Sermons on Letter Closings:

The Stark Contrast Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 5, 2011

The contrast between the old nature and the new couldn't be more stark as we finish up our study in Paul's letter to the Galatians. The question we all have to face is: where is our treasure, in this legalistic age, or in God's kingdom?

Galatians is all about the contrast between the old nature and the new, legalism and Spirit-life. As we finish up the book today we’re going to see that contrast in stark relief so let’s look for it as we finish chapter 6. As we talked about the fruit of the Spirit in chapter 5, we saw ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:6-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Hit Me With Your Best Shot Series

Contributed by Erik Estep on May 16, 2012

Today in our passage of Scripture we’re going to see a man named Paul writing a letter to the church in Rome. And he wanted to encourage them not to be timid in their faith; not to be timid in allowing their belief in Jesus and His teachings to dictate h

“Hit Me with Your Best Shot” Rom. 1: 16-17 October 30, 2011 Intro: There was a boxing video game a # of years ago called “Mike Tyson’s Punch Out.” And in the game the 1st fighter you faced was a French boxer named “Glass Joe.” He had one win and 99 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Warfare

Contributed by Steve Smith on Feb 22, 2010

A reminder of 3 truths taken from Paul's letter to the Ephesians: 1- we are in a Battle, 2- It's Invisible, and 3- we must Make a Stand. We are reminded that God's Armor is available for the believer but it must be fitted - fitted by spiritual growth and

INTRODUCTION Chip Ingram developed a new DVD Teaching series called “The Invisible War”. Many thoughts began to run over situations in MY LIFE & the LIVES OF OTHERS recently. - Questions asked recently (sickness, death, constant struggle, financial) - Battles Christians are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Does Time Change The Intent Of God's Will?

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Nov 3, 2014

This message is designed to help us to consider: (1) whether ‘the spirit of the law’ endures beyond ‘the letter of the law’ and (2) whether God’s silence is a synonym of His absence or His affirmation.

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: I am the Lord your God. 3You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes. 4My ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 18:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Strategy For Success

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 10, 2019

Writing his final letter, while facing execution, Paul was not defeated. He had not abandoned the faith. His final instruction was given to his son in the faith, Timothy. Paul longed for Timothy to follow his lead and remain steadfast in the faith.

The Strategy for Success 2 Timothy 2: 1-6 Our text today comes from the last letter the Apostle Paul would write. At this moment, Paul is very near the end of life. He is confined within the Roman Mamertine prison, awaiting his execution. Paul’s final days are lived in the shadow of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Victory In Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 19, 2020

As Peter concluded this very practical letter that addressed the difficulties the church faced while seeking to encourage them to remain committed, he drew their focus back to the one who could provide all they needed regardless of the situation - the Lord Jesus Christ.

Victory in Jesus 1 Peter 5: 6-11 We have considered much in our time moving through Peter’s first epistle. Being aware of their struggles, Peter addressed their need while challenging them to remain steadfast in spite of the opposition they faced. He knew the world was watching their lives, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

America, Patriotism, And The Fear Of God

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 19, 2021

Peter’s first letter was probably written some time before this terrible persecution. At the time of Peter’s writing, Christians was being slandered and mistreated in isolated places throughout modern day Turkey. He did not live in a “Christian nation.”

Should Christians support the Iraqi invasion? Should American Christians who protested the Vietnam war go to Canada to avoid the draft instead? How are Christians to respond when the Supreme Court hands down decisions that go against God’s Word? Can Christians support former President Obama while ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Excellence Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

What we see in this letter of Titus is that Paul was committed to excellence. The goal of God is not just to get His Son a bride, but to get Him a bride who is without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. In other words, the goal of God is always perfection.

For some unknown reason a sculptor hacked an 18 foot high piece of marble into an awkward shape, and then left it unfinished to lay in a Cathedral courtyard in Florence, Italy. For about a hundred years it laid there until Sept. of 1501. The damaged block had been offered to other sculptors, but ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-16

You Are Called In Jesus Christ

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Aug 4, 2018

As Paul moves to chapters 4-6 of Ephesians, he begins his "application" part of the letter. In 4:1-16, Paul talks about what it means to be called. What that looks like for life, your church life, and your serving.

As you know, for the last three weeks, we have been in the book of Ephesians. Paul has told us back in chapter one how we are blessed, adopted, chosen, and sealed in Jesus Christ. In chapter two, he told us about what we were like before Christ came, aliens and strangers to grace! Last week, we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16, Ephesians 4:1-7, Ephesians 4:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Take Hold Of Life Series

Contributed by Colin Mcgeer on May 12, 2023

Press on to the goal. Life in you. In each one of Paul's letters, you will read the revelation he received. Christ is your life. it is a gift from God. Our inheritance. Lay hold of the incorruptible seed. Do not give up.

I love running and have run many different races in my life. The Comrades 90km race has probably been the most memorable race of my life. No matter what race you run you get to a point in the race where it becomes very tough and you have to tell your body to endure and ignore the pain. You know ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14, Romans 8:18-25, 1 Corinthians 15:53-54, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Psalm 103:2-5  (view more)  (view less)

Restoring Relationships

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Sep 4, 2016

Paul's letter to Philemon gives us solid timeless principles in restoring broken relationships. As Paul paid for Onesimus' sin, so Christ pays for ours, thus restoring us to God. Because we have been forgiven much, we need to forgive others.

Philemon Restoring Relationships I’d like to take a little survey this morning: Who here has never had a relationship challenge? Ah ha, I thought so. Today’s subject “Restoring Relationships,” is for all of us. As we seek to live a Christian life, does our faith have any ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Give Up Series

Contributed by John Hamby on May 4, 2005

Paul is passing on the torch of ministry to Timothy. Paul has finished his turn of carrying the torch of the gospel of Christ. 2 Tim.4:7) Now it is Timothy’s turn to carry the torch and finish his leg of the race.Paul’s final letter is a passing of the to

“Passing On The Torch” A Study of 2 Timothy “Don’t Give Up!” 2 Timothy 1:1-18 In 66 A.D. Paul is again in prison. But the circumstances now are very different from his first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:16-31). In his first ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Empty Womb Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 24, 2023

Why did Hannah mourn her childlessness and what did God do for her that we can learn from?

I ran across a list of different life experiences that can create stress, and amongst all these life experiences creating stress were these: Death of a spouse; Divorce; Being sentenced to Jail; Personal injury or illness; Being fired at work; Retirement; Pregnancy; and a change in financial ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Angels...angels...angels...

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Mar 31, 2016

Treading upon a topic where angels...opps sorry ...I mean Christian preachers usually "fear" to tread (thanks E.M. Forster) ...that is ANGELS...Yours Truly has attempted to present a close to 360 degree view about the Angels from the revealed Scriptures (Deu 29:29)...

Angels... Angels...Angels!!! “The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly” remarked a Biblical Scholar insightfully bringing to light one of the remarkable characteristics’ (humility) of those ethereal ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:7

Denomination: *other

Pray Privately Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 3, 2024

Talking about praying privately today- Matthew 6:5-6 (Material adapted from Bob Hostetler's book called "Red Letter Prayer Life", chapter 2 "Pray Privately") Given for Sunday School class

HoHum: My Uncle Galen taught me how to tie my shoes. Many before him attempted to help me but they did it backwards to the way I did it. When my Uncle Galen showed me it was the right way, left handed people do it the right way because they are in their right mind. Whether it’s losing weight, or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6, Luke 11:1, Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