Sermons on Russ Lawson:

The Beauty Of Clarity Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Jul 22, 2015

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

The Beauty of Clarity Matthew 5:8 Show some pictures and ask people what they see; multiple options w/in each picture. What do you see? You see what your heart is attuned to; what your heart values. Turn to Matthew 5:8 as we continue this series on the Beatitudes. In these Beatitudes, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Beauty Of Reconcilliation Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Jul 22, 2015

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God

The Beauty of Reconciliation Matthew 5:9 blessed (makarious): supremely happy. peace (eirene): more than just the lack of conflict; it is a state of being bound together; being properly related. Where does this peace come from? God Colossians 1:19-20 How is this peace given? Through the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

The Beauty Of Risk Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Jul 22, 2015

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

The Beauty of Risk Matthew 5:10-12 Two prevailing paradoxes emerge from this last beatitude: 1. Peace-making sometimes ends in conflict The conflict that ends in supreme happiness is a conflict based on the Christ-follower’s passionate pursuit of righteousness. Righteousness: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Beauty Of Poverty Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Jul 22, 2015

Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Beauty of Poverty Matthew 5:3 The Sermon on the Mount: a new way of viewing how one has a right relationship with God. blessed=makarious (Greek)=supremely happy. OUR secrets keep us from discovering THE secrets Jesus is revealing about how to gain supreme happiness. Secret #1: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Jul 30, 2015

People will respond to Jesus in one of three ways.

July 26, 2015 Church Planting The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Acts 13:42-51 Opening words: I love this story. D.L. Moody once spoke with a woman who didn't like his method of evangelism. He replied, "I don't really like my method either. What is yours?” She answered, “I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:42-51

Denomination: Methodist

Why Goto Church? Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Jul 30, 2015

This message answers he question, why go to church?

July 19, 2015 Why Go to Church? Isaiah 6:1-8 Opening Words: William Temple once said, “Worship is quickening the conscience by the holiness of God, feeding the mind with the truth of God, purging the imagination by the beauty of God, opening the heart to the love of God, and devoting the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

They Continued Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Aug 8, 2015

The church must continue to proclaim the good news!

August 2, 2015 Church Planting They Continued Acts 14:1-7 Opening words: Bob Woods tells the story of a couple who took their son, 11, and daughter, 7, to Carlsbad Caverns. As always, when the tour reached the deepest point in the cavern, the guide turned off all the lights to dramatize how ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Knock Down, Not Out Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Aug 14, 2015

We are call to be faithful, not successful

August 9, 2015 Church Planting Knocked Down, Not Out Acts 14:8-20 Opening words: In 1858 the Illinois legislature--using an obscure statute--sent Stephen A. Douglas to the U.S. Senate instead of Abraham Lincoln, although Lincoln had won the popular vote. When a sympathetic friend asked Lincoln ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:8-20

Denomination: Methodist

Saved By Grace! Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Aug 26, 2015

We are saved by grace.

August 23, 2015 Church Planting Saved by Grace! Acts 15:1-11 Opening words: I love this story. A young Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, when he was pulled over by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his guilt, but was told by the officer that he would ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Setting The Captives Free

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Mar 6, 2018

Are you a captive or are you free? Are you sharing this good news with others?

Setting the Captives Free Luke 4:16-21 Two questions each of us must answer: 1. Are you a captive or are you free? 2. Are you sharing this good news with others? Who in your life are u praying for? Who in your life are u witnessing to? Who in your life will u invite ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Palm Sunday

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Mar 7, 2018

Seeing Jesus' power over physical darkness that points to a greater power he has over spiritual darkness.

Turn to John 9:1-7 John=book of signs; 7 to show Jesus was the Messiah, son of God; this is the 6th Jesus has already declared in the previous ch that he is the light & that he has come to penetrate & push back the darkness. Now he chooses a specific event to illustrate his power over darkness in ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Christ, The Divider

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Mar 28, 2018

Salvation is God’s gracious gift offered to all broken people to deliver from the penalty and punishment of falling short of His demand for moral perfection.

Christ, the Divider Luke 23 & 24 Salvation is God’s gracious gift offered to all broken people to deliver from the penalty and punishment of falling short of His demand for moral perfection. ? This text affirms three great biblical truths: 1. We are saved in a moment of time. 2. We are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Peter Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Mar 28, 2018

God profiles ordinary people, some with huge character flaws, in order to show that He can use the weakest of us to accomplish His purposes and gain glory for Himself.

Peter Mark 14:66-72? God profiles ordinary people, some with huge character flaws, in order to show that He can use the weakest of us to accomplish His purposes and gain glory for Himself. 1. Like Peter, we make incredibly poor choices. ? 2. Like Peter, our poor choices don’t have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:66-72

Denomination: Baptist

Peter Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Apr 17, 2018

The story of Paul, his dark side and how later he lived his life for Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom.

How I was before I met Jesus ?How I met Jesus ?How my life is different since I met Jesus Acts 7:54-8:3. This morning we’re going to study the person we know as the Apostle Paul. The story of Paul is a story of redemption in Jesus Christ and a testimony that no one is beyond the saving grace of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: When Faith Gives Way To Fear Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Apr 17, 2018

The life of Abraham and how his faith gave way to fear, but God does not give up on him. Our failure doesn't mean that God is finished with us.

Fail Forward?Abraham: When faith gives way to fear? Genesis 12:10-13:4 God’s call to Abraham. Genesis 12:1?God’s promises to Abraham. Genesis 12:2-3 Abraham’s faith resulted in obedience. Genesis 12:4 ?Abraham’s faith resulted in worship. Genesis 12:7-8??Abraham’s faith gave way to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist