Sermons on The Cleft Rock:

Christian Toolbox Basics

Contributed by Jim Twamley on Apr 2, 2003

I like to think that every Christian is born again with a spiritual toolbox. In your Christian toolbox are some basic tools. We all need to become experts in using these tools if we want to become mature Christians.

CHRISTIAN TOOLBOX BASICS Let me see the hands of everyone who has a toolbox. (interview people “What do you have in your toolbox?” - (next person) “Do you have anything different in your toolbox?” “Why do you have a toolbox?” “What would your life be like without your tools?”) I like to ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-5, James 5:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Have A Slice Of Humble Pie Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

God doesn’t cause trouble and adversity, but He uses trouble to refine some humility in us. While trouble causes some people to raise their faces to heaven and become bitter, others bow their knees before God and become better.

Have a Slice of Humble Pie Luke 14:1-11 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Maybe you’ve seen Jeff Foxworthy’s “Redneck” list. He says, “You know you’re a Redneck if…”: 1. Directions to your house include, “Turn off the paved road.” 2. You take your fishing pole to Sea World. 3. You have flowers ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Supreme Question Of Life Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 15, 2003

Many scholars believe this passage was based on a hymn that was sung by the early church. We all need to answer the question: Is Christ prominent in my life, or is He preeminent? He doesn’t just want a place in our lives, He demands first place.

The Supreme Question of Life In Thursday’s Washington Post, an article appeared about a new church in the state of Maryland. I won’t reveal the name of the denomination that is behind this endeavor because I don’t want to publicly criticize it from the pulpit. You can look it up when this sermon ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Free From The Past Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

As we focus on those things that are eternal, and put on the new self, we will experience freedom from those things that have shackled us in the past.

Breaking Free from the Past In an old Candid Camera episode, an actor is on a busy sidewalk and begins looking at the ground. He walks around a bit and continues to look down. People are passing by him and a few give him strange looks. After a couple minutes, he decides to get down on his hands ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11, Colossians 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Telling Others The Gospel Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 29, 2003

This morning we’re going to look into God’s Word in order to find out how the Apostle Paul did evangelism.

Making an Impact: Telling Others the Gospel Thank you, Kids Choir for that excellent reminder. God will use our feet, our hands, and our mouths to tell others the gospel. Our former co-workers in Mexico City are missionaries today because of Ken Hanna’s direct influence in their lives. Just ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34, Acts 2:47

Denomination: Baptist

The Sensitivity Of Grace Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 29, 2003

This morning, we’re going to encounter someone who was in desperate need of grace. She came face-to-face with her sin ­ and with Jesus ­ and drank deeply of the “Sensitivity of Grace.”

The Sensitivity of Grace If you’ve been with us for the last four weeks, you’ll know that we’re in the middle of a series called, “Grace Encounters.” As we look at how Jesus interacted with people, we’ve been learning about how grace can change our lives. In the first message entitled, “The ...read more

Scripture: John 8:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

Experiencing God's Love Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 7, 2003

While we often question God’s love, we can rest assured that He has poured out His favor on His people.

Experiencing God’s Love A man was having a hard time getting out of bed one Sunday morning. “Get up. It’s time to get ready for church!” He just grumbled and replied grumpily, “I don’t want to go to church today. Those people at church don’t like me. I don’t want to go.” She persisted, “You ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Dreaming A God Sized Dream Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 7, 2003

50-DAY SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE - PETER Don’t let yourself get penned in by the fences of your mind. Let God set you free to dream His divine daring dream!

In the movie, Chicken Run, dozens of chickens are held captive in the prisoner-of-war-like camp at Tweedy Farms. Ginger is the chicken mastermind who keeps devising new plans to help her fellow chickens escape. Ginger knows that when a chicken’s egg production is down they will face the chopping ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:8-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Worry Wart

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 11, 2003

Too many Christians have been trapped in the mind-set of worry and the anxiety of this world is choking out any joy in their life.

Worry Wart Thesis: Too many Christians have been trapped in the mind-set of worry and the anxiety of this world is choking out any joy in their life. Illustration: A young boy was driving a hayrack down the road when the wagon fell over in front of a farmer’s house. The farmer came out, saw the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, Proverbs 12:25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saddam Dances To God's Tune

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Feb 16, 2003

Just like another Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, Saddam Hussein has to do God’s will, like it or not.

If you’ve been paying attention to the news for the last few weeks, you’ve probably concluded, as I have, that we are marching inexorably toward an imminent war in Iraq, regardless of what the U.N. may do. President Bush and various cabinet officials have said as much in their public statements – ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:1

Denomination: Baptist

Miserably Missing The Mark Series

Contributed by David Welch on Mar 4, 2003

Third in a Romans series dealing with the sinfulness of man and his great need for the Righteousness of God.

Alliance Church May 27, 2001 Pastor David Welch “Miserably Missing the Mark” Romans 2:1-3:20 Introduction to the series My goal throughout our run through Romans is that we will more deeply understand the grand truths concerning our great salvation so powerfully presented by Paul in chapters 1-8 ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Test Of Leadership Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Mar 8, 2003

The greatest test of any spiritual leader is the test of temptation. In this final message of the eight part series this sermon examines the keys to overcoming temptation.

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP – PART EIGHT “THE TEST OF LEADERSHIP” Matthew 4:1-11 ©Larry L. Thompson (2003) “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. [2] After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Barren Temple Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Mar 12, 2003

Christ’s cursing of the fig tree and "cleansing" of the temple caution us about living our lives by mere appearances and trusting in anything other than Jesus.

Appearances can be deceiving. I was reminded of this several years ago when I was waiting in line at a McDonalds with two of my sons. A guy came into McDonalds who looked really suspicious. He had long hair, tattoos everywhere, several body piercings, and he just looked scary. This guy seemed to be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tune In To God Don't Tune Out!

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 13, 2003

We need to make sure our radio is tuned to God. Samuel tuned into God while Eli tuned God out.

Tune in to God! Don’t Tune Out! Thesis: We need to make sure our radio is tuned to God. Samuel tuned into God while Eli tuned God out. Opening Visual Illustration: Tuning In – Video Clip – Visual Edge, Group. Illustration: There is one interview with a pro football player that stands out in my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 1 Samuel 3:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be All That You Can Be Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 27, 2002

Making a difference.. with God!

BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE 1 SAMUEL 16:14-23 INTRODUCTION: (Use Yoda - Great Warrior - video trailer - 27 seconds - optional) You’d have to be living under a rock not to have heard of Star Wars, but if you are not “into” the Star Wars saga you may not know that the two-foot tall, 800+year old ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Denomination: Christian Church