Sermons on Staying Strong:

Nehemiah Part 2

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jan 26, 2025

NASB, notes by biblegateway.com

Ezra Reads the Law 8 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they [a]asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had [b]given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

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

Go To Your Room - Matthew 6:5-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 28, 2024

Why does God promise reward for private prayer? And how can you make your daily prayer time the most enjoyable part of your day, instead of a drudgery or chore that is dry and boring? This message will help you actually look forward to your prayer time each day and come away closer to God.

Matthew 6:5-16 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6

Prayin’ Like A Pagan - Matthew 6:7-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 30, 2024

How would you naturally finish this sentence: “God already knows what you need before you ask him, therefore ____.” The conclusion Jesus finishes that sentence gives us great insight into how to pray in a way that truly communes with God, rather than just saying dry words.

Matthew 6:5-8 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-8

The Servant Of Isaiah 49 In Luke-Acts Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 19, 2024

Part 2 of a rabbit trail exploring how the servant's calling is picked up not just by Jesus, but also by Ananias, Paul and Barnabas, in Acts. We are all to be lights, and "salvation," up to the ends of the earth.

Two weeks ago, we worked our way through Isaiah 49:1-6. When I taught on it, I said that these are the words of God's exilic prophet. The prophet feels like his ministry has been a waste of his time and energy. It's accomplished nothing. And God responds to him, not by arguing with him, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6, Luke 2:25-34, Luke 9:28-36, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 13:44-50  (view more)  (view less)

Dumping The Treasury - Matthew 6:19-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 21, 2024

How do we obey the command not to store up treasure on earth when we need to earn a living, provide for our families, save for future bills and for our children, etc? This message gives specific instruction on what it means to use money without treasuring it.

Matthew 6:19-24 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

The Best Thing You Could Ever Do - Mark 12:28-31 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 10, 2024

Of all the good deeds you’ve done, which is the best? What’s the best deed anyone could ever do?

Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-31, Matthew 22:34-40

I Need You To Touch Me!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 16, 2024

We often delay seeking Christ's help until desperation drives us to Him. He stands ready to deliver us when we come to Him confessing our need for Him to touch us.

“When [Jesus] came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Ecstasy Before The Agony

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2024

Religious excitement does not necessarily translate into spiritual worship. Rather, the one following Jesus must guard against being turned aside by that which appears good. Remember that good is enemy of the best.

“The large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Watch Out! - Mark 13:5-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 10, 2024

What the structure of the Olivet Discourse tells us about the way we should interpret it.

Mark 13:1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" 2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Je-sus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:5-6, Matthew 24:4-5, Luke 21:8

Finders Weepers Losers Keepers - Mark 8:34-38 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2023

What does it mean to deny yourself and take up your cross? And how does it help you in your daily battle with sin?

Excerpt #1: You are a radical, fundamentalist, extremist Christian or you are a non-Christian. Excerpt #2: People title this passage, "The Cost of Discipleship," but it could just as well be called, "The Cost of Non-Discipleship." Jesus wants us to compare costs. Excerpt #3: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, Matthew 16:13-27, Luke 9:18-26

Hope In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2023

God's curse pronounced against the serpent gave hope to the fallen pair who had rebelled against their Creator. That hope is fulfilled in the salvation offered in Christ the Lord.

“The LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

True Greatness - Mark 9:33-36 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 29, 2023

We read of the disciples arguing who was the greatest, and we see it as immature and crass. But all of us have far more of that in us than we realize. This sermon will help you discover areas of self-exaltation and show the path toward true greatness.

Mark 9:30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-36, Matthew 18:1-3, Luke 9:46-47

The Christian Response To Social Evil

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 19, 2024

How shall followers of Christ respond to the growing wickedness of our world?

“[Jesus] said to [His disciples], ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of The True Church: Holiness Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 10, 2024

Our Lord prayed that His followers would be sanctified, made holy. The Father heard His request and has granted Jesus was He asked.

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:14-17

Denomination: Baptist