Sermons on Mystery Of The Beast:

"In A Manner Of Speaking": 'the Prodigal Son' [part Six]

Contributed by Reverend Cooper Mcwhirter on Oct 1, 2016

Did Jesus resort to using allegory as a clever ruse so as to keep things hidden? On the contrary! Jesus resorted to using parables so that the listener could better understand “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 13:11].

Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC) Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ Sunday, September 6, 2015 by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter In a Manner of Speaking: “The Prodigal Son” Luke 15:11-32 [NET] The scriptures tell us that on one occasion ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Christmas Is Not Your Birthday”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 22, 2021

Mike Slaughter challenges our comfortable traditions his book: Christmas Is Not Your Birthday. Quotes from Linus. Incarnation,.. how divinity interacted with human DNA, that’s the mystery the Virgin Birth. Quote from Christianity Today 1996

In Jesus Holy Name December 24, 2021 Text: Matthew 1:20b-21 Christmas Eve - Redeemer “Christmas Is Not Your Birthday” It’s Christmas Eve. Excitement & anticipation are in the air. Christmas trees light up our homes with bright lights and shiny ornaments. Colorful ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:20, Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

The Word Of Life Celebrated Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 1, 2021

John says, “We write this to make our joy complete. He presents Jesus as the source of the completed life. John says, “and the life was manifested.” Jesus is not a mysterious entity that is evasive, he is real, and Christians find their joy through him.

Reality shows continue to draw people’s attention. . . In an article, 10 Reality Shows That Aren't Real At All (And 10 That Totally Are), Chris Littlechild, talks about how they claim to be real; however, “the producers are just looking to stir up drama with fake moments. These shows are ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is The Trinity? Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jan 16, 2013

the mystery of the Trinity, God being three persons in one, has been difficult for Christians to explain since the beginning. Last week we talked about some religions and offshoots of Christianity who have denied the Trinitarian nature of God because it

How many of you have read the Shack? I recently read it and the newest book that author came out with, and both books have interesting imaginings about the Trinity. In both books the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are people with various characteristics, male and female. In the Shack, the Father ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-10

The Unrequited Love Of God

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 1, 2019

The passionate love of God is the blazing fire at the heart of all creation. God thinks about you every moment of every day. His love will never vary or change. That God would love even the vilest of sinners is the greatest mystery of eternity.

God has commanded that every human being love Him with EVERYTHING in them (Deut 6:5). The GREAT commandment supersedes all others. Sadly, in the lives of too many Christians, God’s love is unrequited. There are some Christians who are not comfortable with the way God truly feels about them, so ...read more

Scripture: James 2:26, Hebrews 12:2, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:22, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, James 2:17, Habakkuk 2:4, Luke 11:11-13, Genesis 2:18, 1 John 4:7-10, Acts 17:28, Deuteronomy 6:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas News: The Angels Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 8, 2014

We need to be seized once more by heavenly realities – just as Zechariah was. We need to experience something like a shock to our smug certainties that whittle God down to a manageable size and leave us underwhelmed by the mysteries of eternity.

Angels have fallen on hard times these days. Hardly anyone thinks about them anymore…except at Christmas, of course. But even at that, people don’t much believe in them. Although…I knew a woman – a member of this church at one time: She told me that she had actually seen an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Biblical Fasting

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 24, 2017

Fasting has been misused by mystics and sometimes remained a mystery to many committed Christians. Although opinions are mixed on the issue, I believe we can carve out a Biblical position that, while perhaps incomplete, will lay a good foundation.

Biblical Fasting (Matthew 9: 14-15) 1. This is perhaps the most awful pun you will hear. 2. Mahatma Gandhi went around barefoot quite often, and eventually his soles turned very tough and thick. Of course he also was a devout Hindu. Later in life he also fasted a lot, becoming thin and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Fourth Word From The Cross: "Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani?" Series

Contributed by Ravin Caldera on Apr 18, 2017

This is a reflection on the forth word from the cross, which is a very difficult passage for exposition. These words give a deep expression of faith ("my God, my God"), universal cry for justice ("why") and, words of deep mystery ("have forsaken me").

And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). As Mark stated, about Jewish ninth hour or in our time three o'clock there was darkness over the whole land—out of darkness and despair ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Testing At Cana: Do You Measure Up?

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 3, 2023

Cana was mysteriously chosen to be the site of Jesus' first two miracles in Galilee. Cana means "a rod for measuring." At Cana a desperate man met Jesus. His perspective was changed and his gold-like faith emerged.

THE TESTING AT CANA: DO YOU MEASURE UP? John 4:39-54 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. There was a man in prison for robbery of a bank. He’d never told the police where he’d hidden the money. 2. His old father wrote him a letter, “Son, I wish you were here. I’d like to have a garden this year, but ...read more

Scripture: John 4:39-54

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Double Exposure

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 8, 2023

The photographic process is mysterious; a piece of film is exposed to light and images are left. Our lives are like that film. We present what we want others to see, but God sees beneath it. A 2nd exposure will happen - now or later!

DOUBLE EXPOSURE Eph. 5:8-16 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Squeaky clean 1. One young woman decided to try clean her purse by throwing it into the washing machine—with the rest of the laundry. Her younger brother was startled, and asked, “Why are you washing your purse?” 2. Their father, who ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Endgame Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 17, 2021

Every single person and every single race are “heirs together,” “members together,” and we are “sharers together.” We are together, together, together! The Bible says this is a secret that is now being shared.

Avengers Endgame Movie The biggest opening weekend box office hit was Avengers: Endgame. The movie grossed over $350 million on April 26, 2019. Avengers: Endgame went on to make over $1 billion in just 5 days! Now, why was this movie so popular? One reason: did you know that 60% of people between ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-10, Ephesians 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Mindset For A Ministry Of Love Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Mar 3, 2023

Pride & prejudice ruled in the Church at Corinth. Church members were using the wrong standards and motivated by pride in their relationships ot church leaders. What is the proper attitude toward spiritual leaders?

Most of you are likely familiar with the novel Pride and Prejudice and the movie that resulted from it. I don't know much about it other than that has been on my TV more than any other single movie; it's my wife's favorite movie and it probably qualifies as a chick flick. I believe ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:2-7, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

Are We Predestined – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Dec 19, 2023

This two-part Bible study examines the doctrine of predestination.

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 who are seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus. This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Matthew 26:14-15, Matthew 27:5-7, Jeremiah 1:5, Romans 11:29, 1 Corinthians 2:1-6, 1 Corinthians 2:7-14, Romans 8:29-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The End Times- A Synopsis

Contributed by Thomas Andrufski on Jun 7, 2021

The following is a synopsis of the end times events that will hopefully shake you into the reality and the servility of the times we are living.

We are in the last days, but even if we're not in the last days you are in your last days you're in your last days right now so regardless of the last days events regardless of the Rapture the bottom line is that you are living in your last days the Bible says tomorrow is not promised ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36, 2 Peter 3:10, Matthew 24:3-8, Matthew 24:32-35, Daniel 12:4, 2 Peter 3:3, Titus 1:15-16, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Matthew 24:21, Revelation 6:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

God Is Watching You

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 27, 2012

Some people seem to be especially watched by God. We hear about people who are being “shadowed” or followed by the police; but there are certain ones who feel like they are being shadowed by God; they are mysteriously tracked by our Heavenly Father and t

God is Watching You Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? Job 7:12 (KJV) Job was in great pain when he cried out to God and asked this question. He was covered with sores, setting upon a dunghill and scrapping himself with pieces of ...read more

Scripture: Job 7:12

Denomination: Baptist