845. That odyssey was a turning point in Arctic exploration because of its well-publicized ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah - The Last Day Church Series

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Oct 23, 2007

An introductory sermon on the Prophet Elijah. The prophet Malachi likens Elijah as one who will come before the Day of the Lord.Here are eight comparisons that we can see in the lives of Elijah and John from which we can draw parallels of the Last Day Chu

THE ELIJAH CHURCH - A LAST DAY CHURCH We are commencing a series on the Prophet Elijah as a type of the Last Day Church. The prophet Malachi likens Elijah as one who will come before the Day of the Lord. Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Building God's Kingdom

Contributed by Amanda Wilson on Aug 26, 2007

This sermon compares the building of the city of Babel in Genesis 11 with the building of the Kingdom of God as described in Acts 1-2 to demonstrate the requirements of building God’s kingdom.

God Is Building God’s Kingdom Have you ever wanted to be part of a really unified community of people? Part of a community that planned and worked together to make something really significant? Part of a community that other people would look at and say, “Hey, I like what you’re doing – I want to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is It Worth Following God? Series

Contributed by James Jack on Jun 9, 2007

Asaph asks the question - is it worth following God? When you look at life from an eternal perspective, the answer is clear.

Have you ever found yourself thinking – I wish I had what my non-Christian friends have? I wish I had the freedom they have. I wish I was able to do the things that they do without conscience getting in the way. I wish I could get up to what they get up to without feeling guilty. After all, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28

Denomination: Anglican

Let's See Some Magic! Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 12, 2008

Jesus’ signs demand faith even when he provides no miracle.

Scripture Introduction I love the idea of magic. And I’m fascinated by science fiction – I think because it seems to bring magic into real life. When the situation is desperate – Captain Kirk is being choked by a Klingon while on a planet in the final convulsions before its cataclysmic explosion ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-54

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Where Do You Go To Church? Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 12, 2008

Central to worship is the “us” and “Him,” not the place and means.

Scripture Introduction God is seeking worshippers in spirit and truth. That does not mean that God seeks to make worshippers, as if there were people not worshipping whom he hopes to change. The issue is not whether we will worship, but whom and how. John Calvin (a pastor in the 1600s) ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed