Sermons on Ritual:

Private Worship Is Essential For A Healthy Relationship With God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2018

Though public worship is vital to the growth of a congregation, private worship must never be neglected. In fact, private worship is essential if we will worship corporately. The message explores by examining an incident in the life of Gideon.

“As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped.” [1] Pastors will not have spent much time in the pastorate until they learn the awful truth that preparing for worship is such intense work and so demanding that worship may often be ignored! It is a tragic ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Get Right Or Be Left

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 5, 2018

A study in the book of Exodus 29: 1 – 45

Exodus 29: 1 – 45 Get Right or be left 29 “And this is what you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests: Take one young bull and two rams without blemish, 2 and unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil (you shall make them ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What ---No Escargots?

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 30, 2018

A study in the book of Leviticus 11: 1 – 47

Leviticus 11: 1 – 47 What ---No Escargots? 11 Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: 3 Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Fan The Flame Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 21, 2015

Disciples must refresh commitment to serving from time-to-time. This is accomplished through renewal of service to the Lord Christ.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” [1] For many Christians, perhaps even for most Christians, the memory of immediate changes that accompanied the new birth lingers in the hallowed halls of treasured events. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Starting Point Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 19, 2013

In John 3:1-10, Jesus exposes the danger of false assurance and presents the “Starting Point” in the possession of eternal life. It came through 1) The Point of Inquiry (John 3:1–3), 2) The Point of Insight (John 3:4-8), and 3) The Point of Indictment

With Pope Benedict XVI’s shocking resignation this week, Evangelical Christians might be tempted to see this the way a college football fan might view the departure of his rival team’s head coach. But the global stakes are much, much higher. As Pope Benedict steps down, I think ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-10

Denomination: Other

Can The Contemporary Church Be Salvaged?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 22, 2014

We shall either live as followers of Christ or as enemies of the cross of Christ. There is no in between.

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Seagulls In The Empress

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 3, 2018

The teaching you receive will either equip you to honour the Master or will serve to allow birds to invade and despoil your life.

“When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. ‘Watch out,’ Jesus said to them, ‘beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ So, they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we brought no bread.’ When Jesus learned of this, he said, ‘You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Can’t Hit The Broadside Of A Barn

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 12, 2018

A study in the book of 1 Samuel 20: 1 – 42

1 Samuel 20: 1 – 42 Can’t hit the broadside of a barn 20 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and went and said to Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my iniquity, and what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” 2 So Jonathan said to him, “By no means! You shall not die! Indeed, ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Behold Your King! (John 18:28-19:16) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 6, 2022

When we look at Jesus during his trial, what do we see? Who do we see? Also, Pilate should not be read sympathetically. He's not open-minded, and he fears the wrong thing/person.

When you read commentators on the Gospel of John, there are two very different ways to understand our story today, about Jesus' trial before Pilate. Everyone agrees that the focus of today's story, in many ways, is on Pilate. He is the only one in every scene. He's like the glue that ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-40, John 19:1-16

A Return To True Worship Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 21, 2024

God is to be worshiped as both "Father" and "Spirit.” Spirit is nature. Father is relationship. The issue of worship is not where and when it is done as much as who and how.

Topic: A RETURN TO TRUE WORSHIP: Objective: “Understanding the meaning, function, purpose and responsibility of being a New Testament priest” KEY SCRIPTURE; 1 PETER 2;1-10 The Ark of God's presence will return to our midst when we return to true worship. This is not worship ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Spirituality - How To Be Filled With The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Nov 28, 2000

Spirituality and carnality are abolute states. You can KNOW FOR SURE how to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and it’s totally a function of grace when you name your sins to God. It has NOTHING to do with works ("yielding", "surrendering", etc.)

Spirituality - How To Be Filled With The Holy Spirit (1 John 1:9) [HTTP formatted version of this sermon is located at http://members.aol.com/abidingitw/spiritl.html] While the most confused issue for the unbeliever has to be the gospel with so many false choices and imitations, I believe ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Worship 101

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Oct 4, 2002

how to worship

Worship 101 John 4:21-24 In Vancouver today, there is something stirring… the Queen’s visit. Excitement about it. On the news when the Queen arrived in Iqaluit, Nunavut, she was driven around in an SUV. Because of the height of the SUV, it was difficult for her to get off the vehicle. But the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-24

Denomination: Evangelical Free

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Dec 17, 2001

A sermon for pastors and church leaders. It is a message on leadership illustrated from the interactions between Samuel and Saul.

I Samuel 14:47: After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. Saul was a fighting King. He was a great general. He dealt all kinds ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-29

Denomination: Holiness

His Gift To The Guilty

Contributed by Mike Hays on Sep 9, 2001

What the blood of animals shed in the Temple could never do, God has done for His people through the sacrifice of His Son on our behalf. Receive the perfect sacrifice that sets us free and cleanses us before His presence.

His Gift To The Guilty Hebrews 10:1-18 Guilt is an interesting word. It is the opposite of innocence and according to the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary it means, "the fact of having committed a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving a penalty; the state of one who has ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Shall We Be One?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 9, 2004

Truth separates so we need a scorecard and denominations until we are Raptured.

We sing the songs of Zion saying that we are one in the Spirit and one in the Lord and while we are marching we are not divided all one body we, but in practice we are not. We sing the ideals and walk in the stark reality. Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 4:4-6 the unity and oneness of the Church ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15

Denomination: Baptist