Sermons on Publishing:

Thankful Before Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 1, 2011

Paul shows in Philippians 4:4–7 four basic principles for developing and maintaining a life of thankfulness regardless the circumstances. This can occur through: 1)Maintaining a Spirit of Joy (Phil. 4:4), 2) Learning to be Content (Phil. 4:5a), 3) Restin

Earlier this week the National Post ran an advertisement that has caused some controversy. The ad, bought by the Institute for Canadian Values, argued against aspects of the Ontario school curriculum that include instruction about certain aspects of human sexuality. Specifically, it objected to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Other

Handling Bitterness Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 25, 2012

In order avoid becoming bitter in running the race of faith, the author of Hebrews in verses 12–17 gives three exhortations for: 1) Continuance (Hebrews 12:12–13), 2) Diligence (Hebrews 12:14), and for 3) Vigilance (Hebrews 12:15-17).

During extended times of great physical exertion, like a marathon, an athlete must train themselves to overcome the natural physical obstacles. The first thing that happens to a runner when they start to tire is that their arms drop. The position and motion of the arms are extremely important in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:12-17

Denomination: Other

A Call To Community Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 3, 2013

Through this baptism we see: 1) The Proclamation for Community (Acts 16:9-10), 2) The Place for Community (Acts 16:11-13), 3) The Person in Community (Acts 16:14), and 4) The Proof of Community (Acts 16:15).

Acts 16:9-15. [9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." [10] And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15

Denomination: Other

Words Of Wisdom Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 26, 2014

1) The Speech of Prayer(Colossians 4:2), 2) The Speech of Proclamation (Colossians 4:3–4) , 3) The Speech of Performance (Colossians 4:5), and 4) The Speech of Perfection (Colossians 4:6).

In an ancient story, it is said that Bios, a wise man of ancient Greece, was sent an animal to sacrifice. He was instructed to send back to the donor the best and worst parts of the animal. He sent the donor the tongue. The tongue is indeed the best and worst of humanity. In Colossians ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Other

Confession & A Transparent Life Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 31, 2016

True believers are 1) Cleansed from sin (1 John 1:7); yet, 2) Confessing sin (1 John 1:9); and even 3) Conquering sin (1 John 2;1a).

On April 29, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI met with a delegation of aboriginal Canadians he had invited to the Vatican at the request of the bishops of Canada. On the topic of residential schools, Benedict expressed “his sorrow at the anguish caused by the deplorable conduct of some members of the ...read more

Denomination: Other

Strong In The Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 20, 2015

1) The Preparation (Ephesians 6:10), 2) Armor (Ephesians 6:11a), 3) Enemy (Ephesians 6:11b), 4) Battle (Ephesians 6:12), and 5) The Victory of the Believer’s Warfare (Ephesians 6:13).

Major-General Sir Ernest Swinton, used to speak on the radio once each week as a military commentator from September 1939 onwards. Nothing seemed to be happening, no guns were being fired, there had been no clash of arms, no air-raids had taken place, the war seemed dead. But Sir Ernest Swinton ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

Denomination: Other

Living In The Light Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 9, 2015

The 1) Contrast (Ephesians 5:8) , 2) Characteristics (Ephesians 5:9–10), 3) Command (Ephesians 5:11a) 4) Commission (Ephesians 5:11b–13) and 5) Call (Ephesians 5: 14) of Christians as God’s own children of light.

For anyone who remembers the days when just one Spider-Man movie seemed impossible, it is an astonishing how comic book superheroes now dominate popular entertainment. There is a precise schedule of superhero movies to be released over the next six years. Even with such a variety of movies there is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14

Denomination: Other

Leave The Old Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 27, 2018

Just as fall turns to winter we can Leave the Old behind. But in order to do this we must: 1) Forsake our Former life (Galatians 4:8), 2) Understand our Present Life (Galatians 4:9) and 3) Live for our Future Life (Galatians 4:10-11)

As we come to the final season of the year, it tends to be a time of extremes. We are called to more events, to buy more and decorate more than the rest of the year combined. People will also go to personal extremes. Those who have been able to control spending, drinking and personal habits, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-11

Denomination: Other

A Father’s Compassion Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 16, 2018

The: 1) Personal (Psalm. 103:1-5), 2) National (Psalm. 103:6-18) and 3) Universal (Psalm. 103:19-22) praise for the compassion of God the Father.

Of all the qualities that fathers are generally known for, love and compassion is often not high on the list. There are social norms, popular depictions and personal history on how we have been fathered that makes those qualities rare. As much as we might strive to achieve them, we can find it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22

Denomination: Other

The Gift Of Love Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 19, 2019

In Malachi 3:1-4 we see the Father's "Gift of Love" in the promise of His Son through a series of predictions (i.e., announcements regarding the future). In verses 1-4 we can see love from (1) The Coming Lord (Malachi 3:1-2) and from (2) The Purifying Lord (Malachi 3:3–4).

Malachi 3:1-4 [3:1]"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. [2] But who can endure the day of his ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: Other

Soon & Very Soon Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 6, 2018

In Revelation 1:1-6, believers can experience grace and peace through understanding the 1) Prologue (Revelation 1:1-2), 2) People (Revelation 1:3-4) and 3) Praise (Revelation 1:5-6) to the One who is coming “Soon and Very Soon”.

Following the many year-end recaps, are the new year projections. Everyone from economists, politicians, meteorologists, farmers to everyday families attempt to look at past data related to present circumstances. Naturally, they seek to glean useful information from that data in order to make ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-6

Denomination: Other

Life For All Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 29, 2017

The difference in the 1) Effectiveness (Romans 5:15), 2) Extent (Romans 5:16), 3) Efficacy (Romans 5:17), 4) Essence (Romans 5:18–19), and 5) Energy (Romans 5:20–21) between the works of Adam vs. Christ.

In the world of sports, most sports today are seasonal. We wait for the warmer weather for field sports. But in an effort to transcend the unpredictability of weather, more and more sports are being played on turf instead of grass. Although they have the ability to not flood, don’t need fertilizer, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:15-21

Denomination: Other

Fix Your Hope

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 28, 2016

1) The Person of God (1 John 2:29), 2) The Parousia/Return of God (1 John 2:28, 3:2), 3) The Provision of God (1 John 3:1, 3)

After a recent national referendum held on the question of Britain’s future within the European Union, the “Brexit,” short for “British exit”, vote prevailed, sending financial markets worldwide into a tailspin. The result has left people wondering about the future of ...read more

Denomination: Other

Free From Sin Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 29, 2016

1) Sin is incompatible with the law of God (1 John 3:4), 2) it is incompatible with the work of Christ (1 John 3:5–8), and 3) it is incompatible with the ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 John 3:9–10).

One of the first questions we ask when we hear of the birth of a baby is, “Who does she look like?” Features such as physical appearance, including the color of hair and eyes, facial characteristics, the shape of the mouth or nose, height and build, are given at birth. Later on, as the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:4-10

Denomination: Other

Jesus Is Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 14, 2017

The fact that Jesus is Lord is seen through: 1)The Antithesis of God’s Righteousness (Romans 10:4–5), 2) The Availability of God’s Righteousness (Romans 10:6–8), 3) The Acquisition of God’s Righteousness (Romans 10:9–10)

This week, Spain’s prime minister asked the head of the secession-minded Catalonia region the question that no one can seem to answer: Did he declare independence or not?...Clarifying Catlonia’s position is critical to map out Spain’s next move – including possible harsher measures against ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:4-10

Denomination: Other