Sermons on Merit:

Grapes Of Wrath, Grapes At Last

Contributed by David Roth on Oct 8, 2017

Proper 22 (A) As Christians, we bear fruits of righteousness in our lives because we live in Christ. We are grafted into Him, the true vine. He bore our grapes of wrath so that we may bear grapes at last. Grapes that will last. Now and into eternity.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Grapes of Wrath, Grapes at Last” Our Gospel reading today brings us to a third parable of Jesus about a vineyard. In the first one, the owner of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Lessons On Service, Faith And Influence Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 29, 2017

At this point Jesus began to instruct His disciples more fully as the time drew near for going to the cross. The Pharisees had been treating the tax collectors and sinners who crowded around Jesus with contemp. He warns the disciples not to do the same.

Perea Lessons on Service, Faith and Influence Luke 17:1-10 Jesus Instructs His Disciples on Forgiveness (Luke 17:1-2) Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Most Unlikely Woman Rahab Series

Contributed by Patrick Usifo on Nov 12, 2017

God is no respecter of person. He can use the most ill-repute to accomplish His works. Rahab is one of such that demonstrated a living faith and courage in the midst of fear.

The Unlikely Woman Rahab Text: Hebrew 11:30-35 Message: A Woman of True Faith Further Reading: Joshua 2: 6: The bible cannot be read without coming across the story of many godly and ungodly women ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:30-31, Joshua 2:9-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Not Identical Twins

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 7, 2016

Jacob and Esau symbolize two different paths with different ends.

Not Identical Twins Genesis 25:19-28 We begin this morning a study on the life of Jacob. Jacob is mentioned as one of a triad of personalities, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As Paul reminds us, all Scripture is profitable for doctrine and example. When Paul was saying this, he was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34, Genesis 25:19-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Man On A Mission

Contributed by Jason Jones on Feb 19, 2019

I want to look at the mission of Christ and talk about our responses

A. Opening illustration: Sir Edmund Hillary, Everest 1953, died January11, 2008 B. Background to passage: After the birth narratives, the accounts of John the Baptist, and the temptation by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus returns in the power of the Spirit to begin his ministry. According to John, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Give Jesus To Your Enemies

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Apr 12, 2018

To show from the bible through a secret message that our enemies (the unbelievers) still hungers for healing and thirst for forgiveness, so whenever we have a chance and if our enemy likes it, then give them JESUS. Preach to them JESUS, it is not necessar

I. EXORDIUM: Are you hungry for healing? Are you thirsty for forgiveness? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers/unbelievers III. OBJECTIVES: To show from the bible through a secret message that our enemies (the unbelievers) still hungers for healing and thirst for forgiveness, so whenever we have a ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ruth - An Introduction Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jun 30, 2012

Let's begin a journey and discover some great and wonderful truths about God through this wonderful book about a woman of great faith and obedience!

TEACHING BRIEF Date Written: June 26, 2012 Date Taught: June 27, 2012 Church: OPBC (Wed Night) FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Title: A Study in the Book of Ruth Text: Ruth 1:1-5 (read passage) Introduction: Even the best laid plans can go awry and leave us ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are You A Christian? Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jun 18, 2017

We are not asked to convert others—God alone saves. Our responsibility is to share the way God’s glory affects us. We have a story to tell!

I. INTRODUCTION 1. If someone were to ask, “Why are you a Christian?” could you give he or she a meaningful answer? What effect has accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior had on you? 2. We aren’t looking for the textbook answer herenot a memorized versesomething that will stir the heart of an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Other

Liberty And Responsibility

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jul 5, 2017

Jesus’ death and resurrection frees us from sin. Liberty breeds responsibility, the basis for seeking and submitting to God’s plan.

In the last days of the Civil War, the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, fell to the Union army. Abraham Lincoln insisted on visiting the city. Even though no one knew he was coming, slaves recognized him immediately and thronged around him. He had liberated them by the Emancipation ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-20

Denomination: Other

Liberty And Responsibility

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jul 9, 2017

Jesus’ death and resurrection frees us from sin. Liberty breeds responsibility, the basis for seeking and submitting to God’s plan.

In the last days of the Civil War, the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, fell to the Union army. Abraham Lincoln insisted on visiting the city. Even though no one knew he was coming, slaves recognized him immediately and thronged around him. He had liberated them by the Emancipation ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-20

Denomination: Other

How Could Paul Be The ‘world’s Biggest Sinner’ When He Was So Religious? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 29, 2014

A look at how the greatest evil is often wears religious clothes and how we can avoid having that happen in our lives.

A QUESTION: How could Paul be the “world’s biggest sinner” when he was so religious? - 1 Timothy 1:15. - This passage is interesting and sets up an obvious question: if Paul was so religious and so focused on pleasing God, how could he have been the world’s biggest sinner? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15

Denomination: Baptist

Mission Sunday: Gospel Good News To All

Contributed by Rev. Jijo Varghese on Oct 6, 2014

Why has God placed us on this earth? Are we responsible for what is happening around in this world? How can i help in fulfilling God's mission?

The Former Secretary of the United States and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice once told graduates of the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson that they have a responsibility to be "optimistic" in their lives. "I first learned this lesson from hearing stories about my paternal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-22

Denomination: Episcopal

Clement Of Alexandria Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 6, 2022

Although Christ, like a human, is made in the *image of God, he alone shares the likeness of God the Father. Christ is both sinless and apathetic (indifferent), and thus by striving to imitate Christ, one can achieve salvation.

Clement of Alexandria Titus Flavius Clemens, also known as Clement of Alexandria, was a Christian theologian and philosopher taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. Among his pupils were Origen and Alexander of Jerusalem. Born: Athens, Greece Died: Jerusalem School: Middle Platonism; ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

How To Identify A Sinner

Contributed by David Zachrich on Mar 1, 2022

If you will, please tell me how you identify a … dog, a horse, a house, a car, a church, a baseball player, a circus clown, a judge, a ballerina, … a sinner?

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Friends in Christ, If you will, please tell me how you identify a … dog, a horse, a house, a car, a church, a baseball player, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Mindsets.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 5, 2023

God did what the law could not. The present state of the believer is one of hope.

MINDSETS. Romans 8:1-11. I. A SET FREE MINDSET. Romans 8:1-5. “Then-now-no” begins the Greek of this wonderful chapter of God’s Book. This firm negation placed right at the beginning of the sentence serves to emphasise the absolute impossibility of there ever being any “condemnation” - to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational