Sermons on Paul Barreca:

When God Says Wait Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 14, 2013

Waiting is difficult but it teaches us lessons that we cannot learn any other way. After he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's officials, Joseph thought that his time in prison would soon end. But God had more to teach him as he waits another two years

Three weeks ago I suffered a ruptured biceps tendon. It did not hurt much at the time, but it required surgery and now a six week recovery. I have learned much during this time. I learned the importance of receiving. I am usually the one to take care of others in my family and even in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 40:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When You Can't, God Can Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 22, 2013

Probably all of us have faced times in our lives when we reach the end of our resources. Today I want to encourage you that the God’s help in your life is MOST RECOGNIZED when our circumstances are at the worst.

Complete the following phrases …I am ready to throw in the… (towel). …I am at the end of my…(rope). …I am just a bundle of…(nerves). …I am at my wits…(end). …I am in over my…(head). Rick Warren, The Power to Change Your Life, The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grappling With Guilt Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 26, 2013

Joseph teaches an important lesson on overcoming guilt. This message will examine the Source, the Symptoms and the Solution for guilt.

It was Ninth Grade English Literature class. We were reading American short stories, and our assignment was to read Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart.” Following are some highlights from the chilling tale... “The officers were satisfied. My MANNER had convinced ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:1-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

“generational Conflict” blessing Others Through Humility And Respect Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jun 3, 2013

Generational Conflict is not new. We learn from the Joseph story that Humility from the Old will encourage the young to accomplish great things, and Respect from the young will provide honor that is due to their seniors.

An article in “Christianity Today” suggests that many churches have become segregated - not by race, but by age. Mollie Hemmingway writes about a newly started church that meets in a movie theater. All of the attenders are under 30. They are single, professional, independent and hip. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 43:1-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Freedom Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jun 22, 2013

Joseph's restoration with his brothers teaches us that we can be free by forgiving those who have harmed us. In this way, Joseph is a picture of Christ - the one who forgives us and the model for the way that we should forgive others.

The year was 1996. The US would post its first ambassador to Vietnam since the N Vietnamese took control of the south in 1975. President Clinton choose as his ambassador Pete Peterson, a former congressman and US AirForce pilot. Pete had been shot down over N Vietnam 31 years earlier and was a ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Touched By God To Touch Others For God

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jun 29, 2013

The justification we receive from God motivates us to bless others.

Touched By God to Touch Others For God Romans 5:9-11 This is now the 5th Blessing associated with Justification. “We have now received reconciliation” Reconciliation. ‒ Noun and Verb form used 13x in NT. ‒ “a change in relationship” ‒ formerly ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:9-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Doesn't God Prevent Evil? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 12, 2013

How can a good God allow human suffering to continue? The story of Joseph provides a powerful illustration that suffering has a purpose, even when we can't see it at the present time.

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Biblical Accuracy Proved Through Jacob’s Prophecies Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 27, 2013

By studying Genesis 49 we will be reminded that we can TRUST the Bible even when modern culture rejects it.

Genesis 49 Can you trust the Bible? When we say “yes - I believe the Bible,” I think that what many of us are saying is that we believe the STORIES, the MIRACLES, the TRUTHFULNESS of the Bible. We do not doubt the content of the Bible, but do we FOLLOW the Bible? Do we believe it ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 49:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Presence In The Lonely Places Of Our Lives Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Oct 20, 2012

Jacob's night with a stone for a pillow teaches us that God uses loneliness and isolation to speak to us in ways that would otherwise be missed.

I have a very special pillowcase that might tempt you to make fun of me. It is my “Where’s Waldo” pillowcase. Actually, it belonged to one of our children, but I use it as my pillowcase when I go camping in the wilderness. My wilderness gear consists of leftovers from around ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Will Go Before You Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Oct 27, 2012

What did God do for Jacob, and what does that teach us about the Destination Unknowns in our life?

Genesis 29:1-14 Three weeks ago, the YOUTH GROUP went on a “Destination Unknown.” If you’ve never been on a DU, or heard of one, it’s a fun activity for the youth group, except for the fact that the group does not know where they are going until they get there. When I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Should We Do When Disaster Strikes? A Righteous Response To Disasters

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 3, 2012

Hurricane Sandy did not affect us, but it devestated millions of others. How should we respond? What should we think? What should we do? Jesus answers these questions from Luke 13:1-5

Here in South Jersey, we rode Hurricane Sandy Monday and Tuesday,. W were thankful that very few in our area were affected. Phone calls and visits on Tuesday revealed that this time, we did not have the damage and devastation like we did during July’s devestating dorecho storm that knocked out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-8, Romans 8:28-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From A Thankful Leper

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 18, 2012

The lesson of thankfulness is taught to us by the Savior in the healing of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19

I started my preparation for a today’s Thanksgiving Sermon a couple of weeks ago. In looking for sermon ideas, I read a sermon by Ray Pritchard written in 2007 titled, “How God Revealed the Ingratitude of My Own Heart.” He wrote this sermon about one year after leaving the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making A New Man Out Of Jacob Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 25, 2012

Jacob's trials in Haran teach us the Lord sends trials into our lives to test our commitment and to refine us to me more like Jesus.

I have had the privilege to disciple many new believers. I’ve seen and heard many testimonies of new believers, some were private and some were public at times such as baptisms and public testimony. The ones that concern me the most, the ones that I fear will not make it in their walk with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:15-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Elizabeth's Song Of Praise Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 2, 2012

Elizabeth's song of praise teaches us that we can praise God for the blessings that he gives us in discouraging times in our lives.

One of the Christmas memories that our family enjoyed while our children were growing in Michigan as to take a night time dive looking at Christmas lights. Our friends Dave and Sue were a young married couple who did not yet have children and they would pile into our blue Chrysler min-van and tour ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:35-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mary's Song Of Praise Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 13, 2012

Mary rejoices because of God’s power to change the unchangeable.

Today we continue our series in the Songs of Christmas. Today’s song is the most famous of the five songs recorded in Scripture at announcement of Christ’s birth. The song is Mary’s Song, often called the Magnificat, the Latin word that begins Mary’s praise. A song can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational