Sermons on Test Of The Filter:

A Snake In The Sand

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jan 26, 2008

What Jesus does in the desert puts right the wrong that was done in the garden. Satan had been waiting for this as he watched Jesus grow day by day. Jesus restored the beauty and perfection that was the Garden of Eden while in the desolation of the desert

A Snake in the Sand The greatest battle between a man and Satan is the one recorded here concerning Jesus temptation in the desert. Jesus has just been baptized by John the Baptist and as a result Jesus is revealed as the Lamb of God as John puts it. The Holy Spirit has come upon him like a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Cross Of Temptation Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 28, 2012

When we understand teh nature of temptation we can fully appreciate and share in the suffering of Christ.

Title: The Cross of Temptation Text: Mark 1:9-15 (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-14) Thesis: When we understand the nature of temptation we can fully appreciate and share in the suffering of Christ. Lenten Season: The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates with the celebration of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Self-Deception Of Sin Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Jun 19, 2013

Paul exhorts us to test ourselves to see if we’re in the faith – but how do we do that? John points us in the right direction with some practical “tests” so that we may discern whether we are living in the light or in the darkness.

The Self Deception of Sin - 1 John 1:10-2:2 Series: That We May Know – Life With Jesus - #4 In his second letter to the Corinthian Church, the apostle Paul pleads with the people, saying to them these words … “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test ...read more

Denomination: *other

What's Love Got To Do With It? Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Jul 9, 2013

Love is meant to be the defining characteristic of the Christian. What’s that look like in the context of your life?

What’s Love Got To Do With It? - 1 John 2:7-11 - June 30, 2013 Series: That We May Know – Life With Jesus - #6 I’ll invite you to open your Bibles with me this morning to the book of 1 John as we continue in our series entitled, “That We May Know – Life With ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-11

Denomination: *other

Do This 3 Decisions

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jul 19, 2013

To show 3-fold decisions we make every moment of our lives.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you decide on things? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show 3-fold decisions we make every moment of our lives. IV. TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (Amplified Bible) But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

God’s Refining Fire

Contributed by Doug Gorman on Apr 11, 2016

Refining Fire...

Christians are told to love and forgive one another, not try to tear each other down. Those are devices of Satan and church we cannot let him get a foothold in here. I am going to quote Chuck Colson who once told his congregation (and this should hold true for any pastor), “I’m not ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"When Life Throws You A Curve" Series

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Jan 15, 2015

Christians can rejoice through trials as God refines their faith through them. As a Christian must realize we will face difficulties, and those difficulties are not meanness but strengthen our faith not in ourselves but in

Title: "When Life Throws You a Curve" Big Idea: Christians can rejoice through trials as God refines their faith through them. Text: 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Focused Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 20, 2015

Following his baptism Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and is tempted by Satan. His temptation helps him to focus on who he is and what he has been called to do.

Matthew 4:1-17 “Focused” INTRODUCTION It is interesting to see how Hollywood has interpreted the temptation of Jesus. The truth is that we don’t know exactly what happened. No one was present with Jesus, in the wilderness, to record what actually took place. There were no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Learning To Trust God!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 1, 2018

The story of Gideon is a great example of just an ordinary man who learned to trust God & became a man of impressive courage.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Judges 6:1-40 (NLT); Judges 7:1-25 (NLT); Matthew 6:31 (NLT); ILL. Chuck Swindoll, in his book, "Living Above the Level of Mediocrity," tells about a church in the Soviet ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-40, Judges 7:1-25, Matthew 6:31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Daniel Part Iii - Living Out Of Faith In The Fire Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Aug 7, 2018

A story of faith, courage and conviction. The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. The courage to stand in the face of death.

INTRODUCTION • We are in the 3rd part of a series on Daniel. • We’ve been talking about pressure and culture and living out of core values and loving well. • Daniel was taken captive and hauled off to Babylon when he was probably 15 or so years old. • He’s tested and tested again ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Doesn't God Do What I Ask? Lesson 5 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 24, 2017

What are God's reasons for not answering?

A. INTRODUCTION: WHY OUR PARENTS DON’T DO ALL WE ASK 1. It’s not good for us. 2. They don’t have resources. 3. They have other plans for us. 4. They have something better. 5. It would hurt us. B. WHY SOME HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS 1. Promise. “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do” (John ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:39

Denomination: Baptist

Living In Great Expectation Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Apr 12, 2013

We can live in great expectation because our expectation is centered in Jesus, who never disappoints!

Living In Great Expectation Text: 1 Peter 1:3-12 Introduction 1. Illustration: As a Cleveland sports fan I know all about expectations. All of my life I have expected the Browns to win a Super Bowl, and I got Red Right 88, The Drive, and the Fumble. All my life I have expected the Indians to win ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Methodist

If It's Not Broke, Break It!

Contributed by Kraig Pullam on Feb 17, 2014

The tru test of worship is a willingness to give God our very best.

Verses 1 and 2 constructs a tapestry of sorts to draw the reader into the events that were taking place in the backdrop of setting of the little house in Bethany. For if ancient Jews had hanging in their kitchens calendars, then highlighted in red would be the day of Passover. Passover to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil Is In The Details

Contributed by Spencer Miller on May 6, 2013

God is all powerful. Yet He allows Satan to carry out his deceitful and destructive activities—within certain limits—for a purpose.

We live in a world full of trouble and problems; there are problems after problems. Pollution, natural resources running out, population growth outstripping resources worldwide, etcetera. And then there are individual problems to contend with such as pain, suffering, and death, just to name a few. ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Assurance Of Salvation

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Sep 4, 2014

Like David, we at times need God to say, "I AM thy salvation."

Assurance of Salvation PPT 1 Title PPT 2 Text Ps 35:1 ([A Psalm] of David.) Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Ps 35:2 Take hold of buckler and shield, And rise up for my help. Ps 35:3 Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal