Sermons on Stephen The First Martyr:

Lost Our First Love

Contributed by Mark Engler on Sep 28, 2017

The application to this is if we put Jesus first in our lives and if we continue to strive for Him, continue to draw ourselves close to Him, He will improve us and make us more like Him everyday.

Lost Our First Love ME I love Jesus and I love being a minister of Christ. I honestly believe being a minister is the most important thing I could do on the face of the earth. I love to preach and teach God’s word and I’m glad He led me here to MVC. Honestly though, He chose a tremendously ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The World Hated Me First

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 3, 2018

Why are Christians persecuted for proclaiming a message of redeeming love?

The World Hated Me First John 15:18-25 This passage occurs in the middle of what is called Jesus’ farewell sermon to his disciples which begins proper after Judas goes off to betray Him. Jesus, even before the Last Supper worked to prepare them for what was about to happen. He told them that they ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The First Person To Worship Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 17, 2011

Though the Master was worshipped by angels, the unborn John was the first person to worship the Saviour, and his mother, Elizabeth, was the first to lend her voice to praise the Saviour.

“[Mary] was greatly troubled at the [angel’s] saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:29-45

Denomination: Baptist

First Christmas Risk-Takers

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 21, 2011

Risk taking at times needs to be bold and calculated. Other times require spontaneity. Risk taking is taking on something that causes fear and has the possibility of failure. Risk taking is an essential ingredient in ministry in the Kingdom of God. Most B

Opening illustration: Three pastors have been called Monday to report to prison in Shiraz, a city in southwestern Iran, within the next 30 days in what is estimated to be an act of religious persecution. The pastors were essentially being sentenced for having meetings at home, making the government ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:40-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Person To Die In The Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 24, 2011

Simeon is easily overlooked in the account of Christ’s birth. This should not be, as he was the first person to die in the Faith.

“There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Restoring Our First Passion

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 11, 2012

Is "church" just a club? Do we attend a congregation just to be entertained or is there a deeper reason? Learning to OBEY God is essential to our lives. It is part of our passion for the One who is passionate about us!

1. Bad News The doctor shook his head. "John, you’re in terrible shape. You’ve got to do something, and I mean starting today. First, I want you to tell your wife to cook more nutritious meals. I want you to stop working like a dog. And tell your wife you’re going to make a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not Abandoning Our First Love Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 17, 2012

Christ loves us too much to let us coast.

Monday of 33rd Week in Course 2012 Vatican II–Lumen Gentium Not Abandoning Our First Love One of the greatest temptations of life is to coast. We come to a point of satisfaction in some area of our living, and just want that to last forever. So we stop taking risks, we stop putting extra ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

Denomination: Catholic

Seek First The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by David Owen on Dec 2, 2012

What should we put priority on in our lives as Christians

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 31-33. 31 Therefore take no thought saying. What shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or wherewithal shall we ve clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for you heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:31-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

First Responders 9/11

Contributed by Brad Henry on Sep 9, 2011

This lesson shows us how we need to put ouselves in the postion of trials so we can be not only comforted by the Lord but also to bring others with us to heaven.

On the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus preaches there is one verse that means a lot to me. Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” If you want comforted by the Lord then you either need to put yourself in a position of trials and struggles or something ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14

And First Place Goes To... Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 19, 2012

How greatness in the Kingdom of God is determined by our level of service to others.

INTRODUCTION I admit my humor is a little corny sometimes, but bear with me for a moment. See if you can answer these questions: (1) What do you call a chicken crossing the road? Poultry in motion. (2) What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t work? A stick. (3) What do you call four ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-28

Denomination: Baptist

Last And First Words Of Christ

Contributed by Greg Nance on Apr 27, 2011

Jesus words just before and after his death have amazing significance! Seven statements from the cross and the first three after his resurrection make up this lesson.

Have you heard of the seven last words of Christ on the cross? Some of you may be very familiar with this, others of you may wonder what I’m talking about. When you look at all the gospel accounts and put them together there are seven sayings or "Words" that Jesus spoke as he was dying on the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tithe, Offering And First Fruit

Contributed by Babatunde Bello on Aug 7, 2011

TITHE, OFFERING AND FIRST FRUIT

1. TITHE a.) What is Tithe? Tithe is the tenth percent of our total income, which include basic salary, allowances and any other extra money you receive, such as tips, honorarium, or any source of fund that increases your income, etc. 2Chro. 31:5-6, Deut 14:22-25, Number 18:28-30, Exodus ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:8-12, Malachi 3:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Was It Like In The First Church?

Contributed by Dr.w.samuel Legon on Jan 17, 2019

Are we even close to what Jesus set up as his church?

What was it like in the first Church? The things they had in the first church is desperately needed today. They had love. Understanding, cooperation and concern. They gave they worked witness and had the Grace of God. Acts2: 42 And they continued stedfastly in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-44

Denomination: Baptist

Falling Away Comes First! Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jul 18, 2019

Scripture warns us that in the last days before the second coming of Jesus Christ there will be wars and rumors of wars, the nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom ....

Scripture warns us that in the last days before second coming of Jesus Christ there will be wars and rumors of wars, nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines, food shortages, pestilences despite of medical advances, old and new diseases will plague ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-3, John 12:32, Romans 1:16, 2 Peter 1:16

Last Words - First Words

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Apr 16, 2019

Resurrection Day Sermon - looking at some of the last words of Jesus - IT IS FINISHED and then one of the first words of Our Risen Lord - "GO"

Scripture: John 19:29-30; 20:11-18 Theme: Resurrection Sunday Title: Last Words, First Words INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! This morning, I want to talk to you about last words and first words. In particular, some ...read more

Scripture: John 19:29-30, John 20:11-18

Denomination: Nazarene