Sermons on Stephen:

The Missing Bible Verses

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 27, 2017

Why do some newer Bible translations seem to have verses that are missing from older translations? Are the new translations trying to hide something? Can we trust them? Let's take a look and see ...

John 5:1-15 (Please open your Bibles to this passage.) This passage is the account of Jesus’ healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda; an account which only appears in the Gospel of John. Many Bible scholars (a person can be a Bible scholar without being a Bible believer …) ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Prayer

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 8, 2017

Does the Lord hear all prayers? To whom should we pray? Why do we pray? Prayer is necessary for an interactive life with God. We cannot compartmentalize our lives into God-time and our-time.

Please open your Bibles to Matthew 6:5-15 so you can follow along. What is prayer? Communication with God Worship Thanksgiving Requests Spiritual understanding Needs Worship (again) (Congregational reading of the Lord’s Prayer on PPT from the KJV) So, let’s go ahead ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Are We Ready?

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 23, 2017

Is the Army of the Lord ready for battle? Do we even know that we are in a spiritual battle? The enemy is constantly attacking. Perhaps we're just wearing the uniform but are not really soldiers of the Lord. Let's get ready!!!

Ephesians 6:10-19 (Please open your Bibles so you can read along) No one likes war unless they are crazy. People die. People suffer. In war one country is the aggressor, sometimes they both are. Are we in a war? I’m not talking about a war against ISIS or the Taliban? Sometimes war is a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-19

Denomination: Nazarene

I, Too, Must Die!

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 10, 2017

In this Scripture Jesus confirms that He IS the Christ, the He must die and that He will rise again. Also in this Scripture we see that we must believe Jesus is the Christ, that we must die and be raised; raised to eternal life or eternal death.

Mark 8:27-38 (Please open your Bibles so you can read along) Today we will start following Jesus down the road to the cross and then finally to the resurrection. This, of course, is not something we speak about only at this time of year. This great act of mercy and salvation is the pivotal event ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Nazarene

Clearing The Temple

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 15, 2017

This is the account of Jesus clearing the temple. The questions we will ask today are, "What would Jesus do if He came into our church and looked at everything?" and "What would Jesus do if He came into our lives and looked at everything"? He IS here!

Mark 11:1-11, 15-19 (Please open your Bibles so you can read along) Jericho to Jerusalem – 18 miles south rising 3,325 feet in elevation It was along this road that the parable of the Good Samaritan is situated. So, let’s go ahead and read the Scripture for today – Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-19

Denomination: Nazarene

Soli Deo Gloria - Glory To God Alone Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 14, 2017

This is the final of the five "Solas" which came out of the protestant reformation. It is last because all of the work of salvation is due to the Lord's pursuit of humanity for the purpose of reconciling lost sinners to Himself. Glory to God Alone!!!!!!!!

Please open your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 which we will read in a few minutes. Today we’ll be taking a look at the last of the five “Solas” that were reestablished after the Protestant Reformation came along in 1517; Soli Deo Gloria – Glory to God Alone! At the same time this is the start ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Denomination: Nazarene

Worshiping The Newborn King

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 18, 2017

There are several sub-stories within the over-arching birth story of the incarnation. What do these sub-stories have in common? What can we learn from them?

Please open your Bibles to Matthew 2:1-12 which we will read in a few minutes. Do you love the Christmas story? Not the story about the Grinch or Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer or even The Miracle on 34th Street, but the story of the Son of God. The story that is the fulfillment of prophecies made ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:10-14, Matthew 22:37-40

Denomination: Nazarene

Extreme Dream 2018 Pt 1 Series

Contributed by Samuel Stephens on Dec 30, 2017

A series to inspire people to dream, defend against negative forces from friends and family to trust in GOD

“Dream Extreme in 2018” PT 1 Don’t bring a small mind from 2017 to worship a BIG GOD in 2018! It is important to Dream! Our Dreams give us energy and thrust to live life! A good dream can put pep in your step! A good dream can cause you to see past your problems and into the possibilities of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Many Moods Of Christmas

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 2, 2018

Everyone is so concerned about "Merry Christmas" verses "Happy Holidays". What about the context of either saying? Are you going through a good time in life? Then it is Merry but if you're going through a rough patch it can feel like salt in a wound.

