Sermons on odyssey:

Fruitful Frustration Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

To be human is to experience frustration. It is not sinful to be frustrated, for Jesus was sinless, but He did not escape frustration. He may have had more than His share even, for the more ideals and goals you have, the more you will be frustrated.

Joe Bayly had a change to stay in the luxurious Hilton Hotel in Chicago. It was going to be a treat of a retreat, but then he was hit again by the x-factor. That is what he calls Murphy's Law-the law that says, if anything can go wrong it will. The hot water in his room would not work. He was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Fruitful Frustration Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

I am sure Paul did not like the experience of being thrown in prison, but he did not, in frustration, bang his head on the bars, or go into a vegetative mood of depression. He got out his pen and wrote letters that changed the course of history.

Joe Bayly had a chance to stay in the luxurious Hilton Hotel in Chicago. It was going to be a treat of a retreat, but then he was hit again by the x-factor. That is what he calls Murphy's Law-the law that says, if anything can go wrong it will. The hot water in his room would not work. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

The Concept Of Hell! Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 3, 2022

Hell, in many religious traditions, refers to the domicile, usually beneath the earth, of the unredeemed deceased or the spirits of the damned. From the underworld come dreams, ghosts, and demons, and in its most terrible areas malefactors (reprobates)

Tom Lowe 2/3/2012 The Concept of Hell! There is no mention of hell in the Old Testament. The Old Testament talks about Sheol, which is a watery underworld where everyone went, whether they were Jew or Gentile, good or bad. In its archaic sense, the term hell refers to the underworld, a deep pit or ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

The Message Of Mark Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 11, 2015

Mark is encouraging a minority group of people to live on mission just like our Master did, no matter how difficult it becomes.

The Message of Mark Mark 1:1 Rev. Brian Bill September 12-13, 2015 Recently I shared a very interesting article that led to some great discussion during our staff team time called, “Is Your Church a Cruise Ship or Aircraft Carrier?” You can find the post on the sermon extras tab on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Playing Hurt

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 27, 2001

We have to play game of life even though we get hurt.

PLAYING HURT I Peter 4:12-16 INTRO..- ILL.-A college football coach walked into the locker room before a game, looked over to his star player and said, “I’m not supposed to let you play since you failed math, but we need you in this game. So, what I have to do is ask you a math question and if ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Furnace And The Sky

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Feb 4, 2007

You meet the Lord in the furnace long time before you meet him in the sky

Title: The Furnace and the Sky Text: Daniel 3.19-30 MP: Jesus is always with us, if only we have the eyes to see him. Intro: Part of what fascinates me about the Bible is that it shows me how to see the things that I cannot see. Seeing C.S. Lewis said it so well: “God whispers to us in our ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

God Of Power (Jehovah Sabaoth) Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 3, 2005

The name of God that we are studying today is Jehovah Sabaoth, which at its root, refers to a captain or general who commands a mighty army.

I have never served in the service or gone off to war but I certainly got into skirmishes with my sisters when I was growing up! I celebrated a birthday milestone this past week and my siblings sent me cards that show the war is not over. Let me read three of them to you. Happy Birthday to a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Storms Of Life Series

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Jul 25, 2011

As Paul goes through the storm in Acts 27 he is an example of who to go through the storm properly and how to be a blessing to others during the storm.

Illustration: Test pilots have a litmus test for evaluating problems. When something goes wrong, they ask, "Is this thing still flying?" If the answer is yes, then there’s no immediate danger, no need to overreact. When Apollo 12 took off, the spacecraft was hit by lightning. The entire ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:13-26

Denomination: Baptist

One Cross: Three Crucifixions Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

What does it really mean to be crucified with Christ?

INTRODUCTION One of the reasons some Christians keep changing churches is that they can’t seem to get along with anyone. Maybe they don’t like the preacher or the minister of music, or the deacons. A ship captain sailing through the South Pacific saw smoke rising from a little island. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven's Activity Guide Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

Get ready for the most amazing new heaven and new earth, more beautiful and bountiful than you can ever imagine. That’s where we’ll be living for eternity. And once you understand the things we’ll be doing in Heaven, there’s no way it can be boring.

INTRODUCTION This is the third message in the series “Heaven: An Insider’s Guide.” Next Sunday, Joel Rosenberg will be here and he’ll be giving you more information about how to get to heaven. Then on Easter Sunday, two weeks from today, I’ll conclude this series ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Where Bad Things Come From Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 2, 2016

The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.

Where Bad Stuff Comes From Mark 7:14-23 Rev. Brian Bill July 30-31, 2016 Haddon Robinson, who arguably has written the best book on preaching called, Biblical Preaching, once told a group of young preachers, “When you stand up to preach, people are bored…and they expect you to make it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:14-23

Denomination: Baptist

A Man On Mission Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 21, 2023

A man on mission is all about ministry. A man of valor values all life, including the preborn.

A truck driver was hauling a load of 500 penguins to the zoo. Unfortunately, his truck broke down, so he waved down another truck and offered the driver $500 to take the penguins to the zoo. The next day, the first truck driver picked up his repaired truck. When he drove into town, he couldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Smyrna: Unto Death Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 17, 2021

Whatever the Christians were going through in Smyrna … whatever we are going through in our lives right now … Jesus not only knows what we are going through, He’s experienced it Himself.

Imagine having to hide to do what we’re doing right now because if we get caught, we would be arrested and tortured and made to renounce our faith publicly … or be executed. That was the situation and daily reality for the little church in the beautiful city of Smyrna. Smyrna is located 35 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: United Methodist

When God Calls Us Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Feb 16, 2018

When God Calls Us Series: Conversations with Jesus Brad Bailey – February 11, 2018

When God Calls Us Series: Conversations with Jesus Brad Bailey – February 11, 2018 Intro Conversations. Some are just polite exchanges. Some are practical exchanges. [1] But there are some that can be life altering. They can change our understanding of life…and ourselves. Some have an expansive ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can We Really Believe The Bible Today? Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 10, 2019

What you believe about the Bible will determine your beliefs and your behavior.

Can We Really Believe the Bible Today? Rev. Brian Bill May 11-12, 2019 Man on Street Interview Do we have any full-time missionaries here today? Could you raise your hand? Actually, every Christ-follower is called to live on mission as a missionary. If a missionary is one who is sent to cross ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, Luke 4:16-31

Denomination: Baptist