Sermons on Restoring Hope:

Christmas Reactions

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 26, 2018

People have varying reactions to Christmas. For many, Christmas is a happy, festive time spent with family and friends. But for some it's a sad, lonely time. For others, it invokes anger because of painful memories. But what about those associated with that first Christmas?

CHRISTMAS REACTIONS People have varying reactions to Christmas. For many, Christmas is a happy time-parties, decorating, giving and receiving gifts and time with family and friends. But for some it's a sad, lonely time. For others, it invokes anger, perhaps because of some not so nice ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:8-20, Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Potter's Hands Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 29, 2018

In order to have Christ formed in us, we look to Galatians 4:12-20, where the Apostle Paul shows: 1) The Godly Example. (Galatians 4:12a.) 2) The Godly Focus. (Galatians 4:12-16 3) The Deadly Distraction. (Galatians 4:17-18) and finally: 4) The Godly Objective: (Galatians 4:19-20)

How you are right now going into 2019 is a result of the choices you have made in 2018. Your fitness, knowledge, compassion and ability to show mercy is a result of how you have cultivated those disciplines in 2018. What is formed in you is a result of how you have allowed yourself to be formed. If ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:12-20

Denomination: Other

I Am The Light Of The World Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Sep 27, 2020

Jesus declares that He is the light of the World - He is God, Messiah, Leader, and Guide.

I AM: The Light of the World John 8:12-21 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 9-30-2020 Darkness that can be felt When I was a kid, my parents took me to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. On the tour, we stopped and the guide told us that they were going to turn out of the lights. He ...read more

Scripture: John 7:35-37, John 8:12

Denomination: Baptist

Unwavering Faith Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 18, 2017

Our liberty should 1) Never cause a brother to stumble (v. 13), 2) grieve or be devastated (vv. 14–15); 3) never forfeit our witness for Christ (vv. 16–19), 4) tear down His work (vv. 20–21), or be either 5) denounced or flaunted (vv. 22–23)

Most churches include dedicated, faithful believers whose consciences do not allow them to participate in or approve of certain practices. The Apostle Paul described those who exercise their legitimate liberty as “stronger believers”. Those who feel restricted in exercising legitimate liberty as ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:13-23

Denomination: Other

Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 10, 2018

A Remembrance Day message to encourage the people of God to stand firm in the grace we have received.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? “When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit And The Bride Series

Contributed by Stephen Smith on Feb 18, 2020

The fifth message in this series, describing the role of the Holy Spirit in readying the Church (as a Bride) to meet her Bridegroom in the air. Explains the meaning of terms such as the Baptism of the Spirit, Filling of the Spirit and Fruit of the Spirit.

The Bible: A Love Story Pt 5: The Spirit and the Bride In the last few messages in this series, we've discussed the way in which the Church, as a Bride-to-be, will one ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:35-36, Ruth 3:12, John 3:8, John 6:55-56, John 14:26, John 15:26, Ruth 2:20, Ruth 3:9, John 16:8-11, Romans 6:4, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 12:7-13, John 16:13-14, Romans 5:5, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 5:18-20, Ephesians 5:30-32, Ephesians 6:17, Ephesians 4:13, Galatians 5:25, Philippians 2:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 6:4, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 Peter 4:10, Philippians 2:13, Colossians 3:16, 2 Peter 1:4, Revelation 22:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Matthew 6:19-24 Where Do You Hold Your Treasure?

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 22, 2024

What unhealthy and unholy meanings have you assigned to money? When used properly, money is a powerful tool for the Kingdom of God.

Go ahead and turn to Matthew chapter 6, starting at verse 19. We're just going to be looking at five verses today, and we'll slowly walk our way through these. It says, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There’s The Right Way And The Other Way Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Aug 22, 2020

Paul is pushing us all up against what we believe and how we live.

There’s the right way and the other way Romans 3:19-31 This story was told by Napoleon to spark patriotism among his men. Once, while visiting a province he came upon an old soldier in full uniform who had one sleeve hanging empty and he proudly wore the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Mother's Love

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 31, 2020

It takes a special kind of woman to be what the Bible defines as a mother.

There is a common myth among women that says “having children makes one a mother.” This notion is as silly as believing that having a piano makes one a musician. That’s because it takes a special kind of woman to be what the Bible defines as a mother. The biblical word translated “mother” is the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bigger Is Better

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 31, 2020

The needs of the body of Christ are abundant but God has taken care of that by strategically positioning the members in the body in order to meet the needs.

Have you ever done any renovation? I remember a friend of mine who was good at renovating--sometimes too good. He and his wife bought an old house in Catonsville and began to renovate it. He was the kind of guy that would go into a job with a sledgehammer, smashing all the old stuff, making way ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:20-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

He...is...risen!!!

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Apr 11, 2023

The resurrection story is capture in three words, "He Is Risen". The best news the world has ever heard came out of a cemetery, "He is risen!!! He is alive"!!!

Turn in your Bibles to Luke 24. The resurrection story is capture in three words, "He Is Risen". Christianity rises or falls on the resurrection story. If Christ did not rise from the dead, our faith is a colossal hoax, an absolute fraud. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, our songs and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Satan The Devil Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 18, 2022

Although Satan is generally viewed as evil, some groups have very different beliefs. In Theistic Satanism, Satan is considered to be worshiped or revered Deity. In LaVeyan Satanism, Satan is a symbol of virtuous characteristics and liberty

Satan the Devil (Illustrations did not copy) ISAIAH 14:12 "How you have fallen from Heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the Earth, who once laid the nations low!" Satan was originally a righteous angel named Lucifer, meaning "light bringer." In the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Denomination: Baptist

Good Fear Bad Fear - Mark 4:35-41 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2023

Faith is a matter of what you do while the storm is still raging. Letting your feelings drive your response rather than faith is cowardice and will cause you to doubt his power or his love.

Mark 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

What Do You Get For Following Jesus? - Mark 6:14-30 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2023

Herod liked to listen to John but remained perplexed instead of repenting. The great “king” became powerless before a little girl because of his bondage to lust, pride, and the idol of human approval.

Mark 6:14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-30, Matthew 14:1-12, Luke 9:7

We Will Reign With Christ (A Really Long Time) [revelation 20:1-10] Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 2, 2023

A practical, no-rapture, academically rigorous reading of Revelation.

Today, we have the privilege of studying a passage, Revelation 20, that's been sharply debated by Christians for at least 1700 years. It's been understood, and applied, in shockingly different ways. I'm guessing that those of you who lean nerd, and are really into end times stuff, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:1-10