Sermons on optimistic outlook: showing 1,066-1,080 of 4,286

Beyond The Upper Room: The Proclamation Of The Church

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 8, 2023

This message gives a survey of the events leading up to Pentecost and the command from the Lord Jesus to preach the Gospel to everyone. This is an adaptation of a message from the 1995 edition of the Zondervan's Pastor's Annual. It needed no update, for the Word of God is eternal.

The disciples were made up of men who had been called from their chosen professions to follow Jesus of Nazareth. Having left all, it must have seemed to them that at the crucifixion of Jesus they had lost all. Following the admonition of their Lord, whom they saw disappear into the clouds, they ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:28-29, John 16:5-15, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:17-18, Acts 2:24-36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Wedding Banquet: Invitation, Ingratitude, And Indiscretion, Part I

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 20, 2023

Jesus' parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1-14) is a call to salvation. There will be many who will make poor excuses and refuse the invitation. There will be those who accept it with gratitude, but some will try to enter in their own way. In which category do you fit?

Throughout the Scriptures, the call of God to come to Him for salvation, grace, and mercy is prominent. The paradise we lost at our fall into sin is not irreversible nor permanent. He has promised redemption even though we do not deserve it. He promised to make all things new, starting with the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14, Isaiah 55:1, John 7:37, Ezekiel 33:11, Isaiah 45:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Existence And Presence Of Almighty God", Part 2

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Apr 24, 2023

God's existence is obvious (Romans 1:18-20) through creation and our conscience. The evidence is there for anyone willing to take their blinders off, swallow their pride, and humble themselves.

The world cannot comprehend the idea of a precise, preconceived, set, rational, and personal creation of a God who is outside of space, time, and matter, and able to put everything into existence for a reason. They wish to stay blind to the obvious and shut their ears to the truth that we are ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11, Job 26:7, Psalm 33:6, Isaiah 40:28, Acts 17:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Existence And Presence Of Almighty God", Part 3

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Apr 27, 2023

One of the major arguments (proofs) for the existence of God is based upon moral standards, defined as the concept of right and wrong, good and evil, ethics and emotions that are in our consciences and have guided civilizations throughout history.

The job of a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ is not only share the Gospel, but also to make all non-believers uncomfortable in their assumptions. As mentioned in a previous sermon, uncomfortable atheists and skeptics use what they consider to be a sure-fire weapon guaranteed to confound and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-22, Romans 2:1-16, Numbers 32:23, 1 John 1:8, Hebrews 2:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Consolation In Christ

Contributed by Larry Grant on Aug 1, 2022

Paul’s point is that our own sufferings enable us to identify with those who suffer—and enable them to identify with us. Then they will sense the reality of the comfort we have received from God and find their own comfort in Him. The principle is important. Ministry requires vulnerability.

Consolation – Relief or Support. As nouns the difference between consolation and comfort is that consolation is the act of consoling while comfort is the state of ease. Bless Him because He is God! You find this phrase “blessed be God” in two other places in the New Testament, in Ephesians 1:3 and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Alternate Theory Of Creation No. 4 -Progressive Creationism

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on May 25, 2023

This is the last of four messages on the alternatives of creation often presented to skeptics and the scientific community apart from what is described in Genesis 1. This final message deals with "progressive creationism", another example of the futility of man's "wisdom".

We have looked at four alternative theories that some Christians use to either defend or explain to a skeptical world how everything came into being instead of what is clearly presented in Genesis 1. The world system took advantage of our withdrawal from the scientific community soon after the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:8-11, Job 26:7, Psalm 33:6, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 48:13, Acts 4:24, Acts 17:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Noah's Ark: A Symbol Of God's Sovereignty

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 2, 2023

The idea for the design and building of the Ark did not originate in the mind of Noah. The Ark was God's idea and preconceived plan of rescue for anyone who would enter to escape the wrath to come. God has everything under control and will bring everything to a conclusion on His terms.

