Sermons on Stern:

Being Culturally Relevant

Contributed by Ronald Ferrell on Oct 10, 2002

With so many changes taking place in our culture today, IS THE CHURCH KEEPING PACE? Our MESSAGE must never change, but our METHODS do in order to reach the culture we’ve been commissioned to reach.

October 13, 2002 – Covington, IN BEING CULTURALLY RELEVANT 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 It is a common mistake. Pastors and churches can be trapped by this misunderstanding and never know it. Specifically, that the church must do little more than open its doors on Sunday, and the non-Christian will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Are Our Kids Growing Up 2 Fast 2 Furious? Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Nov 26, 2003

This is a part of the series based on movie blockbusters.

SLIDE 1 Are our Kids Growing Up 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS ? SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS—Part 3 (BLUE PRINT DENOTES 8:30 SERVICE ONLY) Welcome to Bethany. We especially welcome our guests. Please everyone complete the attendance pad. Also take at look at the Ministry Opportunities in the Attendance binder. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18, Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Methodist

Part I: Worry - Leaving The Master In Control Series

Contributed by Brad Froese on Aug 30, 2004

Practical Biblical steps to overcoming worry. Worry siphons the joy of the Lord right out of a believer and it hinders our potential as Christians.

I told my wife I was preaching a sermon on worry, and I worried about it all week long. People like to have control of things. That in itself is a good reason for us to worry. Everything we produce is designed to give us the greatest degree of control. From the TV remote to the antilock breaks on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:27-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How Much Is The Fare To Tarshish? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 6, 2003

Jonah refused to go to Tarshish because emotionally he felt unwelcome and theologically he thought he could escape God’s oversight. He paid hidden costs, in vain: the loss of a vessel, the loss of joy, human wreckage, reckoning with eternity.

When I travel, I don’t want to spend too much money on the travel itself. I’d rather spend my money on whatever there is to buy where I’m going. I don’t want to hand much over to the airline or the railroad. I want to travel cheap. But I sometimes miss an important fact – that when I try to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Chosen Vessel

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 16, 2004

You are a valuable treasure to God. God finds great treasures in the common "folk." This sermon uses both biblical and secular illustrations.

2 Corinthians 4:7 -- “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” l. INTRODUCTION -- THE CELLIST OF SARAJEVO On May 27, 1992, in Sarajevo, one of the few bakeries that still had a supply of flour was making and distributing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Reading The Map / Visualizing The Goal Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Jan 25, 2008

The 10 characteristics of a God-honoring church, based on a look at the first century church of Acts 2.

INTRO>We’ve all heard the little saying (show the actions with hands locked together, fingers entwined upside down) ...This is the church, here is the steeple; open it up (wiggling fingers) and see all the people.” However, that is NOT the way it really is...this way is actually upside down from ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Spirit - Who Is He? Part 6 Series

Contributed by Randy Hamel on Feb 7, 2008

This sermon proves that the Holy Spirit is God, sent by Jesus, and lives within every Christian (acknowledgement Dr. Henry Schorr, Centre Street Church)

o Good morning. For those who are new here welcome to Calvary o o The church is not a place to come to but a place to belong to o Were in a series called what we believe o What it is Christians believe about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit o Over the next several weeks were going ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-17

Memorial Day - Will They Find Us Faithful?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 25, 2007

I believe we are surrounded by a greater cloud of witnesses than we will ever know ... We are the recipients of the faith, testimony & sacrifices made by unnumbered multitudes who have blazed the path before us.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND CCF, SILOAM SPRINGS, AR A. Tomorrow is officially designated as a holiday marked in many communities by a variety of solemn observances. All across the United States people will gather in parks & cemeteries to commemorate what this day symbolizes. Bands will play, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:17-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dying In Order To Live Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 17, 2007

True release comes from a relationship with Jesus, not from rules.

Dying in Order to Live Romans 7:1-6 Rev. Brian Bill 6/17/07 www.pontiacbible.org This past Sunday I preached at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park. Beth and I spent about 10 years at Calvary and were supported by them for three years when we were missionaries. For the last several summers I’ve ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Wind Beneath My Wings Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 25, 2007

Nehemiah, Pt. 5

THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS: FROM ACRIMONY TO AGREEMENT (NEHEMIAH 5) The worst cold war I have ever witnessed was between two pastors I knew. One was the senior pastor and the other was the Mandarin pastor of the same church. Some deacons in the church board wanted to force the old senior pastor in ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Values Babies

Contributed by Daniel Owens on Jan 9, 2008

Children, both born and unborn, have a special place in God’s heart—and the ill treatment of these little ones will bring about God’s judgment upon society.

Listen to the Psalmist in chapter 127:3 (NASB) “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, so are children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, when they speak with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus' Prayer For You

Contributed by Paul Decker on Mar 2, 2007

Jesus has our best in mind.

JESUS’ PRAYER FOR YOU John 17.1-26 S: Jesus and prayer C: Unity Pr: JESUS HAS OUR BEST IN MIND. ?: What? What does Jesus pray for? KW: Plans TS: In John 17, Jesus reveals His plans for believers of all ages and shows how He has our best in mind. Type: Proposition The ____ plan is… I. GLORY ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Who Are You Looking For?

Contributed by Paul Decker on Mar 4, 2007

We follow a deliberate Savior.

WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? John 18.1-14 S: Jesus C: Betrayal Pr: WE FOLLOW A DELIBERATE SAVIOR. TS: In John 18.1-14, we will begin to follow the steps of Jesus as they lead to the cross. Type: Inductive The ____ step is the… I. GARDEN (1) II. TREACHERY (2-3) III. MAJESTY (4-9) IV. SWORD ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Is It Worth It?

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Sep 11, 2007

Is it worth it to follow Christ? Is it worth it to live faithfully? Is it worth it to give faithfully? Paul’s answer is, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

This message is based on three verses: Romans 8:18, 26, 28. The Bible states that those who sell out to Jesus Christ have the power of God at work within them. We’re not going to be living perfect lives. All of our lives, we’re going to be saying with Paul, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Think You Are? Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Sep 12, 2007

We are living advertisements of God’s greatness.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? (AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?) I Peter 2.9-10 S: Church purpose Th: His power, His work – in us! Pr: WE ARE LIVING ADVERTISEMENTS OF GOD’S GREATNESS. ?: How? How do we do that? KW: Advantages TS: We will find in our study of I Peter 2.9-10 six advantages we have been ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Baptist