Sermons on Rites Of Passage:

The Lord Is With You

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 12, 2015

In this passage, it almost seems like Peter is heavily focused on persecution of the Christians he's writing to... and then he just switches gears and talks about something totally unrelated. It seems that way, but it's not.

OPENING: When I asked you to turn to I Peter 3:13 this morning, did you realize that about 800 years ago… you couldn’t have done that? Do you know WHY you couldn’t have turned to I Peter 3 back then? Because there were no chapter divisions. That didn’t happen until 1227, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Quick Slow Slow (James 1:19-20) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 10, 2021

We all struggle with sinful anger. For some it’s violent and red-faced; for others it’s a quiet, building resentment. Whatever the form, James teaches us how to overcome it in this passage.

James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

How To (Mis)interpret The Bible

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 9, 2022

While this passage teaches about divorce, it also provides an interesting case study in how believer manipulate what the Bible says for their own benefit. We'll look at five aspects of that.

- Probably the most obvious way to preach this passage would be to preach a sermon about what the Bible says about divorce. That’s an important subject, but I’m interested in something else as I dig in. - This passage provides an interesting case study into how we interpret (or, more accurately, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Christ: The Resurrection And The Life

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 16, 2022

Jesus' act of raising Lazarus from the dead is one of the most thrilling and wondrous passages in Scripture. It shows His undeniable authority over the last enemy of humanity and was a public display of His power.

The ultimate state of helplessness is death. Once it overpowers you, regardless of age, status, education, health, or situation, you are in no state either to conquer its grip upon you, nor do you have any control over anything that you had considered valuable or precious, for none of it cannot ...read more

Scripture: John 11:32-44, John 12:1, John 12:10, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:13, Acts 4:12, 1 Peter 1:18-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is The Lord God Of Elijah? (1 Of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 5, 2022

As I read through this passage, it appears that Elijah is testing Elisha. Look at verse 2. He said to Elisha, “...Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el...”

But notice Elisha’s response in that same verse, “...As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee...”Then look at verse 4. Elijah seems to test Elisha again. He said, “...tarry here...for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho...” Again, same verse, Elisha responds, “...As ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

John Series Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Oct 3, 2021

The world is in desperate straits. It is full of darkness—the darkness of sin and despair, of sickness and death, of corruption and hell. The darkness looms over the whole world. This is the problem dealt with in the present passage. There is hope in Jesus Christ

John Series Part 3 John 1:9-13 Pastor Rodney A. Fry, MA, MDIV, MS, LPC Jesus the Light of Men: The Second Witness of John the Apostle, 1:9–13 (1:9–13) Introduction: the world is in desperate straits. It is full of darkness—the darkness of sin and despair, of sickness and death, of corruption and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

An Examination Of The Rapture Of The Church – Part 4 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 25, 2022

This is the final PART of the Rapture series. It examines the Thessalonians passage, the twinkling of an eye, the fact that the Church won't enter the Tribulation, and closes with some overall thoughts about the current world before the Rapture.

AN EXAMINATION OF THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH – PART 4 OF 4 This will be the final PART in this series we have been considering about the blessed hope that we know as The Rapture. In the last message we were looking at the two major New Testament passages about the Rapture. We did the Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, Titus 2:11-13, 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seeking The Lord: A Journey Of Continual Pursuit Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 6, 2024

Psalm 105:4 calls us to seek the Lord with unwavering dedication. As we delve into this passage, we will discover what it means to seek His presence continually and how this pursuit transforms our lives.

Seeking the Lord: A Journey of Continual Pursuit Introduction: Today, we will explore the profound depths of Psalm 105:4, a verse that calls us to seek the Lord with unwavering dedication. As we delve into this passage, we will discover what it means to seek His presence continually and how this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:4, Hebrews 11:6, Isaiah 40:31, Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Transformed By Truth: Celebrating God's Majestic Care Psalm 68:4-5 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 17, 2024

Psalm 68:4-5 is a powerful passage highlighting God’s majesty and compassionate care for the vulnerable. Let us understand and be transformed by the truth of who God is and how He operates in our lives.

Transformed by Truth: Celebrating God's Majestic Care Psalm 68:4-5 Introduction Today, we will explore Psalm 68:4-5, a powerful passage that highlights God’s majesty and His compassionate care for the vulnerable. Our goal is to understand and be transformed by the truth of who God is and how ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 68:4-5, Psalm 68:4, Psalm 97:1-2, Psalm 68:5, Luke 10:30-37, James 1:27, Micah 6:8, 1 Peter 1:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

An Outline For Acts 18:18-23

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 8, 2023

This outline is admittedly brief but covers a section of Paul's life where a lot of things took place. The passage and outline might be good for a devotional or lesson. Feel free to use this as the Lord leads.

Introduction: This passage is brief but covers a good bit of time during Paul's life and work. Text: Acts 18:18-23, KJV: 18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Racing Time

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Nov 13, 2023

Greetings Something new in God’s Word? Familiar passage with new eyes? Each week I ask you this question because I genuinely care about your relationship with our Savior.

One morning in 1986 I was all alone on a 4-wheeler with 50 acres to myself. I was off-work that day, so I decided to drive from Spring to Centerville to surprise my mom with a visit. I got there, she wasn’t there, but the 4-wheeler was. That day, I rode that 4-wheeler for all it was worth. Just me ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-9

Emmaus Or Damascus?

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Nov 15, 2023

Incredible Passion Week Did it cause a growth in your walk? Did you read something new in God’s Word, past week? Did you see familiar passage with new eyes?

Title of today’s message is Emmaus or Damascus? The purpose of today’s message is: 1. Give us clarity 2. Encourage us 3. Draw us closer to Jesus 4. Remind us of our purpose as Christians • In doing this, I’d like to: o Compare the Road to Emmaus to the Road to Damascus o Examine some ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:16, Acts 9:8

What Does It Mean To Believe?

Contributed by Dawn Duryea on Mar 11, 2024

Do you ever wonder what it means to “believe?” Today we are going to consider what it means to “believe” by examining the passage from Numbers 21 alongside the gospel reading from John 3.

Is it true that you just believe in Jesus and you are saved? When I first became a Christian at the age of 16 and was taking confirmation classes at Cocoa Presbyterian Church, I remember Reverend Flanagan telling us that if you believe in Jesus you will be saved. Right away that statement raised ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21, Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: United Methodist

Servant Leadership: The Path To Transformation Mark 9:35 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 29, 2024

In Mark 9:35, Jesus introduces a revolutionary concept of leadership—a paradigm shift that challenges worldly notions. Today, let's delve into this passage and explore the transformative power of servant leadership.

Servant Leadership: The Path to Transformation Mark 9:35 Introduction: In Mark 9:35, Jesus introduces a revolutionary concept of leadership—a paradigm shift that challenges worldly notions. Today, let's delve into this passage and explore the transformative power of servant leadership. Point ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:35, Matthew 20:28, Mark 9:36-37, Philippians 2:3-4, Mark 9:38-41, Galatians 5:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gifts Are Available Today Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 29, 2024

Session 2: This second study looks at three more passages on spiritual gifts. It also discusses "the view of cessation" and "the difference between talents and spiritual gifts."

Last week, we began our study on spiritual gifts by discussing the work of the Holy Spirit. We learned that an individual is filled with the Spirit at the very moment of salvation, when he or she confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We discovered that the phrase “being filled with the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-13

Denomination: Baptist