Sermons on Pretext:

Between Two Worlds: Our Civil & Spiritual Responsibilities Series

Contributed by Scott Carson on Mar 29, 2001

A study of Jesus’ answers to the Jewish leaders on whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar.

Between Two Worlds: Our Civil & Spiritual Responsibilities Luke 20:20-26 Some wise wag said, “While there are just two certainties in life: death and taxes, at least death doesn’t get worse every time Congress is in session!” A man on vacation was strolling along outside his hotel in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Condemned Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 25, 2008

James exposes the difference between religion that comforts us and religion that reveals the power of Christ among us.

JAMES 1:26 RELIGION CONDEMNED “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” Someone has said, “You can’t believe half of what you hear, but you can repeat it.” This points out a real problem in the church today—we ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26

Denomination: Baptist

Able To Learn Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 17, 2011

With this message, I introduce to the congregation an exploration of the little understood doctrine of soul competency.

“I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything—and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you—abide in ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Mothers Who Mentor Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 8, 2020

A mom can be a spiritual mentor to her children with or without the help of a dad.

Video Introduction: “Just Like Me” Today, we’re going to look at how a mother and a grandmother mentored a young boy who grew up to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. They did this by spending time with him and by modeling sincere spirituality. Over one hundred years ago, by an act of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Acts 16:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

10th Sunday After Pentecost. July 28th, 2024. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 18, 2021

Year B, Proper 12.

2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14:1-7, 2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145:10-18, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21. (A). DAVID LETS HIS GUARD DOWN. 2 Samuel 11:1-15. “At the time when kings go forth” (to battle), “David tarried still at Jerusalem.” (2 SAMUEL 11:1). Sending his nephew Joab may have seemed like ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14:1-7, 2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145:10-18, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fight Over Circumcision Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Jul 29, 2020

Paul explains that salvation is not the result of works.

The fight over circumcision Romans 2:25-29 In 1995, a man by the name of McArthur Wheeler walked into two Pittsburgh banks and robbed them in broad daylight and made no visible attempt at disguising himself. He was arrested later that night, less than an hour ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:25-29

Denomination: Baptist

Second Generation Syndrome

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 2, 2007

Why do so many children of professing Christians fail to live up to the light received in the home?

When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel. And ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer + Faith = Healing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

When should we pray for health? When should we confess our sins? James compels his readers to think about their relationship to one another as a cause of their discomfort.

JAMES 5:13-16a PRAYER + FAITH = HEALING “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Useless Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2008

Faith is so much more than a passive agreement to a set of doctrines. Saving faith transforms the one who believes. Without this transformation, how will anyone know whether we are saved, or merely pretending to be a follower of Christ?

JAMES 2:20-26 USELESS FAITH “Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ...read more

Scripture: James 2:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Can A Person Interpret Scripture And Give Their Own Meaning?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Oct 23, 2019

Some believe that the 66 books that make up the Bible are insufficient, so they continuously look for private prophetic words, dreams, or visions for a more meaningful personal experiential revelation from God. - A Multi-Part Message

There is a growing belief in the church today that a person can interpret and give their own meaning to Scripture because Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27-28 ESV), as well as, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27-28, Revelation 3:20, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 3:16, John 1:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tempted! Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Nov 4, 2021

Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife but gives us as great example of how to deal with temptation when it comes.

No Ordinary Joe: Temptation Genesis 39 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams FBC Chenoa 10-24-2021 1. Time to Go When I was lived in Mississippi, I ran a counseling center for a large psychiatric hospital. One of the ways we promoted the hospitals programs was a series of in-services I would do for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Destroy Your Enemies

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Oct 6, 2021

There are a lot of differences between Christianity and other religions. One of those differences is the way we treat our enemies.

SO, HOW ARE WE TO REACT TO OUR ENEMIES? The natural reaction of one who does not know Christ is to strike back and to seek the greatest retribution possible. BUT THIS IS NOT THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE Illus: D.L. MOODY, IN ONE OF HIS SERMONS, PORTRAYS THE LORD JESUS GIVING DIRECTION TO PETER AFTER ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Baptist

Growing In Grace 1 - The Genesis Of Grace Series

Contributed by David Parks on Oct 31, 2014

Grace is one of three great motivators for living the Christian life.

GROWING IN GRACE 1 – THE GENESIS OF GRACE (outline with manuscript after the dotted line) Text: Genesis 1:1-3 Introduction 1. This morning we begin a study of one of the most significant concepts in the entire Bible. The concept of Grace 2. How radical is the concept of grace? During a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus' Heads-Up: The World Will Hate You (John 16:1-33) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 29, 2022

So don't be surprised, or discouraged. Prepare yourselves, testify anyway, and don't fall away. Also, how the Spirit partners with you, in testifying to the world.

Let's start this morning by rereading John 15:18-16:4. In these verses, Jesus describes our relationship to the world: (18) If the world, you, it hates, know that me, before you, it has hated. (19) If of/from the world, you were, the world would love its own. Now, because of/from the world ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-33

Neither Male Nor Female

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 28, 2012

A study of gender and the role of pastor of the congregation.

“In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Baptist