Sermons on Stephens Sermon:

Christian Challenge Sermon Ii: A Positive Christian Influence Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 15, 2020

In times like these, mature Christians accept their role as "the salt of the earth" by influencing and challenging folks to want to be like them and thereby come to know Him whom to experience real joy, peace and happiness.

POSITIVE CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE At his funeral service, Dean Smith the legendary basketball coach of the University of North Carolina for thirty-six years was eulogized as “more than a coach” by players including greats like Michael ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Christian Challenge Sermon Iii: Making Changes For The Better Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 15, 2020

In times like these, mature Christians dedicate themselves to conserving Biblical principles in word and in deed by preserving the sacredness of God's commandments and by serving Christ as light shining in darkness.

A POSITIVE CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE CHANGES LIFE FOR THE BETTER WITH ONE EXCEPTION Have you, like me, ever been at odds with the law - for example: Have you ever been ticketed for a traffic violation? How did you handle your lawlessness? Stopped by a police officer for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-26

Christian Challenge Sermon V: Make Or Break Situations Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 15, 2020

In times like these, mature Christians confront issues of the day without feeling compelled to qualify their responses but by forthrightly facing the issues and taking a stand for truth even though it sometimes hurts.

MAKE OR BREAK SITUATIONS PRESENT A DISTINCT CHALLENGE TO CHRISTIANS “Cross my heart and hope to die!” Did any of you ever use that phrase to swear to a friend that you would keep a promise? As kids, we engaged in such promise making, except that we might have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-42

Christian Challenge Sermon Vii: A Lifestyle Consistent With Holiness Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 15, 2020

In times like these, when so many avoid the path of righteousness, mature Christians accept the challenge of living for Jesus a life that is true by avoiding unholy ways and by adopting lifestyles consistent with holiness.

ON BEING IDENTIFIED AS A HOLY PERSON Based on I Peter 2:1-12 We already know that God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-12

Lifestyle Principles Sermon V: Prioritize The Main Thing Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 22, 2020

When facing crisis situations, God's people accept the challenge to prioritize the main thing we pray for by doing the main thing Christ died for.

PRIORITIZE THE MAIN THING WE PRAY FOR BY DOING THE MAIN THING WE WOULD DIE FOR At a recent “note burning ceremony” the church’s pastor commended the parishioners, then commented on the meaning of the special occasion, reminding people that, whereas the burning of a note of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-3, Nehemiah 6:15-16, Nehemiah 8:1-8

Never-Ending Adventure Sermon Iv: Jesus Heals Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 29, 2020

Folks who follow Jesus and go on to become mature disciples have learned to be content no matter what due to our Lord's continuing presence and power to heal whether now or later so that we can say, "It is well with my soul."

THE CHRISTIAN’S NEVER-ENDING ADVENTURE Jesus Heals – No Matter Who, What, When – Mark 5:21-43 As we come ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Never-Ending Adventure Sermon V: Jesus Corrects Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 29, 2020

Folks who choose to follow Jesus and then go on to mature discipleship constantly seek to get it right when it comes to interpretation and application of God's Word and therefore look to Jesus as their final authority.

THE CHRISTIAN’S NEVER-ENDING ADVENTURE Jesus Corrects Errors of Interpretation By Informing the Misinformed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:5-15

Never-Ending Adventure Sermon Vi: Jesus Matures Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 29, 2020

To choose to follow Jesus and then go on to become mature disciples of Christ never is to never forget what it takes to go all out for Christ and to be all that Christ would have His followers to be: Daily Christ-centered Living!

OUR CHRIST-CENTERED ADVENTURE MEANS SO MUCH MORE THAN WE THOUGHT One of my concerns among many this past week was how to approach this series on discovering contentment the very week in which there was so much for me to worry about - which prompted me to do a little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Victory In Jesus Sermon Ii: Pleasing The Father By Faith Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 2, 2020

Choices in life define us in the present and determine our future. Choosing to please God our Father by active faith in Him plus actively serving His Son Jesus Christ will be rewarded by the fulfillment of His promises in our lives.

PLEASING THE FATHER BY FAITH IN HIM AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST “We aim to please” is an axiom we hear in advertising and sales, and as a response someone makes to us when we express our appreciation for products and services rendered. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6

Victory In Jesus Sermon Iv: Sharing The Good News Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 2, 2020

Choices in life define us in the present and determine our future. Choosing to share the Good News of God's Love is to celebrate the Victory God gives us through His Son and our Savior Jesus Christ.

VICTORY IN JESUS CELEBRATED BY SHARING THE GOOD NEWS A recent visit to the Waffle House found me sitting at the high counter next to a gentleman whose Viking ancestors no doubt fought many a battle against my Anglo-Saxon ancestors. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-49

Victorious Christian Life Sermon I: Identify With Christ Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 3, 2020

The truth of the old adage, "You can tell a lot about a person by the company he or she keeps", compels us to confess Christ not only by identifying with His Name but also HIs Teaching in word and in deed.

THE VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE: FIRST, IDENTIFY WITH CHRIST You no doubt have heard it said that you can tell a lot about a person by the company he or she keeps. If your experience has been like mine, you have found that axiom to be truer than not. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-26

Encouraged To Endure Sermon I: Encouraged By A Hope That Is Sure Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 7, 2020

Going through difficult times causes anxiety and uncertainty, even among devoted Christians, but God our Father has provided for our survival and encourages us to endure by the certainty of a hope that is sure.

Encouraged to Endure by a Hope That Is Sure “Encouraged to Endure by a Hope That Is Sure” is a fitting motto for those of you who, like me, have joined the Four Score Overtime Club. It is also a motto apropos to the 1st ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Encouraged To Endure Sermon Vii: Focus On The Wonder Of It All Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 7, 2020

When feeling discouraged about schemes of the wicked in a world of disappointments and discombobulation, focus on God's Grand Scheme for His people --- and the wonder of it all will be therapeutic and elicit praise.

The Wonder of It All Is Worthy of Praise by All! Widely known as the leading theologian of the 20th Century, Karl Barth was asked to summarize years of research and volumes of writings, and he responded: “Jesus loves me, this I know, ...read more

Failure Not Final Sermon I: Failure Not Final With The Father Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 11, 2020

Despite failures, sins, mistakes, errors of judgment - God can make something beautiful of our lives if we refocus our priorities and renew our trust in Him to help us make the most of the time we have left.

FAILURE IS NOT FINAL WITH THE FATHER An oft-referred-to phenomenon to make the point that “no one is perfect and all have failed enroute to their ultimate objective” is the major league baseball statistic relative to Babe Ruth’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6, Genesis 16:1-5, Genesis 17:18-19

Communion And St. Patrick's Day Sermon

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Mar 11, 2020

This is a Communion message that I've attempted to tie in with St. Patrick's Day. It is focused on The Lord's Supper, but ties in how the missionary to Ireland was Christ focused, and how we should be as well.

Communion March 2020 / St. Pats Day Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30 As you can tell by this table that’s been set here, we are taking communion this morning, but I want, if I’m able, to try and tie it in with St. Patrick’s Day… Because I think that sometimes there can be some confusion about both of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible