Sermons on Social Services:

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

The King Chooses A Queen

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 25, 2022

Esther is an illustration of God's care and direction for our lives. In order to effectively serve God, we must have faith that God is in control, working through both good and bad times, despite the fact that we may question certain aspects of our lives.

Have you been chosen? Esther is an illustration of God's care and direction for our lives. In order to effectively serve God, we must have faith that God is in control, working through both good and bad times, despite the fact that we may question certain aspects of our lives. Persian rulers ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Being Obedient

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 28, 2022

What is meant by having joy in serving? We are to be humble like Christ.

This passage is comparative to Isaiah 53, the prophecy of the suffering servant. There are several characteristics of Christ that are brough about in this passage of scripture: 1. He has consistently existed with God. 2. He is equivalent to God since He is God. (John 1: I, Colossians ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

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

How Can We Stand In The Gap?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 27, 2023

What is it to stand in the gap for someone else? Is it to stand in the place for another?

In Chapter 22, we learn why judgment would be placed on Jerusalem (22:2-16), how it would approach them (22:17-22), and who would be affected by it (22:23-31). The Jewish leaders were particularly liable for the ethical environment of the country since God had picked them to lead. Those actions and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:1-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Can These Dry Bones Live Again?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 1, 2024

How many dry bones can we find in our lives and in our churches?

I have a bone to pick with you. In the valley of dry bones, we can learn something about ourselves and our local churches. Let us take a moment to find out what these dry bones can tell us. Some Bible scholars, theologians, teachers, or preachers may say that the translation of this chapter ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

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

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