Sermons on Rapidity:

Partiality, Patience, Presence Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 23, 2024

Jesus could return at any time, therefore we should be just in our dealings and patiently endure injustice.

On the night before Jesus was crucified, He told his disciples John 14:3 ESV And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. Jesus went to the cross, leaving them hope beyond the cross, hinting at the resurrection and eternal ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-11, John 14:3, Matthew 24:36-44, Genesis 4:10, Proverbs 13:22, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Matthew 6:19-21, James 1:27, Hebrews 11:36-40, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Right Use Of Tongues Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 14, 2024

What is the primary purpose of tongues? What limitations does Paul place on the exercise of tongues in the general assembly? Did Paul desire believers to speak in tongues (1 Cor. 14: 5, 18, 39)?

Intro The gifts of the Spirit are an essential part of God’s plan for His Church. When the Church is operating in the power of the Spirit, lives are transformed, and cultures are turned toward godliness. When the Church tries to do its work through human ingenuity and carnal resources, we lose ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-40, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Acts 10:46

Denomination: Charismatic

No Publicity Stunt: Missing God In Plain Sight Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Oct 16, 2024

How do you explain that when people want to curse, they don’t say, “Muhammed,” but they swear by saying the words “Jesus Christ”? Why do Muslims, Sikhs, Mormons, Unitarians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Deists all find a way to incorporate Jesus into their religion?

Have you heard someone say, “I wouldn’t bet the farm on that if I were you?” There are a lot you cannot of people you cannot count on. But there’s one you can bet the farm on, and His name is Jesus. Find John 7 with me, if you will. Jesus finds Himself poked and prodded by the public in every ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

Scandalous Grace Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Nov 17, 2025

Jesus urges His followers to be aware of stumbling blocks - whether they are in our path or blocks that we might place in the paths of others. He calls us to demonstrate radical forgiveness - modeled after his scandalous grace.

In response to the ridicule of the Pharisees and their propensity to greed and service to mammon, Jesus turns aside to his disciples with some very important and challenging comments. He begins by noting that they and we should… Recognize Reality (1-3a) Luke 17:1 ESV And he said to his disciples, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-4, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 8:7-13, Galatians 5:13-14, 1 John 2:10, James 5:19-20, 1 Corinthians 1:21-24, Hebrews 4:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Faith And Fealty Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 1, 2025

As the disciples as Jesus to increase their faith, Jesus urges that faith is more a matter of quality than quantity. Our ultimate responsibility is faithful obedience.

Faith is an interesting issue. Over the years, I’ve heard stories of people who seemed to demonstrate great faith as they recounted the ways that God has answered prayer. One such person was George Mueller. He lived from 1805-1898. In an era when people would pay “pew rents” in order to have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10, Deuteronomy 32:20, Habakkuk 2:4, Mark 4:30-32, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Matthew 25:21, Matthew 11:29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Contrasting Characteristics Of The Kingdom Of God Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 8, 2025

In response to a question from the Pharisees, Jesus discusses some contrasting realities of the Kingdom of God

Thoughts of kingdoms Human drawn Boundaries (interesting, we don’t see any boundaries when looking from space) Leaders Governing systems and structures Maybe languages when it comes to thinking about the Kingdom of God, what does that mean? As we have on a few other occasions in our study of Luke, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:20-37, Luke 7:18, Amos 5:18-20, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Peter 3:8-9, Luke 12:40, Acts 1:7, Acts 1:8, Acts 1:11, Ephesians 2:1-9, 1 Timothy 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Give Up! Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 15, 2025

Jesus shares the parable of the persistent widow in order to provide encouragement and hope for His followers.

Winston Churchill speech - never give up There are so many areas of life in which people can feel discouraged: weight activities Luke 18:1–8 ESV And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Revelation 6:9-10, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 3:10-12, Romans 5:8, John 3:16, 1 John 4:10, Matthew 6:6, James 5:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Galatians 6:9, Ephesians 3:13, 2 Timothy 4:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Visible Faith

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 19, 2024

People tend to think about faith as a private matter. James would argue otherwise for a visible faith.

As we’ve been studying the book of James - we have observed how he calls us to have a “spiritual wholeness” - a faith that runs throughout all that we are. A faith that is revealed in our character, exhibited in conflicts, and heard in our conversations. He calls us to… persevere amidst trials, ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, Proverbs 3:27, Romans 3:28, Deuteronomy 6:4, Hebrews 11:19, Ephesians 5:3, Romans 12:3-8, Malachi 3:10, Nehemiah 6:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Burning Fever Be Gone!

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Aug 29, 2024

The Bible teaches us that sin is an infection leading to a terrible fever; an infection that must be cleansed through the washing of water by the word and by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. He heals both spiritual and physical illnesses.

“In 1818, Ignaz Phillip Semmelweis was born into a world of dying women. The finest hospitals lost one out of six young mothers to the scourge of ‘childbed fever.’ A doctor’s daily routine began in the dissecting room where he performed autopsies. From there he made his way to the hospital to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Woman Caught In Adultery

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 3, 2024

And while it wasn’t fair to bring only her and not the man. It certainly isn’t fair to Jesus. After all, He was the only one there who was without sin. He had every right to stone us all.

We invite all believers to come forward to take the Lord’s Supper with us in just a few minutes. Today, we look at one of the most beloved stories in Jesus’ ministry. It’s known as The Woman Caught in Adultery. It’s one of the most dramatic pictures of grace in the Bible. People love this story. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is The Door

Contributed by John Hamby on Sep 28, 2025

The Exclusive claim of Jesus.

“Jesus Is the Door” John 10:7-10 Seven times in the Gospel of John Jesus said who He was and each time He deepens our under-standing of His ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From The Burden Of Worry Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 8, 2025

Fear and anxiety are things that can have an unhealthy grip on our lives. In this passage, Jesus teaches his followers how we can be free from the burden of worrty.

In 1988, Bobby McFerrin released a song entitled “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It was inspired by the teachings of an Indian Guru who used to tell his followers “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” McFerrin’s song was quickly written and recorded. It was released as an Adult Contemporary song where it made it to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-34

Denomination: Baptist

Learn To Tote The Cheese

Contributed by Keith Linkous on Aug 24, 2001

Everyone wants to kill a giant, but David didn’t set out to kill Goliath. He was carrying cheese to his brothers at the time. Learn how faithfulness leads to greater usefulness.

(Also look at 1 Samuel 17: 32, 48-49) There has been much preaching on the subject of faithfulness. There have been times, though, when we have used "faithfulness" as an excuse for being unproductive. We try to "spiritualize" our lack of results. And while we have excused inaction and ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

2 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

John the Baptist declares, "It is time!"

This is a great text. The majesty of the writing -- what would Christmas be without the Christmas text from Luke? "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus . . . ." All the names and dates. Historical details that make the story come alive. The event, marked in time and place -- in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Forsaking All To Follow One

Contributed by Mark Elkins on Jan 3, 2003

What does it mean to forsake all? What does it mean to follow Him? What keeps us today from doing what the disciples did?

In the preceding verses we see the miracle of fish. It wasn’t really a miracle at all. To Jesus it was the norm. He created the water for the fish, He created the fish for man, and He taught man how to catch the fish. He was just doing it at a more rapid pace. Just like when He quieted the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:11

Denomination: Baptist