Sermons on Services:

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

What Does It Mean To Be Commissioned?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Feb 6, 2023

Isaiah’s perspective on God in the initial four verses gives us a feeling of God’s significance, power, and mystery. Isaiah's case of perceiving his sin before God urges us to admit our own wrongdoings.

Isaiah 6:1-13 The image of absolution that Isaiah gives advises us that we are pardoned as well. At the point when we perceive how incredible God is, how guilty we are, and the degree of His absolution, we get the strength to accomplish His work. How does our idea of the significance of God match ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does Love Have To Do With It?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jun 25, 2023

John 13:31-35 contains perhaps the most remarkable command given to Christians: that love for others is the characterizing indication of faith for ''all individuals,'' denoting the existence of a genuine believer.

Jesus outlines this as a new commandment, utilizing His own model as the norm. In giving this charge, Jesus indeed predicts His looming demise and exit from earth. To cherish others was not another new commandment (Leviticus 19:18), but rather to love others just as like Christ loved others was ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

People Of Prayer

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 10, 2022

Are we a people of action or a group of whiners? Do we sit and worry, or do we get up and do something about our problems?

Are we a people of action or a group of whiners? Do we sit and worry, or do we get up and do something about our problems? Zerubbabel had driven the primary group back to Jerusalem in 537 B.C. (Ezra 1:2) Ezra followed with the second gathering in 458 B.C. (Ezra 7) Now, Nehemiah was currently ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When I See The Blood

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 13, 2022

This is a call to Holy Living. So, what are we to do?

For as much as ye know: • Peter is speaking of the work of God for our salvation. • We stood under judgment of God. • Ezekiel 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. • That has not changed for God has not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

Minister On Purpose Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 5, 2021

This message looks at ministry or service. “Every believer isn’t a pastor, but every believer is called into ministry. God calls all believers to minister to the world and the church. Service in the body isn’t optional for Christians” - Rick Warren

This morning we’ll be viewing the purpose of “ministry” or “service.” In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says, “Growing up, you may have thought that being ‘called’ by God was something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other ‘full-time’ church workers experienced, but the Bible says ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Sharing Ministry Together

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 13, 2021

When the volunteer workload is placed on the shoulders of just a handful of people, then these individuals get burnt out; and since they can’t do everything, then a lot of needs go unmet. Ministry is something to be shared among all believers.

I wish to begin our message by sharing a personal account contributed by a pastor who was serving at a church in Washington State during the wake of the Mount St. Hellens eruption. This pastor said, After Mount St. Helens blew up in May 1980, [the] church needed cleaning up. Ash was in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist