Sermons on Rites Of Passage:

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

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

Equal Value, Different Roles Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 8, 2019

God has created males and females with equal value but different roles. This sermon includes a biblical overview of the roles of men and women, and then explores two important New Testament passages.

Introduction: A. Last week, I shared a special sermon on the need for empathy in our lives. 1. It is really a timely subject and I appreciate the positive feedback I received. I hope we will put it into practice. 2. Today we will continue to take a break from our series on Romans and go back and ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Putting Jesus First

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 21, 2019

In this beautiful passage, God gives us six attributes of Jesus Christ: who he is and what it means for us. Jesus is not just part of our life. He IS our life!

Putting Jesus First Colossians 1:15-20 * 7/21/19 [Please contact me at kerry.n.haynes@gmail.com for sermon outline in Word.] American society is moving farther away from traditional religion. For the first time ever, the “none’s”--or those expressing no particular religious belief--amount to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:3, John 1:18, John 14:9, Psalm 89:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson Iia1: The Image Of The Invisible God Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 23, 2018

This is the most important passage (Colossians 1:15-2:7) of the Colossian letter. But what prompted Paul to produce this “great Christology,” as it has been called? It was the heresy[a] in Colossae.

4/20/18 Tom Lowe Lesson IIA1: The image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15a) Introduction: This is the most important passage (Colossians 1:15-2:7) of the Colossian letter. But what prompted Paul to produce this “great Christology,” as it has been called? It was the heresy[a] in Colossae. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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 Did Jesus Tell People To Stay Quiet About The Miracles?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 25, 2014

It's a curious thing: Jesus regularly instructed people to keep quiet about the miracle He'd done for them. This passage provides insight into why Jesus did that.

A LINGERING QUESTION: Why did Jesus tell people to stay quiet about the miracles? - Matthew 9:31. - This is something that happens repeatedly throughout the gospels: Jesus does a miracle and then instructs the healed not to share what happened. - It’s hard to understand: wouldn’t you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:27-34

Denomination: Baptist

Wealth Is A Gift From God

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Aug 10, 2013

It would appear that the Bible condemns the accumulation of wealth. Many passages of Scripture seem to suggest that the accumulation of wealth is evil while being poor is virtuous but only the love of money is condemned

Wealth is a gift from God It would appear that the Bible condemns the accumulation of wealth. Many passages of Scripture seem to suggest that the accumulation of wealth is evil while being poor is virtuous. It would appear that the Bible condemns the accumulation of wealth. The Biblical ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:27

Denomination: Charismatic

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

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

The Last Message Of Daniel. From Maccabean Persecution To The End Of Time. Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Jun 8, 2015

Here is where the mystery is described but not explained. One moment we are decades before Christ's first coming, the next, we are at the second coming. Dig deep. Find the truth of this passage!

11:35a “And some of those of understanding shall fall,” Even the most righteous, most helpful, most zealous, will be slain. Here is a warning for us today not to assume anything about church members undergoing persecution for the Lord. He takes home whom He will, when He will, for His ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Note-Worthy Observations Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 10, 2021

Who is Jesus? Who is the Messiah? This question is one of the basic questions for every living person. This passage deals with that question as Jesus asks His opponents to listen to the words of Holy Scriptures.

LUKE 20: 41-21:4 [JESUS’ LAST WEEK SERIES] NOTE-WORTHY OBSERVATIONS [Romans 1:3–4] The scribes, Sadducee and Pharisees did not dare question Jesus anymore. Why? The wisdom of His words silenced their cynicism and pride. With His opponents silenced, this controversy section concludes with Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

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