Sermons on Mount Up:

Smyrna: Riches Within Poverty

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 12, 2020

The second church Jesus instructed John to pen a letter was the church in Smyrna. It was situated within a city of great wealth and affluence, and yet many believers lived in poverty. They were not rich by the world's standards, but they were rich in grace.

Smyrna: Riches within Poverty Revelation 2: 8-11 Today we come to Smyrna, the second church within the series of letters John was instructed to write in the Revelation. It is interesting to note, that of the seven churches, only two received all praise and encouragement from the Lord, with no ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Do We Really Follow Jesus?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 21, 2020

The light of God shone in a small fishing village. Some received it. Let’s look at the place where Christian discipleship began, and how they were ready to drop everything to follow the Light of the world, in Matthew 4:12-23.

The light of God shone in a small fishing village. Some received it. Let’s look at the place where Christian discipleship began, and how they were ready to drop everything to follow the Light of the world, in Matthew 4:12-23. Capernaum Matthew 4:12-13 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Baptist

5. Is Baptism Important?

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jan 30, 2020

We often don't give baptism the importance we should. We look at why baptism is important.

5 Is Baptism important? Mark 1:1-13 Mark's gospel starts with John the Baptist baptising and then goes straight onto Jesus being baptised. So, it’s natural to talk about baptism! Baptism is a somewhat controversial subject as different churches and denominations hold different views on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

What Is A Christian?

Contributed by Grant Adams on Feb 2, 2020

I remember hearing a story of a young boy asking his father what is a Christian? After the father explained, the young boy asked, “Dad have I ever seen a Christian?”

The word Christian is a very loose term; at least we use it very loosely, and it has become, in America, a meaningless term. To some, it means anybody living in the United States, and is not Jewish. The term Christian has been so abused and diluted that it has very little meaning to most of us ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16, Acts 11:26

Denomination: Baptist

Pentecostal Results Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 20, 2021

Peter didn’t even give an invitation. There does not appear to be an invitation given anywhere in the early church. People were so moved by the Holy Spirit that they cried out for conversion.

A pastor was telling his visiting grandchildren a fascinating bedtime story. They listened to him breathlessly, but when he was finished one of them took a deep breath and said, “Grandpa, was that a true story, or were you just preaching?” This attitude could be learned by a child in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37

I Am Redeemed

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Mar 21, 2021

A message from 2 Samuel 9 about how God has redeemed us.

I Am Redeemed Note: We opened up with a dance to the song I Am Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave Is it not great to be redeemed? What does that mean? You were bought with a price. To be set free. 1 Peter 1:18–19: “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

The Judgment Of Eve Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 24, 2021

The judgment here upon Eve is not to be taken as a universal punishment of all women because of her sin. This is Eve's personal penalty for her sin.

When W. C. Fields was deathly sick his friend Gene Fowler dropped in on him and caught him reading the Bible. Fowler was astounded, for Fields had never found any use for the Bible other than to prop up his martini. Fowler said, "Bill I am deeply touched." "Don't bother, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19

Awful Angels Or Miserable Men? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 24, 2021

When scholars disagree the best thing we can do is examine the evidence for each view and see which case is the strongest.

A modern book titled Sex After Sixty Five was written to encourage older people to realize their is still sexual life after retirement. This would have sounded like a joke to the people before the flood. In Gen. 5:21 we are told that Enoch was 65 when he had his first son Methusalah. Then in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8

Lesson 13 - The Manner Of Response (James 1.19-21) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

The mention of the “word of truth” in verse 18 leads James to devote a lengthy section to a matter close to his heart -- the appropriate Christian response to God’s Word. James stresses that the Word’s purpose is to be obeyed.

Tom Lowe 2/1/2021 LESSON 13 - THE MANNER OF RESPONSE (James 1.19-21) Text James 1:19-21, KJV 19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Advance Through Arrest Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

Jesus indicates that one of the key ways of getting the Gospel spread would be through the courts. The persecution would lead to opportunities to defend the Gospel before high officials and leaders in high places.

There is a difference between sin and error. It I say 2+2=5 I am in error, but I am not sinning. That is, if my motive is to come to a right answer I am not sinning. If my human fallibility leads me to a wrong answer it is not sin. If I say 2+2=5 in order to confuse a young person so that they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13

Unrelenting Favor

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Mar 28, 2021

God’s Favor is everywhere! Gods favor knows no boundaries, has no inhibitions, doesn’t look for qualifications, is not based on getting in return, only for opportunities to show itself!

Psalm 30:4,5 NKJ Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. One definition of the word favor by Webster is: special ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:4-5, Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reality Of Resurrection Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

G. Campbell Morgan said, "The resurrection is a fact that cannot be proved except to the faith of the heart." The evidence must be approached with faith, or it will not convince the skeptic.

Ministers frequently call at a home when the man alone is there, and he will respond in some such manner as this: "I'm sorry my wife isn't home. She takes care of the religious matters in our home." I have not just read about this, but have experienced it, and have wondered how ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-14

"you May Go -- Your Son Will Live" (Message 10 In Gospel Of John 2021) Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Mar 31, 2021

This is the message of Jesus healing the Royal Official's son, even from a distance.

THE HEALING OF THE OFFICIAL’S SON John 4:43-54 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ March 21, 2021 Maplewood Manor March 25, 2021 Sermon 10 In 2021 Series on Gospel of John Video Link: https://youtu.be/aCT27izOElU INTRODUCTION: 1.) After Jesus encounter with the Samaritan woman and ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-54, Mark 6:1-6, Matthew 13:54-58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sickness And Salvation Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

When we see that the New Testament concept of salvation includes deliverance from sickness as well as sin, we will cease to limit it to only one aspect of our being.

When Jesus preached in the synagogue of His home town of Nazareth, the people were skeptical of His claims, and His power. Jesus said to them in Luke 4:23 you will surely say unto me this proverb, physician, heal thyself." Criticism of the physician is of ancient origin, and had become a ...read more

Scripture: James 5:14-20

Where Knowledge Begins Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. We have made it clear that fear means reverence, and the Lord means Jehovah, but the hard part is still ahead. What does it mean that the attitude of reverence toward the one true God is the beginning of knowledge?

A millennium and a half ago Diogenes said, "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth." Both ancient and modern philosophers have recognized that education is basic to the making and keeping of any great and strong nation great and strong. Lowell said, "It is in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:7