Sermons on Rapids:

Judge Nothing Before It's Time Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 18, 2014

1) How one should Judge (1 Corinthians 4:1), 2) What is Required to Judge (1 Corinthians 4:2), and 3) Who should Pass Judgment (1 Corinthians 4:3-4)

For those in the public light, they often describe their existence as living in a fish bowl. They often mention how they are constantly judged by tabloid journalism about their weight, look, who they are dating, and just about every aspect of their lives. As people reflected on the spiraling train ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Denomination: Other

Submitting To God's Will Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 31, 2015

Paul’s shows us how to submit to God's will by understanding the 1) Purpose (Romans 15:30a) , 2) Prayer (Romans 15:30b-32), and 3) Peace (Romans 15:33) in the will of God.

To one who asked him the secret of his service, George Mueller said: “There was a day when I died, utterly died;”—“died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will—died to the world, its approval or censure—died to the approval or blame even of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:30-33

Denomination: Other

Sufficiency Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 10, 2014

1)Doctrinal Perceptiveness through the Word (2 Peter 3:15b–17), 2) Spiritual Progress in the Word (2 Peter 3:18a), and 3) Continual Praise in the Word (2 Peter 3:18b)

We’ve all just gone through a traumatic event: time change. We can look forward to enjoying light for longer in the day and the prospect of spring. For all of us, this time change is difficult for we lost an hour of sleep. Those who examine the effects of sleep note the increased accidents on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:15-18

Denomination: Other

The Sign Of The Savior Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 7, 2009

1) The Meaning of the Sign. 2) The Miracle of the Sign. 3) The Message of the Sign.

Twenty years ago today on Dec. 6, 1989, a gunman entered a classroom in Montreal’s École Polytechnique. He separated the men from the women, then shot the women, shouting, “I hate feminists!” as he did so. Fourteen young women died. Ten more were injured. Four men were also shot. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-17

Denomination: Other

1 Spirit Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 17, 2013

In this passage, the apostle gives four characteristics of believers who live in “1 Spirit” of Christ in their: 1) Status in Christ (Philippians 1:27a), 2) Standing firm in Him (Philippians 1:27b); 3) Sharing with one another because of Him (Philippians

Try to imagine yourself in the role of a mum or dad living in the 1920s, before our modern means of communication were readily available to everyone. You are standing on the platform of a railway station, and your seventeen-year-old daughter is leaning out of a train window. The whistle blows and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27

Denomination: Other

Prayer 101 Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 8, 2013

In Mark 1 Jesus gives us a critical lesson on the timing, manner and necessity of prayer. In it, He shows us the: Preparation by Prayer (Mark 1:35) 2) Expectations through Prayer (Mark 1:36-37), 3) Actions from Prayer (Mark 1:38-39)

In the ongoing roller coaster called Blackberry, sources familiar with the company announced this week that BlackBerry board hopes to run a “fast” auction process that could result in a sale of the company by November. Analysts have noted problems with product releases, lackluster ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Denomination: Other

New Horizons

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 3, 2016

1) A New Trail (Isaiah 43:16–17), 2) A New Thought (Isaiah 43:18), 3) A New Thing(Isaiah 43: 19a), and 4) A New Tender (Isaiah 43:19b-21)

Have you ever gone on a journey not knowing where exactly you would end up? When Lisa and I went on our honeymoon, we left home with a general vicinity in mind, but the route and ultimate destination was to be determined. All we knew is that we loved each other, we were going together and we would ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21

Denomination: Other

Confession & A Transparent Life Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 31, 2016

True believers are 1) Cleansed from sin (1 John 1:7); yet, 2) Confessing sin (1 John 1:9); and even 3) Conquering sin (1 John 2;1a).

On April 29, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI met with a delegation of aboriginal Canadians he had invited to the Vatican at the request of the bishops of Canada. On the topic of residential schools, Benedict expressed “his sorrow at the anguish caused by the deplorable conduct of some members of the ...read more

Denomination: Other

Life For All Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 29, 2017

The difference in the 1) Effectiveness (Romans 5:15), 2) Extent (Romans 5:16), 3) Efficacy (Romans 5:17), 4) Essence (Romans 5:18–19), and 5) Energy (Romans 5:20–21) between the works of Adam vs. Christ.

In the world of sports, most sports today are seasonal. We wait for the warmer weather for field sports. But in an effort to transcend the unpredictability of weather, more and more sports are being played on turf instead of grass. Although they have the ability to not flood, don’t need fertilizer, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:15-21

Denomination: Other

Supernatural Conquerors Series

Contributed by Bruce B. Miller on Dec 29, 2011

We can live supernatural lives by the Spirit because of God's amazing gifts in Christ.

Romans 8 Supernatural Series/Week 5 Supernatural Conquerors Romans 8:32-39 Bruce Miller Supernatural Conquerors Watching the news can be disturbing, even scary. Revolutions and revolutionary movements are surging through the Arabic world with the deadliest conflict in Libya where Muammar Gaddafi ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Father’s Compassion Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 16, 2018

The: 1) Personal (Psalm. 103:1-5), 2) National (Psalm. 103:6-18) and 3) Universal (Psalm. 103:19-22) praise for the compassion of God the Father.

Of all the qualities that fathers are generally known for, love and compassion is often not high on the list. There are social norms, popular depictions and personal history on how we have been fathered that makes those qualities rare. As much as we might strive to achieve them, we can find it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22

Denomination: Other

1 Peter 3:1-6. "The Wife Of Noble Character”. Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 22, 2021

In 1 Peter 3:1-6 we can see three qualities of a Wife of Noble Character. She is 1) Submissive, 2) Faithful (1 Peter 3:1-2) and 3) Modest (1 Peter 3:1-2).

1 Peter 3:1-6. 3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-6

Denomination: Other

Authentic Versus Counterfeit Faith (Ii) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 27, 2024

This message examines the qualities of saving faith as revealed in Romans 4:18-22. In this chapter, Paul uses Abraham's example to teach the kind of faith response to God that ultimately leads to eternal salvation. Hint: It is not easy believism.

Intro A major theme in Romans 4 is faith. Paul is aggressively contending for justification by faith alone. The issue we are currently addressing is the kind of faith Paul has in mind when he uses the word. We know from James 2 that some forms of faith are dead and worthless. We know from Jesus’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25, Romans 8:1-39, 1 Samuel 17:37, Numbers 14:8, Genesis 12:1-20, Galatians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 10:15, Ephesians 3:20, John 6:67-68, John 14:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Could Divorce Be A Part Of The Plan?

Contributed by Joe Bedy on Apr 1, 2002

God Hates Divorce, not divorced or re-married people. Taken from a paper the Biblical Theology of Divorce for Kentucky Christian College.

Joe Bedy April 1 2002 Central Christian Church St. Petersburg, Fl 33776 Joe Bedy Central Christian Church St. Petersburg, Fl 33711 May 5, 2002 Divorce, could it be a part of the plan? Matt. 19:3-10 I have just completed some fairly extensive research on the theology of Biblical marriage, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:3-9, Malachi 2:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Are We In The End Times?"

Contributed by Andy Almendarez on Mar 22, 2004

As the vision unfolds, a series of future conflicts involving nations is described between the Persians and the Greeks. Between kings of the South (Egypt) and kings of the North (Syria). In this conflict, Israel would be caught in the middle.

Andy Almendarez AAre We in the End Times?@ Daniel 11:36-12:3 We will be studying the final vision recorded in the book of Daniel. This vision pictures what will affect Daniel’s people? Describing the events in the last days, for this vision refers to many days that are to come. In the ...read more

Denomination: Holiness