Sermons on Puzzles:

An Arminian Interprets Romans 9

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 21, 2021

This passage is heavy in election, predestination, and foreknowledge. How does someone who is not a Calvinist interpret it?

Opening Statement of the Inherent Limitations - In beginning to interpret this chapter, it’s important to start with the obvious truth: the questions that this passage raises are vexing issues. Election, predestination, and foreknowledge are the perplexing problems that haunt Romans 9. - A quick ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Meaningful Marriage Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 6, 2021

If you want to improve your marriage, spend time with each other, help each other, and fit each other for the glory of God.

After reading a book called Man of the House during his commute home from work, the enlightened husband stormed into his house to confront his wife. Pointing his finger in her face, he said, “From now on, I want you to know that I am the man of this house, and my word is law. Tonight, you are to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Our Everlasting God Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 15, 2021

As we come to understand that it is all about God and not about us, we must understand that God is eternal, but life is short, and so we must live for God with an eternal perspective.

Introduction: A. One day a man was speaking with God and he asked him, “God is it true that to you a thousand years is just a minute?” “That’s true,” God replied. 1. The man continued, “And is it true that to you a million dollars is like a penny?” “Yes, That’s true,” God said. 2. Then the man ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 13:8, Isaiah 26:4, Psalm 107:1, Daniel 4:3, Deuteronomy 33:27, 1 Timothy 1:17, Psalm 90:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trust In Immanuel Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Mar 13, 2022

Our Saviour is Immanuel, God with us—in the present tense. And He will be, now and always. This name can give us confidence. For if God is with us, no one can stand against us, and nothing can keep us from his love.

When Dad and Mom receive the good news that a child is on the way, there’s a few things they’ll do. Paint the baby room. Take a birthing class. And pick names. Dad and Mom might want to choose a name with a family connection, and name the little one after Grandpa or a favourite aunt. Or perhaps ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 16:5-9, Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Message 3 - Psalms Of The Sons Of Korah. Psalm 42 Part 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 16, 2022

This concludes the study of Psalm 42 where the subject of depression is considered, along with the feeling that God has abandoned us. It looks at the importance of hope and trust in God.

MESSAGE 3 - PSALMS OF THE SONS OF KORAH. PSALM 42 Part 3 Ron Ferguson ronaldf@aapt.net.au Let us read the last section of the Psalm – Psa 42 v 7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls. All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. Psa 42:8 The LORD will command His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:7-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Devil Wants To Use You!!!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

There are two things we all will agree on in this congregation:

(1) WE RECOGNIZE THAT GOD CREATED US Christians believe in CREATIONISM not in EVOLUTION. Why? One of the reasons is that evolution does not make any sense. Illus: Did you hear about the six year old girl that was sitting in a classroom? The teacher was going to explain evolution to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

How The Devil Wants To Use You!!!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 18, 2022

There are two things we all will agree on in this congregation:

(1) WE RECOGNIZE THAT GOD CREATED US Christians believe in CREATIONISM not in EVOLUTION. Why? One of the reasons is that evolution does not make any sense. Illus: Did you hear about the six year old girl that was sitting in a classroom? The teacher was going to explain evolution to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Wait For The Vision

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 21, 2022

This message looks at the topic of delayed visions, and attempts to understand why it might be taking so long for a vision to manifest or be fulfilled. When God shares a vision, we need to have patience and endurance, and walk by faith.

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with aviation. Well, one evening, when I was about ten-years-old, I was outside walking on the family farm; and off in the distance, I saw a hot air balloon about a mile away. I had high hopes that it would move towards the farm and land, but that was wishful ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Preview Of When God Ends Suffering Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 6, 2022

There are only two possible ways you can approach God - with belief or unbelief. You either believe God, or you don’t believe him. You either put faith in Christ, or you don’t put faith in Christ. You only come to Him by faith in Jesus Christ, or you don’t come to Him at all.

As most of you know, an eighteen-year-old young man took twenty-one lives at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, on Tuesday. Nineteen of these lives were elementary-aged children. This is the deadliest school shooting in Texas history and it’s incomprehensible to me that we have such a category. ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:2-4, Habakkuk 2:1-4, James 2:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Prayer Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

We need to see that the only way to be a happy Christian, who can even make prayer time a fun time, is to forget the bad past, and remember those things that fill our minds with a sense of gratitude.

My earliest childhood memories of being in church are of the rope that I could ride. The thick rope hung down through the ceiling in the church entry way. I was so little that when the rope was pulled to ring the bell in the belfry, I could hang on to it and get a ride as it would pull me up off ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6

Lord Of The Storm

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Mar 21, 2021

As Lord of all creation, Jesus won’t let anything stop his plan to redeem sinners. So there is nothing more powerful than these words of comfort for his believers: “It is I.” His words overcome all our fears: “I am Jesus. Do not be afraid.”

It is humbling to stand at the edge of the ocean. Looking out over the water, seeing the pounding surf and hearing the noise of the breakers, you realize your smallness. This is creation’s awe-inspiring power. And it’s not only impressive, it can also be dangerous. Sometimes the surfers have to ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

All Those Who Wander Are Not Lost: A Study In Nothingness

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 30, 2021

Much of my early life was lived by such reverberations. I don't want to bash it. It had it's appeals. No burdens, no responsibilities. Just drift about. Ironically enough I live in a similar way today at times. I'm in the arms of God. I have no idea what will happen today.

"When Monday comes I want nothing Come Tuesday morning I want the same The days and nights fly by Looking to embrace the nothing of the everyday...." -Yo La Tengo, "Everyday" from the album: And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out. Much of my early life was lived by such ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2-9

Denomination: Salvation Army

Discouraging Comfort Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

The book of Job makes clear that one of life's greatest tragedies is that believers do not comfort and encourage one another, but rather are often discouraging. That is what we see Job's friends being to him.

Emilie Lorning in her novel, Swift Waters, tells the story of a young single pastor who fell in love with a beautiful young woman in his congregation. She learned to play the chimes in the tower of the church, and when she learned the pastor's favorite hymn, she would play it frequently. ...read more

Why? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Job does not offend God with his whys. Instead, he makes God proud of him, because of his patience and persistence in spite of having no answer to his whys.

Paul Aurandt shares this true story of James Macie. He was an illegitimate child, which is really a foolish idea, for it is the parents that are illegitimate, and not the child, but as is so often the case, the stigma of this followed him for life. The laws of England, in the 18th century, denied ...read more

The Prayer Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Paul demonstrated the power of a thankful heart to overcome enormous negative circumstances. Prayer is not the dark garment of despair. Prayer is a bright garment of praise that will dress up the soul even on the dreariest of days.

My earliest childhood memories of being in church are of the rope that I could ride. The thick rope hung down through the ceiling in the church entry way. I was so little that when the rope was pulled to ring the bell in the belfry, I could hang on to it and get a ride as it would pull me up off ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6