Sermons on Rice Paddies:

How Will Your Epitaph Read?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 1, 2015

Life is preparation for death. How you administer your life now determines God's response to you and your place in the world to come.

“Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 49:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Balaam: Was He A Prophet Of God? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 20, 2016

Can God speak through an imperfect individual? We are studying the life and "ministry" of Balaam to discover the pertinence of his life to our own lives.

“The people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Rest In God's Will Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 6, 2013

Thesis: To know God’s will for your life comes from you knowing God personally, having an encounter with God like Jacob, Moses and Nehemiah did and then taking step one.

Series: Rest in Our Scripture for this series - Isa. 40:29-31: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope (rest) in the Lord will renew their strength. They soar on wings like eagles; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unanswered Prayer Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Jesus tells it like it is in the world of prayer, and in so doing He complicates things, and forces us to wrestle with the conditions for answered prayer.

The story is told of a Russian scientist who was found guilty of a crime against the state. He was sentenced to a prison in the middle of a desert. His cell mate was another scientist. He was determined to escape, and he urged his cell mate to join him, but he refused. After much planning he did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-14

When The Bottom Drops Out Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2024

Even the righteous suffer when judgement is poured out on the nation. God's people are what holds back judgement at this time.

“How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street. “The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands!” [LAMENTATIONS 4:1-2] [1] What a dramatic ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Our Daily Bread - Matthew 6:11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 5, 2024

God will supply everything you need—but everything you need for what? To stay alive? Then why do we die? This sermon asks the question of exactly what the difference is between a need and a want, and where recreation fits in the Christian life.

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:11

Integrating Spirituality In Our Living Space Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 22, 2009

There is a false division of life… even if unclear or unconscious… that can cause us to compartmentalize and confine our spiritual growth. The result is that… • For 166 of the 168 hours in the week we lose our sense of God’s interest and involvement.

Integrating Spirituality in Our Living Space This morning… take up our series on Integrating Spirituality into our Everyday Life. Last week…introduction… Noted there is a false division of life… even if unclear or unconscious… that can cause us to compartmentalize and confine our ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cedar

Contributed by Craig Smee on Jul 6, 2005

Conducting a Christian Passover meal. A means of combining he jewish festiva with our Christian faith.

Seder – An Order of Service and Explanation to the Passover Meal A. Welcome and Blessing Read EXODUS 12:12-20 and LUKE 22:14-16 B. Recline at the table C. The 15 Steps to the Sedar then begin: 1. Kadesh – Sanctify (Reading and Foot Washing) 2. Urchatz – Cleanse 3. Karpas – Appetizer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-40

Denomination: Christian Church

The Big Game Of Eternal Life

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 9, 2005

To win the big game of eternal life will need to have right priorities, preparation, prayer and perseverance.

The Big Game of life? Thesis: To win the big game of eternal life will need to have right priorities, preparation, prayer and perseverance. Video Clip from Illustrate: Clip on David Carr NFL quarterback for Houston Texans. David Carr was the first pick in the 2002 draft. He immediately became the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Investment Guidelines From The Master - Matt 6:19-21

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 23, 2002

Why It is Important to Store Up for Ourselves Treasures in Heaven Instead of on Earth - Matt 6:19-21

Why It is Important to Store Up for Ourselves Treasures in Heaven Instead of on Earth It is estimated that the United States has 276 billionaires, more than 2,500 households with a net worth exceeding $100 million, 250,000 individuals with a net worth of $10 million, and 500,000 individuals with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Grain Offering Series

Contributed by Todd Stiles on Jan 19, 2011

The grain offering appears to have followed the burnt offering and consisted of flour and oil. Though it too provided a "soothing aroma", it was not totally consumed in fire but shared with the priests. Thus its purpose was not to secure atonement. This o

Offering: Living & Giving for the Glory of God Study of Leviticus The Grain Offering Leviticus 2:1-16 First Family Church 317 S.E. Magazine Rd. Ankeny, IA 50021 www.firstfamilyministries.com Transcript of Message by Todd Stiles January 16, 2011 Let’s continue in that course today as we see ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 2:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Spirit's Ministry Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 15, 2009

THe omniscience of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit’s ministry John 16: 12- 24 Just a couple of weeks ago the date was Friday the thirteenth and as long as I can remember this has always been considered to be an unlucky day. When I lived in Cape Breton as a kid they’d always warn you, be very careful ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-24

Denomination: Baptist

Hosanna

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 11, 2019

the Triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem, which we recall this Palm Sunday, we see: 1) The End of the Pilgrimage (Matthew 21:1a), the 2) The Exactness of Prophecy (Matthew 21:1b-7), 3) The Epitome of Praise (Matthew 21:8-9) and 4) The Element of Perplexity (Matthew 21:10-11)

Things are not always as they seem on the surface. When Elizabeth II had her coronation on June 02, 1953, to the casual observer, she made it look easy. As with so much in the line of royalty, the reality is a little different. Elizabeth II, who discussed her memories of her coronation in a BBC ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Other

What's Fair About That?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 1, 2018

God's overwhelming generosity is difficult to comprehend, though every Christian has experienced that generosity. We must avoid attempting to cast God in our image, learning instead of the extravagant grace with which He showers each of us.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Charge To The Rich Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 20, 2014

Paul instructs Christians who possess wealth their responsibility in employing what God has entrusted to them.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Baptist