Sermons on Stephen:

Joshua And The Gibeonites - Foolishness And Faithfulness

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 26, 2016

Have you ever been scammed? Has anyone ever misrepresented themselves in order to take advantage of you? The encounter of the Israelites and the Gibeonites is an interesting example. Let's learn from Joshua's mistake!

Joshua 9 - Please look this up in your Bibles ... As we look up Joshua Chapter 9 let’s take a look at where this event takes place in the history of ancient Israel. Briefly recount: Abraham/Isaac/Jacob - Bondage in Egypt - Moses - Joshua Before the time of the Judges - the kings - Israel ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:1-27

Denomination: Nazarene

John 14:6 - The Singularity Of Christ

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 26, 2016

This sermon was preached as a prelude to baptism. Jesus left absolutely no doubt that He was, is and always will be the only way to the Father in spite of the rising tide of public opinion.

=John 14:1-9 – please open your Bibles to the Gospel of John chapter 14. Of course we know that Gospel actually means “Good News!” John 14:6-7 was our memory scripture this past July, August, September Because we are baptizing Christopher today I thought it would be a good idea ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-9

Denomination: Nazarene

(Pre)election Thoughts 2016

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 17, 2016

The purpose of this sermon is to lay out some thoughts from the Biblical perspective and to encourage our congregation to find out where candidates stand on these vital issues and to take their beliefs into the voting booth with them.

1 Corinthians 6:9-20 – please look this up in your Bibles. We will read this passage in a moment … Did you know that there is an election coming up? Did you know that there are more than two people running for office? When all of the mudslinging is set aside do you know what they ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:5-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Persecution And Thanksgiving

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 22, 2016

Believers in many parts of the world are suffering persecution ranging from mild oppression to beheadings while we in the west seem to waltz through life without giving this persecution a second thought. What should we make of this disparity?

Matthew 24:4-14 – please look this up in your Bibles. We will read this passage in a moment … The first and second Sundays of November have been designated as the International Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. But since we were away the first Sunday of November at a District ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:4-14

Denomination: Nazarene

Advent 1 2016 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 28, 2016

Advent is waiting with faith. How has waiting for the Messiah looked in the past? How does it look to us now? What gift can we bring to the Lord in this time of Advent? Is He waiting for you?

Matthew 1:1-17 (please look this up in your Bible) Where is the first hint of a Messiah found it the Bible? Right after the first sin is committed and the Lord is pronouncing judgment on the serpent: Genesis 3:15 NIV “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Nazarene

The Joy Of Giving Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Dec 9, 2016

Giving is rooted in God's love, releases God's blessing and results in God's kingdom advancing

THE JOY OF GIVING A man had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. He could receive little company and was not to be excited. While in the hospital a rich uncle died and left him a million dollars. His family wondered how to break the news to him with the least amount of excitement. It was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What Giving Produces Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Dec 9, 2016

Giving leads to praise, partnership and profit

WHAT GIVING PRODUCES I remember hearing Pastor Rick Warren once talk about a time years ago when people had bumper stickers that read “honk if you love Jesus.” He once saw a bumper sticker with this message, “Tithe if you love Jesus, any idiot can honk.” Imagine that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Prayer For The Ephesians Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Dec 9, 2016

Paul prays that the Ephesian believers would have power to dwell, power to grasp and power to know God's love

PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS One day a young man found a genie-in-a-bottle. This young adult is walking down the beach and comes across an old Arabic looking lamp. He rubs it and out pops a genie. The genie says, "Thank you for freeing me from the lamp. In return I will grant you three wishes." The ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When To Pray Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Dec 9, 2016

Pray when you are suffering, when you have success, when you are sick and when you have sinned

WHEN TO PRAY A pastor had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor tried everything to get the kitten down but it would not move and the tree was too narrow to climb. Finally, he decided to get a rope. He threw the rope up to one of the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

O Little Town Of Bethlehem Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Dec 9, 2016

God's greatest gift came to a small town, through a humble family and as a helpless infant

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM Sunday January 6, 1850, was bitterly cold in Colchester, England, a hard-biting blizzard keeping most people at home and away from church that day. At a small church on Artillery Street only about a dozen showed up. When it became apparent that even the pastor would not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:4-7

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Advent 2 2016 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 9, 2016

The Incarnation took immense planning; a righteous virgin and a carpenter from an obscure town, a pagan emperor taking a census, a journey, a manger, the family lineage. All of these had to be in place and timed perfectly. We serve a great God! PTL!!

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7 Please find this passage in your Bibles. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – sing the first verse A Cappella as the folks find the Scripture reading for the day. We love that little Christmas song, don’t we? Let’s go ahead and read from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Nazarene

Advent 3 2016 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 14, 2016

What would Christmas be like if it was REALLY a celebration of Jesus birth, if He was the focus of all we said and did from rising in the morning until we went to bed? What would it be like? What impact would it have on our family and friends?

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. “Of the increase of His ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Nazarene

Happy Birthday Jesus

Contributed by Samuel Stephens on Dec 25, 2016

True Meaning and Celebration of Christmas

Happy Birthday Jesus This is the day we have set side to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas to all of you! I pray you have planned a great time of celebration with family and friends, or even some of us will enjoy a day of peace and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8, Luke 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

Amazing Faith

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 19, 2022

It may be hard to find a place to put our faith in this modern world, but Jesus encountered a man who had amazing faith and we can learn from him.

I think we can all feel that right now our culture is really struggling to find faith. We talk about it in different ways. We talk about the need to restore family values. We talk about the need for spirituality. We may not talk about it, but I think we feel a need for a sense of purpose in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 8:5-13

Miracles

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 19, 2022

It can be confusing to understand when to expect God to intervene in our lives in the form of a miracle and when not to expect it. Jesus' encounter with a widow who had just lost her only son can give us some clues.

Two weeks ago we wrapped up the account of the Sermon on the Mount from Luke’s Gospel. This morning we take up the story again of the amazing things that happened as Jesus traveled from town to town in Israel, announcing and demonstrating the kingdom of God. This morning’s text is Luke 7:11-17. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17