Sermons on Look Upward:

Repenting Of Idols (Genesis 35)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 16, 2024

What kind of idols do we need to repent of? Let's look at Genesis 35.

God is merciful. Families do not repent of past sins all at once. It often takes time. What sins of our families do we still need to grow past? Let’s look at an example in Genesis 35. Did God tell Jacob to leave the area? Did the family finally repent of having idols? Were even their earrings ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph In Trouble (Genesis 39)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 21, 2024

When faithful believers are in deep trouble will God intervene to help? Let's look at Genesis 39.

Sometimes in life people sell us out because they hate us, we are falsely accused and land in trouble. Do we trust in God, who even in the worst of times, can make our lives prosper, help us and be good to us? In the midst of slavery, did God look after Joseph? Now Joseph had been taken down to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What's The Difference? " Half Full, Half Empty" July 21, 2024

Contributed by Pastor Charles Wilkins on Jul 23, 2024

Depending on how you chose to look at it, Life can be a glass half full or a glass half empty.

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Silly question, right? But it really is all about perspective, and this question can tell you a lot about a person’s mindset. Some people describe that glass as half empty. Those are the pessimists. Others see that glass as being half full. They are ...read more

Scripture: John 21:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joseph's Reveal (Genesis 45)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 28, 2024

After family abuse and betrayal, can we learn to forgive? Let's look at Genesis 45.

After suffering family abuse, false imprisonment, 13 years’ separation, and thoughts of vengeful deception, did Joseph finally come to a place of forgiveness and reconciliation? Have we? Do we trust God to reward patient faithfulness after abuse and betrayal? Let's look at Genesis 45. Did ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lacking Faith To Lead (Exodus 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 7, 2024

Do we have self-doubt instead of faith in God? Let's look at Exodus 4.

Can humility and self-doubt cause us to doubt God? Was God angry with Moses' lack of faith? Do we have doubts about ourselves? Do we trust that God can use an imperfect person such as us? Let's look at Exodus 4. Did Moses doubt that he would be believed? Do we also doubt, afraid to share ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Frogs, Gnats & Flies (Exodus 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 12, 2024

Did God use the pagan gods of Egypt against them? Let's look at Exodus 8.

Did God use the very things that Egyptians worshiped as gods to punish them as plagues? What gods do we worship that will eventually punish us, unless we repent? Was this a lesson for both Israel and Egypt? Let’s look at Exodus 8. Frogs If lack of water only bothered Egypt when they were thirsty, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Incense & Anointing Oil (Exodus 30)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 8, 2024

How do incense and anointing oil picture the Christian life? Let's look at Exodus 30.

Are our prayers trivial to God? Does God treat our prayers as pleasant incense? If God considered the anointing of the priests to be sacred, how do we treat the spiritual leaders in our churches? Let’s consider Exodus 30. How was the altar of incense to be constructed for the tabernacle? You are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Moses' Big Mistakes (Numbers 20)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 24, 2024

What did Moses do that prevented him entering the land? Let's look at Numbers 20.

Do we complain a lot like ancient Israel or wait patiently upon the Lord? Do we give God glory or ourselves? Do we change when God reveals something new or stick with old ways? Let’s look at Numbers 20. Did Israel complain again? What was their bellyaching about this time? In the first month of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Joshua Ordained (Numbers 27)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 3, 2024

What mistake did Moses, the humblest of all men make? Let's look at Numbers 27.

Though Moses was the humblest of men, he did make one arrogant mistake that removed his leadership? What were the qualifications of Moses’ replacement? How have we chosen our leaders? Let’s look at Numbers 27. Inheritance laws ensured that family land would remain within the tribe. A woman who ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Autumn Offerings (Numbers 29)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 5, 2024

How did the autumn offerings foreshadow Christ and the Christian life? Let's look at Numbers 29.

What were the feasts observed in the autumn? What do the sacrifices teach us? Why are they no longer necessary? Let’s look at Numbers 29. What was the offering to be made on the Feast of Trumpets? Why did God later say that He hated their sacrifices? Was it perhaps because they didn’t include a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What It Means To Be Born Again

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Dec 16, 2024

This Bible study looks at what happens to the individual who has accepted Jesus as his/her Lord and Savior.

What It Means to Be Born Again (Rev. Barry Johnson and Rev. Rodney Johnson) NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians seeking to grow in their relationship ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 5:12, Romans 5:18-21, John 3:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Other Tithes (Deuteronomy 14)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 1, 2025

What were the other tithes for? Are there principles of giving for us? Let's look at Deuteronomy 14.

What did God say about body markings, edible foods, a festival budget and budgeting for the needy? What’s a New Testament principle in giving to the needy? Let’s examine Deuteronomy 14. What did God think about body markings, like cutting and shaving the head? Ye are the children of the Lord your ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Moses' Farewell (Deuteronomy 31)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 17, 2025

What can we learn from Moses' farewell? Let's look at Deuteronomy 31.

Do we have words planned to say before we die? Have we planned for a successor or an inheritance? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 31. In his farewell speech before his death, what did Moses say to Israel? Moses again spoke to the whole nation of Israel: I am 120 years old, and I am no longer able to be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God Is The God Of Second Chances

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 18, 2025

In this sermon we look at three Cs Compassion of Jesus, Commitment to Jesus and the Covenant that Jesus ushers in the New Covenant

Jesus’ first miracle: Turning water into wine (Jn 2:1-11) Story: A little girl was attending a wedding for the first time. She whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed in white?" Her mother replied: "Because white is the colour of happiness, and today is the happiest ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Priorities (Luke 14)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 21, 2025

What are our priorities, the world or God's kingdom? Let's look at Luke 14.

Can legalism lack compassion? Can church leaders focus on pride instead of humility? Do we have free will to accept or decline God’s invitation? Would we give up everything for the Gospel? Let’s look at Luke 14. Can legalism lack compassion for our neighbor’s human needs? And it came to pass, as ...read more

Denomination: Baptist