The Bible says that Noah built the Ark, but did not come up with the idea. The Ark was from the mind and heart of God. If God had not spoken to Noah, he would have died in the flood along with his pagan neighbors. Genesis 6:8 says that Noah "found grace in the eyes of the LORD". This ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:8, John 6:44, Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 5:20, Ephesians 4:30, John 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Hallelujah!!

Contributed by John F Jackson on Sep 11, 2021

All too often, we as Christians fall into the rut of prayer.

Hallelujah!! Pastor John Jackson Praise Christian Church 9/12/2021 Rev 19:4-5 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eternal Facts About The Christian Faith

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Oct 2, 2023

Scripture alone defines and sets in place the essential facts about what it means to be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ. Our opinions, preferences, and feelings have no place in what God has said in HIs Word.

Normally I post detailed sermons or articles covering a variety of issues as part of my contribution to this site. I want to divert from that format and instead post a sermon outline dealing with some salient and eternal facts about the Christian faith that I hope will be of help and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:12, 2 Timothy 3:16, Isaiah 53:4-6, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 6:23, 1 Peter 5:10, Hebrews 9:27, John 14:6, Revelation 20:11-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Thirty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A: Ten Virgins- Bring Your Own Oil

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 13, 2023

“The trumpet, scattering its awful sound. Across the graves of all lands, Summons all before the throne. Remember, gentle Jesus, that I am the reason for your time on earth, do not cast me out on that day, When the damned are confounded, and consigned to keen flames, call me with the blessed.”

BYOB stands for Bring Your Own Beverage. Today’s parable is about preparing for our individual and irrevocable particular judgment at death and it is always a Bring Your Own Oil affair—BYOO. [Thanks to Troy Borst for this phrase] The inevitable sleep of death overtook all ten of them, and our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Catholic

Psalm 12 - Alone Series

Contributed by Michael Monica on Feb 11, 2024

Exposition of Psalm 12

12:1-2: Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. In this psalm David complains about the vicious words of his adversaries, and in contrast praises the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bold For Christ Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Aug 30, 2024

What would it take for you to become bold for Christ? As we look at our text today I am leaning in the subject of being a witness for Christ.

“Bold For Christ” Acts 4:10-14 What would it take for you to become bold for Christ? As we look at our text today I am leaning in the subject of being a witness for Christ. On the morning of August 7, 1974, French acrobat Philippe Petit walked the more than 130 feet between the Twin Towers on a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Clothed In Grace, Empowered By Love Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 24, 2024

Let's explore God's overwhelming love and constant presence in our lives. Our focus is on how understanding and experiencing these truths can transform us.

Clothed in Grace, Empowered by Love Introduction: Today, we are diving deep into the Word of God to explore His overwhelming love and constant presence in our lives. Our focus will be on how understanding and experiencing these truths can transform us. Our journey will take us through several ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:10, 1 Peter 2:9, Genesis 16:13, Psalm 139:16, Psalm 91:11, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 55:22, John 14:27, Ephesians 3:20, 1 John 4:16, John 15:9, 1 John 4:19, 1 Peter 1:18-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gospel Of Matthew: An Introduction

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Nov 3, 2024

Matthew's account of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ was written to show his fellow Jews that Jesus was the Promised Messiah, liberating them not from the tyranny of Rome, but from the tyranny and condemnation of sin. His death and resurrection freed all of us from this curse.

Dr. Frank Turek, the noted Christian apologist, said that the writers of the New Testament did not create the account of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, but that the resurrection created the writers of the New Testament. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, His life would have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-25, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 53:1-12, Romans 5:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Sure Basis For Confidence Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 30, 2001

Four reasons we can be confident that God will complete His work in our lives.

Almost ten years ago I commuting to school when I was in a terrible auto accident. My car was totaled, my hand was broken, and had I not been wearing my seatbelt I probably would’ve died. In fact, the impact from the collision cracked my sternum right where the seatbelt goes across my chest. After ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational