Sermons on Taken Captive:

Faith's Review And Expectations

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Feb 17, 2007

A sermon for "Amazing Grace" Sunday [February 25, 2007] based upon the Life of John Newton and his great hymn "Amazing Grace."

Faith’s Review and Expectations 1 Peter 4:1-11 I used to think America’s favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, was a bit overdone: "... that saved a wretch like me." Really now! But the author was a wretch, a moral recluse. Its author, John Newton, had commanded an English slave ship for a portion of his ...read more

Denomination: *other

Mercy Not Sacrifice

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 6, 2008

Today, let us be reminded by the words of Jesus, "But go and learn what this means: "I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE." For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Matthew 9:13 NKJV)

Mercy Not Sacrifice, Matthew 9:9-13 Introduction There is the story of the man who came down from the North Carolina Mountains. He was all dressed up and carrying his Bible. A friend saw him and asked, "Joe, what’s happening? Where are you going all dressed up like that?" Joe said, "I’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Christian Church

Unspectacular Faith: The Story Of Esther

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Jan 28, 2009

Often times our attempts to be faithful servants of God make us feel so alienated from those around us, that it seems impossible to both “serve God” and “be in this world” at the same time.

Scripture: Esther 9:20-22 I Peter 4:7-11 Dean Willimon of Duke University tells of a conversation he had with a student who had recently transferred to the university and joined their Bible study. Willimon relates: “The student told me how much he was enjoying his Bible study group here at ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:20-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Crucified With Christ

Contributed by Chris Surber on Sep 18, 2008

Ultimately salvation is about knowing God, and commitment to Christ is about dying to self.

Crucified With Christ, Philippians 1:21-30 Introduction On a dark and stormy night, a child was lost in the streets of a large city. A policeman found him crying in distress, and gathering enough from his story to locate the home, gave him directions after this manner. “Just go down this street ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Christian Church

Advent I: Hope Is Coming Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Nov 29, 2008

The Old and the New Testaments confirm that God’s love knows no boundaries as proven by the Incarnation we celebrate this Advent season.

November 29, 2008 – Advent 1 – “Hope is Coming” Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-38 Christmas holds a place in each of our hearts. In our culture it’s a time when family, or family and faith converge. Even those for whom the season we’re approaching holds mixed feelings or painful feelings, it’s rare that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Responding To The Story

Contributed by Jaco Bester on Jan 10, 2006

Discovering the ’right’ response to the story of our reconciliation to the Father in the birth of Jesus.

RESPONDING TO THE STORY… PSALM 126 Introduction: In a northern section of Berlin lies a Protestant church whose front yard used to straddle the Communist wall. Its ironic name: the Church of the Reconciliation. The building itself used to be in East Berlin, while the sidewalk was in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

What Mindset Do You Have? Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Jan 22, 2013

Purpose, direction, the world vs. spirit

“WHAT IS YOUR MINDSET” Romans 8: 5-8 (p 800) January 20, 2013 INTRODUCTION: I started thinking about this sermon when I was at lunch Monday…and I couldn’t wait to get back to the office and ask some of the staff this question….Ready…”Who controls your ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Takes More Than 'just A Little Talk With Jesus' To Make It Right

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 20, 2013

If God did not spare Israel for transgressing the covenant, He won't let anyone else either. True repentance will turn God's anger and covenant curses for disobedience away. But this must be more than a temporary matter

Don’t Make Jesus a One-Night Stand 2 Kings 22-23 2 Chronicles 34-35 The spiritual condition of Judah at the time Josiah took the throne of the kindom was deplorable. His grandfather Manasseh had ruled for 55 years, and apart from repenting of the evil late in his reign, Manasseh was the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hidden Treasure Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 8, 2012

A study of the Gospel of Matthew 1: 1 – 17

Matthew 1: 1 – 17 Hidden Treasure 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: 2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Study Of The Book Of Romans Lesson #23 Series

Contributed by James May on May 9, 2015

Continuation of a study in the Book of Romans

Book of Romans Lesson #23 Romans 9:27- 9:33 By Rev. James May Someone said recently that what our world needs is another Isaiah, or a Jeremiah, or an Elijah; a man that is called of God to speak into the face of the leaders of America and the world, and proclaim the gospel in an effort to turn ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:27-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Discipleship - Character Traints Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Mar 12, 2011

This message focues on the character trait of obedience.

Discipleship Part 3: Character Traits Scriptures: 1 Samuel 15:22; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Introduction: This morning we will begin our exploration of character traits of a good disciple. A character trait is defined as that behavior that is typical of an individual or group. These behaviors ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Jesus? Deity (Part 3 Of 4) Series

Contributed by Cameron Bottema on Apr 30, 2012

A short 4 week study of Jesus Christ's Human Nature, Deity, and Incarnation

Part 3 of a 4 week series on the study of Jesus: The Names of Deity are Attributed to Jesus Christ: Only Jesus as the Eternal, Uncreated God could bear the titles ascribed to Him in the Scriptures. [a] He is the The Son of God, so referred to at least 40 times: [See Matthew 14:33; 16:16; ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:33

Denomination: Friends

Ezra: Finding Help From The Hand Of God

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Oct 14, 2017

All events around Ezra are not favorable. He is an exile in a pagan nation. But if there is one factor that works in his advantage, it is the hand of God. Let us examine how the very meaning of his name will works wonders for him. Ezra means help from God

EZRA: FINDING HELP FROM THE HAND OF GOD Ezra 7:6-10 NASB In every aspect, all events around Ezra are not favorable. He is an exile in a pagan nation. But if there is one factor that works in his advantage, it is the hand of God. Let us examine how the very meaning of his name will works wonders ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Consider Your Faith Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 15, 2016

In the midst of troubling times, Christians must possess and live by faith. God is calling us to examine our faith and stand, committed to Him.

Consider Your Faith Haggai 2: 20-23 Today I hope to conclude our study in the book of Haggai. Although written some 2,500 years ago, it has been very relevant for our day. If there were any doubts, I hope our time in Haggai has confirmed the timeless nature of God’s Word within your heart ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

God's Awesome Plan

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 16, 2024

At Easter we think of how Jesus, by dying on the cross, freed us from our slavery to sin. But we can't think, 'I'm saved and that's all that matters to me.' God saves us for a purpose. We need to grasp God's purpose and engage with it.

Do any of you like watching movies? Do you like action movies? How about prison escapes? There are two kinds of prison-escape movies. There are movies like Escape from Alcatraz or The Great Escape. In these movies the hero’s goal is to escape. There is no bigger goal. Then there are movies ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:2, John 8:34, Romans 7:6, John 1:29, Revelation 19:9, 1 Corinthians 2:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist