Sermons on Services:

Are You Willing To Be Offered?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 19, 2022

We are to shine like lights in a shadowy world. And to do that, we may have to be offered up for the sake of others.

In light of everything that Christ was willing to do for them, Philippians 2:12-18 explains how Christians ought to live. The directive to “work out” salvation is to let the new birth in Christ manifest itself in one’s actions. Believers should serve God without complaining or griping as part of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Daily Sacrifice

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 24, 2022

Paul has provided guidelines for how believers are to live in a sinful world.

Paul provides guidelines for living as redeemed people in a fallen world, moving from the theological to the practical. We are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Christ, to follow the law, to love our neighbors, and to especially care for the faithless. In the Old Testament, priests had ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do You Have Vision?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 26, 2022

Vision is both a physical necessity and a spiritual necessity. Lacking either one can be detrimental in our well being.

In this verse, the prophets’ revelation is referred to as a vision. Crime and sin thrive in places where people are ignorant of God. Public morality is dependent not only on knowing about God but also on adhering to God’s laws. People must know God’s ways and follow His rules for both nations and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, 1 Samuel 3:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Taking Inventory

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 26, 2022

The process of counting what a company has in its inventory is known as taking inventory. Can we apply this same process to our Christian walk?

Taking Inventory of the Church: Paul is discussing a trip with Barnabas. Why did Paul take this second missionary journey and what was the purpose? Why would they want to go? Why should they? What has happened since his last visit? How many have been converted? He wants to go back and check on the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:36-41

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Servant Leadership Series

Contributed by Michael Monica on Jan 1, 2023

Understanding Servant Leadership

Matthew 20:17-28 & Luke 18:31-34 [Intro] (1) Review: The Rich young man and the laborers in the vineyard / 11th hour workers. (2) Jesus / disciples are journeying closer to Jerusalem where Jesus will be betrayed and given over to the chief priests and he will be crucified. The disciples most ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Time To Get Back To Work

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 2, 2023

It appears like everybody needs something from us, family members, friends, bosses at work, the schools that we may attend, our churches, clubs, etc. We wind up racing through life, taking care of the necessary, the immediate, and the urgent.

Repeatedly the important is abandoned. Our problem is not the volume of requests or lack of organizational skills, but values - what is really important to us. Our values and our priorities are reflected in how we use our assets/resources. Frequently our activities give a false representation of ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Simple Steps For An Extraordinary New Year

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jan 6, 2023

Psalm 22 begins as a lament - a desperate plea to God from someone who knows how much he needs God. The terms are clear - without God there is no hope. With God there is always hope, and David gives us a map here, finding hope when challenges are all around us

_____________ To receive sermon notes in your email inbox, subscribe here: https://forsythesermons.substack.com/ To receive emails from John Dobbs on topics of faith, books, photography, and miscellany: https://johndobbs.substack.com/ To watch videos of sermons from Forsythe Church of Christ: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:22-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Are We To Do When God Does Nothing?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 11, 2023

This is a story about one of two men that did not die. Enoch had walked with God and was taken so that he did not see death, Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind.

In the preceding chapter, Elijah has a contest with evil prophets. In this chapter, Elijah flees for his life. In verses 1-4: Jezebel was maddened with regards to the passing of her prophets since they had told her what she wanted to hear, forecasting her future glory and power. Their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Am I Using Faulty Tools?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 30, 2023

The simple things or actions during our Christian walk of faith are just as important as with the things that seem major.

2 Kings 6:1-7 Elisha has now succeeded Elijah as a prophet to the Northern Kingdom (2 Kings 2:1-18). He has by now already prophesied and God has performed a few miracles through him. But now we will see something peculiar, he makes an axe head float. This situation shows how God cares for His ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Do We Know If The Bush Is Still Burning?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Sep 16, 2023

This is the story of when Moses was tending sheep and saw a bush burning that was not consumed by the fire.

What a differentiation between Moses' life as an Egyptian ruler and his life as a Midianite shepherd. As a ruler, he had everything accomplished for him since he was the renowned child of an Egyptian princess. As a Midianite shepherd, he needed to thoroughly take care of himself. He was holding ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Words To The Weary

Contributed by Richard Bowman on Sep 19, 2023

Serving Christ may be wearisome. We do not always receive an immediate reward but God notices as we persist.

A WORD TO THE WEARY Warsaw Christian Church, Richard Bowman, Pastor Text: Galatians 6:7 – 10: Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

"It’s That Simple. It’s That Complicated”

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 15, 2021

How to love.

“It’s that Simple. It’s that Complicated” John 13:1-5, 12-15, 34-35 Have you ever taken a moment to think about how totally profound this encounter is between Jesus and His disciples on the night that Jesus was betrayed? I’m not referring to the fact that Jesus washed His disciples’ dirty ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-35

Denomination: United Methodist

Layers Of An Onion

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Jun 28, 2021

I was originally drawn to this passage because of this conversation between Jesus and Peter. I wanted to understand the deeper meaning of what was being said here. I have learned that and much more. I found four layers to the onion.

Have any of you tried a fried blooming onion? They taste great. If you haven’t had one - they cut open a sweet Vidalia onion and dip it in batter and deep fry it and all the layers spread out. You are probably wondering why I am talking about onions and making everyone hungry; it is because onions ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Seven Ones

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 29, 2021

This passage is the beginning of a "handbook" for the Christian disciple.

7 Ones – Ephesians 4: 1 - 16 Intro: I found the following poem while researching this sermon. “One night, I had a wondrous dream; one set of footprints there was seen, the footprints of my precious Lord, but mine were not along the shore. But then some stranger prints appeared, and I asked the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Serve Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 2, 2021

We strengthen our relationships when we help and serve the other person. Serving goes along with a way to love others.

Building better relationships, building stronger relationships, building more sincere relationships—that’s what we have been learning from God’s Word for the past few weeks. God has taught the roles of LOVE, ENCOURAGEMENT, and FORGIVENESS and the parts each plays to build authentic relationships. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15, Galatians 6:1-5, Galatians 6:10, Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist