Sermons on Letter Closings:

Fruitful Frustration Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

I am sure Paul did not like the experience of being thrown in prison, but he did not, in frustration, bang his head on the bars, or go into a vegetative mood of depression. He got out his pen and wrote letters that changed the course of history.

Joe Bayly had a chance to stay in the luxurious Hilton Hotel in Chicago. It was going to be a treat of a retreat, but then he was hit again by the x-factor. That is what he calls Murphy's Law-the law that says, if anything can go wrong it will. The hot water in his room would not work. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Just Another Brick In The Wall

Contributed by Steven Spillman on Jul 14, 2008

Something I said in the last letter has had me thinking. “If we’re all bricks in the same building, stretching back over thousands of years and covering the whole earth, then I have trouble with the idea of my ‘church’ and your ‘church.’”

“You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:10-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Alpha & Omega - The Connection Between Gensis & Revelation

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Nov 6, 2023

We are standing at the end of the book of Jude the benediction is being given, our heads are bowed, eyes closed, and hands raised, and we are hearing “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

Alpha & Omega The Connection between Genesis & Revelation By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - If I were to say the most attacked books of the Bible were Genesis and Revelation, I believe I would be pretty accurate with that proclamation. These two books receive a lot of criticism ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

The "Secret" Of Gideon's Faith

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Mar 13, 2003

Discover the secret of Gideon’s Faith through his conversations with God. The "secret" is revealed in the first letter of each point. Purge (sin from your live), Revive true worship, Act on your Faith, Yield to the will of God. PRAY.

The “Secret” of Gideon’s Faith Judges 6 & 7 INTRODUCTION I. Israel had been handed over to the Midianites. 6:1, 10 A. Midianites ravaged the land. 6:2–6 B. The Israelites cried out to God. 6:6–7 1. God has always wanted the best for His children. a. He sent them a prophet. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

7 Ingredients From The Thessalonica Community Church Series

Contributed by Alan Balatbat on Apr 27, 2004

The good news that Timothy reported to Paul prompted him to write this first letter to the Thessalonians. I trust that as we look at some of the basic principles in the epistle to the Thessalonians, the Lord will help you to see what He desires from you a

Intro: Let’s look at Acts 17 to see how the church at Thessalonica began. Verse 1 says, “When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they [Paul and his companions] came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews.” When Paul entered a city to spread the gospel, he generally went ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

He's Got The Whole World In His Hands Series

Contributed by Stuart Blount on Dec 28, 2007

The Lord we have trusted was no mere Galilean preacher. The clear message to the original readers of this letter was: ‘Surely the Christ whose hands has shaped the universe and summoned the galaxy of stars into being could hold these Jewish Christians i

AIM: To elevate our perspective of JESUS so that any sense of flagging faith is renewed by a fresh understanding of the importance and significance of JESUS. Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians, probably 2nd generation, whose parents had embraced ‘Christ’ as Messiah and so these people had ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

What’s The Big Idea?

Contributed by Matt Stacy on Nov 18, 2010

I’ts important to see Christ in Scripture, not just the red letters, but in the blueprint of our relationship with God from the beginning to the end of scripture. What started out as a bible study turned into a sermon outline, that I hope is useful to tho

>Isiah 65: I like to read 64 into 65 because it is a short summary of Man’s history and relationship with God and is very relative to today. Written sometime before Christ’s birth, yet we can still see Christ’s personality in verses 17-20. "I will create a new heaven and a new earth..." (Also check ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seven Seals Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 23, 2010

Revelation is a brilliant book. We have already seen how the letters to the seven churches affect both them in the first century, and the church throughout history to the end of the church age. The same is true with the entire book, and that is why we hav

Revelation is a brilliant book. We have already seen how the letters to the seven churches affect both them in the first century, and the church throughout history to the end of the church age. The same is true with the entire book, and that is why we have such differences in interpretation. The ...read more

Grace And Peace

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Jan 3, 2023

Paul begins every one of his thirteen letters with these words of blessing: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It’s arguably the greatest of all the biblical benedictions, but it goes mostly ignored.

Franklin Roosevelt was greeting guests at the White House one evening as they came through the reception line. He disliked this ritual, however, since everyone always spoke their rehearsed lines without actually listening to what was said. So, feeling mischievous that evening and to test his ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-8, Romans 5:1

Paul In Galatia And Phrygia Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 7, 2017

Paul’s third “missionary journey” was a journey only at the beginning and end. For the most part it was an extensive three-year ministry in Ephesus. Luke devoted only one chapter to that ministry, but we know from Paul’s letters that it was a time....

May 21, 2015 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.D.1: Paul in Galatia and Phrygia (18:23) Acts 18:23 (KJV) 23 And ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:23

Denomination: Baptist

Judas Iscariot: Jesus Called Him "A Devil" Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Apr 1, 2014

The name "JUDAS ISCARIOT" has 13 letters in it, Judas is found in the 13th. Chapter of John, we read about Judas in John 13: and verse 26, which is 2 x13.~ 13, the number of wickedness and depravety.

#14~ Judas Iscariot: -- pt.2~ APOSTLES 3-8-14 ~ Today we'll continue with our study to do with the Apostles, last broadcast was #13, it was to do with Judas Iscariot, and the number 13 was the appropriate number for Judas as the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:26

Denomination: Baptist

Nit Pickers And Drop Givers

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Jul 6, 2013

The love we sow is the love we will reap. One of the marks of the church is the love which members show to one another, We are called to love one another as Christ loves us, and Paul speaks to this in his letter to the church at Galatia.

As Christians, we are called- even commanded- to love one another as Christ loves us. This is a daunting task, but it is also the seed we must sow. The good news is that we can do it- if we become new creations in Christ, we can show His love to others in meaningful and concrete ways. This morning, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Smyrna: Riches Within Poverty

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 12, 2020

The second church Jesus instructed John to pen a letter was the church in Smyrna. It was situated within a city of great wealth and affluence, and yet many believers lived in poverty. They were not rich by the world's standards, but they were rich in grace.

Smyrna: Riches within Poverty Revelation 2: 8-11 Today we come to Smyrna, the second church within the series of letters John was instructed to write in the Revelation. It is interesting to note, that of the seven churches, only two received all praise and encouragement from the Lord, with no ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Evidence Of Spiritual Strength Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

Paul is wrapping up his encouragement letter to the Philippians by acknowledging their genuine concern for him, and by reminding them that circumstances have no power of his perspective--he knows that Christ in us is greater than any difficulty this world can produce.

I. Intro: GODZILLA MEAT! A. Want to be as strong as Godzilla?  Eat Godzilla Meat!  “Godzilla Meat—actually 3.5 ounces of corned beef from Tokyo toy maker Takara Company—is packaged with pictures of the stomping, fire-breathing, irradiated dinosaur made famous by movies that started ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Voluntary Slavery Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

Paul was happy to be a slave to his Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. The first thing he says in this letter to identify himself is that he is a servant of Jesus Christ. The word for servant is doulos, which is the word for slaves all through the New Testament.

In the early days of Israel if a man got into debt and could not repay he was not sent to prison, but was allowed to become the slave of his creditor. But it was not to be a permanent situation. When the 7th year came he would be liberated and be free to be his own master again, and begin to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7