Sermons on Jonathan Morris:

An Acts 29 Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 19, 2011

The church today is called to be an Acts 29 church. This message reveals what is required to continue the ministry and mission of the church in Acts,

INTRODUCTION * WE are Acts 29: we are living in the unfinished chapter of the church’s ministry * Our journey through Acts saw the church’s beginning, success, and some failures * Acts ends with Paul under house arrest and using that house as a base of operation as he shares the Gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Have No Fear, God Is Near

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Nov 1, 2011

This sermon examines the fear that we encounter in life, and how we can overcome it, knowing that God is with us

INTRODUCTION * Fear: the natural feeling of alarm caused by the expectation of imminent danger, pain or disaster * Fear is common and widespread: over 500 documented phobias (and some are pretty funny) - cacophobia: the fear of ugliness - dentophobia: the fear of dentists - gynophobia: the fear of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Reaches Out To Sinners Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Nov 1, 2011

This message examines the shocking action of Jesus, when he reached out to Zacchaeus. Application is made to today, noting that Jesus still reaches out to sinners today.

INTRODUCTION TO SERIES * The “Most-Shocking” video genre (i.e., Top 20 Most Shocking Boozers and Losers; Most Shocking Fights and Wild Riots; etc.) * A different kind of “most-shocking” action: the life and ministry of Jesus Christ - Christ did things that shocked those who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Forgives Sinners Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Nov 1, 2011

This message looks at the shocking action of Jesus, in which he offers forgiveness for sins

INTRODUCTION * A Savior’s Most-Shocking Actions series: things Jesus did while on earth that were shocking to those around him at that time - things he did/said went against what many thought - his claims and actions were so shocking they eventually led to his death * Those moments are still ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Dies For The Sins Of The World Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Nov 1, 2011

This sermon looks at the shocking action of Jesus, as he offers his life as the payment for sin

INTRODUCTION * Current series (message 3 of 4): A Savior’s Most-Shocking Actions (things Jesus said and did that his enemies used against him) * Previous actions: (1) Jesus reaches out to sinners [Zacchaeus]; (2) Jesus forgives sinners [paralytic] * Today: the shocking moment in which Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-56

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Rises From The Dead Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Nov 1, 2011

The most-shocking action of Jesus was his resurrection from the dead. This message examines the implications of his resurrection, and the impact he can have in our lives today.

INTRODUCTION * Series, “A Savior’s Most-Shocking Actions” / previous actions: reaches out to sinners; offers forgiveness to sinners; dies for sinners * A dead Savior doesn’t do anyone any good; for Christ’s death to be powerful today, he must do something that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Living Like An Alien

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Nov 1, 2011

Using Judah in the Old Testament as an example, this message explains how God's people are to live as "aliens" in this world while we await the return of Christ and eternity in our true, eternal kingdom.

INTRODUCTION * A hot topic in politics: illegal immigration = “aliens” - a resident born in or belonging to another country - a foreigner; unlike one’s own / strange or difference * We, as God’s people, are aliens in a spiritual sense (not new: the people of God in the OT ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Call Of Duty

Contributed by Jonathan Howes on Sep 28, 2011

How to be a good soldier of Christ

WHAT ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR? Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 WHAT LASTS FOR ALL ETERNITY? 1. The word of God 2. The souls of men, women ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Raising Kids That Become Champions

Contributed by Jonathan Howes on Sep 28, 2011

Avoid mistakes and learn the three qualities of children who are champions for Jesus.

“So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Law Verses Grace Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

This sermon examines Paul's teaching on the law and grace

INTRODUCTION * Text = a clash between those who want to strictly follow what they feel is the Law and those who want to abandon that Law and cling to God’s grace regarding salvation - the Covenant of Circumcision (Gen. 17) and Passover requirements (Ex. 12:48-49) * Some believed that the new ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Job Description Of A Life-Changer Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

In this message we'll examine the characteristics of the person God uses to change the lives of others

INTRODUCTION * Purpose of a job description: describes responsibilities and expected actions of a person in a particular job setting...mostly imperative * A job description often defines a person - “What do you do?” - We do what we do because of who we are * The job description of every ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Change Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

What kind of change occurs in a person's heart when they accept Christ as Savior?

INTRODUCTION * A subject often found in Acts: change - Christ changes the heart and status of a person before God, resulting in... - Christ calling the church and believers to change their culture with the Gospel * Focus is often on outward change because it’s visible: the presence of Christ ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Three Gifts You Won't Find Under The Tree Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

In this message we get an overview of the gifts that God can give us that we won't find anywhere else in the world.

INTRODUCTION * Introductory message to Christmas series * Explain excitement about gifts on Christmas morning * The best gift-giver is God, but his gifts aren’t found under a tree; we can experience them because of events that took place on the cross and because of the empty tomb * Overview ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

This message focuses on the gift of the Holy Spirit

INTRODUCTION * “Gifts You Won’t Find Under the Tree” series = these gifts are unique because of their source; take away God and you have no opportunity to receive the gifts * Today: the gift of the Holy Spirit - To understand the gift of the Spirit we must first understand the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Satisfaction Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

This message examines the gift of satisfaction that God gives his children

INTRODUCTION * “Gifts You Won’t Find Under the Tree” series * Rolling Stones hit, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” * Satisfaction is something that all desire, but few really achieve * From a Christianity Today article written by Carolyn Arends (Dec. 2010): ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist