Sermons on Rapid Progress:

Rebekah: The Mother Of Esau And Jacob

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 12, 2017

Rebekah the Mother of Esau and Jacob, is a lesson in struggling through:1) A disappointed home (Genesis 25:19-21), 2) A distressed home (Genesis 25:22–23) and 3) A divided home (Genesis 25:24–28).

At the 2017 UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), language was introduced into the Agreed Conclusions document that labels “unpaid care work” (including the work of mothers) as a “burden” that should be eliminated through “recognizing, reducing, and redistributing,” including through ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-26

Denomination: Other

The Evidence Of Faith Series

Contributed by Steve Lawson on Jan 7, 2004

It’s not the works that produce the faith but the faith that produces the works. It’s our actions that prove our faith.

* Being Salt & Light – ZESTY! – Rev. Magazine, September/October issue, pg. 28 It could be that one of the greatest hindrances to evangelism today is the poverty of our own experience – Billy Graham Christians have become famous for what they don’t do. We don’t drink We don’t smoke We don’t ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dying To Sin

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 29, 2002

For Christians, dying to sin and sinful behavior is something that we will wrestle with till we die.

DYING TO SIN Text: Romans 6:1-11 It is said that Martin Luther once gave an interesting analogy. The analogy goes like this "The old Adam is a mighty good swimmer". The point of the analogy is that the old Adam "… doesn’t drown easily in the baptismal waters". (William H. Willimon. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

The Challenge

Contributed by David Tack on Nov 22, 2024

Second Timothy was a letter written by the Apostle Paul, who finds himself a prisoner confined in a Roman prison awaiting certain execution. Here, we find the Apostle challenging one of his young converts (Timothy) not to be timid because God gives the spirit of power, love and of a sound mind.

The Challenge (2 Timothy 1:7) Second Timothy was a letter written by the Apostle Paul, who finds himself a prisoner confined in a Roman prison awaiting certain execution. Here, we find the Apostle challenging one of his young converts (Timothy) not to be timid because God gives the spirit of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 2:20, 2 Timothy 1:6, 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Corinthians 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Being Light Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 14, 2023

The Beatitudes teach the qualities that God works in the character of Christ's disciples. Then in Matthew 5:13-16 the emphasis turns to the influence Christians are to have in the world around them. The point of our text is that we let our light shine.

Intro Immediately following the Beatitudes, Jesus uses two metaphors to declare the task given to his followers in the world. Those two metaphors are salt and light. We have examined the first one. Now we want to learn from the second metaphor, light. Our text today is Matt 5:14-16: "You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16, Ephesians 5:18, Romans 8:27-29, 2 Timothy 4:7, John 1:1-9, 1 John 1:1-9, Matthew 28:19-20, John 13:34-35, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 19:10, John 12:46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Roles In Marriage Series

Contributed by Bruce B. Miller on Jun 6, 2012

God's roles for marriage.

Roles in Marriage Ephesians 5 People have all kinds of opinions on marriage. Sometimes children know best. The following answer came from children ages 5 to 10 years old. What do most people do on a date? "On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Parable Of The Net Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 2, 2011

Jesus gives 1) A vivid picture of judgment (Matthew 13:47–48), 2) A brief explanation of the principle of judgment (Matthew 13:49), and 3) A sobering warning about the peril of judgment (Matthew 13:50).

Francis Chan’s new book, Erasing Hell, will be on the shelves from July 5 countering Rob Bell’s recent work, Love Wins. Bell acknowledges hell’s existence on earth but finds it difficult to believe that it is forever and that God can punish non-Christians for all eternity. Chan, on the other hand, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-50

Denomination: Other

God’s Provision In Prayer Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 28, 2010

1) the substance, 2) the source, 3) the supplication, 4) the seekers, & 5) the schedule of requesting God’s provision.

One of the most controversial elements of this winter’s Olympics has been Canada’s "Own the Podium" program. Not being content with record amounts of medals, the Canadian Olympic officials sought to have the most medals of any country. Was it greedy? When we consider what we have, why should we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:11

Denomination: Other

Our Sovereign Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 13, 2014

In Colossians 1:15–19, Paul reveals our Lord’s true identity by viewing Him in relation to three things: 1) The Father (Colossians 1:15), 2) The Universe (Colossians 1:16-17), and 3) The Church (Colossians 1:18-19).

If there are two things that have a tremendous bearing on our future experiences, they are assumptions and expectation. We tend to make assumptions about people and expect certain actions accordingly. As the Jews experienced Christ's ride into Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday, they assumed He was ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-19

Denomination: Other

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

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

In The Midst Of Suffering Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 11, 2018

When suffering for righteousness sake, Christ promises to be with us “In the Midst of Suffering”.

Charles Spurgeon once said that true love is measured by the degree to which the one loving is willing to subject (themselves) to crosses and losses, to suffering and self-denials. With love comes responsibility, and that responsibility is grounded in truth. What disturbs and disillusions those on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Other

Our Sovereign Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 31, 2019

In Colossians 1:15–19, Paul reveals our Lord’s true identity by viewing Him in relation to three things: 1) The Father (Colossians 1:15), 2) The Universe (Colossians 1:16-17), and 3) The Church (Colossians 1:18-19).

Colossians 1:15–19 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-19

Denomination: Other

Keep The Faith Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 21, 2016

John’s moral test for genuine salvation consists of: 1) The Test Stated (1 John 2:3), 2) The Test Applied (1 John 2:4–5) and 3) The Test Exemplified (1 John 2:6)

Most of us don’t like tests. Tests conjure up bad images in our minds: that horrible math final exam your senior year in high school, that stress test the doctor has ordered, or that dreaded driver’s license test with a dour instructor in the car with you demanding that you display ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-6

Denomination: Other

United In His Love

Contributed by Ned Bartlebaugh on Sep 30, 2017

The Church can overcome any division, conflict, or challenge when we: 1. Humbly submit ourselves to God 2. Be rooted and established in his love 3. Allow God's overabundance of love to empower us to see and love others as he sees and loves them.

INTRODUCTION It has been an interesting month. Just in the last month we have had multiple natural disasters and other national and world related issues/events: Earthquake – hit Mexico City Hurricane Harvey – Hit Texas Hurricane Irma – Hit Florida Hurricane Maria – Hit Puerto Rico Escalating ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19

Denomination: Baptist