Sermons on Lesson:

"The Initiative Is God's"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 16, 2005

All that we have from God, including a relationship with Him, is by His initiative. This should strengthen our faith in all His promises for the future.

We’ve recently taken time to study the passage concerning Paul’s conversion experience, and not so much for focusing on Paul himself, but in order to get a closer look at this obscure fellow named Ananias and determine what we might learn from the very brief glimpse we are given of him in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-43

Denomination: Orthodox

"Claudius And Herod And Elymas; Oh, My!"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 20, 2005

(or, Bad politicians, terrorists and false prophets)

(or, “Bad Politicians, Terrorists and False Prophets”) I’ve chosen a rather long portion of scripture to preach from, but I do not intend to do an expository study of these 41 verses today, so you can rest assured that this will, eventually, come to a close. What I want to do is take these ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

Is Your Cheek Red Enough?

Contributed by James May on Feb 9, 2005

What does Jesus mean when He says to "Turn the Other Cheek"?

Is Your Cheek Red Enough? by Pastor Jim May Portions of this message were taken from a message by Rev. Victor Shepherd at another sermon site) Matthew 5:38-42, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Uncommon Forgiveness

Contributed by Mike Hays on Feb 14, 2005

Solomon gives us a choice: We can walk in wisdom and exhibit an uncommon forgiveness when we are hurt or we can live as we know how to live by harboring resentment and bitterness.

Uncommon Forgiveness Proverbs 17:9 In Proverbs 17 there are some shady characters who exhibit shady characteristics in the way they live their life. Some of these folks, who evidently were alive and well in Solomon’s day, are still with us. We read about them in Newsweek, People, and in our local ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revealing The Secrets Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Feb 22, 2005

1st in a 3 part series on Marriage. (Idea: We used a Christian Magician to introduce each week plus other creative elements)

REVEALING THE SECRETS (How to have an ideal marriage) GENESIS 1:27-28; 2:18-25; 3:7-13 INTRODUCTION TO SERIES: How bad is the state of marriage in America? Consider these statistics: The number of currently divorced adults has more than quintupled from 4.3 million in 1970 to 19.8 million in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Christian Church

Getting To Know God – Jehovah Jirah – The Lord Who Provides Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

A study of the name of God - Jehovah Jirah – The Lord who provides

Getting to Know God – Jehovah Jirah – The Lord who provides One of the incredible things about many missionary testimonies and books is the way that God incredibly provides in the nick of time and with such practical and incredible answers. I must admit that as I was sitting down this week to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Touched By God When I Didn't Expect It

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

Considering God’s blessing on Zechariah amidst his disappointment.

Luke 1:5-25 – Touched by God when I didn’t expect it A man named Jacob had hit a low point in his life. He had thought about killing himself but he was too poor and too tired to secure the means to do it. He found a park bench and just lay down to die. He did not eat, because there was nothing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

No More "Eenie, Menie, Miny, Mo!” Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Nov 20, 2004

PROVERBS – Wisdom for Right Living #2 We can either go on living life our own way, or we can learn from the wisdom of others. Solomon has passed on Godly wisdom for living our lives.

Introduction: Once upon a time a class of first graders from the city took a field trip to a big farm in the country. Their teacher told them that today they would learn about where all the food at the super market came from; they would get to see how things grow and even milk a cow. After ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:8-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Giving

Contributed by Tom Blasco on Oct 28, 2005

Three key insights on giving from 2 Cor. 9:6-10 Is your seed in the barn? What are you afraid of? What’s in your wallet?

Did you know that in the Bible mentions: • Pray or prayer 289 times, • Love 363 times, and • Give or giving 1043 times? God has put a tremendous emphasis on giving in His word. Why? Because we are naturally selfish and stingy so giving is hard for us, - But God challenges us to give • Give of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming Temptation

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Sep 27, 2001

Shows the fallacies about temptation that often cause believers to succumb to it, demonstrating the total victory that we can find in Jesus Christ.

Temptation is a fact of life for all of us. As we know, even Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. So, the question arises, why are some people able to withstand the temptations while others are not? Why do some people come through temptation unscathed while others are completely ruined by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Man Your Battle Stations

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 5, 2001

In the light of the terrorism of 9/11 we must "man our battle stations."

MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS Eph. 6:10-12 INTRO.- ILL.- The Army staff was planning war games but did not want to use live ammunition. Instead, they informed the men: "In place of a rifle, you go, ’bang, bang.’ In place of a knife, you go, ’stab, stab.’ In place of a hang grenade, you go, ’lob, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Restorative Justice #4: Samson's Revenge, Jesus' Redemption Series

Contributed by Anne Grant on Oct 11, 2001

Two men made for God’s purpose: one chooses his own pleasure and becomes a terrorist bent on revenge, fighting a holy war. He commits suicide bringing down a building, killing thousands. The other gives up his rights, chooses death, and redeems the world.

Samson’s Revenge and Jesus’ Redemption, Judges 13-16 Restorative Justice Series #4 Trinity United Methodist Church, Providence, RI October 7, 2001 Rev. Anne Grant We have been hearing some powerful stories about heroism Over the past few weeks. We read them in newspapers and magazines. We hear ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Methodist

Life In The Needle's Eye

Contributed by James May on Nov 2, 2003

If we are to have eternal life we must learn that we are going to live in "eye of the needle", constantly allowing Jesus to cleanse us and remove the burdens, while surrendering completely to his will.

LIFE IN THE NEEDLE’S EYE Luke 18:18-30, "And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What To Do With Dirty Feet

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 24, 2003

Humility and servanthood are the biblical pathway to genuine greatness. Jesus teaches this by example and precept as He washes the disciples feet.

What to Do with Dirty Feet 11-24-02 Intro: Text: John 13:1-17 13:1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:35, John 13:1-17

Denomination: Charismatic

Transformation Of A Scarlet Woman Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 8, 2003

Three aspects of this woman’s encounter with Jesus were crucial to her transformation. These same 3 elements are vital to every conversion. 1- Acceptance 2- Convictaion 3- Revelation

Transformation of a Scarlet Woman Fortifying the Foundations # 9 John 4:1-30 5-25-03 Intro: Read John 4:1-30 (For text in NIV go to end of this manuscript). Sang “Fill My Cup” with verse taken from this text. In text we see a Radical Change occurring in this woman’s life as she encounters the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30, Matthew 7:7

Denomination: Charismatic