Please open your Bibles to Luke 2:8-20 which we will read in a few minutes. In this part of the narrative of the Christmas story we read of the encounter of the angels with the shepherds on the night of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. With that in mind lets go ahead and read Luke 2:8-20. In ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Christmas Eve 2017

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 2, 2018

This is not so much a sermon as it is a narrative and Scripture reading of the Birth of Jesus as found in the Gospels with video and Christmas Hymns mixed in. Requires several readers.

Christmas Eve 2017 Opening Video – Messiah.wmv Prayer – Pastor #1 (Points of the prayer) - The fabulous account which we retell each year - How precious it is to those who believe - Help us to set aside the worldly distractions from the story - Make it real to those who do not yet believe - Be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-24, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20, Matthew 2:1-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

New Years Sunday 2018

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 12, 2018

Every year starts new; kind of like the creation of a new year. So, today we will be taking a look a the real act of Creation as found in Genesis and look into the the microscopic wonders of all life on earth and how the intricacy shouts, "GOD IS AWESOME!

Please open your Bibles to Genesis 1:1-2:3 which we will read in a few minutes. Well … here we are in 2018. Can you believe it; 2018!!!???!!! And the years seem to go by faster and faster. Does it seem that way to you, too? This is the first Sunday in 2018 and we’re already a week into the year, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-4

Denomination: Nazarene

Here Is A Trustworthy Saying

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 17, 2018

As pastors we know that proof texting is dangerous. It is even more dangerous to take two fragments of a "Trustworthy Saying" that spans three verses and use them to support a doctrine. With that in mind lets take a look at 2 Timothy 2:11-13.

(This is a hybrid between a sermon manuscript and a sermon outline. I hope you can follow it and flesh it out in your own words as the Lord leads you.) Please open your Bibles to 2 Timothy 2:1-13 which we will read in a few minutes. 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus are letters written to specific ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-13, 2 Timothy 2:11-13, John 15:5-6, Matthew 10:32-33, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Peter 2:20-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Mark 1:1-8 - Who Is Jesus?

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 30, 2018

In Mark 1:1-8 Mark declares that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. He goes on to show that Jesus fulfills OT prophecies and that John the Baptist is himself a fulfillment of prophecies who proclaims Jesus Deity as well.

Please open your Bibles to Mark 1:1-8 which we will read in a few minutes. The Gospel of Mark is fast paced. It is the shortest of the four Gospels filled with miracles and action to show the power of Jesus the Messiah. The Gospel of Mark emphasizes the super-human power of Jesus. Mark presents ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, John 1:1-3, Mark 14:51-52

Denomination: Nazarene

He Will Baptize You With The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 30, 2018

John was baptizing and the people knew and understood that but what was this baptism with the Holy Spirit that Jesus was bringing?

(This sermon is in an outline form so you may need to flesh it out a little) Please open your Bibles to Mark 1:1-8 which we will read in a few minutes. Last Sunday when we took a look at this passage of Scripture we talked about three things: 1. Mark was announcing Who Jesus is 2. Mark was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Matthew 22:37-40

Denomination: Nazarene

Yhwh The Son

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 7, 2018

This sermon is an attempt to help us to realize the gravity and magnitude of Who is being introduced in the first chapter of Mark. When we describe the Trinity as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit it tends to fragment YHWH in our minds.

Please open your Bibles to Mark 1:9-13 which we will read in a few minutes. Last week we took a look at what John the Baptist meant when he said that he was baptizing people with water but Jesus would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. And we saw that Grace is God’s underserved favor toward ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-13

Denomination: Nazarene