Sermons on Olive Oil Press:

Faithful In The Face Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Nov 18, 2004

Learning about faithfulness through the examples of Paul and Barnabas

SERIES: “LESSONS FROM THE EARLY CHURCH” TEXT: ACTS 14:1-7 TITLE: “FAITHFUL IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION” INTRODUCTION: A. At a retirement home in Florida, a group of residents were discussing their ailments: "My arms are so weak I can hardly lift ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cultivating A Grateful Heart

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 21, 2004

If I am going to cultivate a grateful heart, I need to change my focus: 1. From what I don’t have to what I do have. 2. From getting a blessing to being a blessing. 3. From earth to eternity.

One of the great mysteries of our culture is that we are the most privileged and prosperous people who have ever lived on the face of the earth — past and present — and yet many Americans are not happy. We have more of everything, and yet we are not content. Even when good things happen we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:15-17

Denomination: Methodist

Gentleness: Strength Under Control Series

Contributed by Tim Richards on Dec 1, 2004

The 8th sermon in a series on the Fruit of the Spirit.

Introduction: 1. When was the last time you heard a sermon on gentleness? That’s what I thought. It doesn’t sound like something you would read about in the Bible. In fact, it doesn’t sound like something that important at all. However, it’s a fruit of the Spirit, so it really is a big deal. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Take To Be Great In The Eyes Of God? Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 2, 2004

Disciples of Jesus was given a new perspective on greatness. We learn to (1) find greatness in serving and (2) make Jesus the benchmark of true service.

To be great is to serve. We don’t ASCEND to greatness, but descend into greatness.  To be great in this world is to put importance on oneself; to be great in God’s Kingdom is to serve the needs of man.  The world sees greatness in those who exercise power and authority but God sees ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Faithfulness To The Faith Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 3, 2003

We are only one generation from extinction. It is vitally important to pass along our faith to the next leaders of the church.

March 2, 2003 23In those days I also saw that the Jews had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. 24As for their children, half spoke in the language of Ashdod, and none of them was able to speak the language of Judah, but the language of his own people. 25So I contended with them and cursed ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:23-31

Denomination: United Methodist

How Can I?

Contributed by Jim Twamley on Mar 26, 2003

God expands and uses the abilities he has already built into us. He can use us in spite of our weaknesses, limitations and past failures.

Again, the Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. The Lord handed them over to the Midianites for 7 years. They were so curel, the Israelites went into hiding. At harvest time these marauding hordes, as thick as locusts, arrived on droves of camels too numerous to count. They stripped ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gift Of Giving Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 1, 2003

In order to experience the joy of giving: 1. We must recognize God’s ownership of everything. 2. We must live a life of stewardship. 3. We must want to bless more than we want to be blessed.

The church service ended at the Lutheran Church in New Sweden, Maine as everyone “passed the peace.” It was the first Sunday after Easter, and the 50 people in attendance headed to the fellowship hour to have some coffee. Some of the people complained that the coffee was bitter, but people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-39

Denomination: Methodist

Pentecostal Power

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 8, 2003

Pentecostal power comes when we recognize: 1. The Christian life is not about keeping rules, but about knowing Christ. 2. The Christian life is not just about salvation, but about transformation. 3. You overcome apathy with zeal.

John Wimber was a product of the Jesus movement in the 60’s. He met Christ in a dramatic way, and began reading the New Testament, beginning with the Gospels and then on to the book of Acts. He was excited about what he was reading, but when he went to a church he was disillusioned. The polite ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Falling Into Satan's Trap

Contributed by Rick Kallstrom on Jun 9, 2003

Paul’s time on earth was coming to an end. He had fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith. Soon, Paul would be a victim of Nero’s chopping block. Now one of his closest disciples, Demas, has left him.

This morning I want to talk to you about falling into Satan’s Trap. As we examine our scripture this morning, we find that the Apostle Paul is writing his final letter to Timothy, his son in the Lord. Paul is writing to Timothy from his jail cell in Rome. I suspect that it is wintertime when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Male And Female Created He Them

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 21, 2003

God created men and women: 1. Different physically 2. Different in Temperament. 3. To live out different roles.

Brian Bill has put together a “Top-ten List” of “You might be a male if . . .” 10. You know stuff about tanks. 9. You can go to the bathroom without a support group. 8. Someone forgets to invite you to something and he can still be your friend. 7. You can drop by to see a friend without ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27

Denomination: Methodist

Dealing With Criticism

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 13, 2003

Fifty-two practical ways of dealing with criticism.

Dealing With Criticisms (Philippians 2:13-16) Without an ability to deal with criticisms many people give in to discouragement, anxiety or angry over reactions. Quote: Advice from Dr. Mitchell’s life: Someone in his congregation pointed out several faults in him and his preaching. Instead of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Look To Jesus

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 22, 2003

In our text today we will see that the specific experience of Israel in the WAY OF THE RED SEA is also much like our journey to the heavenly promise land.

"LOOK TO JESUS" TEXT: NUMBERS 21:4-9 INTRODUCTION [Numbers 21:4-9] PRAYER The greatest event in the life of God’s people in the Old Testament was their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Time and time again this historic event is mentioned throughout the pages of the Old Testament. And the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9, Hebrews 12:2, John 3:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tour Of A Greenhouse

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jan 24, 2003

In pursuit of a vision of discipleship, this sermon explores the picture of the church like a greenhouse: growing, nurturing, and transplanting. Concluding with a call to examine the soil of our soul.

Becoming a Greenhouse pt 2: Tour of a Greenhouse Matt. 13:1-9; 18-23 The Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:1-9; 18-23): “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Quit; The Best Is Yet To Come! Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jan 28, 2003

A WORD TO THE CHURCH - Haggai (Part 3) Discouragement will often cause us to give up and quit. How can we overcome discouragement? Haggai reminds us that the best is yet to come!

· In 1972, NASA launched the exploratory space probe Pioneer 10. The satellite’s primary mission was to reach Jupiter, photograph it and its moons, and beam data it collected about this giant planet back to earth. Scientists regarded this as a bold plan, because up until then no satellites had ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9, Zechariah 4:6-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Why Are We Not In Hell Today?

Contributed by Thomas Baird on Jan 29, 2003

evaluation to three answeres people give to the question...why are we not in Hell today?

Why are we not in Hell today? 1/17/03 Opening statement… Why are we not in Hell today? Why are we not in Hell.? Take your Bibles this morning if you would and please turn to 2ND Thessalonians chapter 1. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9

Denomination: Baptist