Sermons on Stephen:

The Gentle Whisper - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 15, 2016

Elijah! What a story! What a life! Talk about a ministry with ups and downs; Elijah had them! This sermon takes us from Elijah's first encounter with Ahab to the Lord's first question to him in the cave on Mount Moriah. "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah - a fascinating story Explain who Elijah was and where he fell in the history of Israel. Explain the spiritual state of Israel at the time of Elijah. (This is a different kind of sermon intended to be part one of two. In order to deliver this message I will read 1 Kings 17:1 - 1 Kings ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Why Join A Small Group? Series

Contributed by Stephen Brown on Jan 19, 2016

Is it REALLY necessary? Why should I? The best answer? Jesus modeled it for us!

The military has an organizational chain of command. For instance, an Army has more than 50,000 soldiers that is made up of 2 or more corps. A corp has 20-45,000 soldiers that is made up of 2-5 divisions. A division is 10-15,000 soldiers that is made up of 3 brigades. A brigade has 3-5,000 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Generous Heart Series

Contributed by Stephen Brown on Jan 19, 2016

Why do we give? What does Scripture teach about giving? We serve a giving Father and a giving Son. If we are being transformed into His image, we will be giving as well.

Why do we give? Sometimes we are compelled to give to something we believe in. Sometimes we give because we feel sorry for someone in a less fortunate situation. Sometimes we give because we feel guilty. Sometimes we give because we have some left over. Sometime we just don’t give. What ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Denomination: Baptist

Serving For God's Glory Series

Contributed by Stephen Brown on Jan 19, 2016

We have responsibilities in the context of our relationship with God and His church. Peter provides godly guidance for our responsibilities in the Lord's church.

In the military, after the agreements and oaths, there were responsibilities. They offered training, but I had to train. They gave me equipment, but I had to maintain it. They prepared food, but I had to eat. They provided education, but I had to continue learning. Bottom line is - I had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Transformed! Series

Contributed by Stephen Brown on Jan 19, 2016

The word transformed is used 4 times in the New Testament. Twice describing Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and twice describing God’s affect on Christians. Thankfully, it is not something I try to accomplish, but something God accomplished in me.

When I enlisted in the Army in 1985, I was a naïve, country boy from WV. After their offer and my oath of commitment, the Army upheld their responsibilities and I upheld mine. Over time, by their influence and training, I was transformed into a soldier. If the military can accomplish that in me, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Gentle Whisper - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 27, 2016

As we see Elijah in the cave on Mount Horeb we also witness the hand of God in the wind, earthquake and fire but we only hear the LORD speaking in the still, small voice or the gentle whisper. Why did the LORD not speak loudly but only whisper?

Elijah Refresher from last week: Major characters - Elijah, Ahab and Jezebel Spiritual condition of Israel at that time 1 Kings 18:18b NIV “You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals.” Last week we saw that Elijah: - Faceoff with Ahab - no rain ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-18

Denomination: Nazarene

The Gentle Whisper - Part 3 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 27, 2016

Last week we talked about Elijah on Mt Horeb and the wind, earthquake and fire demonstration by God and then the gentle whisper of His voice. This past week I became angry in a way that was sinful. My experience was similar to Elijah's. Hear my confession

Please open your Bibles to 1 John 2:1-2 "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-2

Denomination: Nazarene

Humility 2016 Part 2

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 4, 2016

Sometimes we need an analysis of how we view ourselves in order to determine if we are actually humble or not. This sermon contains an mini-quiz to that effect and also the testimony of John Piper in an article from 2010 where he was struggling with pride

Luke 14:1-11 (read from the Bible and have congregation follow along) Luke 14:11 NIV “All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Humility … humility in relationship to God comes from knowing that God is God and we are not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Nazarene

Ascension 2016

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 4, 2016

The description of the ascension of Jesus to heaven is an interesting one. It shows us how consumed we may be with the world and its values instead of being consumed with the Kingdom of God and the mission which Jesus gave to us.

This coming Thursday is the day that some churches celebrate as Ascension Day because we know that Jesus appeared among His disciples for forty days after His resurrection and then He ascended into heaven. Normally we would celebrate the ascension of Jesus into heaven on the Sunday after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Nazarene

Spiritual Discernment

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 4, 2016

Spiritual discernment seems to be something lacking in many of the people in America who identify themselves as Christians. They're decisions seem to be the same as those of their unsaved neighbors. Should this be so? What does the Bible say?

Discernment - The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. Keen insight and good judgment … Illustration: Imagine that you walk into a bank and you see that all of the customers are laying on the floor and the only person standing is a guy with a ski mask over his face ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Denomination: Nazarene

Pentecost 2016

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 18, 2016

The arrival of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost was a turning point in the plan of God's great salvation of humanity. That event was not something that was done in secret but was announced with signs and wonders and with the salvation of 3000 souls!

Acts 2:1-13 (You can look this up now and we’ll read it later …) The Lord is a GREAT planner. He chose to send the Holy Spirit when people from all over the Roman Empire and beyond would be in Jerusalem. Why were they all coming to Jerusalem at that time? Deuteronomy 16:16-17 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Nazarene

The Trinity 2016

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 1, 2016

While I do not follow the "Church Calendar" as if it were the Word of God, Trinity Sunday is a good reminder of the necessity to attempt to convey the wonders of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as the Trinitarian Godhead!

Matthew 3:13-17 (Turn to this while introducing Trinity Sunday) Trinity Sunday! We have just come through at time period where we have witnessed God the Father sending His Son in the form of a man fully God and Fully Human. A few months later we remembered the death and resurrection of Jesus the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Nazarene

The Other Advent (The Return Of Christ)

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 15, 2016

It is important to know what the Bible says and doesn't say about Jesus' return. There are those who say He has already returned, others say He will never return and still others have what they believe is an exact timeline. Let's check the Bible!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV (Please look this up in your Bibles and follow along) (While they look up the Scripture ...) Is there anyone here who enjoys the Advent Season; when we anticipate the arrival of Jesus on earth? Well, if you do, you should be happy now because we have been in an advent ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Nazarene

Intellectuals And Yokes

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 15, 2016

There are many intellectuals who believe themselves to be beyond believing in "simple-minded" Christianity. Is the Gospel found in the Bible just a myth that needs to be reinvented, or, is it the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth?

Matthew 11:25-30 (Please look this up in your Bibles and follow along as I read today's Scripture) Now let's go back to Matthew 11:25-26 NIV “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Nazarene

Zacchaeus The Transformed Man

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 21, 2016

There's an interesting story in Luke about a man named Zacchaeus who just wanted to see Jesus as He passed through Jericho but Zacchaeus got much more than he expected. and it transformed his life. Have you pursued Jesus. Has Jesus transformed your life?

Luke 19:1-10 (Please look this up in your Bibles and follow along) As we take a look at the salvation story of Zacchaeus it is always good to turn the attention inward and examine our own heart and our own motives. Luke19:1 NIV “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.” Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene