Sermons on Seven Churches:

Hosanna

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 11, 2019

the Triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem, which we recall this Palm Sunday, we see: 1) The End of the Pilgrimage (Matthew 21:1a), the 2) The Exactness of Prophecy (Matthew 21:1b-7), 3) The Epitome of Praise (Matthew 21:8-9) and 4) The Element of Perplexity (Matthew 21:10-11)

Things are not always as they seem on the surface. When Elizabeth II had her coronation on June 02, 1953, to the casual observer, she made it look easy. As with so much in the line of royalty, the reality is a little different. Elizabeth II, who discussed her memories of her coronation in a BBC ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Other

Controlling Your Tongue - Philippians 4:5a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 3, 2022

The virtues that lead to unity

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. Introduction David’s brothers were all at the front lines of the battle, fighting for King Saul against the Philistines, and David gets sent to bring some food to his brothers. When he arrives, he asks what’s going on, and his brother ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:5

Behold Your King! (John 18:28-19:16) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 6, 2022

When we look at Jesus during his trial, what do we see? Who do we see? Also, Pilate should not be read sympathetically. He's not open-minded, and he fears the wrong thing/person.

When you read commentators on the Gospel of John, there are two very different ways to understand our story today, about Jesus' trial before Pilate. Everyone agrees that the focus of today's story, in many ways, is on Pilate. He is the only one in every scene. He's like the glue that ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-40, John 19:1-16

Don't Leave Home Without It - Genesis 28 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 24, 2021

Maybe it’s just every day when you get up you need to be thinking about what God is doing that is new and moving you forward.

Well in our story today we go to Genesis 28. It's a story about a man leaving home. He’s moving out. Which gives us some great applications for our lives. If you’re a young person today, you’re going to end up moving out of your house. So you’ll find some very specific applications in this ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Friend Of God - James 2:20-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 6, 2021

We are often told to trust God. But this passage makes trust seem more desirable by casting it in the context of friendship. This message defines friendship and explores what it means to have that with God.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical ...read more

Scripture: James 2:20-24

We Saw It, But We Don't Really Believe It!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 28, 2024

The struggle to believe is real, but it is overcome when we meet the Risen, Living Son of God.

“On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Controlling Runaway Thoughts - Philippians 4:8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 16, 2022

Get control of obsessive thoughts by forcing them through each of these 8 standards one at a time.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

It’s Not Your Party - James 4:13-17 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

What is the difference between wisely planning ahead and prideful presumption on the future?

James 4:13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then disappears. 15 Instead, ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

No Paycheck On Wednesday - James 5:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

How to synchronize the clock of your expectations with divine providence.

James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See, the farmer waits for the valuable crop of the land, being patient until he receives the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7

Pain In Heaven - James 5:10-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

Learning from our heroes

James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See, the farmer waits for the valuable crop of the land, being patient until he receives the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:10-11

Kept By The Power Of God - 1 Peter 1:4-5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 25, 2024

Not only is our inheritance kept for us, we are kept for it.

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:4-5

Feeling Abandoned By God? (Isaiah 49:14-50:3) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 3, 2025

Lady Zion feels abandoned by God. God comforts her by saying He will make her beautiful again, and give her children. God also says, she feels abandoned because she was-- but that's about to change.

A few weeks ago, in Isaiah 47, we read about the fall of Babylon, the capital city of the Babylonian empire. The city was described using female imagery-- as a delicate virgin daughter, as a queen. She was described as being proud, and boastful, and savage in her treatment of God's people. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:14-26, Isaiah 50:1-3, Isaiah 42:14

God, The Good Shepherd, Will Bring You Home (Isaiah 49:7-14) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 7, 2024

God promises his exiled people He will bring them from shame to honor, from exile to home, from being prisoners to freedom.

The last few weeks, we've spent a fair bit of time studying, and circling around, Isaiah 49:1-6. These verses (I've argued) are the words of the exilic prophet, who feels like his ministry to Israel has been a waste. He's accomplished nothing. He's poured out his strength for ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:7-14, Genesis 29:26-29

When People Hurt You - Ecclesiastes 3:15-4:3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 15, 2025

How do you avoid bitterness toward people who have hurt you and refuse to repent? Even when you affirm that God meant it for good, still, how do you not get upset over the fact that the person meant it for evil?

Ecclesiastes 3:15 Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed. 16 I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness. 17 I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous ...read more

2 Samuel Part 3

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Aug 11, 2024

NASB

This is "one of the most famous and tragic events of David’s life. We will pay close attention to how the storyteller presents the narrative, taking care to learn as much as we can while focusing on the primary message being communicated. Perhaps the question is not whether we will fail, but ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard