Sermons on Ruts:

Restoring My Awe Of God

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 30, 2018

Why would you want to settle for just “doing church” when you could be filled with the awe of God?

Mary and I are truly grateful to the church for providing us with some extended time off to celebrate our 40th anniversary. As usual, it was great to have some down time just to relax and be refreshed on our vacation and, other than the cold that I think I picked up on the way home when there were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:42-44

Denomination: Baptist

Do Your Assumptions Limit Your Service To God? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Feb 26, 2010

How many people today jump to conclusions based on the circumstances and situations they see in their lives, only to find out that what they had thought was WAAAAY off base! We do that spiritually as well...

Sermon Brief Date Written: February 26, 2010 Date Preached: February 28, 2010 Where Preached: Oak Park (AM) Sermon Details: Sermon Series: The Great Adventure – Rediscovering the Adventure Sermon Title: Do Your Assumptions Limit Your Service? Part 4 of 6 Sermon Text: Gen 15:5; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:5

Denomination: Baptist

Putting God First Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 26, 2021

If God is not Lord of all, He's not your Lord at all.

On Monday, Beth and I traveled north on 74. When merging onto westbound 80, the car in front of us unexpectedly swerved to avoid another car. Because of wet pavement, it started sliding sideways and spinning in circles. Beth started praying out loud for the driver while I braked and pulled onto ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Challenge Of Change Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

Paul becomes an ideal subject for the study of a Christian in a world of change. He went through the most radical change of any of the Apostles in his conversion. He had the most radical change of career, and faced the most radical changes in theological commitment.

On a dark November day in 1884 the people of Chicago passing over the bridge near Clark street were surprised. Below them at the dock was a ship piled high with Christmas trees of all sizes. The news raced through the city, and soon there were reporters there sensing a story, and they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-21

When The Stone Is Moved… And Life Is Opened

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 14, 2023

When the Stone is Moved… and Life is Opened Brad Bailey – Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023

When the Stone is Moved… and Life is Opened Brad Bailey – Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 Today we gather around the event that opened up life as we know it. An event which shook every life around it... and broke out through the region...and ultimately across the whole world. And today... I want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:14, Matthew 27:50-51, Romans 8:22, Romans 8:20, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 22:3, Luke 24:5-7, 1 Peter 1:3-4, Mark 16:1-7, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 1 Corinthians 15:26, 1 Corinthians 15:36-37, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 1 Corinthians 15:55  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Attitude Of A Servant Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 30, 2022

1) A Thankful Spirit (Romans 1:8), 2) A Concerned Spirit (Romans 1:9–10a), and finally 3) A Willing and Submissive Spirit (Romans 1:10b).

Romans 1:8–10. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-10

Denomination: Other

A Picture Of Gospel Partnership Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 3, 2025

When we’re gripped by the grace of the gospel, our hearts overflow with love for God’s people.

A Picture of Gospel Partnership Philemon 1-7 Rev. Brian Bill November 1-2, 2025 Perhaps you’ve wondered about the process I go through to choose what to preach on. After an extended time of prayer, I think through our four G’s (Gather, Grow, Give, and Go) to see if there’s a value that we need to ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessed Shepherd PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 19, 2025

The sermon emphasizes that our true purpose is to know God personally, trusting Jesus as our Shepherd who lovingly guides, protects, and restores us.

Some of us walked in today with a knot in the stomach and a prayer on the lips. Bills on the counter. Headlines on the phone. A diagnosis pending. A family strained. And yet, here we are, in a quiet room with a God who isn’t quiet about His love. He speaks. He calls. He carries. He cares. He’s not ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 5:4

Topics: Safety, Shepherd, Protection

Why? Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 6, 2022

First message after being hospitalized with COVID pneumonia and blood clots. In this message using God's call of Abraham I answer the question (as best I can) as to why God choose to hear my prayers and heal me, while so many other He did not.

WHY? Powerful Passages SO – good morning Maple Grove! MAN – it is so good to be standing before you all today. I MEAN – it has been a minute, right? LIKE – the last time I stood up here was back on July 18th 9 weeks ago when we were kicked off our series ‘Powerful Passages’ by looking at a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Ministry Of John The Baptist - Parts 1 & 2 Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 8, 2025

When God breaks into human history, He calls His people to repentance, readiness, and radical obedience—and He raises courageous messengers to prepare the way for the coming King.

The Ministry of John the Baptist (Parts 1 & 2) January 11, 2026 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Luke 3:1-20 INTRODUCTION — WHEN GOD SPEAKS AFTER SILENCE There are moments in history when heaven seems quiet. We’ve talked a couple of times about how in Israel’s story, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-20

Denomination: Brethren

Loving God Through Worship Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Mar 17, 2006

"Living a Life of Love" - Part 3. This message spells out seven principles on how to W.O.R.S.H.I.P. God.

LOVING GOD THROUGH WORSHIP Living a Life of Love – 3 Psalm 95 March 19, 2006 INTRODUCTION: Today we will be continuing in our series titled “Living a Life of Love.” In week one our theme was love your spouse. Last week our theme was love each other and this week our theme is love God. How do ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Something Old, Something New, What To Do When Change Makes You Blue Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 17, 2006

A poignant and humorous study of the way the Church must continually adapt and change in order to remain effective.

1. Title: Something Old, Something New, What To Do When Change Makes You Blue 2. Text: several 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd, October 22, 2006, last in a series on worship, leading up to our 10th anniversary the next week 4. Objectives: -for the people to understand that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Examples Set By A Healthy Church

Contributed by Tony Miano on Dec 8, 2000

Our encouragement today should be that almost two thousand years ago another small church, planted in a community probably not too unlike our own, became a model for other new churches throughout the world.

Examples Set By a Healthy Church First Thessalonians 1:5-7 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church October 8, 2000 Introduction: Last week we looked at three characteristics or building blocks essential to building a healthy church. We saw through the church in Thessalonica’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7

Denomination: *other

Kingdom Growth Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 15, 2000

: David teaches us that there are two-core principles we need to have in our life if we want to grow the kingdom of God. First there is the necessity for a passionate love for God and a heart that communicates regularly with the Lord

Kingdom Growth Thesis: David teaches us that there are two-core principles we need to have in our life if we want to grow the kingdom of God. First there is the necessity for a passionate love for God and a heart that communicates regularly with the Lord. Texts: II Samuel 5-24 I Chronicles ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 13:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Struggling With Sin Within During Suffering

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Aug 24, 2009

Proposition: When you are suffering, it is easier to agonize over the loss of God’s outward blessing and proper relationship to God Himself, than keep an upbeat attitude and keep from sinning in one’s inward spirit.

STRUGGLING WITH SIN WITHIN DURING SUFFERING--Job 23:1-7, 15-17; 24:1, 4-6; 42:3-4 Proposition: When you are suffering, it is easier to agonize over the loss of God’s outward blessing and proper relationship to God Himself, than keep an upbeat attitude and keep from sinning in one’s inward ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-7

Denomination: Baptist