Sermons on Paraphrasing:

Is This A Curve Ball? (Advent 2009)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 1, 2023

This sermon is about being surprised by tbd unexpected things much like Jesus seems to have surprised John the Baptist.

IS THIS A CURVE BALL? Text: Matthew 11:2-11 I read about someone’s recollection of a performance that he (Tom Wright) had been rehearsing for on stage at an earlier time in his life. He mentions that all had been going according to plan most of the time. “We had all rehearsed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: United Methodist

The Transformed Life In Christ

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Nov 8, 2022

Jesus answered the two toughest questions on identity. He asked Peter "who do people say I am?" and "who do you say I am?" The answer he gave came from a transformed life.

The Transformed life in Christ Romans 12:1-2 Intro- Good morning to our online people, we are glad that you have joined us. I was on vacation last week and watched people at the airport while I raced around, I am convinced that many struggle with their identity. Who they are inside and out and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Nazarene

Freed For Joyful Obedience (2003)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 23, 2021

Until we are justified in our actions, we are separated by sin away from God. That separation causes us to feel guilty and it denies us the feeling of joy that comes from being reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ!

FREED FOR JOYFUL OBEDIENCE Text: Hebrews 9:11-14 Charles Colson mentioned that whenever questioned by curious people in the media about which of his Watergate perfidies [sins] (deliberate acts of betrayal of trust) made him feel the most remorseful, he replies honestly and invariably ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-14

Denomination: United Methodist

The Life Line (2018, Fifth Sunday Of Easter)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 28, 2021

Sin is perhaps the biggest of the obstacles because it is connected with all of the other obstacles in our lives that hinder God’s will. Sin has many forms and formats that make deadwood in our lives, but sin has one purpose and that is our destruction.

THE LIFE LINE Text: John 15:1- 8 Just recently my daughter Lilly looked at the bushes of the parsonage that had been trimmed back. She expressed her concern that the bushes might not grow back. I assured her that that the pruning that had taken place was good for the bushes because ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

Let There Be Space ... Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jan 9, 2023

We must be careful to not let the facts of creation become overcomplicated. God's word can be trusted just as much in the creation account as it can that He has given us a redeemer (Jesus) to rescue us from sin!

Alpha and Omega, Part 2 “Let there be space …” Genesis 1:6-8 Introduction - We’ve begun the year with “one purpose”: Knowing there is a God! -- Just as a building requires a builder, a creation must have a Creator - There is an irrational logic trying to prove something happened from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:6-8, John 1:1, Romans 1:20, Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Contention Intervention (January 22, 2023 Version)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jan 21, 2023

Some in that crowd were having quarrels over who baptized them as if those that baptized them had differing ranks. They were choosing sides contrary to the Gospel which calls us to be united to be united through Christ (I Corinthians 1:12 -13).

I Corinthians 1:10. I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11. My brothers, some from Chloe's household ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Denomination: United Methodist

The Proof And The Promise (Transfiguration Sunday 2023)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 17, 2023

Peter had his experience of the transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ against his opponents whose credibility could not hold water!

THE PROOF and the PROMISE (Transfiguration Sunday 2023) 2 Peter 1:16-21  For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.  (17)  For he received honor and glory from ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Denomination: United Methodist

In Remembrance (2022 Version) Maundy Thursday

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 12, 2022

We strive to live out all that Jesus taught us about being His disciples. Our legacy involves living out what we believe in our thanksgiving, holiness and harmony.

IN REMEMBRANCE (2022 version) Maundy Thursday Text: I Corinthians 11:23-26 1 Corinthians 11:23-26  For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread,  (24)  and when he had given thanks, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: United Methodist

The Journey Ahead Requires Some Foot Dust

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 8, 2024

A sermon for the season of Pentecost, Year B, Lectionary 14

July 7, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13 The Journey Ahead Requires Some Foot Dust Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The bishop was interviewing a senior seminarian, assigned to his district. He asked ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Joshua 20: The Cities Of Refuge Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 18, 2024

The LORD instructed Israel to designate six cities as "Cities of Refuge". This message explores the roles and functions of these cities.

Introduction: Accidents happen, and some of these accidents result in the death of another person. There was and is a difference between intentional murders—and there were numerous examples of this in the Bible—and accidental death, sometimes called manslaughter. To provide a safe place for the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Spirit Active In Our Lives

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 1, 2024

We are not saved by works but a life that is changed and for Jesus is a life that will be about spreading the good news.

Holy Spirit active in our lives Acts 2:1-6 Good morning everyone, glad that you have joined us either in service or online. 50 days after Easter, we celebrate Pentecost. The birth of the church and the birth of Jesus empowering the church to do what it was called to do and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-6

Denomination: Nazarene

Nehemiah’s Third Prayer: Asking God To Intervene Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 27, 2024

The Jews, under Nehemiah's leadership, began to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. They heard some very discouraging news. Nehemiah heard this as well, and prayed to the LORD about it.

Introduction: Nehemiah had been in Jerusalem long enough for the people living there to begin rebuilding the city walls. Chapter 3 gives an account of the various groups who took part in this rebuilding effort. By now, the enemies of Judah had noticed and were not happy. 1 The Words of the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What The Lord Knows.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 16, 2024

The optimist says, the cup is half full. The pessimist says, the cup is half empty. The child of God says; “My cup runneth over.”

What The Lord Knows. Palm 1:1-6NKJV What does the Lord know? Maybe a better question is, “What does the Lord not know.” He’s Creator of physics, nuclear science, he designed Jets and rockets plus anything else that comes into the future. God did it first; God is the Master Designer! Psalm ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Joshua 14, Caleb's Birthday Request! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 17, 2024

Caleb and Joshua were the only two Israelites of those aged 20 and older to survive from Kadesh-Barnea to Canaan. Caleb, on his 85th birthday, asked for his inheritance--a mountain!

Introduction: Caleb. He’s truly one of the unsung heroes of the Bible. He and Joshua were the only two of the twelve spies who gave Israel a “we can take the land!” message when the other ten said, basically, “we’ll lose everything if we try to do it. (Numbers 13-14)”. As a result, every Israelite ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

Walk In The Light

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 9, 2025

If we are to walk in a way that pleases the Lord, we must walk in love; we must walk in righteousness, and we must walk in the light. This is not optional – we must walk in the light.

Walk in the Light Ephesians 5:8-14 As we move forward in this fifth chapter of Ephesians, we continue to be reminded of the lives we are to live in Christ. Our text today is a continuation of the thoughts from the preceding verses. If we are to walk in a way that pleases the Lord, we must walk in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14

Denomination: Baptist