Sermons on Swallows:

"Getting Past The Crowd To Christ"

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Jul 7, 2013

This is a very well-known story, certainly to Christians, but I'm not sure that Christians really understand the full import to them of this story. We'll not just be touching unbelievers, but we will all be getting a touch, hopefully, from the Spirit of God from this account.

"Getting Past The Crowd To Christ" I want us to turn in the Scriptures for our reading just now to Mark's gospel chapter 2. As I have been announcing, I'm going to speak this morning, on the subject of 'Getting Past the Crowd to Christ'. This is a very well-known story, certainly to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Apostolic

We Cannot Worship Without Gratitude

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 11, 2015

Gratitude is required if we will worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

"You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:22-29

Denomination: Baptist

Why Must He Say, ‘here I Am’ Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 24, 2015

A study of the book of Isaiah 65: 1 – 25

Isaiah 65: 1 – 25 Why Must He Say, ‘Here I Am’ 1 “I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by My name. 2 I have stretched out My hands all day long to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:1-25

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Were You There? Yes You Were. Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 20, 2015

Tonight, I want to take you back to where, for all the reasons that really matter, over 2,000 years ago. a This is a message that before its over . . . will engage your senses ...sight, smell, touch, taste, hear what Jesus experienced in the 14 hours leading up to the Cross.

Were You There? Yes you were. Good Friday Service 2015 April 3, 2015 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker A The Crucifixion narrative in the four gospels take place over about a 14 hour period of time. PIX: BLOOD MOON 1 Tonight, I want to take you back to where, for all the reasons ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:48-50

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Big Enough To See Me Through The Storm Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 4, 2019

In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus reveals His power over the storms of life through 1) The Crisis (Mark 4:35–38a), 2) The Cry (Mark 4:38b) and 3) The Calm (Mark 4:39–41)

Mark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Other

Unchained Melody Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 1, 2022

The Miktams comprise Psalms written by David during a time of distress. Where shall the Christian turn when life appears to be crashing in? The Psalmist instinctively turns to God, just as the wise Christian turns to God.

A MIKTAM OF DAVID. “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’ “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Conversion Of Saul Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 14, 2022

By this time, Saul had become the movements ringleader to wipe out Christianity. A devout Hellenistic Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, Saul was a Pharisees and was taught by none other than Gamaliel.

The Conversion of Saul INTRODUCTION Let us imagine for a moment that this is the week of Saul's arrival at Damascus. By this time, Saul had become the movement's ringleader to wipe out Christianity. A devout Hellenistic Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, Saul was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Selling Herself Cheaply Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 4, 2021

God makes room for all, even for those women we routinely dismiss because of a soiled past. If God accepts Rahab the prostitute, He will accept me if I look to Him in faith.

“Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’ And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. And it was told to the king of Jericho, ‘Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Lights In A Dark World - Philippians 2:14-15 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 15, 2024

Are you obeying the command in Philippians 2:14, "Do everything without complaining or arguing"?

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15

A Survey Of My Grief Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 22, 2024

Lamentations speaks on behalf of those suffering as he reminds the Lord of how great is the grief experienced. He confesses that the judgement is deserved. In this, he provides a warning to those living in this present culture that they must not presume against the goodness of God.

Grief touches each of us eventually. [1] Though we know we will experience grief as individuals, we sometimes need to be reminded that grief will consume the nation that turns from righteousness while embracing wickedness. Some might suppose that Christians will gloat when judgement at last comes ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

You Will Be Called Sons Of God-Matthew 5:9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2024

The wellbeing of the entire world depends on peaceful relationships in the church. This message is a reminder of the importance of peacemaking, gives instruction on how to achieve it, and examines the reward Jesus promised

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Take And Eat - Mark 14:22-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 4, 2024

Why do some verses in the Bible make our relationship with God sound conditional, and other verses make it sound unconditional? The answer to that question is the key to understanding the gospel and having the closest, most intimate relationship with God possible.

Mark 14:22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:22-26, Matthew 26:26-30, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

When You Lose Your Shepherd - Mark 14:25-28 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 4, 2024

What would you have done if you were following Jesus and one night a lynch mob shows up, arrests him, beats him to a pulp, and crucifies him? We know what the disciples did—what should they have done?

Mark 14:25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:29-32, Mark 14:25-28

A River Runs Through It

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 4, 2024

Paradise began with a river flowing from the Garden, and in Heaven a river flows from the throne of God. The message is a brief consideration of the role these rivers play in the economy of God.

“A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold” [GENESIS 2:10-11]. “The angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:10-11, Revelation 22:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian Response To Social Evil

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 19, 2024

How shall followers of Christ respond to the growing wickedness of our world?

“[Jesus] said to [His disciples], ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:10-18

Denomination: Baptist