Sermons on Sinclair Ferguson:

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

Servanthood

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Aug 13, 2008

In Christ, as opposed to the world, the servant is greatest of all. Yet in most churches, it is the least of all gifts utilized.

Servanthood Scripture Base: Matthew 20:26-28; 22:39b; john 15: 12-13; Philippians 2: 1-11 The Point: In Christ, as opposed to the world, the servant is greatest of all. Stuff You’ll Need: TV and VCR, the movie Sister Act (Touchstone Pictures), nails, tape Preparation: Before the session, write ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

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

Frequency

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 16, 2008

Fathers Day message. What channel are you on? Are you on the same frequency as the rest of your family?

Sometimes, Fathers can do some stupid things and sometimes aren’t always on the same "frequency" of the rest in the family... ------------MEDIA CLIP OPENER OPTION---------------- SHOW MR. BEAN "Mind The Baby Mr. Bean" (2 min 35 sec) START: "Dirty Diaper" 14:00 END: 16:35 - After the man throws the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:24-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Can't I Just Be Me?

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 16, 2008

This message is for believers who still want to live their life according to their desires and old habits. This message helps believers understand Christian growth through eight callings toward achieving holiness through Christ.

Many Christians ask Christ into their life, often not knowing what they just have done, or what to do afterwards, other than just “go to church”. Eventually, one will become tired of that…they want to experience the “new life” and “faith” that they hear preached about, but don’t know where to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:4-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Forgiving God

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 16, 2008

Us being forgiven by God is without question; but that God needs to be forgiven by me borders on blasphemy. Although it seems unthinkable to even mention that we would need to forgive God of the universe, our creator, our redeemer. But many people must go

Sometimes life hurts us. And when we hurt, the natural response is anger. When another person is responsible for our pain, our anger turns toward the one who has injured us. To restore peace, we know we need to forgive. But sometime’s there’s no clear culprit in our suffering. At those times, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Inconvenient Truth

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 16, 2008

Many Christians don’t like to hear the word "Servant" or "Servanthood" because it implies a less than attractive feature of God’s kingdom. Yet it is the very essence that draws true power from a mighty God.

OPENER: Object Lesson: Usefulness of the Broom Hold a broom up for all to see. Rather than beginning to sweep up themes, take out one strand of the broom and start to clean up the mess. It will only take seconds before they realize you need to use the whole broom or it will take you too long to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Games People Play: Twister

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 16, 2008

Sometimes you feel twisted in different directions in your life. Take a lesson from the game of Twister to see how you can handle those life’s tuggings.

Opener – Circle Twister Have youth group leaders get all participants standing and forming two circles. One of the circles should be inside of the other circle. It’s helpful if there are a couple of the leaders standing on a stage above the players or on a stable platform/chairs. When the music ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Risky Business

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 21, 2008

What are you willing to risk in using your talents for God? Discover six ways on how to become the servant that multiplied the talents the most in Jesus’ parable.

What was the riskiest stunt you ever pulled off as a kid? Was it pedaling down the street in your banana seat bicycle as fast as you can and careful hold the handle bars still as you drove up on the ramp and sailed into the air for a brief moment into what seemed like infinity? Or was is risking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Mirror Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 21, 2008

Are you willing to look in a full length mirror...where people can see you for who you are? It’s the only way you will get an accurate picture of what you look like and what others see of you. Or will you just take a glance, and turn to forget what you s

What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Whatever it is, it’s probably the same thing every day. Everybody seems to have their own morning rituals to get them going. Maybe you have to have a cup of coffee before you can do anything. Maybe you make your bed as soon as you get ...read more

Scripture: James 1:21-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sixth Sense, Angels, Demons, And Ghosts Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 21, 2008

An overview of things that go bump in the night. What is it about the spiritual world that we are not aware of? Discover four keys to success in waging spiritual warfare with teens.

OPENER: Foil Face Unscramble For this game all that you need are a couple of rolls of aluminum foil and a cool prize for the winner. Before service starts recruit 5-6 people and make molds of their face using aluminum foil – pick a mix of leaders and students. If they wear glasses, a hat, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Run The Play Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 27, 2008

Teach your teens how to effectively follow through with their commitment to Christ when facing opposition using these three steps gathered from Jehoshaphat’s confrontation.

Opener: Air Guitar Contest Choose contestants that you know will really "ham it up" on stage. Find some music that has a lot of guitar solos. Tell the contestants each will be judged (by the audience’s applause) on how well each can play the "air guitar". Send each contestant in one at a time, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tackling Fuel Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 27, 2008

Can we redirect anger into something good to get us in the game? Anger is the issue. There are a lot of examples out that have to do with anger, but one in particular really captures the heart behind anger, and allows us to see the good and bad side of a

Opener Story: Wrong Order! How do you respond when a mistake has been made with your fast-food order? If you’re 6’3” and weigh 270 pounds, people don’t recommend crawling through the drive-through window. But that’s exactly what happened when a University of Kansas football player realized a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:6-7

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