Sermons on Stephen:

He Raised Us Up With Him

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 6, 2019

The resurrection of Jesus calls us to life on a new dimension.

Imagine with me a young boy spending the summer on his grandfather’s farm. He has chores to do, but as soon as they are done he loves to roam in the woods and hills nearby. He spots an eagle soaring in the sky, follows it to its nest on the edge of a cliff and sees its mate sitting on the nest. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-7, Matthew 10:39

Saved By Grace, Through Faith, For Good Works

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 8, 2019

In 3 short verses Paul gives an overview of the order of salvation, the path to mature discipleship.

It can feel overwhelming to think about building a relationship with God. For God, everything ought to be right, every part of your life. You ought to pray all the time. You ought to be very careful with every word you speak. You ought to be helping all sorts of people every day. Who can do it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

The Scandal Of God's Grace

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 8, 2019

We all speak lightly of God's grace, but a proper understanding should revolutionize our lives.

Most of you will recognize the name, John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. He was a priest in the Church of England in the 1700’s who preached up and down the British Isles and organized people into small groups everywhere he could with a format that brought thousands of people into ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Breaking Down The Walls

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 8, 2019

Just as the Apostle Paul had to deal with separations between Jewish and Gentile Christians in his day, we need to deal with separations between white and black churches (and many other ethnicities as well) today.

(This sermon was preached in 1997 and needs updated examples) There was once a subway car, almost empty, except for a Chinese man and a Jewish man, who sat in their seats, silently, holding their newspapers high as they read. Suddenly the Jewish man stood up, rolled up his newspaper, walked over ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

The Lost Sons - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 9, 2019

In this two part sermon series we will be taking a look at what is normally called the parable of the Prodigal Son. This sermon looks at the part involving the younger son.

The Lost Sons (Part 1) 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: Luke 15:11-31, 1 Timothy 6:6, John 1:11-13

Denomination: Nazarene

The Lost Sons - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 18, 2019

Last week we took a look at the younger son found in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Today we'll be taking a look a the older son and always with our eyes fastened on the Father!!!

The Lost Sons (Part 2) 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: Luke 15:21-32

Denomination: Nazarene

Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 21, 2019

We have recently been pressed to react to immigrants in fear, but God calls us to respond in love.

Oh, man, if you think about it, getting up in front of a crowd to speak like this can be pretty scary. What if my brain goes blank in the middle of a sentence? That’s happened to me. Even when I was in my 30s, one time I was wrapping up the worship service and I got halfway through the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-19, 1 Timothy 1:7

What We Shall Be

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 21, 2019

The more we feel battered on this earth or are tempted to look away from others who are broken, the more we need to remember what God can make us when we see him face to face in heaven.

This morning we are celebrating All Saints’ Sunday. You may know that the observance began many centuries ago to honor Christians who experienced the fierce persecutions of the Roman Empire, who were executed for their faith, and maintained their testimony of Christ through it all. Folks like a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

God Pointing To God

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 27, 2019

In the Bible we see a wonderful example in the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament He points to God (the Father). In the New Testament He points of Jesus. He never points to Himself. What a beautiful example and source of empowerment He is for us! PTL!!

God Pointing to God 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. These ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-27, Romans 5:5, 2 Timothy 1:14, Hebrews 10:15, John 15:26, Genesis 1:1-2, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

The Stewardship Of The Gospel

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 31, 2019

The understanding that the Apostle Paul had for God's calling on his life is instructive for the calling of every church.

This morning I would like to start on a fairly major project. We are going to start a sermon series from the New Testament book of Ephesians. Its only 6 chapters long, but there is so much in it that it could easily take us 6 months to complete. I love the Bible, and to see the Bible's ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-10, Matthew 28:16-20

The Church: Exhibit A

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 31, 2019

The church often seems really clutzy, but the way that we live together and love one another is really important.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the church seems a bit lame? There never seems to be enough money. There always seems to be somebody fussing about some really petty thing, trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Sometimes it seems to take forever to get everybody agreed and working ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Labor Day 2019 - Love One Another

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 31, 2019

When the industrial revolution came to America there was little or no love between the company and the employees, hence the growth of unions. Would Labor Day even be in existence if those involved had obeyed the Lord's command to love one another?

Labor Day 2019 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. These words ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21, Mark 9:35, Ephesians 6:5-9, 1 Timothy 6:6, Luke 16:13, 1 Timothy 6:10, Hebrews 13:5, Colossians 3:23-24, Matthew 6:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

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