Sermons on Rapid Decline:

The Blessed Hope Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 29, 2021

1) The Source of our Blessed Hope (1 Peter 1:3), 2) The Surety of our Blessed Hope (1 Peter 1:4), and 3) The Salvation of our Blessed Hope (1 Peter 1:5).

1 Peter 1:3-5 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Denomination: Other

The Fruit Of The Spirit

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 22, 2019

When believers are controlled by the Holy Spirit, they manifest: 1) Upward Fruit (Galatians 5:22a) 2) Outward Fruit (Galatians 5:22b) and 3) Inward Fruit (Galatians 5:23)

What qualifies someone for a task? There is a story of the testing of a candidate for missions work: One snowy morning at 5:00 a.m., a missionary candidate rang the bell at a missionary examiner’s home. Ushered into the office, he sat three hours past his appointment time waiting for his interview. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Other

Spirit Filled Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 19, 2020

In Ephesians 5:19-21, we see that Spirit filled people do three things. They: 1) Sing (Ephesians 5:19), 2) Say Thanks (Ephesians 5:20) and are 3) Submissive (Ephesians 5:21).

Ephesians 5:18b-21 [18] (And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery), but be filled with the Spirit, [19] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, [20] giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-21

Denomination: Other

Gifts From The Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 17, 2020

1) Every believer has been individually gifted (Eph. 4:7); 2) Christ obtained the right to give gifts (Eph.4:8-10); 3) the Lord blesses the whole church (Eph. 4:11).

Ephesians 4:7-11 [7] But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. [8] Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." [9] (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-11

Denomination: Other

A Father & His Family Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 16, 2022

In Psalm 128:1-6 we see the 3 blessings of a: 1) Blessing Announced (Psalm 128:1) the 2) Blessing Described (Psalm 128:2–4) and it concludes with the 3) Blessing Pronounced (Psalm 128:5–6).

Psalm 128:1-6. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! [2] You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. [3] Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-6

Denomination: Other

Inerrancy

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 23, 2014

Psalm 19 leads us through an understanding of the Inerrancy of Scripture, showing that: 1) God is Perfect in His Nature(Psalm 19:1-6), 2) God is Perfect in His Word (Psalm 19:7-10) 3) God Perfectly Guides through His Word (Psalm 19:11-14)

One of the common controversies in athletic competition is judging. This year at the Olympics in Sochi Russia, there was a report from the French media of a judging pact in figure skating between the Russian and American judges. Figure skating continues to have accusations of judging scandals ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14

Denomination: Other

What’s A Family For? Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 21, 2012

God specifies the purpose of a family in the Genesis account through: 1)The Problem (Genesis 2:18-20), 2) The Provision (Genesis 2:21-23), and 3) The Portrait (Genesis 2:24) of what a family is for.

What constitutes a family? Who has a legitimate role in defining this? With marriage considered a legal affair, the Canadian courts have created one of the broadest definitions in the world. Whether its considering the situation of polygamy in Bountiful BC, to homosexual unions and the recent ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24

Denomination: Other

1 Purpose Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 21, 2013

1)The Elements of Purposeful Unity (Philippians 2:1) 2) The Essence of Purposeful Unity (Philippians 2:2a), 3)The Expression of Purposeful Unity (Philippians 2:2b)

It’s not too difficult to see the effect of strife. Internationally, we see conflict and hostage taking. In North America, we just came out of a hockey lockout after many months of people not working. In Canada, native blockages have meant disrupted travel, and shipping. In Ontario, many ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-2

Denomination: Other

Walk With Christ

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 4, 2011

In the calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Jesus we see a lesson for all who would follow Him that 1) A Disciple shows Diligence (Matthew 4:18–20) and 2) A Disciple shows Determination (Matthew 4:21–22)

This week, in an apparent delusional rant, Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi warned western nations not to get involved in what he said was an internal Libyan affair. He said that western interference would result in another Vietnam, of extended loss of life. The world community is considering ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Other

Spiritual Maturity Series

Contributed by Bruce B. Miller on Jun 7, 2012

Spiritual maturity comes not in some “new” teaching, but through a deeper grasp of the cross of Christ.

Spiritual Maturity 1 Corinthians 3 For those of you who are new, we are in a series called Spiritual Wisdom in a Foolish World, looking at deep roots of our faith. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in ancient Corinth in Greece. The churches there were filled with immature people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Walk In A Manner Worthy Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 18, 2019

In order to “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”, we must live a life that is 1) Prayerful (Colossians 1:9), 2) Pleasing (Colossians 1:10) 3) Purposeful (Colossians 1:11)

If you are planning on doing any trips this summer, you most likely know the importance of paying attention. When hiking, it's important to stay on the trail to avoid getting lost. While visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, a 19-year-old hiker from Quebec was rescued after being ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-11

Denomination: Other

Confronting An Evil World Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 9, 2019

Jesus shows how to Confront an Evil World through presenting 1) A Clear Message (Matthew 10:7), and confidence of 2) Confirming Credentials (Matthew 10:8)

Matthew 10:7-8 [7] And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. (ESV) A common practice in warfare is psychological operations, or Psych. Ops. Key to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:7-8

Denomination: Other

Putting On The New Self Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 14, 2020

The Apostle Paul helps us understand what it means to Put on the New Self in showing us: 1) What was Not Put On (Ephesians 4:20), 2) Know what to Put On(Ephesians 4:21), 3) Put off the Old Self (Ephesians 4:22), 4) Put on the New Self (Ephesians 4:23–24)

Ephesians 4:20-24 [20] But that is not the way you learned Christ!--[21] assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, [22]to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, [23]and to be renewed ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:20-24

Denomination: Other

Building A Great Nation

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 27, 2003

Nehemiah took it upon himself to save his nation

INTRODUCTION „X Nehemiah was a layman, cupbearer to the great ¡§Artaxerxes,¡¨ who ruled Persia from 464 to 423 B.C. Nehemiah¡¦s name means ¡§The Lord has comforted.¡¨ „X A cupbearer was much more than our modern ¡§butler¡¨ (see Gen. 40). It was a position of great responsibility and privilege. At ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Every Christian Is A Minister

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Jun 3, 2006

This purpose of this sermon is to challenge laity to become involved in ministry by coming to understand that the Holy Spirit calls all Christians into ministry. It was orginally preached on Pentecost Sunday and tied in with the empowerment for ministry

Every Christian Is a Minister --Ephesians 4:7-12 In his 1786 “Thoughts Upon Methodism” John Wesley made a statement that continually sticks with me: I am not afraid that the people called Methodist should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid least they should ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-12

Denomination: Methodist