Sermons on Public Servants:

Joseph's First Dream

Contributed by John Huyser on Dec 10, 2024

Compared to Luke's romantic view of the Christmas event, Matthew includes deliberate shock points. This begins with Joseph's first dream. Watch this worship video online at https://vimeo.com/fruitportcrc

This Advent Season, we’ll be preaching from Matthew 1 and 2. Compared to the nostalgic romanticism of the Luke’s Christmas story, Matthew offers a shocking realism to these events. Matthew 1:18 – Matthew 2:23 offers us a distinct pattern. What ties these verses together is the fulfillment ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Obedient Disobedience

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 7, 2014

Since childhood we know Daniel's story only from his perspective ... God shut the mouths of the lions. Let's reconsider the story from the lions perspective. How frustrating to see a large meal and be unable to eat it. If they don't get Daniel out of ...

Opening illustration: In 1988, Wally Magdangal was pastoring an underground church in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was a Filipino lay pastor of Christian foreign workers wishing to gather for worship. In 1992, soon after the conclusion of the Gulf War, the house church had grown to over three hundred ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:10-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Salvation - A Relationship

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Apr 24, 2012

To place our faith in the performance of a salvation ritual is to place our faith in the person leading us to the ritual; but, if we place our faith in a relationship with Jesus Christ we have placed our faith in the author and sustainer of salvation.

SALVATION – A RELATIONSHIP INTRODUCTION If a person is uncomfortable with the idea that there is no special event or ritual that marks the time and place of their salvation, then they certainly have a great deal of company. In fact, almost all existing denominations and Christian religious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Christian Church

The Ministry Road Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Feb 16, 2012

There is no better calling and no better news to proclaim but in chapter 6 Paul presents some of the challenges that we will encounter along this road.

SBC Convention Booths: Paul would not make a very good recruiter for specific ministries. Instead of handing out highlighters, pens & magnets, give thorns or pebbles for shoes. • Paul shares in chapter 5 about the wonderful news of Christ becoming sin for us that we might become the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Sermon: How To Support Leadership

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Mar 3, 2022

Since success comes from partnership, collaboration, and cooperation, why should support be a one-way street? Maybe it’s time to start thinking about how you can support your pastors, your apostles, or your leaders to maximize their success.

Sermon: How To Support Leadership Text: 1Ch 12:32, 38 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. 38 “All these men of war, that could keep ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:32-38, 2 Timothy 4:1-6, Genesis 49:14-15

Denomination: Methodist

Give Us A King

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

This passage shares the account of a church that is looking at what the church down the road is doing. The pastor (Samuel) tries to lead this church (Israel) according to God’s will, but the congregation won’t heed his counsel.

As we look at this chapter of 1 Samuel today, there unfolds a scene that can be applied to discussing the goal of churches today. What is the vision of some churches? Do churches think in a Christ-centered manner, or do they think in a worldly manner? What I mean is this: Are churches today ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Burn Baby Burn

Contributed by Dean Defino on Aug 12, 2023

The passion that God has for each of us should ignite our hearts to have a burning zeal for the Lord

Burn baby burn Super Excited LORD, your hand is lifted high, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame; (Isa. 26:11 NIV) His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me." (Jn. 2:17 NIV) Never be lacking in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:11, John 2:17, Romans 12:11

Be Subject To Governing Authorities?

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 15, 2021

When Paul wrote Romans chapter 13, did he have in mind total obedience and surrender to a totalitarian government? "If the civil power commands us to violate the law of God, we must obey God before man" (Wuest).

This morning, I am going to begin our message with an illustration from a 2018 CNN article written by Thomas Weber: “On March 21, 1933, Germany was in turmoil. Less than two months after the Nazi seizure of power, even people with pro-regime leanings felt disquieted about the draconian measures ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Qualifications Of Deacons

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jun 6, 2004

A message concerning the calling and responsibilities of Deacons.

The Qualifications of a Deacon July 13, 2003 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Sunday AM Intro: “Everything rises and falls on Leadership.” Setting: The Ephesian church had been blessed w/ great leadership. Acts 20 tells us it was founded by Paul who later turned it over to Timothy. During his time in Ephesus, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:3-15

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: What Are You Waiting For? Series

Contributed by Jeff Thiemann on Nov 26, 2005

Advent is a time of watching, waiting and anticipating Jesus’ activity in our lives as Jesus has turned to each of us, to pull us into God’s great story of salvation for the world.

What are you waiting for? This is an appropriate question to ask on this Sunday as we begin the new church year and as we begin the season of Advent, these four Sundays that lead up to Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation; our preparation often includes much time shopping, decorating, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Messengers Of God Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Apr 6, 2010

Confess your sins to God often, follow Jesus Christ and share His message to the world.

Why do we call it Good Friday when someone died? The reason of course why it is a Good Friday is that there is a message of Good News. What happened on Good Friday is part of the Gospel, God’s Good News! What is this message? God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and gave that message in Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:21-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Benefits Of Imprisonment Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Oct 8, 2016

When our base drives are confined by the shackles of God’s love, they are morphed into rockets of exploration. I believe Paul and Timothy invite us to join them in prison and slavery, and, thereby, to become agents of unimaginable liberation.

Three stories Boethius had the misfortune of being a well known and well liked Roman Senator, philosopher and teacher at the time a Ostrogothic king came to power in Italy. Boethius was imprisoned probably because of his immense influence on the thinking of the general population. While there, he ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-2

Denomination: *other

Beyond Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 27, 2013

Jesus power over sickness and death is demonstrated in both the presence and absence of faith.

Luke 7:1-17 “Beyond Faith” INTRODUCTION It used to be so easy. If something bad happened to you, it was God punishing you. God was seen as a God of judgment and vengeance. When Job lost everything, he’s friends tried to console him by telling him that he obviously sinned ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Gibeonite Justice (2 Samuel 21)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 18, 2025

Should we settle for Gibeonite justice or is there something better? Let's begin in 2 Samuel 21.

Did David do what the Lord really wanted to atone for the atrocity committed against the Gibeonites or did God bless the land despite David’s inadequacy? Let’s look at 2 Samuel 21. Why was there a famine? Had Saul violated a peace treaty with the Gibeonites that Joshua had made? Were others in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sudden Impact

Contributed by Fred Mueller on Jun 1, 2001

A Memorial Day sermon with a strong anti-war message - while trying to be sensitive to the memory of those who lost loved ones. A sermon that shows how Christ at work in us runs counter to the culture.

The Reformed Church of Locust Valley Easter VII May 27, 2001 Acts 16:16-34 “Sudden Impact” Christianity is nothing but trouble. Ever since Jesus started his work he has done nothing but cause trouble. The leaders of his day were aghast at him. Jesus was a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed