Sermons on Spirital Growth:

James 5:7-12 Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jan 20, 2025

In the face of suffering, we are called to be patient, get ready, stand firm, stop grumbling, never give up, enduring hardship, and tell the truth

James: Practical Faith  James 5:7-12 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church  01-19-2025 Pearls When an oyster gets a grain of sand, parasite, or food particle in its shell, there is no way to get rid of it. It irritates the inside of the oyster. The oyster probably prays, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

No More Fears - 1 Peter 3:13-15 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 22, 2025

What should you do when you're abused and mistreated?

1 Peter 3:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-15

7 Tests For A God-Glorifying Ministry - 1 Peter 4:11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 30, 2025

When speaking, use the words of God. And when serving, do it in a way that shows God to be the source of the strength.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's multifaceted grace. 11 If anyone speaks, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:11

Eldership - 1 Peter 5:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 7, 2025

Different denominations have different traditions about what the elders' job description should be. But there shouldn't be differing traditions. Peter makes it very clear.

Churches are to be elder-led. The term elder refers to a position of authority and leadership, but elders should work with congregations in major decisions like a husband with his wife. Elders should be nominated by the people and appointed by the other elders. The elder takes over the roles of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1

Clothed In Humility - 1 Peter 5:5b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 16, 2025

Pride has a thousand faces. It's possible to think you do not struggle with pride because you don't have the kind someone else has. But you may have a different kind that flies under the radar.

1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5

Spiritual Collapse - When You Don't Delight In God's Will - 1 Samuel 14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 12, 2025

Jonathan climbed cliffs by faith; Saul stumbled by pride. Witness the stark contrast between trust and self-reliance.

Introduction: Saul in Trouble If you were here last week you remember that Saul is in deep trouble in Gibeah. He sent almost his whole army home, just keeping a standing force of 3000. And Jonathan attacks the Philistines. The Philistines respond with absolutely staggering force - thousands of ...read more

Seeking A Severe Savior - Psalm 42-43 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 11, 2025

Hardships don’t automatically get you depressed. It depends on what lens you look at them through. This message will help you learn to see your trials through lenses that bring pure joy.

Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, ...read more

The Power Of Preference: Fight Desire With Desire - Psalm 63:3 Pt.2

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 21, 2025

God never intended for you to live life saying no to your strongest desires.

Dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, When you asked the man in Mark 9 if he believed You could heal his son, he said, “Lord I believe – help my unbelief.” Lord that is so often how I feel about loving You. We love You Lord; help our lack of love. We desire Your presence Lord; help our lack of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:3

Hope In The Wilderness: Turning Suffering Into Seeking - Psalm 63 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 29, 2025

What if your deepest pain could become your greatest pathway to God? Learn how to transform suffering into a thirst for His presence that changes everything. Imagine a life where every moment—good or bad—draws you closer to God. Psalm 63 reveals the one desire that can make it a reality.

Psalm 63:0,1 A Psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. 1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water ************************************** Introduction: Emotion and Temptation The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1

Repairing A Damaged Spiritual Appetite - Psalm 63:1 Part 7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 30, 2025

How your possessions and family could keep you out of heaven

Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Review We are studying 7 ways to intensify our love for God from Ps.63. The first of those 7 was resolve - resolve to prefer God over sin ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1

Rest For Your Soul - Psalm 23:1-2a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 2, 2025

Most people do not have a sheep/shepherd relationship with God. Do you? If so, you will never lack anything you need. But need for what?

A psalm of David. 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-2

Laws On Servitude (Exodus 21:1-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 3, 2022

Do what you have to do to pay the bills (vs. 1-6). And the "law of the daughter," which protects vulnerable women from being mistreated

Laws on "servitude" (Exodus 21:1-11) The past five weeks, we've explored five different rabbit trails connected to Exodus, one way or another. We talked about burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings. Then, we talked about three keys, of sorts, that help us understand how to read ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:1-11

When God Changes His Mind (Jonah 3:1-10) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 8, 2022

The king of Assyria knows that there's a chance that God will change his mind, and not bring about the promised judgment. God prefers to forgive, and bless. For three chapters in a row, God has shown mercy, not judgment.

The book of Jonah began in a surprising way. Yahweh called Yonah to go to Ninevah, and Yonah disobeyed. This is not what prophets do. Prophets obey. But Yonah ran the wrong direction, to the end of the known world, at Tarshish. When that didn't work, he chose death over Yahweh. He refused ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10, Numbers 22:18-25, 1 Samuel 15:10-29

Lily Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 14, 2022

Standing firm in the Lord, we can depend on Him to deliver us from all evil.

To the Director: A special Davidic psalm to the tune of “Lily of The Covenant,” for teaching about his battle with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, when Joab returned and attacked 12,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. “God, you have cast us off; you have breached our defenses and you have become ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 60:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Four Days Late

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2021

When Christ delays answering our pleas, how shall we respond? God is merciful, even when it appears that Heaven in silent.

“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-27

Denomination: Baptist