Sermons on Joy And Meaning:

Is Official/Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 7, 2025

Regarding this matter of formal church membership, it is examined alongside mainly Ephesian verses. The subject is opened up to understand the New Testament practice of being members of one another and the equality in the Body of Christ. Membership of Christ’s Body covers it all.

IS OFFICIAL/FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 3 Part 3 (there are 4 parts) continues to look at various scriptures in this study of formal church membership over and above the one membership that unites all believers into one Body, and makes them all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:26-28, Ephesians 2:13-16, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 3:5-6, Ephesians 4:3-7, Ephesians 4:11-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Dedicated Son Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 24, 2025

What made Samuel such a great man for God? What made him so influential that God even saw him as equal to Moses?

Two days after Pearl Harbor, a man named Bob Feller enlisted in the US Navy and served with distinction in the Pacific against the Japanese. But it wasn’t in the navy that Bob Feller became famous. Bob attained fame as a pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, and for 18 seasons he struck out some of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Foreigner Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 27, 2022

Imagining Jezebel's story - a woman who clung to her power and her gods in the face of enormous pressure. Are the two connected?

My name is Jezebel. I am a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Eshbaal, King of Sidon and the Queen of Israel, the strongest nation in the world from Assyria to Egypt. My father Eshbaal gave me in marriage to Ahab of Israel to strengthen the alliance between our two countries, because although we ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Salvation Has Come

Contributed by Alvan Lewis on Dec 13, 2022

How do we know if a person is really saved?

Salvation has Come Luke 19:1-10 Our story takes place in the city of Jericho. It is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world. For thousands of years humans have walk through its streets. It is the city of Palms along the fertile plain of the Jordan River. This city was so beautiful ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

It's All About Jesus (Colossians 4) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Dec 14, 2022

The book of Colossians is all about Jesus! In this five-part series, we'll explore Paul's letter to the Colossian church and come to know Christ better.

It’s all about Jesus: Colossians 4 Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 11/13/2016 During the rehearsal for her wedding a nervous bride was having a difficult time remembering all the details. Her kind pastor took her aside at the end of the night and said, “When you enter the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-24

Denomination: Christian Church

Christmas, The Gift, The Peaceable Kingdom

Contributed by Lee Houston on Dec 17, 2022

The Christmas season has many wonderful traditions. Does everyone here know of the "tradition" of kissing under the mistletoe?

Christmas, The Gift, The Peaceable Kingdom Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 1:1-17 The Christmas season has many wonderful traditions. Does everyone here know of the "tradition" of kissing under the mistletoe? The history of kissing under the mistletoe is from ancient Scandinavian ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 1:1-17

Following Jesus: Mark 5 Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Dec 19, 2022

Part 5 of 16: In this series, we follow Jesus chapter-by-chapter through the Gospel of Mark. This is Mark 5.

Following Jesus (5) Scott Bayles, pastor Scripture: Mark 5:1-20 Blooming Grove Christian Church: 1/29/2017 For the past few weeks, we’ve been following in the footsteps of Jesus through the Gospel of Mark. Thus far, we’ve witnessed the baptism of Jesus. We’ve seen a man lowered through the ceiling ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Christian Church

Following Jesus: Mark 12 Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Dec 19, 2022

Part 13 of 16: In this series, we follow Jesus chapter-by-chapter through the Gospel of Mark. This is Mark 12.

Following Jesus (13) Scott Bayles, pastor Scripture: Mark 12:28-34 Blooming Grove Christian Church: 3/26/2017 Jim Dunn was serving as the pastor of the First Baptist Church, and his wife, Gladys, was very friendly and welcoming to people. One particular Sunday when the sermon seemed to go on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Christian Church

Realistic New Year's Resolutions

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jan 1, 2024

Our desire alone cannot always produce change, but with God's guidance we can produce New Year's Resolutions that can be sustained through the New Year and beyond.

“For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? Only take heed to yourself, and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:7-10, Mark 11:22-24, James 1:22-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Growing Deeper Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 11, 2024

We're at war with Satan, but too often churches ignore the conflict and avoid doing what has to be done to tear down the gates of Hell. What can we do to avoid going AWOL in this great battle for the souls of the lost?

When I went to Israel, I visited a place about 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee called Caesarea Philippi. The area lays in the shadow of Mt. Hermon, whose ice caps (when they melt) supply clean fresh springs for the waters of the Jordan River. This abundant water supply made the area fertile ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Confronting The Phony

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 6, 2025

Do you know anyone who is Mr. Rogers at church but Mike Tyson during the week?

Confronting the Phony “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fencing Off Your Offenses

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Apr 5, 2024

Carrying an offense can be damaging to one's spiritual walk and relationships with others. Learning to defend against these offenses can be a protection, and learning to praise God at the onset can prove to be a powerful fence against the offense.

Fencing Off Your Offenses Proverbs 18:19 says, “A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.” What does it mean to be offended and how is that different than unforgiveness? If unforgiveness is a prison, then an offense is the door that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:11, Psalm 89:9, 1 Chronicles 16:35, Psalm 32:7, Colossians 3:13, Romans 8:28, Proverbs 18:19  (view more)  (view less)

Wealth In Wellness

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Apr 13, 2024

Living well may seem elusive. But Jesus lived the best life. How can we live a life of wellness? It is coming to a place as Jesus was--full of grace and truth. Therein lies the wealth of wellness.

Wealth in Wellness There is a wealth that resides in wellness. 3 John 1:2 (NKJV) says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” The Apostle John is addressing the “beloved,” and he prays that those who are beloved would prosper. The word ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:2, Genesis 4:7, James 1:19-20, Ephesians 1:3, 2 Samuel 11:1, Jonah 4:4, John 14:31, John 2:15, 2 Corinthians 12:9, John 1:14, Proverbs 9:10, Romans 14:12, Judges 21:25  (view more)  (view less)

Guardrails For Your Life

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 13, 2024

Guardrails are partial walls designed to keep vehicles from straying off the road into dangerous areas. God wants us to erect guardrails for our finances, behavior, morals, dating, ethics, etc.

GUARDRAILS FOR YOUR LIFE Eph. 5:3-5 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Tomorrow is Tax Day. Here’s 7 thoughts: 1. Moms and Dads never appreciate their kids more than at tax time. 2. Did you know that whoever won the Mega Millions jackpot will make history? They'll be the first billionaire to pay ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sermon # 19 - God Gives Us Hope Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Oct 23, 2024

As Jonah was thrown into the sea it seemed all was over, but God had prepared a big fish to keep Jonah safe. In all those seemingly hopeless times, God is in control and let’s keep in mind that God’s grace and His justice always go hand in hand.

We read in Jonah 1:15, “And they lifted Jonah up and threw him out into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.” (AFV) As we continue our studies on the life of Jonah and its relevance to the church, many have been blessed and we thank God for these good testimonies. God instructed Jonah to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:15, Jonah 1:4, Jonah 1:17, Psalm 85:10, John 1:14, Job 42:2, Matthew 12:40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other