Sermons on Russ Blowers:

Our Great Struggle With Pride Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

Pride is an inaccurate and malformed understanding of one’s self-image and self-worth. It places our perspective above God, believes we know better than God, and propels us toward tragic consequences.

June 18 Our Great Struggle with Pride The lower we bend, the higher we fly. Pride is an inaccurate and malformed understanding of one’s self-image and self-worth. 1. Pride places our perspective above God’s. 2. Pride believes we know better for ourselves than God Critical connections: ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Life Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

What is the Great Life? The Great Life is a life given to the glory of God.

June 25 The Great Life Matthew 16:13-18 This morning I want to talk about The Great Life. As I researched the topic, I found a number of websites dedicated to The Great Life. One was a site helping people become entrepreneurs (logo of www.thegreat.life: build, live, enjoy). One was a site ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Outfitting For Ministry Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

The way of Jesus is the way of humble service to Him, His church, and others. God has given you gifts to build up the Body of Christ; to beautify the Bride of Christ.

July 16 Outfitting for Ministry The way of Jesus is the way of humble service to Him, His church, and others. God has given you gifts to build up the Body of Christ; to beautify the Bride of Christ. Four important truths from this verse: 1. These gifts are from the Spirit “A ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is Your Faith? Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

Faith counts on something being true even when it doesn’t appear to be so. “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” There is the physical world and there is the spiritual world.

April 23 Where is Your Faith? Luke 8:22-25 A couple of insights about faith Faith counts on something being true even when it doesn’t appear to be so. Hebrews 11:1 Everyone has faith. The question of faith: Where is your faith in the ordinary routines of life? v.22 If faith ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Want To Be Healed Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

We are all broken people living in a broken world. We’re all hoping in something to fix us. Only Jesus can make you well.

Series: Cross Examined Sermon: Do You Want To Be Healed? Scripture: John 5:1-9 We are all broken people living in a broken world. (vv 1-3) We’re all hoping in something to fix us. (vv 4-5) Only Jesus can make you well. (vv 6-9) INTRODUCTION Opening ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

What Has This Concern Of Yours To Do With Me? Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

Jesus is here to care about our smallest concerns. Jesus always keeps the priority of eternal over temporary. Jesus does what He does, when He does it and how He does it, so that the Father will be glorified and so that we are compelled to trust Him.

May 14 What Has This Concern of Yours to do with Me? John 2:1-12 Jesus is here to care about our smallest concerns. Jesus always keeps the priority of eternal over temporary. Jesus does what He does, when He does it and how He does it, so that the Father will be glorified and so that ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Become More Like Jesus Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

A real vision of Jesus catapults a person toward constant transformation. Notice how a genuine encounter with Jesus changes us: 1. It changes what we see. 2. It changes what we hear and do. 3. It changes what we become.

Become more like Jesus Acts 9:1-25 October 30, 2016 A real vision of Jesus catapults a person toward constant transformation. Notice how a genuine encounter with Jesus changes us: 1. It changes what we see. Vv.1-9 2. It changes what we hear and do. Vv.10-19 3. It changes what ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Being Jesus To The Overwhelmed Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

A real vision of Jesus catapults a person toward constant transformation.What do we do about suffering? Draw close to the God of all comfort. Draw close to those who are in need of God's comfort.

Being Jesus to the Overwhelmed 1 Corinthians 1:3-5 November 6, 2016 A real vision of Jesus catapults a person toward constant transformation. What do we do about suffering? 1. Draw close to the God of all comfort. vv.3-4a Romans 8:32 Being a Christ-follower does not insulate us from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Be Jesus To The Far Away Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

Being Jesus to the far away means: having confidence in our call, having compassion in our heart, and clarity in our message.

November 13 Be Jesus to the far away Acts 8:4-8 Being Jesus to the far away means: Having confidence in our call v.4 2 Corinthians 5:20 Having compassion in our heart v.5a Compassion = Love in action. 2 Corinthians 5:14 Having clarity in our message vv.5-6 “heard” = means we MUST share ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

Being Jesus To The Under Resourced Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

Moral wisdom and instruction about our money: get the right perspective, wealth is a passing, lowly, risky and received thing, get the right response, and get the right outcome.

United Being Jesus to the Under-resourced 1 Timothy 6:17-19 In 2015, over 290,000 people in Tarrant County lived in poverty income: $23,850 for a family of four 1/3 of Hispanic and African American children live in poverty in Tarrant county; in Arlington the percentage is 19%. This in a city, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Traditions: Preparation Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

An important preparation you’ll make this Christmas is the preparation of your heart.We make the best kind of preparation for Christmas when we fulfill our calling in Jesus, preach & live a compelling message, & understand our relationship with Him

Traditions: Preparation Mark 1:1-8 The most important preparation you’ll make this Christmas is the preparation of your heart John fulfilled his calling. John preached and lived a compelling message. John had an accurate perspective of himself. How do we make the best kind of preparation ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

To worship Jesus we must: risk the journey, know the word, and come with sacrifice and generosity.

December 11 Worship (Wise Men, Matthew 2:1-12) So what can we glean from this Christmas story about worship? 1. To worship Jesus, we must risk the journey vv.1-2 This Christmas, get past the glitz and glitter and presents and parties and become a genuine worshipper of the Messiah. Risk ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Togetherness Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

How does the Christmas story remind us about the value of relationships? When relationships get difficult, Jesus brings us together. When we feel isolated, Jesus brings us together. When Jesus brings us together, that is something to be treasured.

December 18 Togetherness Luke 2:1-20 How does the Christmas story remind us about the value of relationships? 1. When relationships get difficult, Jesus brings us together 2:1-5 (on screen) Matthew 1:18-21 2. When we feel isolated, Jesus brings us together 2:6-15 (on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Celebration Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

We can celebrate the coming of the Messiah, the chosen one; the anointed one. And Mary’s song gives us at least 3 reasons to celebrate: greatness of the Lord, gospel of the Lord, and plans of the Lord.

December 24/25 Celebration (Song of Mary) Luke 1:39-55 During the month of December, we have been taking a look at the various traditions that we need to maintain for Christmas to maintain its rightful place in our hearts. I’m not talking about traditions like hanging lights, decorating ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Baptist

Going After The One Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

Our lives are most meaningful, most fulfilled, most exciting when we join Jesus on His mission. The One=the one who is lost and separated from the Father: The risk, The intentionality, The dedication, and The reward.

January 22 Going after The One Luke 15:3-10 Our lives are most meaningful, most fulfilled, most exciting when we join Jesus on His mission. The One=the one who is lost and separated from the Father The risk The intentionality The dedication The reward The Father asks: “What will you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:3-10

Denomination: Baptist