Sermons on sinclair ferguson: showing 301-315 of 1,022

Deadwood

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 7, 2008

What have you substituted in your life in exchange for God’s power? Is it rituals? Family activities, Spiritual mountaintop memories? Church duties?

I visited one of our members in the nursing home. He told me that he didn’t have long to live because of his diagnosis of cancer. So I inquired of his wisdom so I could perhaps glean some jewels of knowledge to help me along my life journey. One question that I asked him, was “What one thing would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:18-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 8, 2008

What are you sacrificing in exchange of obedience? Do you make spiritual deals such as: Buy Now - Pay Later! Or Low-Interest-Refinancing Available! Or Lease To Own?

OPTIONAL SERMON OPENER --------------- Money Grab Buy play money or go to http://www.hasbro.com/monopoly/pl/page.treasurechest/dn/default.cfm and print off monopoly money (free). Print off one page then you can use your church’s printer for the rest. Have ushers give one bill to every person who ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

House Guest

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 8, 2008

There is an unwanted houseguest in the home of the disciple. This freeloader--given to laziness and self-indulgence as well as pre-occupation with self is an enemy who does not have the disciple’s best interests at heart. It is called "carnality". Who’s i

---------OPTIONAL SERMON DVD VIDEO OPENER------- Have you ever came home to houseguests like this? OPENER: DVD CLIP Mrs. Doubtfire START: 7:32 Scene selection #2 “The Birthday Party” | Time: 1 min 45 sec. END: 9:10 | Robin Williams says “You’re Home Early Girlfriend” NOTE: It’s crucial that you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Against All Odds

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 9, 2008

Turning Steps of Risk Into a Walk of Faith. Whenever you’re up against all odds, life seems to take on a different meaning Just when you become comfortable in the even flow of things happening, God shows up and does something wonderful in your life to

------- OPTIONAL DVD STATS OPENER AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST ------- DVD Intro “What Are The Odds…” Fade music out on black (this opener basically shows text fading in and out of odd statistics) ------- OPENING: Often times, life is a test for us. We strive at completing the test and coming through ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:15-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shake, Rattle, And Roll

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 2, 2008

Discovering the art of true worship despite difficult circumstances you may be encountering in your life. Find out how two buddies who love God deeply, literally brought the house down around them while finding their true worship to God.

I read a story this week of a little boy whose parents were avid sports fans. They didn’t miss a game. On the other hand, they went to church services only sporadically. In his mind the little boy was attempting to learn what was alike and what was different about the two meeting places which his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hangin' On Tight

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 3, 2008

Today in the life of this church more than any other time in history we are faced with crossroads, one path leading to prosperity and another leading to a slow deterioration….either HANGING ON TIGHT to your commitment as a Christ Follower, or letting it g

OPENER: Game: Human Knots Great Small Group game. If you use a big group, separate them into small circles. Everyone squeezes together and grabs the hand of a person not standing next to them. They may not let go of the other person’s hands. So in order to untangle they must go over and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Jesus? Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 3, 2008

History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did

A Great Man History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did his best to grow up strong and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Do I Find Jesus Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 3, 2008

Since the scriptures tell us that we can find Jesus with our heart, sometimes we become blinded in finding Jesus because we have spiritual blinders on our eyes. And when this happens, we seem to lose site of Jesus.

Where Do I Find Jesus? Deuteronomy 4:29, Jeremiah 29:11, John 14:23 Opener: Choose two contestants to come up and do the car tag recognition --------slides available upon request------------- Introduction: In November, 1975, 75 convicts started digging a secret tunnel designed to bring them up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Does Jesus Seem So Distant? Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 4, 2008

Sometimes finding God can be so difficult, and He seems so far away, but in reality, He’s around us all the time. There are some things however that can seem confusing at times

Opener Activity: Clap This game is a variation of the old faithful "Hot/Cold" game. One person is chosen to be "it" and asked to leave the room so they can’t hear or see what is going on in the room. Take about 1 minute and pick an action as a group for "it" to do when he/she returns. (A Jumping ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Walking In Unity Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 4, 2008

Let’s face it. We all get into conflict—sometimes. Even with those close to us. How are we supposed to handle it? Is it okay to hate people? Can we disagree without being disagreeable? Unity chooses to believe that there is good in every person who is a C

Opening Activity: Acting out—Fight! Stage a fight with one of your adult volunteers—prepare him ahead of time, of course. Have the volunteer interrupt you and continue to talk while you’re talking. Ask him to stop talking several times. Then just lose it and start yelling, telling him to leave the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Walking In Wisdom Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 4, 2008

The reason for this is that God is more interested in developing wisdom through your character than making sure life is comfortable for you. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy

OPENER: Who Want’s To Be A Millionaire Trivia Game (available on powerpoint by request) Fitting into Your World: Congratulations on your physical prowess in dealing with everyday obstacles. For instance— You probably navigated stairs expertly by shortening their strides and lowering their ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Critic

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 4, 2008

If you’re an effective leader at work or school. If you’re effective in what you do at church. If you’re effective in making something better - whenever you become you rise above the normal - you become at target criticism. And if you do not learn to sha

How do we handle critical people? How many of you know someone who is very critical? All of us will deal with people who are critical. (Give Life example) Repeat after me, “I will be criticized” Moses was criticized for marrying a Midianite Criticized for leading out of slavery Paul was said ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Waiting

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Nov 10, 2008

So many times we get tired of waiting on God to fulfull his promise to us. Whether it’s waiting on His return, or waiting for an answer, Peter gives us four key principles to help us while waiting on God.

Good opener video from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uor_gZnckLA (available upon request) ---------------------------------- Story Illustration Opener A group of travelers were being made to wait on their airplane, which was late due to another flight being canceled. The crowd looked ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Proof Of Purchase

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Aug 5, 2008

Explore the message that the early Christians recieved to give them hope while facing Nero’s insane persecution. Discover the three proofs of faith which can help you truly know if you are developing as a follower of Christ.

Opening Skit: Stamped For Eternity (available upon request) VIDEO INTRO: PROOF (available upon request) Introduction: We struggle to believe what we cannot see, but we cannot see, because we are not really looking. We all hope for the best most of the time. Even when the odds aren’t quite in our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expectations: Are You Swimming Or Sinking?

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Aug 13, 2008

Sometimes our EXPECTATION of something is due to our frantic pace, we don’t notice sin creeping into the back seat of our lives, putting us at great risk. Thank God that he’s always on the lookout for us, and that at times he uses setbacks to rescue us f

Expectations: Are You Swimming or Sinking? Jonah1:1 – 4:7 OPENER: Get a roll of toilet paper (individual is better) that is pre-wrapped. Carefully undo the wrapping and tape a $10 bill inside the roll and close the packaging. Tell teens that inside the paper bag is: Something that is very useful ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational