Sermons on Olive Press:

In The New Jerusalem, You're Either In Or Out (Rev. 21:6-22:21) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 21, 2023

The new Jerusalem is both a place we enter, and the church itself. The new Jerusalem=the bride=the church. The focus is on living faithfully-- conquering-- so that we are allowed in.

I'd like to start this morning by simply rereading our verses from last week, Revelation 21:1-8. They start, with what John "sees": (1) and I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth departed, and the sea wasn't in it any longer, (2) and the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:6-27, Revelation 22:1-21

The Revelation From Jesus And God (Revelation 1:1-8) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 29, 2023

A practical, academically rigorous, no-rapture reading of Revelation. Here, John receives a revelation from Jesus, passed from God, to Jesus, to Jesus' angel, to John, for 7 seven churches. To what end?

Last week, I introduced our new series on the book of Revelation. Really, I didn't explain much about the book at all. My focus was more on how I think the book should be read. If you missed that, you're going to want a copy of my sermon. This week, I want to begin by simply reading the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-6, Revelation 1:1-8

How To Become A True Worshipper

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Dec 3, 2023

Worship is an instinct within every human being because it is God-created and has been divinely implanted within us. He has provided an outlet for our need to worship.

"The hour cometh," Jesus said, "when the true worshippers SHALL worship." All other things of importance will be set aside for worship. Mere rituals will give way to meaningful worship. This promise follows the earlier pledge that "... the water that I shall give him shall ...read more

Scripture: John 4:14, John 16:13-14, Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Burn Your Bridges

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Sep 25, 2024

There are things that, as Christians, we must burn in our lives. This message looks at people who burned bridges for their faith.

Good morning to the Lord’s beloved! Many people don’t know this, but Julius Caesar was once a rebellious Roman. He first became a champion of the people by leading the Roman military towards the conquest of great foreign lands. He advocated for reforms of an aging Senate and, fearing his uprising, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-39, Hebrews 11:1-2, Daniel 3:1-18, Acts 3:1-10, Acts 4:1-6, Acts 4:19-20, Acts 6:1-15, Acts 7:52-56, John 14:15, John 14:21, Ephesians 4:32, Philippians 3:7-14, Ephesians 5:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Failure To Launch Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 14, 2021

Joshua didn’t go out on a wing and a prayer or a gut feeling or trust in his own instincts. He went with God’s promises and He had God with him.

How many of you suffer from “atychiphobia” [a-ticky-phobia]? [Raise my hand.] Aw, common on … really? I’m the only one? It might help you if I tell you what it means, amen? “Atychiphobia” [a-ticky-phobia] is the “fear of failure” and, trust me, it’s a very, very common phobia. I have it every ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9, Numbers 13:28-33, Numbers 14:8-9, Numbers 14:11-12, Numbers 14:28-33, Deuteronomy 34:10-12, Deuteronomy 34:6-8, Joshua 6:3-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Three Gifts To Give The Next Generation - Mother's Day 2024

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 9, 2024

Repeatedly, tell them they are loved by their Heavenly Father. Repeatedly, tell your children that every one of God’s commands is an invitation to help yourself to happiness. Repeatedly, tell the next generation that every time the Bible says, “Don’t do this,” He’s saying, “Don’t harm yourself.”

Here are some interesting things I have heard moms say. 1. My kids sure make a lot of plans for someone who can’t drive anywhere. 2. One mom said to another, “That’s it. I’m selling my kid on eBay.” The other mom replied, “Don’t be silly! You made him. Sell him on Etsy.” 3. Nothing is lost until ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:7-9, Daniel 1:3-4, Romans 8:29

Denomination: Baptist

Big, Big Family - Mark 10:28-31 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 20, 2024

There is a cost to discipleship, but that cost is dwarfed by the profit that comes when we receive the church family, dysfunctional as it is.

Mark 10:28 Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" 29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:28-31, Luke 18:28-30

Prayer Of Petition Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 12, 2024

Today we will study the prayer of petition as we focus mainly on the courts of Heaven. This prayer is very effective especially when you are facing the most impossible situation in your life.

