Sermons on Strong Fortress:

How Could A Good God Allow Suffering (2025)

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 10, 2025

The presence of pain and suffering in the world do not take away from God's goodness or power. God's answer to suffering is the cross and the resurrection.

Introduction: A. There is a movie scene in which a young brother and sister experienced the death of a beloved kitten. 1. The children had prayed fervently that the cat would get well, but unfortunately, it had died. 2. The children couldn’t understand why this had happened, so they decided that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5, Hebrews 12:5-6, 1 Peter 1:6-7, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Job 1:20, Job 2:9-10, Hebrews 4:14-16, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shining Like Stars Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 24, 2025

It’s time to work out what God has worked in you.

Shining Like Stars Philippians 2:12-18 Rev. Brian Bill February 22-23, 2025 Last Saturday night, I gathered here to give God praise through the music and the message by Pastor Kyle. On Sunday, I traveled to an underground church where I witnessed winsome workers caring for newborns, and trained ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are Christians So Pro Life? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 11, 2024

I want to equip our church family in speaking intelligently and compassionately about abortion. I don’t have a Republican agenda here today as much as I have a kingdom of God agenda.

Today, I want to talk about the sanctity of human life and, specifically abortion. This morning, I want you to join with me in a celebration of life. There is a widespread divide regarding the issue of abortion … people are not indifferent regarding this contested issue. Even now, bringing the very ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Way Back Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Nov 18, 2024

James writes that if you feel distant from God or pride has gotten the best of you, there is always a way back.

James: Practical Faith  James 4:7-10 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church  11-17–2024 Intro When I was a youth pastor in Mississippi, a girl brought her new boyfriend to youth group. She was 13 years old and he was about to be 18 years old. I made an offhand comment ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Simeon's Song 2024 Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Dec 9, 2024

Simeon was waiting with hope for the Messiah

Simeon’s Song (Luke 2:25-32) Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 12-08-2024 Waiting for Gordon Last week, Maxine and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary by crossing off another bucket list item. We ate lunch at Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen in the suburbs. I asked our server, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Do It Without Me 2024

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Dec 9, 2024

This message is about being involved in what Christ is doing in this season.

Don’t Do It Without Me Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:11; First Peter 4:10-11; Isaiah 6:8 Good morning Strangers Rest. If you recall from my message last week, I talked about how you, as a Church, have come this far by faith. Next week we will celebrate the Church’s 99th anniversary and as I concluded ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 6:8, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preventing A Spiritual Firestorm Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 28, 2024

How much devastation and destruction has been wrought because believer's think nothing of listening passively to slanderous accusations against their spiritual leaders? The Apostle Paul was a victim of this as well.

Paradise, California. Lahaina, Hawaii. What comes to mind when I mention those two towns? What do they have in common? Yes, wildfire devastation. Firestorms that destroyed nearly the whole towns. I think most of us remember the terrifying and incredibly speedy devastation that each of these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Timothy 5:19, 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Bible Church

Part 15: The Lord's Prayer From The Cross Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 31, 2024

We see Jesus... 1. Wondering about injustice (vs. 1-3). 2. In a wonderful relationship with the Father (vs. 9-10). 3. Willing to suffer (vs. 4-8, 11-18). 4. Winning the victory (vs. 19-22). 5. Worthy of our praise (vs. 23-26). 6. Ruling the world forever (vs. 27-31).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 14: The Lord's Prayer from the Cross Psalm 22:1-31 (Initial reading: vs. 1-10) Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared December 31, 2024) MESSAGE: *Church: God is bigger, better, stronger and more glorious than we can possibly imagine. In Isaiah 66:1, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 6, 2025

Your teenage son doesn’t complain about coming to church. He is not rebellious.

Encouragement “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But, I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31 Intro: Your teenage son doesn’t complain about coming to church. He is not rebellious. You ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praising In The Pit Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 23, 2025

When you hit rock bottom, you’ll find that the Rock at the bottom is God Himself.

Praising in the Pit Psalm 34 Rev. Brian Bill June 21-22, 2025 I met an unforgettable man about 20 years ago when I was pastoring in central Illinois. The first time he came into our church sanctuary, he raised his arms over his head, looked up to the ceiling and said he was waiting for the roof ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Why Seeking God Feels Dry: Are You Seeking The Right Thing? - Psalm 63 Part 8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 1, 2025

What does it mean to seek God's face?

Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Review Step 1 in learning to love God is to resolve to prefer God over this world, after having counted the cost. Another step was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1

Nathanael - Come And See Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 11, 2025

Today I want to look at the call of Nathanael to follow Jesus in a little more detail. There are spiritual lessons to be learned here: Reference is from John 1:43-51:

The Disciples of Jesus Sermon: Nathanael – Come and See! Philip (John 1:43-51) from Bethsaida, introduced Nathanael to Jesus! Scripture Text: John 1:43-51 Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael 43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51, 2 Timothy 2:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love God Above All Else Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 14, 2025

Commandment 1 - love God above all else

Ten Words to Live By: Put God First Exodus 20 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 07-13-2025 I Pledge Allegiance When I subbed at the junior high, we began every morning with The Pledge of Allegiance. Most schools still do the pledge in the morning. The Pledge of Allegiance ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Marriage Part 4: The Four Horsemen Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

Part four of this five part series on marriage focuses on how to handle conflict based on the Gottman Institute identifocation of the Four Horsemen that can destroy a marriage. I highly recommend everyone to visit their website for resources for addressing marital conflicts.

Marriage Part 4: The Four Horsemen Scripture: First Peter 3:7; Matthew 5:22-24; Ephesians 4:26-27 Good morning Strangers Rest. This is part four of my series on marriage. The title of today’s message “The Four Horsemen” and I will be focusing on when we face conflict within our marriage. In part ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7, Matthew 5:22-24, Ephesians 4:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Nov 8, 2025

1. REJOICING IN HEAVEN 2. YOUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE 3. GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 4. YOUR GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY 5. JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 6. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS 7. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE 8. THE LEADER'S JOY 9. THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM 10. THE TEST OF FAITH

JOY 1. REJOICING IN HEAVEN 2. YOUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE 3. GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 4. YOUR GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY 5. JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 6. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS 7. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE 8. THE LEADER'S JOY 9. THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM 10. THE TEST OF ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:17

Denomination: Pentecostal