Sermons on Look Upward:

Slaves & Personal Injury (Exodus 21)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 28, 2024

How could God approve of slavery? Let's look at Exodus 21.

How do modern laws regarding debt, prisons, prisoners of war and personal injury compare with those that God gave to ancient Israel? Rather than being locked up for years, is the opportunity to work off a sentence a much more humane solution? Are there legitimate forms of slavery like paying back a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Priests (Exodus 28)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 6, 2024

How did the priests picture Jesus? Let's look at Exodus 28.

Were the priests to wear dignified clothing or any old thing? Did Jesus criticize religious leaders for wearing long robes on the street or their selfish attitudes? Are modern pastors Aaronic priests or overseers, elders and teachers? Is any of this relevant to how church leaders dressed in the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection & Ascension (Mark 16)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 14, 2024

Do we choose to believe or doubt? Let's look at Mark 16.

Who did Jesus meet after His resurrection? What will happen to whoever believes and is baptized? What did the disciples do after Jesus ascended to heaven? Are we continuing that legacy? Let’s find out in Mark 16. What happened after sunset, when the Sabbath ended, and the following Sunday morning ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Is My Purpose? Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on May 29, 2025

In the series, "The big questions of faith" we look at our purpose

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10 – 10“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Introduction Today, we tackle one of life’s most persistent big questions: What is my purpose? It’s a question that echoes in the hearts of teenagers, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Joy Busters And Joy Builders

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jun 6, 2025

When you look at various churches you will see that there is a vast difference between them

• Denominational differences • Architex ally differences • Spiritually differences However, one thing you will find common in many churches that you should not find, there is one basic thing missing. WHAT IS MISSING? Let me illustrate… Illus: Let me explain what is missing by telling you a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Forget To Remember (Sermon On Missions)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Sep 27, 2023

One of the simple rules in life seems to be that people receive in life what they are looking for.

Let me illustrate: • We know some Christians who are always winning people to the Lord. Why? Because they are always looking for an opportunity to win someone to Christ. • We know some people every time there is a church dispute; you can rest assured they are in the middle of it every time. Why? ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:23-31, Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Biggest Gambler Of Them All!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 18, 2022

I want to look at a topic that should be a “no-brainer” for Christians. SHOULD CHRISTIANS GAMBLE?

Gambling has become accepted by many, and has become a widespread problem in our society. Sad to say, you can even find it among some churches. Illus: Did you hear about the man that heard a knock at the door. Opening the door he noticed a boy from his church selling raffle tickets. The boy said ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-37

Denomination: Baptist

A Great Bible Secret 2 Of 2

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 25, 2022

In a previous message we looked at GOD’S PURPOSE IN THE BAD that comes our way.

When the bad comes our way, we need to remember Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Some folks feel that this scripture is teaching that whatever comes your way, you should scream and shout ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Preaching From Philippians #7

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 31, 2022

As we look at the life of the apostle Paul in this passage of scripture, we see that he is in jail.

Illus: A man that was in prison was asked, “What is the worst thing about prison?” He said, “The worst thing about prison is that you are here and everybody that you love and care for are out there!” Paul knew exactly what this man was talking about. He was in prison and those that he loved and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Of Atonement - Yom Kippur Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Apr 1, 2022

Looking at the 6th of the 7 Feasts of Israel and seeing where Jesus fits into this feast.

Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement Leviticus 23 April 3, 2022 Today we’re looking at the 6th of the 7 feasts of Israel. This is the most holy and solemn day on the Jewish calendar. It is the day of atonement. It’s God’s decision day. Will you or won’t you be inscribed and then sealed into the book ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Eschatology 8 Of 16 The Tribulation Period

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 13, 2022

Today we want to continue to look at the period in the book of Revelation known as the Tribulation period.

Our outline for the tribulation period has been: I. THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD II. THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD III. THE PLAGUES OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD • We have worked our way through the SEVEN SEAL JUDGMENTS in chapters 6 and chapter 8. • We are presently working ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 9:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons Learned From The Mistakes Of A King Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Apr 14, 2022

Let's look at Nebuchadnezzar's mistakes and learn from them.

Lessons Learned from the Mistakes of a King Dave Hartson / General How is Your Shine / Da 3:1–9   Introduction As we turned to Chapter 3 in the Book of Daniel, it has been seventeen years since Arioch, the captain of the Babylonian guard, has brought Daniel into the presence of the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Hear My Prayer O Lord Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Jul 28, 2023

We continue to look at the prayers within the Bible; not to memorize but to see how others prayed.

“Hear My Prayer O Lord” Psalm 102 We continue to look at the prayers within the Bible; not to memorize but to see how others prayed. I don’t know about anybody else but this study is helping me to pray in a manner that is in line with the Bible. I have to be honest and say that my prayers have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Muchness Of God Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Aug 19, 2023

The final message in our series on James. Looking at how God answers our prayers.

The Muchness of God James 5:13-16 August 20, 2023 Here’s the bad news! Last Sunday most of us admitted our sinful predisposition to be impatient people. Hopefully, by the time we finish, you’ll see the good news! Today, in many respects we’re looking at patience again, but from an entirely ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

God Behind The Scenes Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Sep 4, 2023

What looks like a bad idea could be what God uses for His glory

When Samson was in Timnah, a Philistine woman caught his eye. When he returned home, he told his parents, "A Philistine woman in Timnah caught my eye. I want to marry her. Get her for me." His parents objected asking if there wasn't a woman from their tribe or all the Israelites that ...read more

Scripture: Judges 14:1-3