Sermons on Stephen Stoned:

Pentecost 2017

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 15, 2017

There is a dynamic difference between believers who are not fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit and those who are. We see evidence of this on the day of Pentecost.

Please open your Bibles to Acts 2:1-13 which we will read in a few minutes. Last Sunday we took a brief look at the Ascension of Jesus to Heaven and how that act was a critical part of the plan of redemption that was put into place before the beginning of time. We took a look at how the great ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:37-39

Denomination: Nazarene

Baptism 2017

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 15, 2017

All Christian churches baptize believers and sometimes it is taken for granted. But, is there a Biblical warrant for believer baptism? Is there a Biblical warrant for infant baptism?

Please open your Bibles to Acts 8:26-40 which we will read in a few minutes. On June 25 we will be holding a baptism service at Chip and Chris Sprague’s pond at 4:00 PM. We will have directions for you in next week’s bulletin or we can meet here and caravan together. There are many accounts of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40, Acts 2:38, Acts 16:30-33, John 3:18, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:11-15, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Get Your Mind Right (With The Help Of God)

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 11, 2017

Philippians 4:8 calls us to think upon such things as truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, loveliness, etc. Why? What help will that be to the Christian. More importantly, what help will that be for the Kingdom of God in drawing others to Jesus?

Please open your Bibles to Philippians 4:4-9 which we will read in a few minutes. Our new memory verse is actually a follow-on to one of our earlier memory Scriptures; Philippians 4:6-7. “Finally, Brothers (or Brethren) …” Newer versions have “brothers and sisters”. Why? We who have grown up on ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Nazarene

Romans 12:4-5 Part 1 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 27, 2018

Romans 12:4-5 describes the universal and local church as a body, and in this body all of the members belong to each other. But how do we get there? The answer is found in Romans 12:1-3.

Before we get started this morning let's say together our current memory Scripture ... Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, Romans 8:5-8, Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Romans 12:4-5 - Part 3 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 10, 2018

In Romans 12:4-5 we saw that we are all interconnected members of the Body of Christ. In verses 6-8 we see that members of the body receive gifts in order to use them to meet the needs of others. Both the gifted and the receiver must be present for this.

Please stand as we read or recite our memory Scripture for this quarter ... Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Mother Of The Year - A Canaanite Woman

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 17, 2018

In this passage we see a gentile woman from a pagan land showing the humility and faith that is honored by the Lord. And at the same time we see Jesus closest disciples showing dishonor to the same woman. May we read and learn from this great passage.

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 4:24-25

Denomination: Nazarene

Pentecost 2018

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 30, 2018

When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives is there a radical change? Should there be a radical change? Is there a difference when the Holy Spirit infills and directs a church and when He does not? Let's see what the Bible says!

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:34-41, Acts 2:1-13, Acts 5:41-42, Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Peter 3:8-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Sinner ... Saint ... Or Both?

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 7, 2018

Romans 6:22 tells us that we, as Christians, are set free from slavery to sin and that we become slaves to God. Should we identify ourselves as sinners or sons and daughters of God?

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10, 1 John 2:1-2, 1 John 3:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Why I Don't Have A "Vision" Or "5 Year Plan" For Our Church

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 13, 2018

This is an abbreviated sermon used after my annual pastor's report to the congregation explaining why we do not have a written "business plan" for church growth. Instead it lays out the 3 foundational steps the Lord has put in my heart as I serve here.

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8, Jude 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 3:6-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Return To The Lord

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jun 20, 2019

We are right to emphasize that God loves us, but we too easily forget that because he loves us he wants us to be the best we can be and calls us to a deep repentance.

Return to the Lord Isaiah 1:12-20 Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Rev. Stephen Aram We live in a time when the church really emphasizes the mercy and grace of God. How many times have you heard it said that God loves us just the way we are and that he will be there any time we call? And ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:12-20

The Gospel In Distressing Times Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jun 20, 2019

Isaiah gives us an opportunity to observe faithfulness in difficult times. The first verse of the Book of Isaiah gives the setting for his amazing ministry. He is a prophet for our times as well.

The Gospel According To Isaiah: Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World, Part 1: The Gospel in an Unsettled World Isaiah 1:1 February 26, 2012 Rev Stephen Aram It was about the year 1980. Kathy and I lived in Holland, on staff in a discipleship school run by the same mission that we had ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1

I Saw The Lord.

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jun 20, 2019

When we look at the amazing holiness and love of God the whole world looks different.

The Gospel Acording to Isaiah: Part 2 I Saw the Lord Isaiah 6:1-8 March 3, 2012 Rev. Stephen Aram Have you ever heard someone ask the question “Is there nothing sacred anymore?” Have you ever asked it yourself? We are living in an unusual era in the history of the world, an era when ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

God's Complaint

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jun 20, 2019

We need to see the world through God's eyes, the pain of our sin and rebellion.

The Gospel According To Isaiah: Part 3 God’s Complaint Isaiah 1:1-5, 12-20 March 11, 2012 Rev. Stephen Aram Has anybody here seen the movie “The Lorax” yet? Our second son, Justin, and his wife, Brooke took our grandson, Weston to see it. I haven’t seen it yet, but I have loved the book ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-5, Isaiah 1:12-20

God's Call For Justice

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jun 20, 2019

To be faithful to our God we must be concerned with much more than our own peace of mind or personal holiness. God calls us to care about others and the treatment they get in society.

The Gospel According to Isaiah, Part 4: God’s Call for Justice Isaiah 1:16-26 March 18, 2012 Rev. Stephen Aram Probably most of us have heard people speaking about their faith as a very private thing, something you feel in your heart, something you don’t talk about. Sometimes you hear ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:16-26

God's Promise Of A Messiah, Offered And Rejected

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jun 20, 2019

As the prophet Isaiah sought to know God's heart, the Lord revealed to him hints of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The Gospel According to Isaiah, Part 6: God’s Promise of a Messiah, Offered and Rejected Isaiah 9:2-7 Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012 Rev. Stephen Aram Bethel United Methodist Church On that day when Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem he presented the crowds with a bit of street ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah 42:1-4