Sermons on Olive Press:

Trying Times - "Don't Think On Anything Else" Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Jul 7, 2013

A comparative: Reflections of modern lifestyles in struggles with sufferings and colloquial neighborhood sayings and Christ Jesus, in early days lifestyles in struggles with sufferings and tribal sayings.

Trying Times - “DON'T THINK ON ANYTHING ELSE” by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (5/29/2013, 6/1/2013, 6/15/2013, 6/18/2013, 6/22/2013, 6/29/2013, 7/6/2013) “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-38

Denomination: Friends

Why Me? Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 12, 2012

Don’t blame God in your disappointment. Instead, believe in Him and get back to work.

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am.” The woman below replied, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Empowered But No Self-Control Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on May 16, 2016

Samson was a man who was gifted with supernatural strength but has not much with regards to his moral character. He was greatly empowered by God but he was not able to control his desires. We will learn several life lessons from this story.

Samson was the strongest man alive, yet something went wrong along the way that has changed his life's direction. The four D's of Samson's downfall - His Desire, His Disrespect, His Disobedience and His Deception. First, he was overwhelmed by his desire for the woman. When he went to Timnah, he ...read more

Scripture: Judges 14:8-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Testimony Of God Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 9, 2016

1) the Particulars of the Father’s testimony to the Son (1 John 5:6–9), 2) the Purpose of that testimony (1 John 5:11), 3) The Response to God's Testimony (1 John 5:10, 12).

There is a group of people that claim to be the witnesses of God, they even call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses. And they claim to be propagating the truth that God wants revealed. They claim to be echoing the witness of God. But the truth that God once revealed, the true witness of Jehovah God ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:6-12

Denomination: Other

Discovering Your Destiny In Christ Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Jul 11, 2016

God has a good plan for our lives and we can discover our destiny in Christ by making daily decisions in submission to His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the lesson we can learn from the last chapter of Ruth.

There is a vast difference between FATE and DESTINY. Fate is usually thought of as a predetermined course of events beyond the human control. A typical response of a person who believes in fate is resignation - if we can't change destiny, then why even try? Whatever happens, happens and we can't do ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-17

Denomination: Nazarene

The Journey Of Faith Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 31, 2016

In “The Journey of Faith” from Psalm 23, we experience: 1) God’s provision (Psalm 23:1–3) and 2) God’s protection (Psalm 23:4–6).

Psalm 23:1–6. 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Other

Laugh - Philippians 4 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 24, 2019

We need find joy in the journey by doing 3 things: choosing to reconcile with others so that we can rejoice, by praying rather than worrying, and by learning contentment in life.

Video illustration: Over Saved Michael Jr Series: Find Joy in the Journey in 2019 Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves in the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-23, Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Refusing To Play Favorites Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 15, 2019

If you want God’s favor, don’t treat people with favoritism.

Over 30 years ago, when I was serving on a church staff in the Chicago area, Paul Harvey, the nationally recognized radio personality, attended one of our services. Harvey passed away in 2009 and had a radio show for over 50 years, reaching 26 million people a week. As soon as the service was ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Put On A Smile

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Mar 7, 2019

A study in the book of Nehemiah 2: 1 - 20

Nehemiah 2: 1 – 20 Put on a smiley face 2 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Put On A Smiley Face

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Mar 8, 2019

A study in the book of Nehemiah 2: 1 – 20

Nehemiah 2: 1 – 20 Put on a smiley face 2 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:2

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Spiritual Manure - It Helps A Body Grow

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Mar 14, 2019

This sermon focuses on how God can use the stinky stuff in our lives to help us grow

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8 (Call to Worship) Theme: Lent/Growth Title: Spiritual Manure – It Helps a Body Grow INTRO: Grace and peace from God our Father, Son and Holy Spring. You can tell that it is getting closer to Spring Time – you can smell it in the air. You can smell the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Messed Up Pancakes

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 13, 2019

A study in the book of Hosea 7: 1 – 16

Hosea 7: 1 – 16 Messed up pancakes 1 “When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria. For they have committed fraud; A thief comes in; A band of robbers takes spoil outside. 2 They do not consider in their hearts that I remember all ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:8

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Their Heaven Is Earth

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 16, 2020

A study in Psalm 73: 1 – 28

Psalm 73: 1 – 28 Their heaven is earth A Psalm of Asaph. 1 Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no pangs ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:12

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Avenger

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 29, 2019

A study in Psalm 35: 1 – 28

Psalm 35: 1 – 28 The Avenger A Psalm of David. 1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me. 2 Take hold of shield and buckler and stand up for my help. 3 Also draw out the spear and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Let Go Of Lazarus

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Sep 2, 2019

Everyone has a ‘Lazarus’; everyone has a person, place or thing that they believe is essential to their lives. We can’t imagine life without our ‘Lazarus’. This sermon encourages us to mature in our faith by ‘letting go of Lazarus’ and holding on to Christ.

Let Go of Lazarus So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he cried with ...read more

Scripture: John 11:41-44

Denomination: Baptist