Sermons on Stephen Witness:

Right Conduct: Conquering The Old Self Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Aug 26, 2025

Suffering for Jesus is not defeat. Suffering for Jesus is an encouragement because the suffering confirms that we are done with sin.

You can listen to all NPBC sermons at https://npbc.org.au/podcasts/media NORTH PINE BAPTIST CHURCH Sunday 24th August 2025 1 Peter 3:18-4:6 “Right Conduct: Conquering the Old Self” In a moment we are going to read 1 Peter 3:18-4:6. When Martin Luther wrote his commentary on 1 Peter he described ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Are You A Fan Or A Follower?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Sep 11, 2025

The Lord loves fishermen

• He saw in them in a trade that He liked and could use. • At least four of the twelve disciples were commercial fishermen. • That means one-third of His disciples were fishermen. (1) Peter and Andrew were fishermen. Look at Matthew 4:18-19, we read, "And Jesus, walking by the sea of ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Baptist

What Fruit Do I Bear?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 4, 2023

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus teaches about the fruit in people’s lives.

False prophets were recurrent in Old Testament times. They forecasted just what the king and the local people wanted to hear, asserting that it was God's message. False teachers are similarly as frequent today. Jesus says to be careful with those whose words sound religious however who are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20, Luke 6:43-45

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Are We Told To Keep Our Home Fires Burning?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 5, 2023

Keeping our home fires burning. Is this referring to those who may have a fireplace in their home?

The Return from A Wedding: Albeit this illustration applies to Israel and the second coming of Christ when He returns to establish His earthly Kingdom, it fundamentally applies to us, the church, as we await His return during the Rapture. This story is about a groom that had a wedding supper with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Is Our Duty?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 6, 2023

What does the word “duty” mean? The online dictionary states that duty is a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility or a task or action that someone is required to perform. So, as a Christian, what is our duty?

What does the word “duty” mean? The online dictionary states that duty is a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility or a task or action that someone is required to perform. So, as a Christian, what is our duty? Do we have a duty within the church, the church service, our Christian service in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:7-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Are We To Do If There Is A Tater Family In Our Church?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 8, 2023

Although the title to this message mentions a Tater Family, the passage of Scripture speaks about the servants working with the pounds. Do Christians of today resemble the servants in the Scripture?

This is the story about the pounds. This story tells of a certain nobleman who received a kingdom, and it showed the followers of Jesus what they were to do during the time between when Jesus would leave and his Second Coming. The followers were to be unwavering and fruitful while he was gone. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Coming Of The Comforter.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 18, 2023

The testimony of the Spirit to the message which the disciples would bear.

THE COMING OF THE COMFORTER. John 15:26-27. As we enter this part of our text, it is well to note, first, the certainty of the event: “When the Comforter IS COME” (John 15:26a). But when did the disciples receive the Holy Spirit? It may appear at first glance in John’s Gospel that He ...read more

Scripture: John 15:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does It Mean To Have Spiritually Blurred Vision?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 24, 2023

What does it mean in having blurred vision? Blurred vision is the deficiency of sharpness of visual perception, causing objects to show up cloudy or out of focus.

The essential drivers of obscured vision are refractive issues – myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (imperfection in the curvature of the eye), or presbyopia (gradual loss of seeing close things clearly). Blurred vision can likewise be an indication of a more ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do We Have A Vision Of Goodness?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Feb 4, 2023

Are we focused just on what and who is inside our church doors? Or are we looking, searching and sharing what we have with others so that they may come in?

In this context, vision alludes to the disclosure (prophesy) that the prophets would obtain from God. Where there is obliviousness of God, sin and crime go out of control. The public moral compass of society relies upon the knowing God’s directions, yet it likewise relies upon individuals keeping ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Child Jesus Held In His Arms

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Dec 17, 2024

When we come to the faith and are baptised, we are forever held in Jesus’ arms.

Only a few Sundays ago, I preached on the story of Jesus picking up a little child and holding him in his arms (Mark 9:30-37) St. Mark did not name the child. But guess what? A tradition in the church says the child is none other than Ignatius, a native of Syria. This is the boy who later became ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-26, 1 John 5:6-12, Isaiah 35:8-10

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Is There Fire In Your Bones?

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 22, 2025

Jeremiah (like us) was told to speak God's message to the Israelites. He got a cold reception. He decided he wouldn't speak any more, but God's Word, bottled up inside, became like fire in his bones! My Question is: Do YOU have fire in your bones?

IS THERE FIRE IN YOUR BONES? Jer. 20:1-9 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: One-Liners 1. I accidentally went grocery shopping on an empty stomach and now I’m the proud owner of aisle 4. 2. You know you’re getting old when your knees offer a more accurate weather forecast than the guy on TV. 3. My ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:1-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

One Link In The Chain

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 27, 2022

We'll all influence over 10,000 people in our lifetimes. Experts say the average lost person requires 16 exposures to Christianity before reaching believing faith. Will you be one of the links in their chain to believe?

ONE LINK IN THE CHAIN 1 Cor. 3:6 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A preacher died and found himself in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him was a guy who’s dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. 2. Saint Peter asked the guy, “Who are you, so that I may know whether or not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fishers Of Men

Contributed by Todd Blair on Aug 1, 2022

To be a fisher of men, you need more than one kind of lure.

One day, two guys were out fishing. A funeral service passes over the bridge they're fishing by, and Bob takes off his hat and puts it over his heart. He does this until the funeral service passes by. Frank then said, "Gee Bob, that sure was a nice thing to do!" Bob then replies, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Possibility Of Undervaluing What You Possess Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 2, 2022

When the crowd was massive, the disciples tired and confused, and the multitude was restless and hungry, Jesus uses a lad’s lunch to save the day. To surprise of everyone, Jesus said, “GIVE YE THEM TO EAT! The bewildered, tired disciples undervalued what they had available.

Sermon. The Possibility of Undervaluing What You Possess John 6:1-15 “After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15, Genesis 21:17, Jeremiah 1:7, Judges 16:26

Denomination: Methodist

How Can We Know The Gospel Is Not Fake News? Series

Contributed by Art Campbell on Aug 8, 2022

The work of the Spirit is evidence of the Gospel’s truth

FAKE NEWS & KNOWING WHAT IS TRUE Earlier this year the Macquarie Dictionary declared ‘fake news’ to be the word of the year. It’s an interesting commentary on society! So is the runner-up – mainsplain (but I think that’s fake news). Sometimes fake news is deliberately deceptive, but the word is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist