Sermons on Seek Ye First:

How Did We Get Here In The First Place Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Nov 13, 2014

First message in getting to the promised land. Deals with sin and overcoming it.

How did we get here in the first place? Series: Getting to the Promised Land Theme: What does it take to get to the promised land and how did we get where we are. Text: Jeremiah 29:11; Genesis 3 & 4 Introductions Study Review Thank you for being here tonight. Over the next few months we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Church Of God

The Church Of Ephesus, The Church That Had Left Their First Love Series

Contributed by Vernon L Caruthers on Apr 16, 2010

This is the 1st message from the book of Revelation. It focuses upon the letter Jesus sent by John to the church at Ephesus. Here was a church that had at one time loved the LORD with their all but in about 40 years that love had disappeared.

Sermons from the Book of Revelation: 04/11/2010 Sermon #1: The Church at Ephesus: The Church That Had Lost Its First Love: Scripture Ref: Revelation 2:1-7 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; ‘These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

How Do We Compare To Jesus First Disciples? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 1, 2016

When I think about the first disciples of Jesus there is one thing that I find really encouraging - they were very ordinary people, average people, people like you and me, people with faults and failings, imperfect people.

How do we compare to Jesus first Disciples? When I think about the first disciples of Jesus there is one thing that I find really encouraging - they were very ordinary people with very ordinary jobs - fishermen & a tax collector. If Jesus public ministry had begun here in Rayleigh and Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

First Sunday Of Christmas & Feast Of St John

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Dec 23, 2020

How St John can inspire us to share the good news of Christ

In the name of the Living God, Father, son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Today as we gather for the first Sunday after Christmas, we also take the time to celebrate St. John the apostle and evangelist. But before we talk about John, we should begin by breaking the stigma of what evangelist means, ...read more

Scripture: John 21:19-25

Denomination: Anglican

First Sunday Of Advent, Year B: Advent Hope

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 5, 2023

Optimism is an assessment. Hope is an act.

A man named John Hakel says his three-year-old daughter looked at a calendar and asked him, "Daddy, how many BE GOOD days until Christmas?" 1 Advent is not a penitential season; it’s a period of devout and expectant delight, yet we intuitively understand that it is not possible ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:33-37

Denomination: Catholic

A Study Of The Letter Of First John –the Testimony Of God Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 17, 2020

When John writes of the “love of God” he is literally referring to one’s “love for God. “Love for God” is expressed when one keeps God’s commands.

1 John 5:1-12 A police officer pulled over a driver and informed him that he was speeding. Just then, his wife, who was seated next to him, said, “I told you; you have to drive slowly until you get a license!” The policeman, surprised, exclaimed, “Were you driving without a license?” His ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The First Passover: An Exposition Of Exodus 12:1-14

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 22, 2020

The first Passover points the way to a greater second Passover.

The First Passover: An Exposition of Exodus 12:1-14 The Passover is a special day for the Jewish people. Even secular Jews celebrate it. It serves a purpose similar to Independence Day in the US or Cinco de Mayo in Latin and South America. The Children of Israel had served as slaves in Egypt for a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

She Keeps Her First Sabbath In Eighteen Years

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 11, 2022

The command to keep Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments. so how is it properly kept?

She Keeps her first Sabbath in Eighteen Years Luke 13:10-17 Notice that the LORD not only states keeping the Sabbath, but He also provides the rationale for keeping it. The LORD Himself rested from His work on the Seventh Day after creating the heavens and the earth. We don’t know exactly how He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 4:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

First Sunday Of Lent, Year A- The Tactics Of Temptation

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 21, 2023

C.S. Lewis made an astute observation in his masterful Screwtape Letters: the devil cannot manufacture real goods or pleasures; he’s stuck with the ones God has made and for which our natures have an inclination.

I saw this Cartoon of Satan tempting Jesus, saying: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a medium rare ribeye steak with truffle butter.” [Jesus is thinking to himself, “He’s getting better at this.”] Note that Jesus did not say, “Man cannot live by coffee alone, but he will ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-9, Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 1 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Sep 28, 2025

When we see what Jesus can do, two things becomes evident: We either believe that He is the Messiah capable of providing for us, or, we deny His ability to do anything for us and call Him, and His Word, a liar.

John, Part 8 Series: Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 1 John 2:1-11 - Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’re here today; dismiss children - Begin our next series in John titled: “Jesus’s First Public Events” (short 3 msgs.) -- Many things we will explore feel “out of order” ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Psalm 33:20-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 2 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 5, 2025

As Jesus confronted the "false religious" on-goings in the Temple, we must ask if we are willing to confront sin, cast it out, and live a life devoted to Him? Or, will we allow our own desires and emotions to lead us?

John, Part 9 Series: Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 2 John 2:12-22 - Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’re here today; dismiss children -- Continuing series; REM: John less focused on chronology; purpose (redeem) - Read John 2:12-22 / Pray Point 1 – Confronting Sin ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-22, Psalm 69:9, Revelation 3:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Sunday Of Advent, Year C: Not Very Christmasy.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 12, 2024

The Church tells the Christmas Story backwards: the focus is to prepare for the coming of the Lord: at the end of the world, and when Christ comes for us at the end of our individual worlds, at death.

Our Gospel from St. Luke today is a little unsettling. Not very Christmasy. Unseasonal thoughts about the end of the world. Yet, the word Advent from the Latin, adventus, means “coming.” The Church tells the Christmas Story backwards: the focus is to prepare for the coming of the Lord: at the end ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:36

Denomination: Catholic

Balaam's First Prophecies (Numbers 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 27, 2024

Can a crooked prophet be used by God? Let's look at Numbers 23.

Though he was hired to curse Israel, what was Balaam forced to do? Can even a bad prophet be used by God to tell the truth? Do we take God’s word at face value or look for excuses to change God’s mind? Let’s look at Numbers 23. What did Balaam request so that God would perhaps give him a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Putting Jesus First Isn't Easy. Series

Contributed by Michael Blitz on May 5, 2024

Martha's jealousy and anger drove her to the point where she was literally yelling at the Lord, and bossing him around. How did she get to this point? What is the point of service to God, family and church, and what can get in our way?

Good Morning. I got a fun story to start with as we dig into the story of Mary and Martha. It took place in 1956, and Tom Attridge was test piloting the brand new jet they wanted to use for the famous Blue Angels. Gunning it up to break the sound barrier, he was instructed to test fire his guns at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Anglican

Wolves In Sheep's Clothing.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 13, 2024

By their fruits shall ye know them.

WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING. Matthew 7:15-21. Jesus warns against false teachers (MATTHEW 7:15). They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are like the false prophets of Old Testament days, who preached ‘peace, peace’ when there was no peace (Jeremiah 6:14). Jesus warns us that there ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational