Sermons on Living Letters:

“life As A Sacrifice” Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Aug 12, 2013

Many Christians today are frustrated with the level of their success, not necessarily in business, finance, recreation or entertainment, but in their Christian lives. Paul gives a

“Life as a Sacrifice” Romans 12:1 It is a sad reality that many Christians today are frustrated with the level of their success, not necessarily in business, finance, recreation or entertainment, but in their Christian lives. Many feel unfulfilled, unsuccessful in their Christian ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Baptist

Live Until You Die, Die Until You Live

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 23, 2009

We admire those who pursue life goals as long as they can; but our calling is to die to self. It will mean a change of values and of attitudes, but it will give us true life.

I’m pretty sure that we can make a case for living until we die. It would not take a lot of effort to convince one another that we can approach life with gusto, squeezing every ounce of juice out. There’s a strong compulsion in us to extract all the value and the vitality we can get out from ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Gratitude As A Character Trait

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 12, 2021

Gratitude is not just a simple "Thank You." It's a character trait that should be a vital part of our everyday life.

We have just finished up with our Easter season. During Holy Week, we reflected on all that Jesus did for us. And we can’t help but to go away with gratitude, being thankful for Jesus doing so much for us. So, I thought I would look into the book of 1 Thessalonians and see what the Bible and the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Denomination: Baptist

Wake Up And Smell The Coffee Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on May 14, 2004

This is on the letter to Sardis.

Do your remember the Folgers commercial where that college student named Peter sneaks into the house at Christmas and started making coffee? Everyone in the house soon woke up to rich aroma. The churches of chapter 2 are told to “remember,” “repent,” “be faithful,” “hold fast,” and other things. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Comfort For Difficult Times Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Apr 25, 2004

This is on the Letter to Smyrna.

This is the only mention in the Bible about the Church of Smyrna. Smyrna was very close to Ephesus, which we looked at last week. Paul likely started the church while he was in Ephesus for three years. Acts 19:10 says, “This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Door Is Open Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on May 21, 2004

This is on the Letter to Philadelphia

Some places have locked doors where you can’t go. Many businesses have “security doors” to control who can and can’t get in or out. Stores have “open doors” at the front, but closed doors in the back. We are to use the “open” door, not the closed one. Read Revelation 3:7-13. There are some ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

James - An Introduction Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 21, 2013

The letter that is written by James to the Jews scattered abroad is a letter that is often misunderstood and misused.

A Study of the Letter of James James 1:1 August 14, 2013 James is a book that has long been misunderstood by many believers! We have seen some great men of faith come to the conclusion that what James seems to teach is in conflict with the teachings of grace from the Apostle Paul. Martin Luther ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Son In Songs

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 8, 2023

This was used as a Christmas letter. It may be of use to you either as a sermon, illustration or letter.

I love Christmas, who doesn't? I love Christmas music, decorations, and presents! Yes! I love to receive presents, don't you? But I love the songs of Christmas, and I love to hear of the Son in Christmas songs! “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” is a line from the popular ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5, Matthew 1:21, John 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

Thanksgiving Through Thanks-Living

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2021

Our benefits and blessings are so great, and our ability to express our gratitude so inadequate, that we sometimes question if we are really thankful at all.

Sir, Michael Costa, a famous composer and conductor from Naples, was once rehearsing with a vast array of instruments, and hundreds of voices. With the thunder of the organ; the role of the drums; the sounding of the horns, and the clashing of the symbols, the mighty chorus rang out. The piccolo ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

An Overall Outlook Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 8, 2014

An overall outlook on the letter from Jude to the church, touching several of the subjects brought forth in this letter. An introductory sermon to a verse by verse study of the letter.

Sermon Brief Date Written: June 25, 2014 Date Preached: June 25, 2014 Where Preached: OPBC (Wed - PM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Study on the Book of Jude Sermon Title: An overall outlook Sermon Text: Jude 1:1-25 [ESV] Essence of the Text: Jude warned of false teachers ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Rumors Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on May 11, 2016

Living out the gospel always dispels false rumors.

Dealing With Rumors Text: Acts 21:15-25 Introduction 1. The perfect pastor preaches exactly 10 minutes. He condemns sin roundly but never hurts anyone’s feelings. He works from 8am until midnight and is also the church janitor. The perfect pastor makes $40 a week, wears good clothes, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:15-25

Denomination: Methodist

Turning The Agony Of Defeat Into The Thrill Of Victory Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 8, 2016

When I follow Jesus He transforms my suffering in the flesh into triumph in the spirit

ENGAGE/TENSION How many of you know who Vinko Bogataj is? That’s what I figured. That name isn’t real familiar for any of us. But for those of my generation who grew up watching “Wild World of Sports”, you may not know his name but you’re familiar with his infamous ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

Living Together In Christian Love Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 8, 2018

Life lived together in Christian love is the best protection against deception

ENGAGE We live in a rapidly changing world in which it is becoming increasingly difficult to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We have now taken those things which the Bible defines as sin and not only tolerate them, but actually celebrate them in our culture. And not only have we lost our moral ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Living In An Upside Down World Series

Contributed by Paul Sterrett on Apr 4, 2013

Introductory Message to a series on 1 Thessalonians focusing on the foundation of our faith despite the uncertain times in which we live.

LIVING IN AN UPSIDE DOWN WORLD 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Acts 17:1-9 INTRODUCTION How does a person live for Jesus Christ in a society where his faith is constantly under attack—where he can be ostracized or blacklisted for openly professing that he is a Christian?...How can you raise children ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul & The Corithians Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Jan 5, 2007

This letter was sent to the church at Corinth but everything about this letter is relevant to the church today

PAUL AND THE CORINTHIANS 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Introduction A. This letter was sent to the church at Corinth. 1. Everything about this letter is relevant to the church today. 2. This church had many problems even though it seemed to have all the spiritual gifts (v. 7). B. Most of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist