Sermons on Stephen:

One Way Hate

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 26, 2017

The Bible tells us that the world will hate us because it hated Jesus first. What does that mean to us? Should we consider the world to be our enemies? How should we respond?

Please open your Bibles to John 15:18-16:4 which we will read in a few minutes. In the Bible we often read of “the world”. The world consists of those who stand against Christ and His kingdom. In the time of Christ the world often referred to Jews who rejected the Jesus the Messiah. In a broader ...read more

Scripture: John 3:20, Acts 9:1-2, 2 Corinthians 11:24-26, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Matthew 5:43-45  (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

The Works God Requires

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 27, 2017

In the sixth chapter of John Jesus is interacting with "followers" who have been raised with and external, works-centered holiness. Jesus boils it all down to one simple action; an action which is not possible without the work of God Himself.

Please open your Bibles to John 6:25-42 which we will read in a few minutes. As we prepare to read this text that Jesus has miraculously fed the five thousand with five small barley loaves and two small fish, and, after everyone had eaten their fill the disciples picked up twelve baskets of ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-42, Titus 3:5-6

Denomination: Nazarene

What Is Your Calling? Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 10, 2018

Reviewing, renewing and resting in your calling

WHAT IS YOUR CALLING? Two Kentucky horse racing stable owners had developed a keen rivalry. Each spring they both entered a horse in a local race. One of them thought that having a professional rider might give his horse an edge in the race, so he hired a hot-shot jockey. Well, the day of the race ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-19

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Called To Be Loved Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 10, 2018

Being part of God's family means that we have acceptance, access, assurance and assistance

CALLED TO BE LOVED There was an emperor in the Far East who was growing old and knew that he would soon have to choose his successor. Now normally when an emperor needed to chose a successor he would make his selection from one his own children, but he had none. Ordering all the eldest children ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4-5

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Called To Bless Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 10, 2018

When we serve others we find satisfaction, significance and succession

CALLED TO BLESS Many years ago there lay a large boulder in the middle of a well travelled roadway. Traveler after traveler walked past the boulder, veering off the side of the road to get around it. All the while, they were shaking their head and muttering, "Can you believe that? Someone should ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Called To Be Sent Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 10, 2018

Being a light in the world involves worship, welcome, work and witness

CALLED TO BE SENT A few years ago a guy named Ron Schatz went into a bank and filled out a withdrawal slip. He took the slip up to the teller and gave it to her, but noticed the teller was acting very strangely and seemed to be taking a long time getting his money. Suddenly the police burst in ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Be Prepared

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 10, 2018

Witnessing means that we demonstrate, defend and disarm

BE PREPARED The photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire. Smoke at the scene hampered him and he asked his home office to hire a plane. Arrangements were made and he was told to go at once to a nearby airport, where the plane would be waiting. When he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Trusting The Bible

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 10, 2018

A reminder of the truth, trustworthiness, teaching and transforming power of the bible

TRUSTING THE BIBLE A story was told of a man who loved old books. He met an acquaintance who had just thrown away an old Bible that had been stored in the attic of his ancestral home for generations. “I couldn’t read it,” the friend explained. “Somebody named Guten-something had printed it.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Guided By God's Word

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 10, 2018

How does God's word guide us? We must resist the pull to turn away, remain on the right path, refresh ourselves with the sweetness and reshape our affections to line up with God's word.

GUIDED BY GOD’S WORD The Bible is a book beyond all books as a river is above a stream. The Bible is a book beyond all books as the sun is above and beyond a candle in brightness. The Bible is a book beyond all books as the wings of an eagle is above and beyond the wings of a sparrow. It is ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Kingdom Of Heaven

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 10, 2018

The kingdom of heaven is within us, around us and before us.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Before the colonialists imposed national boundaries in Southeast Asia, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas. Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:13-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

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 2 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 4, 2018

When invited to church many folks will reply with some variant of , "I don't need to go to church ...". And, that phrase is usually follow up with , "to worship" or "to get to heaven" or "to be a good Christian". What does the Bible say, True or False?

Before we get started today let's run over our newest memory Scripture and review one of our past memory Scriptures! Romans 12:4-5 (new) “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 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-5, Romans 12:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, Jude 1:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

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