LESSON 4; PRAYER OF PETITION 1. Introduction In lesson 2 and 3, we learnt about 15 different kinds of prayer listed below; 1) Prayer Of Thanksgiving 2) Prayer Of Praise 3) Prayer of Forgiveness 4) Prayer of confession 5) Prayer of Agreement ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14

Can We Start Over? Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 29, 2021

Revival doesn’t happen with wishful thinking, my brothers and sisters, but with purposeful prayer, amen?

I know that I’ve been talking about a lot of discouraging things lately … there’s a lot to be discouraged about. I’ve got my list and you’ve probably got yours. But today, I want to remind us that it is never too late. There is always … hope! You see … as crazy as things are right now … as ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:29-33, 2 Chronicles 34:2

Denomination: United Methodist

All In The Family ... Sort Of Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Sep 15, 2021

If you are amazed at the willingness of Muslim radicals to die for what they believe in, ask yourself this: Who was called to this kind of commitment long before the Muslim radicals ever came into existence? Us

Yesterday there were ceremonies all around the nation remembering the tragic events and loss of life that happened on September 11, 2001. Nineteen Muslim men hijacked four commercial airliners and converted them into flying bombs. Two crashed into two of the World Trade towers, causing the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Genesis 16:7-12, Genesis 17:5, Genesis 17:20

Denomination: United Methodist

Was America Blessed Or Just Lucky?

Contributed by Dennis King on Oct 13, 2021

Our Creator has certainly blessed America in many marvelous ways: Abundant natural beauty is found all across our land, including timbered forests, lush green valleys, richly fertile farmlands, the bountiful Great Plains, snow-capped Rocky Mountains, and warm California beaches.

Was America God Blessed Or Just Lucky The history of the United States displays an uncanny pattern of receiving and reflecting God's blessings. Psalm 33:12 reads, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” Our Creator has certainly ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:12, 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven's Treasures Series

Contributed by Dennis King on Jun 21, 2022

The Lord is not against us gathering up some savings, or fill our closet with a few dresses and suits. But our faith and trust should be be rooted in something other than worldly possessions.

Jesus taught about good works and giving. “Be careful! When you do something good, don’t do it in front of others so that they will see you. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “When you give to those who are poor, don’t announce that you are giving. Don’t be like ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1, Proverbs 11:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Zechariah #16: Superficial Religion Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 27, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 7:1-6 explores the issue of the inner motives behind our service to the Lord. How many people go to church, give their money, fast, etc. and are baffled by God's lack of response. Why is there so little power in the church? The text addresses all that.

Intro Our text today is in Zechariah 7. Last week we examined the capstone of the eight visions.i The crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, was a symbolic act prophesying Messiah. Unlike any other, Messiah would be both priest and king. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Him.ii The eight ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 23:5, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 2:3, Isaiah 1:12-15, Proverbs 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Why Not Me? Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 21, 2024

To be truly wise, acknowledge that God is, that God is here, and that God is holy. Then allow Him to use you to make Him known to a world in desperate need of Him.

Some time ago (2009), Leonard Mlodinow shared a story in The Wall Street Journal from the life of baseball great, Joe DiMaggio: During the summer of 1945, right after World War II had ended, Yankee slugger, Joe DiMaggio, returned to baseball after serving as a soldier during the war. Not wanting ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:1-25, Exodus 8:1-32, Exodus 9:1-35, Exodus 10:1-29, Romans 1:21-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

My Need For Revival Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 13, 2024

Ezra tore his garment, pulled out some of his hair, and collapsed on the ground in a public place so that the remnant could see his grief. When you tore your garment in Bible times, you weren’t pitching a fit. Instead, you were showing deep remorse.

Every Christian and every church will need revival. Most every single Christian I know has times in their lives when they need revival. Revival is part of the pattern the Holy Spirit uses to reconnect you to the gospel.1 Revival and spiritual awakening is when a group of people rediscover the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 106:34-39, John 16:8, Luke 5:8, 1 John 1:9-10

Denomination: Baptist