Sermons on The Cleft Rock:

How Do I Keep From Getting Down? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Larry King was famous for interviewing the biggest celebrities just a few decades ago. But King was interviewed on a New York City radio program was asked, “Larry, if you could meet God and ask Him one question, what would it be?” Larry King, who was a Jew, said, “Do you have a son?”

Today, I want to speak to you about “How Do I Keep from Getting Down.” We are moving verse by verse and sentence by sentence through the New Testament letter of Colossians together. Here are some key background facts to better understand Colossians. You can move through the four chapters of this ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

We Believe In Creation Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Civil rights come from the Bible’s creation account where God creates people in the image of God. If you don’t believe in the image of God, where do human rights come from?

We continue a series of messages entitled Creed: 9 Essentials to the Christian Faith. We are exploring the beliefs that form the theological center of Christianity. It is a series devoted to the discovery of what you believe and why it matters. Each of these beliefs serves as lynchpins to the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Restored Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

When non-Christians were asked what is their biggest barrier to faith, the number one answer among Americans was the following, “I have a hard time believing a good God would allow so much evil or suffering in the world.”

Today, we conclude a four-week look at one of the most interesting people in history – the man named Job. Job is a really good man. God even calls him, “…a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil …”(Job 1:8). He’s so good in fact, that God tells Ezekiel years later: ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:7-17

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Heaven Like? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Death is a one-way door to give your entrance into a personal welcome of tremendous joy or the first wave of gloom and regret. Hell is your default destination and getting to Heaven is a choice. For those who follow Jesus Christ, Heaven maybe as near as your next week.

One day an older man was speaking to a student about his future plans. He asked the young man, “Tell me, what are your plans after you graduate from law school?” The young man said, “I would like to get a job with a good firm and start making some money.” The older man said, “Sounds good. Then ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:33, Matthew 5:5, Revelation 21:4, Job 19:26-27, Matthew 6:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From A Soldier Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 25, 2021

Memorial Day: This message is written by a former Civil Air Patrol Chaplain. We can learn some things from our military men and women that apply to our walk with the Lord and the Christian fight for people's spiritual freedom.

Memorial Day is tomorrow, and this morning I’m going to be sharing from a message I’ve entitled “Lessons from a Soldier.” So, let me get started by sharing a brief history of Memorial Day. “In 1868, General John A. Logan, then president of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared that May 30th ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:31-35, Matthew 10:34-38, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Timothy 4:7-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God Talks Through The Skies Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 27, 2021

The Bible never tells us to take a leap of faith into the darkness and hope that there is somebody out there. Instead, we are called to jump out of darkness into the light.

Today we’re going to look at what C.S. Lewis called “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one the greatest lyrics in the world.” “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. ?2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.?3 There is no ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Show Me A Good Pastor Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Today’s Big Idea: A pastor is a man who is sent by God to save people from hell to make them Christ-exalting, spiritual aliens in this world

Adoniram Judson was a missionary to Burma (today it is Myanmar). His faithful wife Ann had followed her husband from prison to prison as he was arrested for sharing the Gospel. She had died from spotted fever and cerebral meningitis the year before (April 24, 1827). Her death had affected her ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

Who Should Consider Leading? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Presumption says God’s timing or His knowledge is insufficient and I’ve got to do something to fix the problem. But there is another form of pride… DESPAIR. Despair says waiting on God is a fool’s wait. God will not fulfill His promises.

“Jazzland”, a New Orleans-themed park, was built on acres of swamp-land outside of the city in 2000, was purchased by Six Flags and changed names in 2002. During Hurricane Katrina, Six Flags was completely flooded and an estimated 70-80% of the park was destroyed, leaving it much too expensive to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Birth Of A Church Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

I don’t know what you think of when you think of evangelism, but evangelism is reason powered by the Holy Spirit. Paul would consistently use the persuasive powers of reason as he talked to people about becoming a follower of Jesus Christ.

We begin a new series today. Our church celebrates its 125th year anniversary. We have some things planned for later this year. We also begin a new book: 1 Corinthians. Many of you may think it odd to begin journey of a book of the Bible and then focus on Acts. Yet, Luke tells us the beginnings of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Sumpremacy Of Love Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Love is central to Christianity. For love is the power of the age to come that has invaded our day. Love has broken into the present day from its home in heaven.

Beside Psalm 23 and the Lord’s Prayer, 1 Corinthians 13 represents on of the most well known and loved passages in all of the Bible. Perhaps it is the most cherished passage in all of the Apostle Paul’s writings. And while the word love is mentioned ten times in this one chapter, you’ll not find ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Am I? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

What gives us our identity is not color or culture. But “chosenness.” Christians are not the white race; they are the chosen race. Christians are not the black race; they are the chosen race.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Speaks Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 8, 2021

It’s here on the Road to Emmaus that you and I learn powerful lessons on how to experience a personal awakening. My aim this morning is this: for you to experience a personal time of worship.

Good morning to my friends at Cross Church. As you are finding the last chapter of Luke 24, I want to invite you to a powerful time of prayer two Sundays from today. I am calling our church to pray for spiritual awakening. Personal awakening… for our church to awaken, and for our nation to awaken. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Story Of A Dishonest Man Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Have You Ever Been Fired? Don’t raise your hand, but have you ever been fired from a job? Did you know it was coming, that feeling in your stomach?

Jesus tells a most peculiar parable in His day, the Story of a Dishonest Man. It’s is widely considered one of the most difficult parables – if not the most difficult – to understand. And it’s not hard to see why. Jesus’ story got me thinking about a pastor I read about who misled a church out in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

What Does The Bible Say About Divorce? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Self-centeredness is the main problem for marriages. If you’re married, it’s the main problem in your marriage. If you’re not married, it will be the main problem if you ever get married. If you’re divorced, it probably was the main problem in the marriage you left.

Have you heard the one about Adam and his “spare rib”? As you know, in the beginning God made Adam and put him in paradise. Adam was allowed to enjoy all the many wonders of the Garden of Eden and was given the job of naming all the animals. But after he had named them-rather a long task – there ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:1-12, 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas: Jesus Came So You'd Know The Truth Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Millions of people have cited the words of the Apostle’s Creed. Do you think for a moment that Pilate’s mother thought her son would be referenced in every Christian creed for centuries to come?

It is Christmas and you are probably came expecting me to talk about shepherds, wise men, and Mary & Joseph every time Christmas comes around. Instead, scattered throughout your New Testament little statements of why Jesus Christmas came into existence. These statements tell you why Jesus came ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:13, Luke 12:14, John 18:33-38

Denomination: Baptist