Sermons on Rapids:

God's Great Purposes For His People Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 12, 2024

1. To provide for His good pleasure (vs. 7-9). 2. To unite the universe (vs. 9-10). 3. To give us an everlasting inheritance in His family (vs. 11). 4. To help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ (vs. 11-13a). 5. To seal believers with His Holy Spirit (vs. 13-14).

God's Great Purposes for His People Ephesians 1:7-14 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The Book of Ephesians (Prepared March 12, 2024) BACKGROUND: *We are studying the Apostle Paul's letter to the Church in Ephesus. Author John Phillips explained that "Ephesus was a large and important ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-14

Denomination: Baptist

That Sinking Feeling

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 27, 2020

Followers of Jesus can have hope though His divine 1) Authority (Matthew 14:22–23), 2) Knowledge (Matthew 14:24–25), 3) Protection (Matthew 14:26–27), 4) Love (Matthew 14:28-31), and divine 5) Power (Matthew 14:32-33).

Matthew 14:22-33 [22] Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. [23] And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, [24] but the boat by this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Other

The Christian's Responsibility In Society Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 12, 2021

1) Our duties as Christians (Titus 3: 1–2), 2) to our former condition of unbelief and sin (Titus 3: 3), 3) To our salvation through Jesus Christ (Titus 3: 4–7), and finally 4) To our mission to an unbelieving, lost world (Titus 3: 8).

Titus 3:1–8. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-8

Denomination: Other

Water Baptism In The New Testament

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Mar 10, 2002

A look at the controversy of Baptism and a view of the New Testament passages and practices. We will also look at the early Churches precedents and see where this topic truly should be.

I.Baptism Instituted by Christ page 1 II.Church History and Baptism page 4 III.Differing Views/Modes of Baptism page 14 IV.Conclusion page 18 Water Baptism in Church History and New Testament Theology Bruce P. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-10, Acts 8:38-39

Denomination: Baptist

How To Plan Ahead Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 17, 2010

1) The Foolishness of Ignoring God`s Will (James 4:13-14), 2) The Arrogance of Denying God`s Will (James 4:16) and 3) The Sin of Disobeying God`s Will (James 4:17). James however shows us 4) The Blessing of Acknowledging God`s Will (James 4:15).

James 4:13-17. [13] Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"-- [14] yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Other

The Litmus Test Of Love Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 11, 2016

1) Perfect Love & the Character of God (1 Jn. 4:7–8), 2) Perfect Love & the Coming of Christ (1 Jn. 4:9–11), 3) Perfect Love & the Christian’s Claim of Faith (1 Jn. 4:12–16), 4) Perfect Love & the Christian’s Confidence in Judgment (1 Jn. 4:17-21).

In scientific experimentation, a Litmus Test is a test to establish the acidity or alkalinity of a mixture. The phrase has also been applied metaphorically to represent a crucial test using a single issue or factor as the basis for judgment. (Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Other

Seeing The Word Of Life Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 17, 2016

The Word of Life is 1) Unchangeable (1 John 1:1a), 2) Historical (1 John 1:1b–2a), 3) Communicable (1 John 1:2b–3a), 4) Relational (1 John 1:3b), and 5) Joyful (1 John 1:4).

We live in an era that looks with suspicion on any type of certainty or conviction about the truth. Our society has abandoned the idea of absolutes, choosing instead to arbitrarily grant equal validity to every opinion and philosophical musing. Sadly, today’s church, influenced by the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Other

He Called Us By His Grace Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 24, 2021

To establish that when it pleased God, He called us by His grace; to reveal His Son (Christ) to us, and in us; that we might preach and teach Him among the nations: that all might be saved by grace through the faith in Christ Jesus.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. He Called Us By His Grace Introductory Remarks. 1. In this lesson, we will discuss: “He called us by His grace.” Of course, we are talking about the God of heaven. He calls all believers by His grace. We must appreciate the truth outlined in the scriptures, that salvation ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:13-16, Romans 3:23-26, Ephesians 1:12-14, Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Salt & Light Living Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 5, 2020

God enables us for 1) Being Salt & Light (Mt. 5:13a, 14), the problem if we are 2) Not being Salt & Light (Mt. 5:13b, 15), and 3) The Benefit of being Salt & Light (Mt. 5:16).

Matthew 5:13-16 [13] "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. [14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Other

A Shadow Over Paradise

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 9, 2013

Woman was created to ensure that man was complete. In marriage, God seeks our best as man and woman complement one another.

"The LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’ Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Our Way Out Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 22, 2014

1) The Assets of Liberty (vv. 1–4), 2) The Abuse of Liberty (vv. 5–10), and 3) The Application of Liberty (vv. 11–13).

One amazing part of first person video is watching amazing daredevil accomplishments. Seeing a cyclist, climber or skier using a go-pro camera in first person detail is exhilarating. However, the blooper reels are full of daredevil's who pushed the envelope one step too far and tumbled. Often their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: Other

The Gift Of Hope Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 29, 2014

Luke presents this "Gift of Hope" in Christ through: 1) The Divine Messenger (Luke 1:26), 2) The Divine Choice (Luke 1:27), 3)The Divine Blessing (Luke 1:28–30), and 4) The Divine Child (Luke 1:31-33).

Through the Advent season, the celebration of Christmas is arguably the most widely celebrated of all the world’s holidays, involving more people and nations than any other. But at the same time, it is perhaps the most misunderstood of all the major holidays. Other holidays honor famous ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Other

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

The Peace Of Christ: A Light In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 19, 2025

Isaiah 9:2-7, in four ways shows us the Peace of Christ: A Light in the Darkness through: 1) Proclaiming the Light of Peace (Isaiah 9:2), 2) Promising Peace from Joy (Isaiah 9:3-4), 3) Preparing for Lasting Peace (Isaiah 9:5), and finally: 4) Presenting the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Isaiah 9:2-7. [2] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. [3] You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Other

Live In The Light Of Eternity Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 29, 2002

Principles are given to young people to help them make decisions and live in the light of eternity.

Live in the Light of Eternity Hebrews 12:1-3 The title of today’s message, “Live in the Light of Eternity” is a good word for all of us, and especially for young people. The Hebrew writer is saying: “Fix your eyes on Jesus – make decisions in the the light of eternity. Don’t make decisions ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist