Sermons on Spare The Rod:

The Road To Heaven - Philippians 3:12-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 10, 2022

After speaking against legalism in the first half of the chapter, Paul now warns against the opposite error: quietism. Not even Paul has gotten to a place where he can coast. The race goes until you die.

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Life Without Regret

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 24, 2022

As a follower of Christ you will be compelled to enter into spiritual battle. Paul encourages us by pointing us to Christ and the strength that is His. Therefore, let us stand firm in the victory that our Lord has won on our behalf.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Can Transform Saul?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2022

The message is a contrast between a new convert named Saul and a mature follower of Christ named Paul. The intent of the message is to encourage Christian maturation in those who come to Christ in faith.

“When [Saul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

Loving Your Neighbor: A Broader Perspective (Exodus 21:28-36) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 12, 2022

Loving your neighbor includes: (1) watching over your goring ox (and mean dogs), (2) taking warnings about dangerous things seriously, (3) putting a fence around your pool. Take safety seriously.

Quite a few of us, if we were asked to name the ten words/commandments, wouldn't be able to come up with all ten. But for sure one of the ones we would name, is "Don't murder." At first glance, this command is straightforward. God doesn't want his people to kill someone ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:28-36, Mark 12:30-31, Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:39, Luke 10:27, Galatians 5:14  (view more)  (view less)

Moral Failure Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Aug 10, 2022

This sermon focuses on the concept of failure, specifically moral failure and the three resources available to Christians that will hopefully prevent them from it.

If you have your Bibles with you today and you want to follow along, we are going to be looking at a passage in the Old Testament Genesis 39. Today is September 1. Summer is just about over. That is hard to believe isn’t it? Especially when we consider that really it probably in many ways ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Christian Church

I Am With You Always Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jun 29, 2020

This is the story of Romans 8:35-39. God loves you with a love so strong that nothing can separate you from it. Wherever you go, whatever you do, God’s amazing love will go with you, envelope you, encapsulate you, strengthen you, carry you, and give you hope and courage.

Chippie the parakeet was sitting on his perch one morning … whistling a happy tune … when his owner decided to clean his cage … [pause] … with a vacuum cleaner. The phone rang and when Chippie’s owner went to answer it … well … that’s when Chippie’s day took a turn for the worse. While his owner ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:35-39, 2 Corinthians 11:23-29, Matthew 5:11-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Psalm 44 A Psalm Of Hezekiah? Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 1, 2020

This psalm, like Psalm 42, bears a superscription dedicating it “to the chief Musician for the sons of Korah[2]” and identifying it as a Maskil[3], meaning instructional. From this psalm we can see how much that generation still had to learn about the ways of God.

Home Lessons May 3, 2015 Tom Lowe Title: PSALM 44 A psalm of Hezekiah? Psalm 44 (KJV) 1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. 2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 44:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

A Message For An Intellectual Age

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 9, 2020

Paul's message before the Areopagus forms the basis for a study of how to approach an intellectual audience. This knowledge is necessary if we are to succeed in presenting the Faith in the midst of our world today. This is the substance of a radio message at Easter.

“Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

His Song Is Within Me Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 11, 2020

How do we keep from drowning in our sea of troubles? How do we keep our heads above raging waters? How do we keep going in the midst of the storms of life? We listen to our soul.

I want to start by pointing out that Psalms 42 and 43 are believed to be one psalm. It seems pretty obvious when you look at verses 5 and 11 of Psalm 42 and verse 5 of Psalm 43. All three verses ask the exact same question: Why are you cast down, O my soul, And why are you disquieted within ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 43:5, Psalm 42:1-11, Romans 8:26-27, 1 Peter 5:8

Denomination: United Methodist

After The Whirlwind

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 15, 2020

Do we learn anything by passing through difficult times? A study of Job will encourage the people of God to realize that God always instructs us through the trials we are called to pass through.

“Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, and I will ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus "i Am" The Good Shepherd! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 25, 2021

: Jesus is the Good Shepherd because he laid down his life to save the sheep. He lead’s the sheep to safety, security, pasture and the good life but not to slaughter or harm. Jesus guards, encourages, supports and protects His sheep because He loves them.

I am playing these videos to get your mindset focused on Shepherding – agriculture lifestyles – a common sight in the time and teaching of Jesus – not so much today – as a matter of fact you would be hard pressed to find many sheep farms in this area of Illinois! Opening Video Transition (2 ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-42, John 10:11, John 10:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Book Of Revelation (Revelation 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 22, 2022

In Chapter one we saw where the Lord is walking among the seven golden candle sticks. The seven golden candlesticks represent the seven churches that we want to talk about.

Four of these churches are in Chapter two and three of them in chapter 3. The first church we are going to look at… I. THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS Revelation 2:1-7 God chose these seven churches that were symbolic of the seven kinds of churches that were to exist in the future. One thing that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fulfilled? Or Frustrated?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 30, 2022

Whether we live a life that is fulfilling or a life that always leaves us frustrated, is dependent upon our obedience to the revealed will of the Lord.

DEUTERONOMY 5:32-33; 6:24-25 FULFILLED? OR FRUSTRATED? “You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:24-25, Deuteronomy 5:33

Denomination: Baptist

Crooks And Robbers And Thieves, Oh My! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 26, 2021

Christ receives even thieves and robbers when they receive Him as Master over life.

“After this [Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

The World’s Most Dangerous Profession - James 3:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2021

This passage stands out because teaching is so highly valued throughout the New Testament. Why is it discouraged here? James considered himself a teacher and was teaching even as he penned these words about not many should be teachers.

James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Introduction: We Talk a ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-2