Sermons on Paul Barreca:

Wrestling With God Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 2, 2013

Here, God empties Jacob of his NATURAL effort and teaches Jacob to trust Him completely.

What images come to mind when I mention the word wrestling? For some, it is an image of a High school wrestling match. Others happily envision Dad wrestling with his son. And a few of us think of the theater of “professional wrestling” with Iron Rings of death and tag team death ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Which Jesus?

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 28, 2013

The burial of Christ confronts us with the clear reality of his death and resurrection. The burial of Christ ensures that we accept the historicity of his death and resurrection.

The gospel is summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. The Apostle Paul writes, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hope Of The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 31, 2013

We all need hope. But hope alone is not enough - it must be based on a solid foundation. This sermon reminds believers that our Hope is based on the resurrection of Christ.

In the late night hours of July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was struck by multiple torpedoes fired by a Japanese submarine. 500 miles west of the Philippine Islands, far from any port and under orders of secrecy, tt was the last US Navy ship sunk by enemy fire in WW2. The real story of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Faith Of Abraham And The Power Of God Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 5, 2012

Abraham trusted God late in his life, and believed that God would accomplish the impossible. For this reason, he is called the Father of the Faith for all who believe.

It is no coincidence today that we arrive in our study of Genesis at chapter 12 and the call of Abraham. We started our study in Genesis on January 9, 2011, exactly one year ago today. At that time, our Family Life Center was under construction, the steel being erected. We had no idea that one ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are You Doing In Sodom? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 19, 2012

Sodom represents the allurment of the world. It proved deadly for Lot, and it will just as surely destroy our lives if we venture close to the world.

Our passage gives us a powerful lesson concerning worldliness. The key question from Genesis 14, “how close can you get to sin before it corrupts you?” The key verse, is Genesis 14:12. There we learn that while Lot first “pitched his tents near Sodom, now we read that Lot was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Everyon Needs An Ark Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Oct 22, 2011

There is much that we can say about the importance of the flood, but we should not miss the lesson about salvation that we see in the story of Noah.

Disaster movies ominously predict the end of the world. Whether it be asteroids or aliens, nuclear war or epidemic, our poor old planet is constantly being wiped out by some larger than life disaster. These movies sell because we seem to thrive on FEAR. One of the biggest disaster movies ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Out Of The Ark And Into A New World - Noah As A Type Of The Christian Life

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Oct 30, 2011

The steps that Noah took at the end of the flood teach us about our new beginning in the Christian life.

Illustrations explain complex things in simple ways. Like putting together a bicycle or piece of unassembled furniture. Or setting up a computer or electronics. If you want to learn how to tie a knot, or learn a new crochet stitch, the best way is to look at a picture. The Old Testament is ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Human Government - God's Restraint For A Sinful World Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 5, 2011

Genesis 9 is an important “FIRST” in the Bible. In this chapter, God ordains the second sphere of oversight for controlling human behavior. The first sphere that God ordained was in Genesis 1. It is the Family. The second sphere is found here in Genes

Sermon Notes November 6, 2011 Human Government - God’s Restraint for a Sinful World Genesis 9:4-11 There is a great debate in the U.S. concerning the role of Government. It is seen in slogans being promoted such as, “Everyone must pay their fair share...” “Universal ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:4-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fathers, Lead Your Family - A Message To Fathers On Mothers Day

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 12, 2012

If the greatest gift a dad can give his children is to love their mother. The greatest gift a man can give his wife is to lead his family. We will examine Proverbs 4 as a pattern for fathers to lead their families.

Since today is Mothers Day, I thought I would begin with some statistics from Moms on their most difficult moments. These results were taken from a nation wide survey of moms with children under six. The “Worst place to have to change a diaper” 47% said a public restroom with no ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do We Still Need The Local Church?

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 12, 2012

This message examines whether or not you should leave your local church to meet in a home church.

My own memories of church. I remember going to church EVERY SUNDAY. The place was Grace Protestant Church, on 92nd street in Canarsie (a portion of Brooklyn). I remember The church bell, which was rung by Uncle Henry reminding everyone on the block that it was time for church. I remember that after ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Lies Beneath A Lie Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 19, 2012

Today we will talk about lying. Our goal is to go beyond the obvious instruction that we should not lie. Our goal is to learn what our lies teach us about the condition of our hearts.

Sermon Notes May 20, 2012 FBCam “What Lies Beneath a Lie?” Genesis 20:1-18 One of the many pieces of advice we received before our wedding was to save the top tier of your wedding cake and eat and eat it on your first anniversary. We had a tiny little freezer. For one full year, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Grace In The Ups And Downs Of Life Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 26, 2012

Throughout our lives, we encounter both triumphs and tragedies. Victories and struggles. In all of them, God’s grace is constant, as we will see through the child God gives Sarah, the comfort God gives Abraham, the water God gives Hagar, and the Salvatio

Events can change IN A MOMENT. Our emotions can go from the top of the world to the bottom of the barrel in flash of time. The year was 1986. By now, the launch of the Space Shuttle was news but not like it was during the first few launches. This launch was different because for the first time ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does God Want Me To Do With My Isaac? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jun 10, 2012

God tested Abraham to ensure that Abraham’s devotion was still sound, and to free Abraham from the snare of making an idol out of something that was given by God as a gift.

In her book, “When I Lay My Isaac Down,” Carol Kent tells her story of a devastating event in their family. She recounts how her and her husband were enjoying a night together and shared their joy by saying, “does life get any better than this?” Everything was going well ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Job - Example Of A Godly Father

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jun 17, 2012

When we think of Job, we think of TRIALS. But there is another lesson that we learn from JOB. Job is an example of a godly father that courageously led his family.

Today for Father’s Day I would like to take a look at a Bible Character that we don’t usually associate with fatherhood. We will take a look this morning at JOB. When we think of Job, we think of TRIALS. We study JOB to learn how to overcome our trials. But there is another lesson ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22, Job 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Without Faith, Freedom Fails

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 9, 2012

Our national celebration should cause Christians to reflect on the source of our freedom, and the support that is necessary to uphold it. The theme of this sermon is that Faith is the only Foundation that can support Freedom. Without Faith, Freedom fail

This week we celebrate all that we love about America. There are parades, fireworks, speeches, and family BBQ’s. Contestants squared up in the annual Hot Dog Eating contest, and veterans marched down Main Street reminding us of the cost of America’s Liberty. Our national celebration ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational