Sermons on Russ Lawson:

Practice Makes Perfect

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Apr 17, 2023

The Apostle Peter certainly was very comfortable speaking about practice as tending toward growth in Christian discipleship.

TITLE: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT SCRIPTURE: II PETER 1:5-10 Anyone who has ever achieved at a really high level knows that there is no substitute for practice. Sure, we've all heard stories of exceptionally gifted people who are able to master a subject or discipline on their first ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross, The Center Of Our Theology

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Mar 11, 2024

Since the beginning, Christians have identified themselves with the Cross on which Jesus died. And whether it’s carved in wood or etched on our hearts, the Cross is the chief symbol and defining reality of the Christian faith.

TITLE: THE CROSS, THE CENTER OF OUR THEOLOGY SCRIPTURE: I CORINTHIANS 15:1-11 We are swiftly moving through the month of March and our walk towards Calvary. All roads lead to Calvary where we find an ole rugged cross. The cross of Christ is the center or ground zero of salvation. It is the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Five Requirements Of Faith

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on May 15, 2023

Abraham failed at times and had doubts like we do. He wasn’t perfect. This is the reason he is an excellent example of what it means to live a vibrant life of faith.

TITLE: THE FIVE REQUIREMENTS OF FAITH SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 12:1-2 / JOSHUA 24:2-3 (The five topical points are from Dr. Charles Stanley with my defining of each) This morning will be the third installment of our “Faith Walk Series.” Recall with me a few weeks ago we shared the message “Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-2, Joshua 24:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Christmas Gift

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Dec 21, 2022

God gave us the best gift we could ever receive, the most beautiful and holy of gifts. Whether or not His birth is on December 25, it is the celebration of the most important gift we have ever received.

TITLE: THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS GIFT SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 1:18-23 This time of year is profoundly fraught with multi-layered meanings – • Family traditions • Economic success for merchants • The winter solstice • The pause between the end of the lunar year and the longer solar year • Our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Unclean

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Apr 30, 2024

Unclean spirits are more than demons– more than the voices in our heads. In today’s scripture, Jesus finds the unclean spirit in the church

TITLE: UNCLEAN SCRIPTURE: ST. MARK 1:21-28 / LEVITICUS 13:45 We don’t know what Jesus was preaching in the Synagogue in Capernaum. History didn’t record what he said, but people were astounded by it. This makes me think of the people – the men – who witnessed this. I can imagine them saying ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28, Leviticus 13:45

Denomination: Baptist

A Labor Shortage

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Aug 5, 2024

I want to discuss a related spiritual phenomenon that has existed for a long time and whose solution is one that I think we can all grasp and work towards. I want us to consider a spiritual labor shortage which is one that was pointed out by Jesus and continues to this day.

TITLE: A LABOR SHORTAGE SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 9:35-38 / ST. LUKE 10:1-4 There has been a lot of talk recently about a current labor shortage, as many businesses find themselves short-staffed and unable to find or keep employees. I will defer to those with more expertise in the economic field ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38, Luke 10:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

02 Joy In Adversity Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottom Line: Joy flourishes when Christ is exalted, even in the face of hardship.

Last week, we began a new series through Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. The Book of Philippians shows what it means to live with defiant joy. And here’s what I mean by that: “defiant joy” is a joy that stands firm regardless of what life throws our way. Even in his imprisonment, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

03 Joy In Humility Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottomline: Joy flourishes when we embrace Christlike humility.

If you’ve ever heard about the life of Mother Teresa, you know her story is remarkable. She spent decades serving the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, India, tending to people who had nothing—no money, no health, no hope. She didn’t live for comfort, recognition, or personal success. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

04 Joy In Obedience Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottomline: Joy flourishes when we obey God with faithfulness and serve others in love.

Defiant joy. It’s not a fleeting happiness tied to circumstances but a resilient, unshakable joy that thrives regardless of what life brings. That’s the kind of joy Paul writes about in his letter to the Philippians. Over the past three weeks, we’ve explored how this joy can flourish in our lives ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

05 Joy In Knowing Christ Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottomline: Joy flourishes when we treasure knowing Christ above all else.

Over the past several weeks we’ve been working our way through Paul’s letter to the Philippians and we’ve discovered how joy isn’t something that simply happens to us. It’s a deliberate response to the realities of who Christ is and what He’s done in our lives. We've explored how joy can ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

06 Joy In Pressing On Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 19, 2025

Bottomline: Joy flourishes when we press on for heaven’s hope, not earthly glory.

We’ve been walking through Paul’s letter to the Philippians, exploring what it means to have defiant joy—a joy that flourishes regardless of circumstances because it is anchored in Christ. Each week, we’ve uncovered different aspects of this joy: Week 1: Joy flourishes when we share in God’s ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fool Around And Find Out

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Feb 24, 2025

Pharaoh had been warned ten times already to let God’s people go, yet by sending his army after Israel, Pharaoh revealed that he still had not learned.

TITLE: FOOL AROUND AND FIND OUT SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 5:2 / EXODUS 15:1 I want to lift as a thought this morning from this text – FOOL AROUND AND FIND OUT. We hear the words from EXODUS and whether we like it or not, fragments of clips begin to play in our imagination. For some of us the scenes ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:2, Exodus 15:1

Denomination: Baptist

07 Joy In Peace Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 27, 2025

Joy flourishes when we rest in God’s presence and experience His peace.

Have you ever watched video footage of a hurricane? The winds howl, rain pours in sheets, and everything in its path is shaken. But in the very center of the storm, there’s something incredible: the eye of the storm. While chaos swirls all around, the eye remains calm. The storm is still there. The ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

08 Joy In Contentment Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 27, 2025

Joy flourishes when we pursue contentment in Christ.

Throughout this series, we’ve explored how defiant joy flourishes in the life of a believer. This defiant joy is anchored in Christ and not swayed by circumstances. Each week, I’ve shared a core truth from each section of the book of Philippians, and I want to briefly remind you of those this ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I'm All In

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Mar 3, 2025

The widow is ‘all in.’ She holds back nothing, keeps nothing in reserve. What would it be like to live like that? What would it take to live an ‘all in’ life?

TITLE: I’M ALL IN SCRIPTURE: ST. MARK 12:38-44 Jesus has just recently entered Jerusalem, in that triumphal entry that we observe on Palm Sunday. But he has also recently driven out of the temple those who were selling and buying, angrily declaring that this HOUSE OF PRAYER HAS BECOME NOTHING ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist