Sermons on Providence:

Buried Under The Oaks Of Shechem

Contributed by Fred Parker on Dec 15, 2007

As we peer into the subdued shadows of our pasts, it is often extremely difficult to discern those indiscriminate things that are disturbing our devotion to God in the present. ___ E. Fred Parker (November 6, 2004)

BURIED UNDER THE OAKS OF SHECHEM Written by Rev Fred Parker November 6, 2004 FOCUS As we peer into the subdued shadows of our pasts, it is often extremely difficult to discern those indiscriminate things that are disturbing our devotion to God in the present. ___ E. Fred Parker (November 6, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-4

Denomination: Apostolic

Finishing Well Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Abraham, Pt. 10 (Final)

FINISHING WELL (GENESIS 24:1-25:9) A month between February and March 2013 was not a good month for two of my seminary professors or me. Bible study guru Howard Hendricks, the author of “Iron Sharpens Iron” and “Living by the Book” who inspired more people in Bible study than anyone I know, passed ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

No Business Is Like Soul Business Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Apostles, Pt. 3

NO BUSINESS IS LIKE SOUL BUSINESS (LUKE 5:1-11) When Apple computer went public in 1983 and two years later made its debut in the Fortune 500 list of America's top companies, Steve Jobs, Apple’s young and legendary founder, needed a CEO and mentor for his company. His first recruit was John ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rich Believer, Poor Believer Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Apostles, Pt. 6

RICH BELIEVER, POOR BELIEVER (MATTHEW 14:6-21) Are you rich or poor? Do you have a lot or a little? Do you have too much or not enough? Here are some Internet quotes on what makes a man or a person poor: “A person is poor when he or she has fallen below a standard of living which public opinion ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:6-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It Is Not Always About You

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Apostles, Pt. 16

IT IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU (MATTHEW 26:20-35) A young minister was being interviewed by a church board for the position of pastor. One hard-working Irishman who was on the board looked at the young man sternly and asked, “Young man, did God send you here?” He replied, “Well, I don’t know if God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:20-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Choices And Consequences: Unfaithful Series

Contributed by J John on Dec 20, 2007

Anyone who builds a relationship on anything less than openness and honesty is building on shifting sand. There are moments in our lives that change everything.

--note-- 2002, 20th Century Fox Director: Adrian Lyne Starring: Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Olivier Martinez - - - - - Unfaithful is directed by Adrian Lyne, and set in the suburbs of New York City. That’s where Edward and Connie Sumner (played by Richard Gere and Diane Lane) live with their ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14

Denomination: *other

Great Is Thy Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

God of Wonders, Pt. 7

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS (PSALMS 89:1-4) God’s faithfulness to me can be summed up by my wife’s grievance against me: “God drops everything on your lap for you - including me!” She was right. God gave me a godly, loving, smart and wonderful wife. On hearing me speak for the first time, my Ph. D ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 89:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rags To Riches Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Miracle of Faith, Pt. 6

RAGS TO RICHES (MARK 10:46-52) Joel Gregory told a story of a blind, poor and hungry Indian beggar who sat beside a road, starved from the scarcity of travelers and how much rice they could give him. One day he heard the thunder of a chariot in the distance. It was the grand entourage of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does It Mean To Be "Perfect?"

Contributed by James Cloud on Dec 21, 2007

Exploring the principles that make us more Christlike.

What Does It Mean To Be Perfect? Illustration: (There was a young boy who had been writing God a note on how good he had been throughout the past year. He began by writing, “Dear God, I have been good for six months now and I think I deserve a good gift for Christmas.” Upon thinking about it he ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Anglican

Easy Come, Easy Go Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Parables for Seekers, Pt. 3

EASY COME, EASY GO (LUKE 12:13-21) From figures acquired from New York Times, I have broken down the worst financial losses from October 9, 2007, to September 12, 2008, according to percentage: JP Morgan - $18.8 billion, or 11.7 percent Bank of America - $86.3 billion, or 36.5 percent Morgan ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Are Hired! Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Parables for Seekers, Pt. 7

YOU ARE HIRED! (MATTHEW 20:1-16) The economic crisis at the turn of the 21st century that hit the airline industry reflects the cost of doing business. United Airlines and Continental Airlines filed for bankruptcy, and American Airlines avoided bankruptcy after the union gave back $1.62 billion in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pay Up Or Pack Up Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Parables for Seekers, Pt. 8

PAY UP OR PACK UP (MATTHEW 21:33-44) US News and World Report (3/31/97) polled 1,000 people several years ago on who they thought were people “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to go to heaven. The person most likely to go to heaven was none other than Mother Teresa, who garnered 79 percent of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:32-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Opportunity Found Me Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 25, 2007

Esther, Pt. 4

OPPORTUNITY FOUND ME (ESTHER 4) Peanuts’ Lucy asked Charlie Brown as they were walking together: “Why do you think we’re put here on earth, Charlie Brown?” Charlie Brown gave a simplistic answer: “To make others happy.” Lucy stopped and reflected: “I don’t think I’m making anyone very happy. Of ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Manger Mind

Contributed by Jim Drake on Dec 26, 2007

As we look at the Baby Jesus in the manger this Christmas, we need to see what kind of mind He has. Not only do we need to see what kind of mind He has, we need to have that same kind of mind.

1. Three facts about the Baby a. What the Baby came from b. What the Baby came to be c. What the Baby came to do 2. Three responses to the Baby a. The Father’s response b. Creation’s response c. What is your response? Do you realize that it’s only a little over a week till Christmas? It seems ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Loving People And Using Things Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 26, 2007

Friend of Sinners, Pt. 7 (Final)

LOVING PEOPLE AND USING THINGS (LUKE 19:1-10) One of the greatest novels written, as well as my favorite Broadway musical, is “Les Miserables,” the story of Jean Valjean’s transformation from an uncaring and unfeeling man into a kind, noble, generous, sacrificial and selfless man later in life. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible