Sermons on Permissive Will:

18th Sunday After Pentecost. October 12th, 2025. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 3, 2022

Year C, Proper 23.

Jeremiah 29:1, Jeremiah 29:4-7, Psalm 66:1-12, 2 Kings 5:1-3, 2 Kings 5:7-15, Psalm 111, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 A). A LETTER TO THE EXILES. Jeremiah 29:1, Jeremiah 29:4-7. This letter is addressed from Jeremiah in Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and people in exile in ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1, Jeremiah 29:4-7, Psalm 66:1-12, 2 Kings 5:1-3, 2 Kings 5:7-15, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Legal Counsel For Christians Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Aug 4, 2023

Jesus provides counsel on domestic disputes, sex crimes, adultery and divorce; and He even says something that can be applied to swearing on the Bible in a court of law. Jesus, being part of the court of heaven, knows about legal matters!

I have entitled our message for this morning, “Legal Counsel for Christians.” You may not realize it, but the Bible is full of courtroom imagery. The most noteworthy example is the great white throne of judgement seen in the book of Revelation (20:11-15). Did you know that Jesus will be there ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Forbidden Food

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Aug 12, 2023

The Forbidden Food - Daniel chapter 1 verse 1-21 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: • Conquest (vs 1-2) • Conscription (vs 3-7) • Courage (vs 8-16) • Choice (vs 17-21) SERMON BODY: ill: • I have a list of opposites, • I will give you a word and collectively shout out the opposite. • Happy x sad • Above x below • Broad x narrow • Ability x inability • Import x ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Brethren

The Call To An Exemplary Life

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Aug 28, 2023

Paul writes to an audience steeped in the Greco-Roman culture. The message is a call to transform their minds, avoid the cultural influences that pull them away from the call of Jesus. He calls them to an exemplary lifestyle.

While in Louisiana for the memorial service for her brother, we drove by a home we built while working as an engineer on the railroad. The home was a super nice home with 3,000 sq ft. On previous trips we witnessed it was empty and deteriorating. This time we were shocked; I wish I could show you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3, Luke 5:5-10, John 17:14-18, Ephesians 4:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ezra (Means Help) Part 1 (Nasb)

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jun 6, 2022

Chapters 1-5

REESTABLISHING GOD’S PEOPLE / RESTORING THE TEMPLE; LOCATION = BABYLONIA (IRAQ) / JERUSALEM (OVER 79 YEARS; TIME PERIOD?, 6 PERSIAN (IRANIAN) KINGS); THE DECREE OF CYRUS RELEASED THE ISRAELITES FROM THEIR CAPACITY. EZRA TELLS OF THE RETURN TO JERUSALEM OF 2 GROUPS OF ISRAELITES AFTER THEIR RELEASE ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Father Knows Best

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jun 15, 2022

“Father Knows Best” is an American sitcom starring Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin.

The series, which began on radio in 1949, aired as a television show for six seasons doing 203 episodes. It was a good family program because it exalted the dad of the home. This church is blessed with some wonderful dads! You could go into any church in America and you would not find any better ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Created On Purpose Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 21, 2022

God created us on purpose for His purposes.

On Tuesday of this week, another world record was broken when the population of our planet topped 8 billion people! I’m not quite sure what baby’s birth put us over the top, or even how they count this, but it’s fair to say humankind has kept at least one of God’s commands which is to “be fruitful ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28-31

Denomination: Baptist

Two Specific Requirements For Prayer

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2023

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to see and talk to the President of the United States?

This would be a great honor if you were Democrat, Republican or independent. But to see him this could prove to be a very difficult assignment, if not impossible! • You would have to first get through some of the tightest security in the U.S. • Even if you did get past them you would have to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-20, Matthew 17:21

Denomination: Baptist

Perspectives For The New Year (And For Every Year)

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 2, 2023

It is critical to have a godly view of time and life in order to live a life pleasing to God. As the new year begins, it is a good time to renew and refocus our minds in the Lord.

A. Happy New Year!! Welcome to 20-23! B. Let’s start with a little New Year’s humor: 1. What do cows say on Jan. 1? "Happy Moo Year!" 2. What was Dr. Frankenstein’s new year’s resolution? To make new friends. 3. What new year’s resolution should a basketball player never make? To ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-15, Ephesians 5:15-16, John 9:4, Mark 13:32-33, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, 2 Peter 3:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Match Made In Heaven Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 30, 2023

Marriage is made in heaven, but it matures on earth.

I’ve had the privilege of doing a lot of weddings over the years. I often tell couples to expect things to go wrong during wedding ceremonies. A couple stand out to me. • During the most sacred part of one ceremony, I asked the couple named Ben and Jen to repeat their vows. When I turned to the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Why Black History

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 22, 2025

This message summarizes why our understanding and remembrance of Black history is so important to how we see ourselves and walk in our future. It must be instilled into the next generation.

Why Black History Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:7-10; 6:5-12; Genesis 9:21-25 Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of my message this morning is “Why Black History.” This month we have celebrated Black History month, but have you asked yourself why we continue to do this year after year? Has ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:7-10, Genesis 9:21-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of Following Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Mar 3, 2025

While all of us come to faith from a variety of different circumstances, the calling of Simon helps us to see that there are some commonalities among all conversions

When you and I come to faith in Jesus Christ, we do so from a variety of different circumstances. Some are younger (I was 5). Some are older - I know a woman who was in her late 80s when she came to faith. Some have lived simple lives, others have lived rather rambunctiously. Some have come ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Promise Of Advent Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 29, 2025

Find comfort, confidence, and cheer in the promise of Advent.

In the 1970’s, pet rocks were popular. Well, that kooky fad is making a comeback in South Korea according to the Wall Street Journal. They quote Lee So-hee, a 30-year-old office worker, who used to live alone in Seoul. That changed a couple of years ago, just before Christmas, when a friend gave ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, 1 Peter 1:23-25, John 10:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Purpose, Please Stand Up

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 12, 2025

Purpose rises when God’s word defines us, God’s anointing empowers us, and we step into the valley knowing the battle belongs to the Lord.

There are moments in Scripture when God doesn’t whisper purpose—He shakes it into the bones of His people. And one of those moments erupts in 1 Samuel 17 when a young shepherd boy, overlooked by his family and underestimated by everyone else, stands on a battlefield and shouts a question that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:29, 1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:47, Ephesians 2:10, 1 John 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

When People See Me - What Do They See?

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Sep 16, 2024

When people see us they immediately develop impressions of us. If we are a Christian, they will begin to look for Jesus in us. When that happens, will they see Him in our actions; our decisions; and our love for others?

When People See Me – What Do They See? Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43; John 13:34-35 Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of my message today is, “When People See Me – What Do They See?” Now of course the obvious answer is they see us right? But is that true? Do they see “us,” or do they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43, John 13:34-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational