Sermons on Olives:

A Church In Exile, And Our Response

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Jan 7, 2002

In many ways the Christian church is a church in exile as many of our traditional power bases have been lost. We are not to focus on things of man, but things of God, in prayer and faith. Perseverance in prayer is the key.

A Church in Exile, and our Response. Sermon for Proper 29, Year C 21 October 2001 St John the Evangelist, Cold Lake Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:94-104 2 Tim 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 One of the joys of being a Lay Reader is the privilege of preaching God’s word before His people. The other part ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 31:27-34

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Cleansing Your Conscience

Contributed by Tommy Oliver on Jan 17, 2008

A Clear outlined message on how to have a clean conscience

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: The story is told of a man that consulted a doctor "Ive been misbehaving Doc, and my conscience is troubling me". he complained, " And you want something that will strengthen your willpower? asked the Doctor. "well no said the man I was thinking of something that would weaken ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Raising Kingdom Kids

Contributed by Tommy Oliver on Jan 17, 2008

A four point outlined sermon on the "how to" of childrens ministry & parenting

INTRODUCTION: It has been said that children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression. This is so true. It is also true that children can make a great impression on us if we allow them. If you have ever seen the show "Kids Say The Darndest Things" with Bill Cosby you know ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Desperate Houswives In Real Life

Contributed by Tommy Oliver on Jan 26, 2008

A Concise outlined sermon on how Joseph Resisted Temptation.

Introduction: Description of how the prime time show Desperate Housewives has depicted our society with schemes, complex family problems and sexual temptation. Transition: A man and his wife were once in a shopping mall when a young attractive woman in short dressed walked by. The husband tried ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And Funerals

Contributed by Vincent Oliver on Apr 17, 2007

This message is a challenge to reclaim those areas of our lives that we may have given up for dead. Idea taken from a message by Pastor Jessie Bottoms.

“Jesus and Funerals” Pastor V. P. Oliver Luke 7:14, 15 (11 – 17) “And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And He that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.” Luke, the writer of our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose Of Our Trials

Contributed by Vincent Oliver on Apr 30, 2007

The lessons of Israel’s forty-year period of testing in the wilderness can serve to define and explain the trials and tests during our spiritual journey.

“The Purpose of Our Trials” Pastor V. P. Oliver Deuteronomy 8:2 (1-6) "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” Because of ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Anatomy Of John's Gospel

Contributed by Vincent Oliver on Apr 30, 2007

The Gospel of John deals with signs and miracles which Christ performed to prove His deity. John’s message is that men ought to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and receive new life through His name.

“The Anatomy of John’s Gospel” Pastor V. P. Oliver John 20: 30, 31 “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have ...read more

Scripture: John 20:30-31, John 21:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Three Faces Of Faith Series

Contributed by Vincent Oliver on May 1, 2007

In feeding the 5000 Jesus demonstrated His concern for the basic needs of man and His need to strengthen His disciples’ faith.

“The Three Faces of Faith” Pastor V. P. Oliver John 6: 5-11 The occasion of our text, Jesus feeding 5000 with a few loaves of barley bread and couple pieces of dried fish, was a miracle of such magnitude that it is recorded in all four Gospels. The Apostle John, the writer of this account, tells ...read more

Scripture: John 6:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Hang Up Your Harps & Don't Stop Singing

Contributed by Vincent Oliver on Feb 26, 2007

Eulogy for Derro "Smitty" Smith, a faithful church organist. Sermon can be easily adapted to encourage continued Chritian service.

Psalm 137:1-6 “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

If Only...

Contributed by Vincent Oliver on Feb 26, 2007

A sermon to observe Black History Month.

“If Only…” Pastor V. P. Oliver 2 Samuel 23:13-17 “And three of the thirty went down at the start of the grain-cutting, and they came to David at the strong place of Adullam; and the band of Philistines had taken up their position in the valley of Rephaim. And at that time David had taken cover in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, The Sight Of The World Series

Contributed by Vincent Oliver on May 3, 2007

In this sixth miracle Jesus demonstrates not only is He the “Light of the World,” but that He is also the “Sight of the World.”

“Jesus, The Sight of The World” Pastor V. P. Oliver John 9: 39 (1-41) “And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.” In the preceding chapter of the Gospel of John Jesus has been giving a discourse on His ...read more

Scripture: John 9:39

Denomination: Baptist

The Best And The Last Series

Contributed by Vincent Oliver on May 4, 2007

The spiritual message of Jesus’ first miracle is that the Savior is the best that God has to offer mankind.

“The Best and the Last” Pastor V. P. Oliver John 2: 10 (1-11) “And said to Him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when have drunk freely, then that which is poorer; you have kept the good wine until now.” The occasion of our text is the first recorded miracle of Jesus, at the wedding ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Never Too Late With Jesus Series

Contributed by Vincent Oliver on May 7, 2007

The miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is the enacted Word of God which most clearly reveals God to man through the Savior.

“Never Too Late With Jesus” Pastor V. P. Oliver John 11: 21-23 (1-44) “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.” This ...read more

Scripture: John 11:21-23, Joel 2:25-28

Denomination: Baptist

Bread For Dogs

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Oct 20, 2012

Mark 7:24-37 expository sermon on the encounter between Jesus and the Syrophonecian woman, even the dogs eat the crumbs under the children's table.

Preaching in a different pulpit Sunday, filling in for a friend. This is a re-work of a sermon from earlier this year. Bread for dogs. 9 September 2012, Mark 7:24-37, Trinity 14 We are going to specifically look at a couple of the themes emphasized in this portion: bread, being filled completely ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Fool For Christ

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Oct 20, 2012

2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10 It is in our weakness that we find the true strength of Christ - St Paul addresses those who considered themselves

SJE sermon series: 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10, 26 August 2012 This is our second last installment in our series through Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth. What we are hearing this week is Paul’s use of irony and the startling conclusion – it is in weakness that the ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican