Sermons on Private Interpretation:

Visible Faith

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 19, 2024

People tend to think about faith as a private matter. James would argue otherwise for a visible faith.

As we’ve been studying the book of James - we have observed how he calls us to have a “spiritual wholeness” - a faith that runs throughout all that we are. A faith that is revealed in our character, exhibited in conflicts, and heard in our conversations. He calls us to… persevere amidst trials, ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, Proverbs 3:27, Romans 3:28, Deuteronomy 6:4, Hebrews 11:19, Ephesians 5:3, Romans 12:3-8, Malachi 3:10, Nehemiah 6:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

How To Study The Bible Like A Pro - Class #7b - Foundational Rules Of Bible Interpretation - Continued Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Sep 13, 2022

Continuation of Class #7a

A. Eight Rules of Hermeneutics 1. Rule of Context a). The three most important rules of interpretation are context, context, and context! Context is the first and most important principle for accurate interpretation. A word can only mean what the original author meant. A text out of context ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stop Building A Case Series

Contributed by Vince Miller on Oct 3, 2019

One of the great pivot points in any marriage is that moment when you learn how to stop privately building a case against your wife.

Constructing the Case One of the great pivot points in any marriage is that moment when you learn how to stop privately building a case against your wife. Most men will admit that they have a negative sentiment or a privately held cynical belief about their wives. And these don’t just pop up ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

A Heart To Worship - A Man After God's Own Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 7, 2005

Michal’s kind of worship was the type of worship that plagues many churches today. David’s worship is the kind of we need. But how do we deal with the Michals amongst us?

OPEN: A little 6 year old girl and her 4 year old brother were sitting together in church. The brother was giggling, singing and talking out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. “You’re not supposed to talk out loud in church” she said. “Why? Who’s going to stop me?” the boy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:12-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reflecting On The Dark Passages Of Scripture Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 12, 2012

As in the story of Judas, there are dark passages in the Bible, but they can help us if we use an interpretation which enables their meaning to emerge in the light of the mystery of Christ.

Feast of St. Matthias 14 May 2012 Verbum Domini Today’s feast gives us an opportunity to reflect on one of the darkest moments in our salvation history. The crucifixion of Jesus was set up by a traitor, Judas “the Iscariot.” It also helps us to consider what the Holy Father and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:15-26

Denomination: Catholic

Holy Spirit And The Understanding Of The Bible Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 5, 2012

A sermon on the doctrine of illumination (Material taken from Dr. Jack Cottrell's books, Power From On High, Chapter 2, and The Holy Spirit: A Biblical Study, Chapter 2)

HoHum: Before we get too reactionary or begin to ask about this or that, this extreme episode is what Dr. Cottrell is teaching against. “I was teaching an adult Bible class at a local church some years ago when the subject of the need and use of the Bible was raised. A man in the class- a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:20-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fourfold Not Fivefold Ministry

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 18, 2020

Sometimes we need to take a fresh look at long held or cherished traditions and teachings.

Having been raised somewhat in the Methodist church and my wife in a Lutheran background being saved was not in our vernacular as neither one of us ever heard that concept. Both of us thought being baptized as a child was all we needed. That is sad since I learned about both Wesley and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 2 Timothy 4:5, 1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Timothy 3:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

All Mixed Up

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 21, 2023

How do we know where we should make a stand?

A few decades ago, when George Bush was running for president, he visited Bob Jones University. You would not believe the media firestorm that ensued. Some people were outraged that Bush went there at all, while others were astonished that his political opponents made so much of it. Of course, ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 9:5-15, Ezra 4:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Watch Out! - Mark 13:5-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 10, 2024

What the structure of the Olivet Discourse tells us about the way we should interpret it.

Mark 13:1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" 2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Je-sus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:5-6, Matthew 24:4-5, Luke 21:8

Deep Things Out Of Darkness

Contributed by James Dina on Jun 30, 2020

God can reveal everything in darkness, even the deep things that are in the darkness; because the darkness is not dark to Him, and the night is as bright as the day, darkness and light are alike to the Almighty God (Psalm 139: 12).

DEEP THINGS OUT OF DARKNESS JOB 12:22 “He discovers deep things out of darkness, and brings to light the shadow of death”. The attributes of God, as revealed in the Bible, are crucial to understanding the truth about God, who He is and what He does. He created everything according to His perfect ...read more

Scripture: Job 12:22, Isaiah 45:7, Genesis 1:1, Daniel 2:47, Psalm 139:12, Job 34:22, Daniel 2:22, 1 Corinthians 4:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Is The Bible The Word Of God? Series

Contributed by Les Puryear on Jan 8, 2020

Reasons why the Bible is the Word of God

A new minister was asked to teach a boys' Sunday School class when the regular teacher was absent. He decided to see what they knew about the Bible, so he asked them who knocked down the walls of Jericho. The boys immediately began denying that they did it, and the preacher was appalled at ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Controversy Of Zion

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Jun 15, 2007

This verse in Isaiah, is one of them. “For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.”

The Controversy of Zion. There are many verses, that come to my mind, being significant to todays world. This verse in Isaiah, is one of them. “For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.” Many people are extremely interested in Biblical ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 34:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Is The Church Now

Contributed by Gerald Van Horn on Sep 14, 2007

In answering the question we want to define what God wants as a corporate body

Where Is The Church Today? By Gerald Van Horn Text. Acts 2:42 In answering the question we want to define what God wants as a corporate body of believers. Where is the church today? Begs for an answer. Some said. “Oh I know where the church is located !” Others may say, “I know when it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Counting The Cost Pt 3

Contributed by Gary Eller on Nov 7, 2016

Walking in Fellowship

COUNTING THE COST PT. 3 LUKE 14 VS 25-35 Luke 14:25-35 (NLT) 25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own ...read more

Denomination: *other

Jesus Is Coming Soon? Series

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on May 15, 2001

We cannot interpret the book of Revelation or any apocalyptic literature for that matter literally.

Sermon for 7th Sunday of Easter, Year C Based on Rev. 22:12a, 13, 20 By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson “Jesus is coming soon?” The end times, Jesus Christ’s second coming, the kingdom of God in all of its fullness—that is the focus of our passage from Revelation today. Right from the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:12-20

Denomination: Lutheran