Sermons on Last Be First:

Ephesus: Church Lost Its First Love

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jul 17, 2003

Church started with Penticost, ends in heaven.

EPHESUS: THE CHURCH THAT LEFT ITS FIRST LOVE. Revelation 2:1-7 There are many different ways to look at these letters to the seven churches. We could consider them first of all prophetically. To do so means these letters represent the stages the church will go through. It started from the day of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Important Priority (The First Commandment) Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 10, 2001

There’s nothing more important in life than having the right God in the right place in our lives.

Note: This sermon was introduced with a drama called "Idle Idols"). Can you feel the barbs of truth as we laugh? Funny, but painfully true of life in the end of the 20th century. Our culture is littered with false gods, whether they be entertainment idols or motor homes, sports memorabilia or ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tender Commandments #1: Put God First Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Jun 5, 2011

The rightful setting of the Ten Commandments is the boundless, faithful, Father-love of the living God. God gives us rules because He loves us.

THE TENDER COMMANDMENTS #1: PUT GOD FIRST (June 2011 – Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan) WEIRD LAWS IN CALIFORNIA: 1. It is illegal for anyone to try to stop a child from playfully jumping over puddles of water. 2. A California law makes it illegal to set up a mousetrap without a hunting ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: *other

The Night Of Darkness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 12, 2004

1st Person portrayal of Peter during his imprisonment by Herod and his angelic deliverance.

(Setting: Peter is kneeling. His wrists are in chains - plastic chains wrapped twice around the wrists with the end held in the palm of each hand. The stage is dark and the lights are bro’t up to half power on this section of the stage.) (These first words are mournful, reflecting the despair that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lifestyle Principles Sermon V: Prioritize The Main Thing Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 22, 2020

When facing crisis situations, God's people accept the challenge to prioritize the main thing we pray for by doing the main thing Christ died for.

PRIORITIZE THE MAIN THING WE PRAY FOR BY DOING THE MAIN THING WE WOULD DIE FOR At a recent “note burning ceremony” the church’s pastor commended the parishioners, then commented on the meaning of the special occasion, reminding people that, whereas the burning of a note of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-3, Nehemiah 6:15-16, Nehemiah 8:1-8

A First Step Toward Witnessing For The Non-Evangelist

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 18, 2018

A look at how crucial it is to recognize that God has put a few people around that we are responsible to pray for and witness to.

- Let me note as we begin that the sermon title speaks of the “non-evangelist.” While there are people who are spiritually gifted at evangelism, sharing our faith is a job that is assigned to all of us. I’m referring there to the person who doesn’t feel they’re any good at that or for the person ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Hope That Transforms: A Sermon For The First Sunday In Advent

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 27, 2023

We look at this season as one in which we hope. What do we hope for, and how does this effect the way we live?

The Hope that Transforms: A Sermon for the First Sunday in Advent 1 John 3:1-3 It’s Advent time again. The American celebration of Thanksgiving is past. Now all eyes turn upon celebrating Christmas. In fact, this is what many Christians make of Advent, if they have even heard of it. The reality is ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Reaching Out: The First Breakfast - 9 Of 14 Series

Contributed by Russell Metcalfe on Jan 28, 2021

God needs us to be bridge builders, people who will reach out. Jesus will meet with us at the place of reaching out in fellowship to one another within the church. And he certainly will meet with us at the place where we are willing to reach out to those who do not yet know this Savior.

April 26, 1998 Acts 9; John 21 Our God is a bridge builder. In all his thoughts and actions toward us he is reaching out to let us know that in this vast and mysterious universe we are not alone. In the first pages of scripture God is seen as looking for Adam and Eve in the Garden, calling, ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

The First Sermon In The New Testament--And It Was Unusual!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 23, 2023

The nation of Israel hadn't heard a true prophet bringing God's message in nearly 400 years. When John the Baptist came preaching, people noticed some unusual things about his message.

The first sermon preached in the New Testament (Based on a sermon preached 1-15-2023 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: John the Baptist, son of Zechariah the priest, was the first true prophet to Israel in nearly 400 years. Not since Malachi ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Putting Jesus' Agenda First (Part 2)

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 13, 2007

Part two of a series discussing the need to live for Jesus ahead of ourselves.

Putting Jesus’ Agenda First (Part 2) Matthew 16:21-28 March 11, 2007 I think if we were all honest with ourselves, we’d have to admit that we all want a life with meaning to it, right? We want to know that our life actually counts for something beyond just our ability to consume oxygen and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Wesleyan

Abraham-The First Test Of His Faith Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 4, 2021

Abram had obeyed God and moved his household to the land of Canaan. While there, he experienced the first severe test of his new faith. How did he respond to this challenge?

Introduction: Abram had left Ur of the Chaldees and was now living in the land of Canaan. He had settled, at least for the time being, south of Bethel and Ai. The exact location is not given in the text. When a real problem came, Abram experienced his first significant test of faith. How would he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Putting Jesus' Agenda First (Part 1)

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 13, 2007

Stressing the importance of living for Christ instead of ourselves and our designs.

Putting Jesus’ Agenda First (Part 1) Matthew 16:21-28 March 4, 2007 How many of you here had parents at one time or another? Was there ever a time when you felt that you knew better than your parents – about any given topic? If you’ve never felt that way, then something’s wrong, and we’ll have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Wesleyan

Elijah And The First Child To Be Raised From The Dead Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 23, 2024

Elijah had been staying with a widow and several others in Zarephath, outside Israel's borders. Tragedy struck when the widow's son died. What would happen next?

Introduction: Elijah had come to Zarephath, a city in Sidon—Jezebel’s home country!—at the LORD’s command after living near the brook Cherith in Israel. In Zarephath, he stayed in a boarding house, we might say, operated by the widow whom the LORD had shown him. It seemed things were going well, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Seek First The Kingdom? Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Apr 18, 2007

Often times we say things without understanding their meaning. Often times we quote, "seek first his kingdom and his righteosness," but what does that really mean for us?

What Does it Mean to Seek First the Kingdom? Introduction: One night, a group of thieves broke into a jewelry store. But rather than stealing anything, they simply switched all the price tags. The next day no one could tell what was valuable and what was cheap. The expensive jewels had suddenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ezra: A First Person Reflection, (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jan 14, 2017

Ezra reflects on the Exile, the Return, and the Future

Ezra: A First Person Reflection on the Exile, the Return, and the Future (pt 1) Welcome. It’s good to see you! In the 2500 years since I lived on earth, I’ve enjoyed meeting my heroes of the faith. Some, like Barnabas and Stephen lived after I did, but I admired their work. Some, like Job, ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist