Sermons on Synagogues:

Feast Of Dedication

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 23, 2021

Hanukkah or the Feast of Dedication is a time to remember the dedication of the Priests who brought liberty; the dedication of the place of the temple; and the dedication of the people.

1. DEDICATION IS COSTLY Bertoldo de Giovanni was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Eliminate Envy Series

Contributed by Esther Collins on Mar 14, 2021

This is the 3rd devotion from a series entitled, 'Building Relationships that Last. This devotion is about how to overcome envy in our lives.

Building Relationships That Last # 3 Eliminate Envy In the second message in this series, we saw how the love that we show to others should be genuine and sincere. There is another aspect of this love which Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13:4, the point that “love does not envy”. Let us look ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:3-5, Genesis 4:8, 1 John 3:12, Acts 7:9, 1 Samuel 16:6-7, 1 Samuel 18:19, Proverbs 27:4, John 3:16, Matthew 27:18, Philippians 1:15, Proverbs 14:30, 1 Corinthians 13:4  (view more)  (view less)

The Foolishness Of The Message Of The Cross

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jul 23, 2021

Was Paul saying that the message of the cross was foolish? Paul was a Jew brought up in a Roman town and was greatly influenced by Greek culture. When he preached Christ, Paul found that each of these cultures had its own particular challenges when the gospel was concerned.

1 Corinthians 1:21-25 - For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:21-25, John 10:18, Acts 4:27-28, Romans 11:33-36, Romans 1:16, Acts 26:24, Matthew 16:4, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28  (view more)  (view less)

The Crew On The Roof

Contributed by Perry Hancock on Mar 10, 2022

Loving our friends means bringing them to Jesus.

Luke 5:17-26 17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Christ: The Resurrection And The Life

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 16, 2022

Jesus' act of raising Lazarus from the dead is one of the most thrilling and wondrous passages in Scripture. It shows His undeniable authority over the last enemy of humanity and was a public display of His power.

The ultimate state of helplessness is death. Once it overpowers you, regardless of age, status, education, health, or situation, you are in no state either to conquer its grip upon you, nor do you have any control over anything that you had considered valuable or precious, for none of it cannot ...read more

Scripture: John 11:32-44, John 12:1, John 12:10, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:13, Acts 4:12, 1 Peter 1:18-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Ben Sira Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 26, 2022

Ben Sira, also known as Shimon ben Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira or Yeshua Ben Sirach (2nd century BCE), was a Hellenistic Jewish scribe, sage, and allegorist from Seleucid-controlled Jerusalem of the Second Temple period.

Ben Sira Ben Sira, also known as Shimon ben Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira or Yeshua Ben Sirach (2nd century BCE), was a Hellenistic Jewish scribe, sage, and allegorist from Seleucid-controlled Jerusalem of the Second Temple period. He is the author of Sirach, also known as the "Book of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:19

Denomination: Baptist

Empowered

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Aug 6, 2020

Without being empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are followers. But once we are empowered, we are ambassadors.

EMPOWERED Today I’m going to help you feel empowered! You might say, Woah! Me? Empowered? I don’t think so. That’s not me . . . But please stay with me on this and don’t drift off. Our series is “The Wellbeing of my soul” – This is not about achieving great things for yourself This is not about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22, Acts 2:1-4

Under The Mercy

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 27, 2020

We're all sinners, saved only by the great mercy of God.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (Greet the congregation with “Good morning, saints.” After they reply, greet them again with “Good morning, sinners.” They’ll probably miss a beat before replying, but the point will be made.) We’re both saints and sinners, aren’t we? We’re saints seeking God, and sinners ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Footsteps Of Jesus - Who Are You Following?

Contributed by David Parks on Nov 28, 2020

As we look forward to the unique challenges COVID-19 presented to the church universal and the Surprise church specifically I would like to set the theme going forward , Where He Leads I will Follow – Faithful discipleship in a pandemic

THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS 1 WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING? 1 Peter 2:21-25 1 Peter 2:21-25 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Crisis Of Authority: An Exposition Of Matthew 21:23-32

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 20, 2020

Understanding authority has eternal consequences.

The Crisis of Authority: An Exposition of Matthew 21:23-32 The word “authority” has many applications. A person who is an expert in a particular subject area is called an “authority.” Another word for government at various levels is “authorities.” Others are authorities in religion. Others are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What A (Resurrected) Body!

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 30, 2020

There is a verse in the Bible that tells us that when Jesus returns "we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is". In what ways will we be like Him? In what ways will we NOT be like Him?

What A (Resurrected) Body! Titus 3:3-5 “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 20:14-15, Daniel 12:2, Philippians 3:21, 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Hebrews 9:28, Acts 1:11, Matthew 24:42-44, Matthew 11:28-30, 1 John 3:1-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

"ordinary People For An Extraordinary Calling" Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 31, 2020

Jesus rarely calls the famous, the powerful, the influential, or the religious groups to preach the Gospel. He works best with those who feel that that have nothing to offer Him but follow and obey Him anyway.

The message of Jesus has not changed in over two thousand years. He still tells those with ears to hear to repent and believe in the Gospel. In His early ministry, He preached in His hometown synagogue and nearly got Himself killed as a result (Luke 4:16-30). Wherever Jesus went, He either ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

I Don't Have A Prayer

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 18, 2021

Sometimes we have trouble praying. What shall we do? This lesson was motivated by the Daniel Henderson article, “Four Reasons You Don’t Feel Like Praying and Four Keys to Breakthrough,” at Strategic Renewal.com/four-reasons-you-dont-feel-like-praying-and-four-keys-to-breakthrough/

1. Frontline Prayer: Richard Dehaan told of a soldier who was doing sentry duty on the front line in WWI. After being relieved of duty, as a Christian, he wanted to pray, to thank God for protecting him, & to ask for His continued protection. But the enemy lines were very close, & he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Gracious Call To A Social Outcast (Mark 2:13-17) Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 25, 2021

So many people today feel like they exist more than they live, thinking that everything in this world is against them and that no one cares. Matthew, the tax collector, is just such a case. It turned out that Jesus had a plan for him, and for you as well.

Jesus' compassion for people is evident as we progress through this Gospel. This display of Divine love is recorded by Matthew and Luke as well. The Lord Jesus is not the exclusive property of any group or man- made religious system. Nobody can mold Him into one particular behavior to suit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should I Be Free From Bondage? Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 7, 2021

So many people, including some believers are trapped in some sort of bondage. Many are in despair, because they have tried so hard, to give up and break free but are unable to do so. But there is hope for all. Most often it is only knowing the Truth that will set people free!

Freedom from bondage Chapter 1 – Why should I be free from bondage Act 11:21: “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” (KJV) Most of us would like to have promises from the Lord for our personal benefit – we desire that the Lord should ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:21, Titus 3:3, Luke 4:18

Denomination: Other