Sermons on Pastoral Reflection:

Reflection C.1 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Two Wrong Goblets

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 23, 2020

There is a danger of prematurely imagining that we are in ‘End Times’. There is also a danger of failing to recognize ‘End Times’ when they are on us.

There’s a great family film called ‘The Princess Bride’. It’s definitely worth watching if you enjoy a romance with lots of action and humour. A farmhand, Westley, is in love with a beautiful young woman called Buttercup. A Sicilian named Vizzini kidnaps Buttercup; Westley, wearing a mask, goes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:4

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection C.2 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? End Times Will Be Tough

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 23, 2020

Jesus' disciples asked a question about 'End Times'. But before answering, Jesus warns them that 'End Times' will be tough.

We want to know if God could be behind coronavirus. Could it be connected to God’s judgement or to ‘End Times’? To answer that we want to know what judgement from God looks like and what ‘End Times’ will be like. We started in the Old Testament and we’ve now moved on to the New Testament – ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection C.5 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Israel Is An Important Indicator

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 23, 2020

When Jesus refers to a fig tree in Matthew 24, he is thinking of Israel. Israel is relevant to 'End Times'.

Today, we’re on to our last Reflection on Matthew 24! This Reflection contains some relatively complex arguments. I just can’t make it shorter. Sorry. If you’re in the mood for something stretching, read on! As Jesus starts to wind up his answer to his disciples’ question, he says this: 32 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:32-34

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection D.1 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Starting To Look At Revelation

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 3, 2020

If we think coronavirus might be God's judgement or a part of 'End Times' then we need to know what God's judgement and 'End Times' look like. We now turn to Revelation. This Reflection provides an introduction.

Today we start on Revelation. However, before diving in I’d like to do a quick introduction. When we start to talk about Revelation we quickly find that there are a lot of different views. The main views are ‘preterist’, ‘historicist’, ‘idealist’ and ‘futurist’. Preterists believe that most of ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel 7:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection D.5 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Revelation. The Four Horsemen.

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 12, 2020

When did the four horsemen in Revelation 6 set out? After Christ's ascension? In the future? Or, conceivably, in our time? Our view on this question makes a big difference to how we view 'End Times'.

At this point I feel as though I’m at a fork-in-the-road moment. We’re in Revelation 6. I have to keep reminding myself of why I am doing these Reflections. My goal is to ‘diagnose’ coronavirus. I am considering two possible ‘diagnoses.’ The first ‘diagnosis’ is that coronavirus is a random ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:8

Denomination: Baptist

Title: The Power Of Jesus's Christmas Story: Reflecting On Hope, Love, And Redemption

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 11, 2023

Beyond the familiar nativity scenes and carols, the narrative of Jesus's arrival has incredible significance, touching hearts and transforming lives. The power of Jesus's Christmas story can be seen through its profound themes of hope, love, and redemption.

Introduction: The Christmas season is a time of joy and celebration, but amidst the glittering lights and festive cheer lies a profound story of power and meaning—the story of Jesus's birth. Beyond the familiar nativity scenes and carols, the narrative of Jesus's arrival has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

The Transforming Mirror: Reflecting God's Glory 2 Corinthians 3:18 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 28, 2024

In the corridors of 2 Corinthians 3:18, the Apostle Paul unveils a profound truth—the transformative power of beholding God's glory. Today, let's journey into this passage and explore how, as believers, we are continually transformed by the truth we behold.

The Transforming Mirror: Reflecting God's Glory 2 Corinthians 3:18 Introduction: In the corridors of 2 Corinthians 3:18, the Apostle Paul unveils a profound truth—the transformative power of beholding God's glory. Today, let's journey into this passage and explore how, as believers, we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 12:2, James 1:23-25, Psalm 119:105, 2 Corinthians 3:16-17, Galatians 5:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Moms Who Love Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 11, 2012

A Mother’s 1) Gentleness (1 Thessalonians 2:7), 2) Intimate affection (1 Thessalonians 2:8a) and 3) Sacrificial love (1 Thessalonians 2:8b)

Jamie Lynne Grumet has become the poster mom of attachment parenting. With her almost-four-year-old son, Aram, at her breast, the 26 year old Los Angeles mother’s turn as a Time cover model has given the world a lingering visual of what so-called extended breastfeeding looks like. Although the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

Denomination: Other

Leading Under Fire Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 5, 2011

If we want to be effective leaders under fire, then we must be spiritually mature shepherds and overseers, who serve as willing, eager examples for others to follow.

Stuart Briscoe, in his book Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, tells the story about a fellow pastor who was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man's military friends wanted to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested that the pastor lead them ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Full Time Calling Of The Lord - Luke 5:4-11

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 12, 2011

Full Time Calling Of The LORD - Luke 5:4-11

Full Time Calling Of The LORD - Luke 5:4-11 Luke 5:4 When he had finished speaking, he told Simon, "Push out into deep water, and lower your nets for a catch." Luke 5:5 Simon answered, "Master, we have worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I'll lower the nets." Luke 5:6 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:4-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Elders, Servants

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 6, 2012

Who serve in our churches that also surround the throne of God? Elders. What office of leadership for God's people spans from Genesis to Revelation? Elders. Who needs them? We do.

We’ve embarked on a summer theme of Christian service where we are working to apply the fruit of the Spirit to service activities through service teams. This week’s theme is serving with Joy. Tonight we will introduce the next focus: Serving as peacemakers for Christ. When we look ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-11, Titus 1:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Developing Effective Ministry

Contributed by T. W Jenkins on Mar 12, 2012

Many times leaders fail in developing effective ministry in the local church because they rely upon others to get the work done. Pastors are required to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. There are four things that the leader must do in order

INTRODUCTION: in order to DEVELOPE EFFECTIVE MINISTRY there are four things you the leader must do. 1. YOUR PRESENCE MUST BE THERE. (Acts 20:18) Paul says to the Elders he has summoned to his conference, "I WAS WITH YOU". As leader, Bro pastor, you must be there. You can't be the leader and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

Grief Leads To Joy, Change Leads To Blessings.

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jul 8, 2009

We can’t avoid grief or change in this lifetime, fortunately both can lead to a better life.

Grief Leads to Joy, Change Leads to Blessings. John 16:16-22 and Acts 2:42-47 I would like to start today with a story you may be familiar with. “I was out fishing one day with my brother and we had been talking recently about a buzz down the river about this guy who was baptizing people and ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-22

The Power Of Preaching The Word

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Feb 21, 2009

Much of this sermon was inspired by Mark Dever’s teachings on Expository preaching from his 9 Marks of a Healthy Church series - a series that has greatly changed my view on preaching.

The Power of Preaching the Word Text: 2nd Timothy 4:1-5 By: Ken McKinley (Read Text) As your pastor here at Ft. Supply Baptist one of the main things I want to do is make sure we have a healthy church. And so one thing that I do is search the Scriptures to see what the Bible has to say for not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Undershepherd’s Chief Concern-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 21, 2009

Part 1 of a 2-part sermon. Paul’s deep concern for the Thessalonian Christians was foundational to his apostolic ministry. The undershepherd’s chief concern is evident thru...

THE UNDERSHEPHERD’S CHIEF CONCERN— —1Thessalonians 2:17—3:13 Previously we have seen.... ‘A Faith that Soothes the Soul’—1:1-10 ‘A Ministry that Shepherds the Soul’—2:1-12 ‘The Work of the Word’—2:13-16 Paul’s deep concern for the Thessalonian Christians was foundational to his apostolic ...read more

Denomination: Baptist