Sermons on Letters:

Commitment

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 30, 2014

Paul is in the worst physical condition of his life, but he is in the best spiritual condition. This letter to the Philippines was written from a Roman jail following the perilous journey mentioned in Acts 27. Still, Paul is confident, positive, and committed to Jesus.

7-18-04 Title: Commitment Text: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12) Bible Reading: Philippians 3:7-21 Introduction: Please refer to our ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-21

Denomination: Baptist

What's In A Greeting? Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 24, 2012

Almost every writer of the epistle in the NT begin their letter with two beautiful words - Grace and Peace. Grace is the delight or the favor or the benefit one receives from God and Peace is the harmony or the tranquility. You must receive the grace of G

As I look at the first verse, I am reminded of the discussion in one part of Shakespeare’s play, Romeo & Juliet. Juliet is lamenting the fact that Romeo has the long last name, because his family has been in feud with her family for generations. And she says: “What's in a name? That ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Denomination: *other

You Gotta Have Faith In The Gospel Series

Contributed by Troy Luttrell on Jan 13, 2014

This is a series through the book of Colossians. A letter of Paul to encouraging the church to take a stand on one key truth, Christ is all we need to put our faith, trust, and hope in. He is enough, there is no room for any gospel.

Background: (1:1-2) • Author: Clearly, this letter is written by Paul, while in prison (4:18), around 60-62 AD • City: The city of Colosse was an ancient city, in Asia Minor (present day Turkey), around 100 miles east of Ephesus. At one time it was the crossroads for east and west ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The First Church Of The Hatfields And Mccoys Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Mar 18, 2019

In the church at Corinth they were feudin’ and fightin’, stewin’ and suein’. So much so that Paul wrote a letter telling the congregation how to deal with their “family feud”. What do you say to the first church of the Hatfields and McCoys?

THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE HATFIELDS AND McCOYS 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-2:5 Introduction: You remember the Hatfields and McCoys don’t you? In 2002 they went back to a Pikeville, KY courtroom. This time it was to settle a dispute over a cemetery plot and property rights. Some “feudin” seems to never ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Transformed In Christ Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 11, 2019

The letter to Titus, although written to the young pastor, has much to say to the church and individual believers. Following our transformation in Christ, we have an obligation to live in a way that pleases Him and reveals His grace before others.

Transformed in Christ Titus 3: 1-7 Although Paul’s letter to Titus was brief in comparison to some of the other letters he had written, the Apostle shared much with the young pastor. He had provided sound wisdom in regard to settling the church on a firm foundation, implementing a plan that would ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Elders In The Church Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Aug 7, 2019

Along with the instruction Paul gave in his letter to Timothy, he also shared with Titus concerning the qualifications for elders, bishops, or pastors within the church. This passage was given for the benefit of the church in selecting and ordaining elders to serve in the local church.

Elders in the Church Titus 1: 5-9 After a warm greeting, Paul immediately got to the heart of the matter. He was writing to Titus with purpose, seeking to equip him for ministry, while serving to establish local churches. The task at hand was ordaining elders within every city in Crete, so they ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

Be Encouraged; Live For God Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 8, 2015

John concludes his first letter with wisdom and affirmation that each of us can use today. We must keep ourselves from the things that are ungodly (idols), yet live purposefully showing Christ to all we encounter.

Be encouraged; Live for God 1 John Bible Study, Part 13 1 John 5:13-21 Introduction - If you accept God’s testimony and believe on it for yourself (v9) -- You have internal assurance of what God has done and consider it true -- You cannot believe something without knowing and accepting it ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finishing Your Race Well

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 16, 2012

Within this letter written unto Timothy, there are six vital instructions drawn from its wisdom-filled pages. Six secrets that will help us all follow in Paul’s footsteps and finish our spiritual race.

Finishing Your Race Well 2 Timothy 4:6-8NKJ  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Back To School-Paul's Final Message Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 17, 2023

The book of 2 Timothy is Paul's last letter. In chapter 4 Paul gives what could be called his last message to Timothy. Look for the four types of disciples Paul mentions in verses 9-11.

(Based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO; not an exact transcription) Introduction: Paul had been convicted and sentenced to death. Before this happened, though, he wrote this second letter to Timothy. In keeping with our August “back-to-school” theme, we could say that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Upside Down Logic Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 28, 2023

Message 10 in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth. This devotional is an abbreviated sermon preached on a Sunday in which the Lord's Supper was celebrated.

On what was probably a beautiful spring day in the first-century Roman providence of Judea, a large crowd had gathered on the Korazim Plateau, overlooking the southern slopes of Lake Tiberias. It was rumored that the increasingly popular teacher, Yeshua (yay-SHOO-a), would be addressing the crowd ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Philippians 2:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul's Intro & Theme (1:3-2:5): Part One Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on May 18, 2022

In Colossians 1:3-25 Paul introduces himself and the themes of the letter. This lesson explores how Paul thanks God for the Colossians. It relies heavily on N.T. Wright's commentary of Colossians in the Tyndale NT Commentaries.

Paul's Intro & Theme (1:3-2:5): Part One Introduction: Colossians 1:3-2:5 is Paul's long introduction to before he moves on to the heart of his letter. He wants this young church to know that his letter is an outflow of the ministry God has given him. The introduction can be broken ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

General Introduction To Romans Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jan 10, 2022

The theme of this letter to Romans is 'the gospel is the power of God to effect salvation for everyone who believes irrespective of Jews or Greeks' (Romans 1:16-17). God judges the sin at the Cross and justifies the sinners with mercy.

STUDIES ON ROMANS - WEEK 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION Content The theme of this letter to Romans is 'the gospel is the power of God to effect salvation for everyone who believes irrespective of Jews or Greeks' (Romans 1:16-17). God judges the sin at the Cross and justifies the sinners with ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1

Denomination: Methodist

You People Are Awesome! Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 11, 2021

Most everyone likes looking at pictures in family photo albums, because there are always a couple that make us smile every time we look at them. Paul has similar feelings as he begins this letter to the church at Philippi.

I. Intro A. Who likes to look at pictures in family photo albums? Are there some photos that make you smile every time you look at them? What about every time you think about them? B. We enjoy singing here so much—whenever people ask us what we do, we tell them—but among all the things we’re part ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

The Fruit Of Godly Meditation

Contributed by Terry Denis on Mar 2, 2021

This passage is the longest chapter in the Bible, composed of 176 verses, divided into sections that start with the letter of the Hebrew alphabet in alphabetical sequence, beginning with Aleph, Bet, and so on, and so forth. It is like an acrostic, probably to aid the memory of the readers

The Fruit of Godly Meditation Psalms 119:97-105 INTRODUCTION. 1. The most extensive passage in the Bible. This passage is the longest chapter in the Bible, composed of 176 verses, divided into sections that start with the letter of the Hebrew alphabet in alphabetical sequence, beginning with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:97-105, Ephesians 5:15-18, Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

First Sunday Of Lent, Year A- The Tactics Of Temptation

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 21, 2023

C.S. Lewis made an astute observation in his masterful Screwtape Letters: the devil cannot manufacture real goods or pleasures; he’s stuck with the ones God has made and for which our natures have an inclination.

I saw this Cartoon of Satan tempting Jesus, saying: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a medium rare ribeye steak with truffle butter.” [Jesus is thinking to himself, “He’s getting better at this.”] Note that Jesus did not say, “Man cannot live by coffee alone, but he will ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-9, Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Catholic