Sermons on Raise The Bar:

Living With Higher Priorities Series

Contributed by Tim Richards on Sep 4, 2014

Paul shared rules for godly living with the Corinthians that relate well for us today as well.

Introduction: 1. According to an Associated Press report from May 17, 2001 student led prayer was going to be allowed at the Washington Community High School graduation in 2001 until the ACLU & senior valedictorian, Natasha Appenheimer, filed a law suit against the district. They won an injunction ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Conformed Or Transformed? Series

Contributed by E. True Neilson on Dec 15, 2014

At first glance the book of Numbers reads a bit like an operations manual. It’s got numbers of soldiers, lists of names, and a bit of repetition. Tucked between those lists and numbers are some stories of real people, dealing with real issues of faith!

BETWEEN THE NUMBERS CONFORMED OR TRANSFORMED? Numbers 14:26-45 ***This message tagteam preached with Doug (layperson in our church) -Louis Zamperini was a WW2 pilot who flew a B-24 bomber. -Because of a mechanical failure his plane crashed over the ocean in enemy territory. -He and a co-pilot ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:26-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

7 Great Lies In The Church Today

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Feb 11, 2014

We are entering into perilous times as believers and need to be aware of the season & dangers that are clear and present.

7 Great Lies in the Church Today Nov. 17, 2013 Introduction A Video from Youtube on Atheist Mega-Churches. 1 On Sunday, gathering like this happened in San Diego, Nashville, NY, & other US cities. a Trying to raise $800,000 to start congregations all over the world. b 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NASB) ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Denomination: Baptist

Living The Crucified Life

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on May 23, 2023

The author in this sermon message touches the daily struggles we face as Christians living in a fallen world that is looking for answers and a reason to live.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES (Galatians 2:20) "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Romans 7:15-17, Romans 7:21-23, Romans 7:24-25, Romans 6:6, Romans 7:18-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus And The Black Sheep (John 21:1-25) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 23, 2022

Jesus knows what Peter did, and restores him, and commissions him. Jesus leaves no sheep behind. Also, the two words for love don't matter at all-- Peter isn't trying to trick Jesus.

Let's start today by rereading our passage from two weeks ago, John 20:19-23: (19) Then, when it was evening on that day-- the first day of the week, and the doors having been shut where the disciples were because of fear of the Judeans-- Jesus came, and he stood in their midst, and he says to ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-25

Come And See Jesus (John 1:43-51) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 5, 2022

Nathaniel is open-minded enough to come see Jesus for himself, and overcomes his initial skepticism. This makes him the ideal Israelite. Also, Jesus is not a ladder. Angels come "to" Jesus, not "upon" him.

This week, starting in John 1:43, we find ourselves on day 4. Let's just start there: (43) On the next day, he (Jesus) wished to depart to Galilee, and he finds Philip, and Jesus says to him, "Follow me." Already in the gospel of John, we've seen a number of people take the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51, 2 Samuel 7:14-16, Genesis 28:10-17

A Fresh Look At The Cross

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Mar 22, 2021

In the ancient world, the cross was a depraved and distasteful affair. Romans used it, but the sparse reference to it in their literature shows their aversion to it. They considered it a barbarian form of punishment Similarly, the Jews detested it.

A fresh look at the Cross. John 12:27 Every religion and every ideology has its own symbol for its identification. . For the Buddhist it is the Lotus Flower. Judaism has the Star of David and Islam the Crescent. In this century the Communists were known for the hammer and the sickle and the Nazis ...read more

Scripture: John 12:27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Spirit-Filled Life

Contributed by Chris Talton on Mar 19, 2004

This sermon is on self-control and the Spirit’s role in enabling us to achieve the goals we have to gain control over our selves.

February 15, 2004 Galatians 5:22-23 “The Spirit-filled Life” INTRODUCTION In Scotland, during the early days of aviation, a stunt pilot was selling rides in his single engine airplane. One day he got into an argument with an old farmer who insisted upon taking his wife along on ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:23

Denomination: Baptist

The Burden Of Guilt (Pt. 2)

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 27, 2003

This is the second in a two-part message about how we can get rid of the guilt that we feel for past forgiven actions.

February 2, 2003 Zechariah 3:1-10 ¡§The burden of guilt¡¨ (pt. 2) You may know that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was the writer of the Sherlock Holmes novels. But you probably don¡¦t know that he was quite a prankster. One day he played a prank on 5 of the most prominent men in ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

When You Get Bent Out Of Shape Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Whatever is broken in your life, Jesus can fix it. When suffering or religious rules bend you out of shape, let Jesus get you bent on the joy of God’s kingdom.

When You Get Bent Out of Shape Luke 13:10-21 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION I recently read a funny story that illustrates how most of us are never satisfied. Frank and Mabel had been married for 40 years. Frank turned 60 a few months earlier and they were celebrating Mabel’s 60th birthday. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-21, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 13:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

How To Resist Lifes Greatest Temptations Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Nov 6, 2006

This series follows the life of Joseph as he enrolls in the "School of Hard Knocks". Learn how you too can be victorious no matter what life throws at you.

How to Resist Life’s Greatest Temptations Surviving the School of Hard Knocks July 2, 2000 We’re going to talk this morning about man’s oldest problem and what God has to say about it. In fact, you can go all the way back to the Garden of Eden, and find that “TEMPTATION”, has been a thorn in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

Living Stones: Commitment Vs Complacent Series

Contributed by Justin Ford on Nov 28, 2012

Part of a Capital Fundraising Campaign Series. This message was centered on the temptation for churches to grow complacent (like the Israelites) in the midst of blessing

LIVING STONES (4): COMMITMENT VS COMPLACENT JOSHUA 6-8 Take out notes and find Joshua chapter 6 We are in the 4th week of our “Living Stones” series 4 weeks ago, the SPT presented the church with a 2 Phase Master Plan that would allow us to relocate to the 18 acres of land we own ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Mountain Of Fear Series

Contributed by Grant Macdonald on Nov 12, 2011

What enables faith to overcome fear? Grace!

Have you ever noticed how fearless kids are? They’ll do things that right-minded adults won’t even consider. When I was a boy, one of our family traditions was to go to the Canadian National Exhibition. Summer wasn’t summer unless we made our annual pilgrimage to the CNE. This ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Feasting With The Pharisees - An Examination Of Luke 14:1-24

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 21, 2013

Jesus ate with all kinds of sinners, including the Pharisees. One such occasion is recorded in Luke 14:1-14. In this lesson we'll examine the disastrous dinner with a focus of learning who will sit around the Lord's table.

The meal table is the main social center of the home. Think of some of your warmest memories and many of them will be associated with meal-time. In our text, the entire passage is centered around and on a meal table. The great question discussed was who will sit around God’s table in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-24

Denomination: *other

Every Scar Has A Story Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

We don’t have a visible brand, but do people know you belong to Jesus?

INTRODUCTION Years ago, when people used to buy and sell horses, a man arrived at a ranch to check out a horse he was considering buying. The owner said, “Now, this is a religious horse. He doesn’t respond to ‘giddyup’ or ‘whoa.’ To get him to go you have to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:14-18

Denomination: Baptist