Sermons on Private Interpretation:

Why Belong To A Local Church

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 26, 2011

Many go for years without ever becoming an active member in a local congregation. A myriad of excuses are given for not joining. We need to understand what the church is and the reasons for belonging to a local church.

Why Belong to a Local Church? Acts 2:41-47 Introduction: Often I meet people who have become Christians but for whatever reason fail to follow Christ in baptism and to become members of a Bible believing church. Some have been obedient in baptism but go for years without ever becoming an active ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

On Guard

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Sep 30, 2008

We should always be people who care to look around us and keep the watch against the enemy

Be On Guard Griffith Baptist Church – 9/28/08 P.M. Service Text: Nehemiah 4:7-9 Key verse: Nehemiah 4:9 - Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. The Introduction Waiting to be interviewed for a job as a wireless operator, a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Our Spiritual Metamorphosis: Step 1 – Conversion Series

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Sep 12, 2008

2nd in the Series on Spiritual Transformation

Our Spiritual Metamorphosis: Step 1 – Conversion John 3: 1-10a; 16-17 As you may recall, I began last week’s message with a Poem entitled “Metamorphosis.” I would like to use a portion of the opening, as well as the closing stanzas of that poem again this week as both a reminder of some of the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: *other

The Power Of A Prayer Meeting Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

The Power of a Prayer Meeting Acts 4:23-31 Peter and John have been arrested, threatened and forbidden to preach Christ. However, there’s just one little itsy bitsy problem. You see, the Lord has told them to do just that! Jesus told the church to preach the gospel to EVERY creature! So now ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

In The Garden

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 29, 2017

This was preached for an Easter Sunrise service but can be used anytime. Theme is from the hymn "I Come to the Garden Alone" and topic is insomnia. (Material adapted from the book, "Sweet Dreams: A Guide to Productive Sleep" by Minirth, Meier)

HoHum: I have 4 teenage sons, two sets of twins, ages 17 and 13. When I ministered at a church in Indiana, every other month we had a worship service at the local nursing home. The worship consisted of singing favorite hymns of the residents and then I would preach. Well, one lady always wanted ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Warning About Warnings Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

The warning of Christ gives us a warrant to be skeptical about all prophetic schemes of men. It gives us the authority to question and probe into the foundations and premises of all men's teachings, including our own.

Jesus loved Israel, for the Jews were God's people. He was their King, and He was as patriotic as any of Israel's leaders or kings. We cannot doubt that Jesus loved the Jews more than either Moses or Paul, both of whom were ready to perish for the sake of Israel. Nevertheless, Jesus did ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:3

Warning Against Those Who Serve Their Own Desires Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 22, 2019

This is as severe a condemnation as you can find of those who confess to be Christians. They claim to be Christians, yet they contradict their profession by their lives.

Date: 3/17/19 Lesson #26 Title: A Warning Against Those Who Serve Their Own Desires • “Special Notes” and “Scripture” are shown as endnotes. • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Scripture (Philippians 3:18-19, NIV) 18For, as I have often told you before and now ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

People Of The First Christmas-The Magi Or Wise Men Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 29, 2020

Even though the Magi or "wise men" have had a Christmas carol or two (or more) written about them, they're only mentioned in one paragraph of Matthew's Gospel. They came from a far distance, worshiped the Christ Child, and then went back home, never to be heard from again.

Introduction: the shepherds of Bethlehem were the only recorded visitors to go see Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus on the night He was born. Sometime later, Matthew recorded that “wise men (KJV)” or magi (several other translations) came to Jerusalem. The purpose of their visit was to worship the One ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8, Micah 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

When It’s Ok To Break The Rules

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 25, 2019

Jesus healed on the Sabbath, and used it to make a point: God cares deeply, there's always a critic, and we are to live free from the chains of legalism.

Luke 13:10-17 When It’s OK to Break the Rules Jesus was always getting into trouble over the “blue laws” of his day. Remember blue laws? Stores can’t open before a certain hour on Sunday, or at all? Or stores can’t serve alcohol before a certain time? I grew up in a church-attending household. On ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17, John 14:9, John 5:19, Exodus 20:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Genuine Expressions Of Love

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 14, 2020

Let’s apply these principles in 2 Corinthians 6:3-13 of expressing love in a practical way to our love for others (adapted from Bob Russell's book, Take Comfort, the chapter on genuine expressions of love)

HoHum: No point in going to see the person dying, will not even know I am there. Hold their hand- “they probably will not know it is me”- is that really the point?- just to have someone there- they’ll know we are Christians by our love- behold how they love one another WBTU: We normally think of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Silent Joseph: A Godly Man

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Dec 10, 2012

A short Christmas-themed sermon directed mostly at men that can be shorted to be a devotional, but also easily expanded extemporaneously.

Silent Joseph: A Godly Man December 9, 2012 TEXT: Matthew 1:18-24 – “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Story Of Joseph

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 15, 2018

THE THREE MEN THAT WE ARE GOING TO STUDY TODAY HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON. THEY ALL BEAR THE NAME JOSEPH. EACH JOSEPH HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW OF CHRISTIANITY BASED ON THE TIME HE LIVED AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HE LIVED IN.

THE STORY OF JOSEPH JOHN 19:38-20:10 THE ENTIRETY OF WORLD HISTORY, FROM THE TIME OF CREATION TO THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD, HAS TWO BASIC DIVISIONS. THE LIFE OF CHRIST BECOMES THE DIVIDING POINT AS HISTORY IS VIEWED AS EITHER B.C. OR A.D. THE CROSS STANDS AT THE CENTER OF THIS GREAT ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

'mate In 2

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on May 29, 2018

A sermon on the poor in spirit, using as an illustration a famous painting, "The Chess Players." When the devil says mate in 2 and we turn the game over to God, He can always win the game for us. Amazing Grace!

‘Mate in 2 PPT 1 Series title Intro: The Beatitudes ss the name for the first major teaching Jesus gave, and it encompasses the beatitudes, the Lord’s prayer, and teaching on judging, forgiving others et cetera. His teaching is summed up in the name the beatitudes which comes from a Latin word ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Being Christ To Our Community: It's About Falling In Love"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 10, 2018

A sermon about giving all to follow Jesus.

“Being Christ in Our Community: It’s About Falling in Love” Luke 18:18-27 In his book, “Don’t Waste Your Life,” John Piper writes: “I will tell you what a tragedy is. Consider a story from Reader’s Digest, which tells about a couple who ‘took early retirement from their jobs in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-27

Denomination: United Methodist

The Temptation Of Jesus: An Exposition Of Luke 4:1-13

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 18, 2019

The season of Lent is supposed to remind us of the 40 days of Jesus temptation in the wilderness. How should we observe it?

The Temptation of Jesus: An Exposition of Luke 4:1-13 We now come to the first Sunday of Lent, a 40-day time, excluding Sundays, for reflection and repentance. These 40 days commemorate the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness where He would be tempted three times by Satan. It is a time where ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible