Sermons on Pruning:

The Blame God Game - A 2 Part Message

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 18, 2019

God is love. He disciplines His children. Many believe that means He ‘punishes,’ or ‘scolds’ or ‘spanks’ with severe means in the best eternal interests of the Born-Again Christian.

How do you reconcile the merciful goodness and love of God with pain, sorrow, sickness, and suffering? The Blame God Game first started in the Garden of Eden when God commanded Adam to “work it and take care of it.” He then told Adam that he was “free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, Psalm 121:3, Philippians 4:19, James 1:17, Ephesians 1:3, Revelation 21:9, Romans 8:21-26, Romans 8:28, Acts 5:1-10, 1 Corinthians 11:27-32, 2 Corinthians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Psalm 139:23-24, John 14:26, Luke 12:12, Hebrews 12:7-11, 2 Samuel 12:13-14, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:6, Genesis 2:20-25, Psalm 84:11, Matthew 5:45  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Jesus Is Hated Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 5, 2017

Are you ready for God to get the glory as you respond to His goodness and grace?

I wanted to apologize for something. I feel badly that I’ve let something slide. Many of you are no doubt wondering about it so I thought I better make it right. Pardon me for going a couple months without showing pictures of our grandson. Here’s a recent picture of Pip on a swing at a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Legacy Of Unrepentance-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Aug 16, 2011

1 of 4. Cain’s legacy was a spiritually derelict/deficient progeny. Personal unrepentance leaves a legacy of spiritually dereliction/deficiency. What does such a legacy provide? Spiritually deficient populations seek...

The LEGACY Of UNREPENTANCE-I— Genesis 4:16-24 Attention: We will all leave a legacy to our families. But what of any value will they receive? Background: Previously we had looked at Cain’s willful disdain of God’s direction for his life, & discovered the ‘Tragedy of Unrepentance’(4:1-15). Today ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:16-24

Denomination: Baptist

Grow - Part Three Series

Contributed by Tim Vamosi on Aug 18, 2011

Third in a series through Colossians

OPEN: We continuing this morning in a series of messages called GROW. Our Christian life should be one that perpetuates growth in Christ. After we enter into a relationship with our God -- He desires for us to grow and mature in our faith -- yet that process can be so difficult and almost ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Dark Cloud Ministry Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 17, 2017

A study of the Gospel of John 7: 1 – 24

John 7: 1 – 24 Dark Cloud Ministry 1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Living Hope Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 29, 2013

The Living Christ is the source of our new birth & our living hope. If you have a living hope in the living Christ you can deal with your past failures & present difficulties because of your future blessings. God’s glorious best for you lies ahead.

1 PETER 1: 3-6 [Renewing Hope Series] A LIVING HOPE [ Mark 16:1-8 ] The power with which Peter aims to equip these beleaguered saints is the power of hope. [If they, or we, are going to live and love like Jesus commands us, even in times of great stress and worry, then they, and we, must be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-6, 1 Peter 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Persecution Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 18, 2019

We must keep speaking even when told not to.

Responding to Persecution Acts 4:1-22 Rev. Brian Bill November 16-17, 2019 Imagine a church that lives on mission by gathering with God’s people, by growing in their faith, by giving what God has given to them and by going with the gospel, all for the glory of God. This church is known as a place ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Covid-19: What In Heaven Is God Doing?

Contributed by Tim White on May 25, 2020

It is encouraging to understand what God is up to during a crisis like we have today.

COVID-19, What in Heaven Is God Doing? What may be happening now, all around the world. 2 Chronicles 7:11-15 Other various passages “If my people…” • The Corona Virus 19 had rocked our world. • Has it not shown us that we cannot control our lives? • For control freaks, this has been emotional ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Breakthrough With The Presence Of God Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 31, 2020

Breakthrough will only come in our lives when we enter into God’s presence – God’s presence should be the goal of every Christian. Fears flee and hope rises up as we are surrounded in His love and power

Breakthrough with God’s Presence Thesis: Breakthrough will only come in our lives when we enter into God’s presence – God’s presence should be the goal of every Christian – to experience Him everyday and in special moments. When His presence comes into our lives everything else fades away! Fears ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13, John 15:1-17, Genesis 3:1-5, Revelation 21:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Turning Religious Reluctance-10

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jan 15, 2019

10 of ? Jesus bore witness of His Messianic identity to a reluctant but religious woman. God’s people bear witness of Jesus’ identity to reluctant religious people. What does it take to turn that religious reluctancy around? Turning religious reluctance to God requires...

TURNING RELIGIOUS RELUCTANCE-X—John 4:1-26+(:1-42) Turning the Religious Lost Attention: In 1975, A 790ft. container ship was built by the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. of Chester Pennsylvania. The ship was named ‘Puerto Rico’ as its major ports of call were in Puerto Rico. In 1991 the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

How Do Believers Deal With Homosexuality? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 8, 2013

The Supreme Court of our nation offered a controversial decision regarding marriage this past month, and it is setting up our culture to acknowledge a lifestyle that is contrary to God's Word. How do we respond?

Sermon Brief Date Written: July 05, 2013 Date Preached: July 07, 2013 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Biblical Truths for Societal Pressures Sermon Title: How Do Believers deal with Homosexuality? Sermon Text: 1 Tim 1:3-6 [HCSB] Introduction: I want you all to know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

Sanctified Silence Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Silence has the advantage of being a two way street. By silence we speak to God, and also allow Him to speak to us. Silence is both saying something, and listening to something being said.

You can learn in silence what sound can never teach you. Howard Thurman tells of one of his University students who was a deep sea diver. He wrote of his experience of being on the bottom of the ocean. The water was clear and he was in the midst of a coral rock garden. He sat down to look around. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

The Truth About Trouble

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on May 4, 2021

A study of the topic of trouble will show us it's reality, and what our response to it should be!

Our unique circumstances this morning has inspired me to break from 1st John this morning to speak on another topic. If we had stayed true to the path the passages that we would have considered together would have been 1 John 2:12-14 where John speaks about levels of spiritual maturity. He ...read more

Scripture: John 16:32-33

Self-Esteem Or God Esteem?" - Lesson 3 - How To Focus On God's Image – Not Yours Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Dec 10, 2020

IV. A. Self-detachment B. Death C. Understanding The Cross D. Application E. The Dealing Of God F. The Real Enemy G. Ascension Of Jesus H. Human Weakness / Divine Strength I. Right With God

QUESTION: If I am the problem, what is the solution? __________________________________________________________________ IV. FOCUSING ON GOD'S IMAGE – NOT YOURS A. Self-Detachment. 1. Matt 16:24 "deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. i. Such self-denial is not the giving up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 1 Corinthians 15:45, Romans 5:18, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seven Bowl Judgments Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 9, 2022

The final outpouring of God's judgement in an unrepentant and unbelieving world

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org Everything that is happening today and will happen during the Great Tribulation are warnings from God to an unbelieving man that God will one day unleash his judgment and wrath. God has worked over all of the time ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 16:1-21

Denomination: Brethren