Sermons on Stephen:

Family Comes From The Heart Of God

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 31, 2019

It can be hard to understand what God is like, but Genesis tells us that we are created in God's image and we know that God is love. When we love our families and others, we experience something important of what God is like.

Open your bulletins and look at the two Bible verses at the top of our worship liturgy for today, in the box that says, “Words to Ponder.” We have all heard those two verses many times before, but I want to be sure you understand some amazing things in them this morning. Could we read them ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19, Genesis 1:26-27

A Chilling Day Of Giving

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 11, 2019

When Ananias and Sapphira hatched the plot to deceive the apostles and the church they never suspected that their infamous deed would be retold over the centuries to follow. May it be a lesson to us all.

A Chilling Day of Giving Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … John 14:23-24 “Jesus said, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. “He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37, Acts 5:1-11, Psalm 104:33-34, 2 Samuel 6:7, Matthew 21:12, Isaiah 63:8-10, Ephesians 4:30, Acts 5:11-15, Romans 6:23, John 11:15, John 11:35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

How To Be Good And Mad

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Christians often try to avoid or deny anger because unrighteous anger can be so destructive. But there is a time and place and way to be angry in a constructive way.

This morning I want to talk about finding freedom from anger, or to be precise, from destructive anger, not all anger. And our sermon text for this morning lays out a very simple outline of some really important guidance for us about anger. It is Ephesians 4:25-27. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-27

A Safe Place To Come Close

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Humility and gentleness are keys for creating a church fellowship where people feel safe to come close to one another.

Last week we started with the dilemma of two porcupines on a very cold night, who needed to snuggle up close to each other to stay warm. But the closer they got the more they pricked each other with their quills, so they pulled apart. But the more they pulled apart, the colder they got. So it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 11:28-29

Bearing With One Another In Love

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

All of us have needed to have people be patient with us when we were slow to grow and learn, working through a deep wound in our heart or just having a bad day. One of the best ways to help our churches and all their members is to learn to be patient with them, bearing with them in love.

I don’t get to do it very often anymore, but I love fishing. I grew up near a muddy little lake where you could catch bullheads and bluegills almost any time you tried. But catching fish is only part of the joy. Two years ago we vacationed up in Minnesota. The first evening we went out to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Maintaining God's Unity

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

When God's church is unified in love, wonderful power flows. But too often the flow is blocked. We need to learn to maintain the unity that God provides for us.

We lived for 7 years up in Winthrop Harbor, the Cornerstone of Illinois. Our house was 6 blocks from the Wisconsin border and about 2 miles from the Lake Michigan shoreline. We were maybe 5 miles from the Zion Nuclear Plant. We had several good friends who worked there. This week I’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, James 5:16, Romans 15:7, Colossians 3:16, Romans 12:10  (view more)  (view less)

Be One! Be Different!

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

No one is useless in the church. The Holy Spirit gives everyone some gifting that they can contribute. The church needs you.

This is a bit embarrassing to say, but I have this thing about doing the Tribune’s crossword puzzle each day, and I couldn’t finish Saturday’s and it’s bugging me. Maybe you can help me out. Then I can focus on our sermon text. Can you help me for a minute? I got most of it already. This should ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11-16

Lent 2021 - Jesus Cleansing The Temple Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 27, 2021

On the final week before the crucifixion Jesus came to the temple and cleared those who were turning the place into a wicked market and bank. Does He have permission to enter into the temple of our spirits and do the same thing?

Cleansing The Temple Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:3-5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” And our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-18, Leviticus 12:1-8, Luke 2:22-24, Leviticus 25:1-7, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Isaiah 56:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Lent 2021 - Jesus And The Barren Fig Tree Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 6, 2021

The account of Jesus and the unfruitful fig tree is one that surprisingly connects with the spiritual condition of the Jews in Jesus' time and with our spiritual conditions as well. May we bear much fruit for the Lord and bring glory to His Name!

Jesus and the Barren Fig Tree Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:3-5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25, Deuteronomy 27:15-19, Jeremiah 17:5, Malachi 1:14, Galatians 5:22-23, John 15:5-8, Philippians 1:9-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Lent 2021 - Mary's Singular Focus Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 13, 2021

Jesus was anointed at least twice in His ministry with the last time being just days before His crucifixion. What do we see in these accounts that is often overlooked?

Mary’s Singular Focus Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:3-5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” And our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:1-9, Luke 7:36-50, John 12:1-11, Titus 3:3-5, Romans 12:1-2, Jude 1:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Lent 2021 - Who Has Believed Our Message Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 20, 2021

Isaiah 53 is one of the most profound messianic prophecies found in all of the Old Testament and it asks a simple but convicting question, "Who has believed our message?" What message are we declaring? Is it the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Who Has Believed Our Message Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:3-5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-12, Philippians 2:6-7, Luke 2:52, Luke 11:46, John 1:46, 1 Peter 3:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Lent 2019 – Our Weeping Savior (Palm Sunday) Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 13, 2019

Our Lord has emotions. We see it both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. When He entered into Jerusalem on a donkey to the shouts of "Hosanna" why did He weep. Does He weep or rejoice over us?

Lent 2019 – Our Weeping Savior (Palm Sunday) Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44, Deuteronomy 6:5, Isaiah 43:1-3, 1 Samuel 8:1-9, Matthew 23:37-38, 2 Peter 2:9-10, Mark 12:30, James 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Sword Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 16, 2019

Series looking at Spiritual Warfare

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT A former park ranger at Yellowstone National Park tells the story of a ranger leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio distracting, so he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Resurrection Sunday 2019 - The Main Thing

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 20, 2019

Sometimes even on Resurrection Sunday we can become distracted and drawn into something beside the main focus of the day; the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Resurrection Sunday 2019 – The Main Thing Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12, John 1:12, Proverbs 3:5-7, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 6:22, 1 John 1:9, John 3:16-18, John 14:6, 1 Samuel 2:2, Revelation 7:10, John 20:4, Luke 24:19, John 20:26, John 20:19, Luke 24:1, John 19:39, 2 Corinthians 5:15-20, Galatians 5:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Easter 2019

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 23, 2019

The empty tomb reminds us of God's Power, Priority and Presence in our lives.

EASTER Back in 1922 a British archaeologist named Howard Carter became famous when he discovered the intact tomb of King Tutankhamun, a young Egyptian pharaoh who lived and ruled in about 1332 BC. Other tombs in Egypt had been found before this, but what made this tomb so unique was the fact that ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance