Sermons on Rite Of Passage:

Jesus' Easter Gifts

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Apr 13, 2017

In our passage Jesus passes out some wonderful Easter Gifts - 1. Peace 2. Assurance 3. Commission 4. Holy Spirit 5. Ability to Heal and Forgive

Scripture: John 20:19-29 (cf. 19-23); 1 Peter 1:3-9 and Call to Worship (Psalm 16) Theme: Jesus' Easter Gifts In our passage Jesus passes out some wonderful Easter Gifts - 1. Peace 2. Assurance 3. Commission 4. Holy Spirit 5. Ability to Heal and Forgive INTRO: Grace and peace from ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, Psalm 16:1-11, 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Nazarene

Why Does God Allow These Struggles?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 28, 2017

A look at the Christmas passage - specifically, the struggle of Mary and Joseph having the baby in Bethlehem far from home. A look at four ways God uses our struggles in our lives.

Mary And Joseph’s Road Trip: “Why does God allow these struggles in my life?” - Luke 2:3-6. - The trip to Bethlehem under such difficult circumstances had to be a struggle. Did they have questions? I know I would have. “God, why are You allowing this?” “God, have You forgotten us?” “God, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Is It Possible The Church Has Misunderstood Malachi 3:8-11? Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jan 2, 2018

Christians have been taught that the tithe is a "spiritual bill" they must pay in order to keep the "windows of heaven" open. Is it possible that this passage is being used to teach something that it does not teach?

As a child, before my brothers and sisters and I would sit down for breakfast, we asked our father what we could do to please him so that he would let us eat. He’d tell us. If we wanted lunch money for school we would ask our father what would please him. He’d tell us. At supper time, as we sat ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:19-23, Malachi 1:6-14, Malachi 3:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Watching Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 14, 2019

Holiness and fear of God seem to go hand in hand in this passage. But why should I "fear God" and what difference does it make when I do?

OPEN: You may have heard the story of some children at a Catholic school who were lined up for lunch at the cafeteria. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. A nun had made a note: "Take only one, God is watching." At the other end of the table was a large plate of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Is Wonderful

Contributed by Charles Jones on Dec 25, 2021

The word wonderful in this passage literally means “incomprehensible.” The Messiah will cause us to be “full of wonder.” The word is much weightier than the way it’s used in normal conversation today.

Jesus Is Wonderful And his name shall be called,Wonderful."—Isa_9:6. This is a prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus Christ the “Anointed One,” the Savior–Jesus Christ. His birth would happen at a definite time and place in history and in a unique and marvelous way. To appreciate what it ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritual Harvesting 101 Series

Contributed by Ray Geide on Jan 17, 2022

In this chapter Jesus tells his disciples how to harvest. It is like a beginner's course in harvesting, Spiritual Harvesting 101. We will pull five points out of this passage.

Spiritual Harvesting 101 John 4:35-42 John chapter 4 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I have many favorites. But I like this one because of the harvest in it. A whole city trusts in Jesus. That's an impressive harvest. If only we could have a harvest like that. In this chapter ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35-42, John 1:11-12, John 3:16-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Guilty But Not As Charged Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 24, 2021

This passage makes it clear that man does not need to be totally depraved to be totally out of God's will, and that he who stands must beware less he fall.

A close study of the account of the fall of man has done more to open my eyes to the danger of tradition than any other study I have done. Those who profess to take it literally have done much in making it mythological by using it to teach lessons that have no basis in the text itself. Those who ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:12-14

Herod's Story

Contributed by Ken Carlson on Dec 30, 2018

In Matthew 2:13-23, we see the Christmas story through the lens of Herod the Great. In this passage we learn that when Jesus was born, hope entered our world!

MATTHEW 2:13-23 INTRODUCTION I hope you all had a very merry Christmas. And I’m sure most if you did. • But maybe some of you didn’t. • Maybe the much-sung words of "have a Holly jolly Christmas" wouldn't describe this time of year for you. • Maybe you wouldn’t describe this season ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:14, Matthew 2:15, Matthew 2:16, Matthew 2:17, Matthew 2:18, Matthew 2:19, Matthew 2:20, Matthew 2:21, Matthew 2:22, Matthew 2:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Friend Of God - James 2:20-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 6, 2021

We are often told to trust God. But this passage makes trust seem more desirable by casting it in the context of friendship. This message defines friendship and explores what it means to have that with God.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical ...read more

Scripture: James 2:20-24

Go Thy Way: The Centurion’s Faith Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 16, 2020

A Roman soldier, part of the army occupying Israel at the time, asked if Jesus would heal the soldier's servant. How Jesus responded is one of the classic passages of Scripture!

Background: Jesus has just recently delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), then healed the leper (Matt 8:1-4). Now He is approached by a Roman centurion (leader of 100 men) who asked Jesus for help. What would Jesus do, or say, in this situation? The text comes from Matthew’s Gospel, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should We Participate In Fasting?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 28, 2022

In this passage of Scripture, God was asking the people why they had fasted. They were urged to be merciful and just people. Do our actions resemble the actions of the Jews from our reading?

In verses 1-7: For the past 70 years, individuals had been holding a fast in August to recollect the annihilation of Jerusalem. Since Jerusalem was being rebuilt, they went to the Temple to inquire as to whether they needed to proceed with this yearly fast. God did not address their inquiry ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Praise Him For The Promise Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 8, 2023

Last week we were focused on Jeremiah’s little book of comfort. Today we look at a similar passage in Isaiah - an oasis of hope amid a book of lost hope.

Note: There may or may not be sermon notes here for next week. We will be in Luke 2 for December 24th. Thanks for following along. - JED Praise Him For The Promise Isaiah 40:1-11 Introduction Kimball Gannon was born in Brooklyn in 1900. After going to law school and passing the bar, He became ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Enduring Trials With Faith: Transformed By The Gift Of Suffering Philippians 1:29 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 3, 2024

Explore the profound truth that our suffering can be a means of transformation and deeper faith. Our passage from Philippians 1:29 reminds us of the gift of suffering in the life of a believer.

Enduring Trials with Faith: Transformed by the Gift of Suffering Philippians 1:29 Introduction: Today, we explore the profound truth that our suffering can be a means of transformation and deeper faith. Our passage from Philippians 1:29 reminds us of the gift of suffering in the life of a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2, Philippians 1:29, Hebrews 11:6, 2 Timothy 3:12, James 1:2-4, Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Nicodemus At Night

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 24, 2023

We all need to grow & deepen our understanding of the great passages of scripture. The 3rd chapter of John is one of the greatest. It tells us of a man named Nicodemus.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK NICODEMUS AT NIGHT TEXT: John 3:1-17; Rev. 22:5; John 1:4-5; Romans 6:4-6; Acts 2:37-41 (This ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17, Revelation 22:5, John 1:4-5, Romans 6:4-6, Acts 2:37-41  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Listen To God: The Good Soil - Mark 4:20-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 16, 2023

Why is Scripture hard and why so many different conclusions about Jesus? Because he hid the truth in hard sayings. Why make it so hard? This passage explains.

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. Immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:20-25, Matthew 13:12, Luke 8:16-18