Sermons on Raise The Bar:

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Cleaned House Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 3, 2021

The Lord Jesus arrived in Jerusalem hailed by the Jews as the Davidic king who would restore Israel. He arrived not for that purpose, but to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy of the Suffering Servant who restored all of HIs people back to God. The first step was to restore His house.

The final week of Jesus' public ministry had started with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, being hailed as the rightful heir of David and the One who would finally drive out the hated Roman Gentile oppressors and restore the nation of Israel back to its former glory, or so the people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-17, Luke 19:28-48, John 2:13-22, John 12:12-19, Psalm 118:26, Isaiah 56:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God Of Jacob Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Dec 7, 2022

We hear their names thrown around, but do we know why it is so important to know our Godfathers? What can we learn from them? We hear their names thrown around, but do we know why it is so important to know our Godfathers? What can we learn from them?

The Godfathers Pt. 4 - God of Jacob I. Introduction The movie, directed and written by Francis Ford Coppola and released in 1972, is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time. The film paints a chilling portrait of the Corleone family as this family rises and then nearly falls from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:30-36, Genesis 27:41, Genesis 32:24-28, Genesis 33:3-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Being The Church

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Aug 13, 2024

Importance, purpose and structure of the Church

Title of today’s message: Being the church Today’s message is centered around the key passage found in Matthew 16:13-18. You may want to turn there, as we’ll get there in a minute or so. We are going to consider three amazing facts today: Importance, purpose, and structure of the church and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18, Ephesians 4:16

Hangry

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Aug 13, 2024

Intro Did ya? Read something new in God’s Word today? See a familiar passage with new eyes? I hope you did!

Today’s word is sort of centered around those questions. Do you ever have those days that you have your complete agenda lined out, and then “poof” it was gone? Nothing went as planned? Monday as I was leaving work, I had planned everything I was going to accomplish when I got home. As I pulled into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6, John 13:34

"roadblocks To Vision" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Sep 23, 2024

So, I told you last week that when God gives you vision to do something in the future and you then share it with a group of people, you can expect at least two things. (1) Discussion. (2) Criticism.

“Roadblocks to Vision” Nehemiah 4 So, I told you last week that when God gives you vision to do something in the future and you then share it with a group of people, you can expect at least two things. (1) Discussion. (2) Criticism. People will ask you questions because they want to hear more – ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32, Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Defining Moment

Contributed by Gina Krause on Jan 15, 2024

Jesus: The Defining Moment From Boy to Man  When did Jesus realize that he was different than other children? Did he always know that he was the Son of God? Did he speak even as a baby… did he just have the knowledge?

Jesus: The Defining Moment From Boy to Man ? When did Jesus realize that he was different than other children? Did he always know that he was the Son of God? Did he speak even as a baby… did he just have the knowledge? ? We know that baby Jesus was consecrated to God after his birth….But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:40-51

The Upper Room In Three Acts

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 28, 2024

The Upper Room was the site of at least 3 pivotal events of the early Church: 1). Jesus washing their feet & Lord's Supper, 2). Resurrection appearances, and 3). filled with the Holy Spirit.

THE UPPER ROOM IN THREE ACTS John 13; 20; Acts 2 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE BOARD MEETING 1. Announcement: “There will be a meeting of the Church Board immediately after the service in the cafeteria,” announced the pastor. 2. After the service, the Church Board gathered, but a stranger joined ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Bearing Fruit That Will Last

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 1, 2024

Living a life of eternal significance is the heritage of every Child of God.

In a corner of London’s Highgate cemetery is a large marble tomb. It’s long and box-like, with a life-sized sculpture of a dog at its foot. An inscription says, “Erected to the memory of Thomas Sayers”. Now, if I were to ask who Thomas Sayers was, most of us wouldn’t know. But when he died the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Pressing On Toward The Goal In 2024

Contributed by David Simpson on Jul 27, 2024

The apostle Paul was very goal oriented. He had witnessed the original Olympic races in Greece. He was no Olympic athlete, but neither are we! Yet, he wrote to the Philippians as a spiritual athlete running a race: But one thing I do...

Sermon Lanier Christian Church July 28, 2024.Lake Service and Main Campus David Simpson Pressing on Toward the Goal Philippians 3:13-14 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14, Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Luke 10:27

Denomination: Christian Church

The Final Score

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 19, 2023

So what are you going to get Jesus for his birthday? What do you think he wants most?

As sometimes happens, this sermon took a different turn after I had named it and put together the bulletin. The initial idea was the issue of this new database that the Defense Department is putting together, that has the civil libertarians up in arms over the loss of privacy. Because no matter how ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Puffed Up Or Built Up Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on May 4, 2023

In First Corinthians chapter 8 Paul addresses the liberty we have in Christ, but that liberty is never license to sin, or to do harm to our fellow believers.

Puffed Up or Built Up Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Now it’s been a little while since we’ve been in 1st Corinthians, and that’s because I wanted us to see what Habakkuk had to say about faith, and I felt that was important considering our worlds current situation… but this morning we’re going to go ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, 1 Corinthians 13:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

2nd Sunday Of Pentecost - Committing To An Invitation

Contributed by Jeremy Di Salvo on Jun 11, 2023

A sermon on why you should follow through with your commitments with grace and humility when God calls you to honor your commitments.

Dominus vobiscum. Brothers and sisters, on this second Sunday after Pentecost, we are invited to hear from the First Epistle of Saint John as well as a brilliant parable from Gospel of Saint Luke. Before I begin, I would like to humbly ask you to do me a favor. Think of a time in your life where ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:13-18, Luke 14:16-24

Denomination: Other

Facial Recognition

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 5, 2023

If you have recognized yourselves in other people, then Jesus will recognize himself in you.

I was adjusting the biometric ID on my phone while I was preparing this sermon and started thinking about the things like the algorithms used to identify users’ buying habits and then about how easy it is to access untold quantities of information about you just from plugging your name into your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It Only Takes A Little

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Jan 17, 2023

When it comes to the Christian life, it doesn't take much. God can make a little go a long way.

I think it’s happened to all of us; we lay down intending to take a short nap, but we end up sleeping for hours. It only takes a little slumber for it to turn into a long sleep. 1. IT ONLY TAKES A LITTLE SIN (I Corinthians 5:1-6) Illustration: a student at a college who was allergic to peanut oil ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:30-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Birth Of Jesus The Messiah

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jan 24, 2023

Prophet Isaiah and John were town criers of Jesus coming birth.

The birth of Jesus the Messiah Isaiah 9 Introduction- Good Morning… I am glad that you are joining us this morning and pray that the Lord blesses you and speaks to you! You know in 2020, we were all forced to do things we did not want to do. We had to adapt to the fact that Covid-19 had changed ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Nazarene