Sermons on The Cleft Rock:

Surprise! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 30, 2023

If you’ve lost all hope, trust Jesus with your life, and don’t be surprised by His delays His devotion, and His deliverance when it finally does come.

Surprise! (John 11:1-44) John Ortberg, pastor of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California, talks about a friend of his, who used to work as a denominational official in Minnesota. One of his jobs was to travel to little rural communities where they didn't have churches to do funerals. ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Personal Encounter Sparks Servanthood

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Oct 8, 2023

I share my story about a time I faced pancreatic issues, marital struggles, and contemplating suicide. As with the Psalmist, I cried out to God and he heard and that began a lifetime of service.

Early august, 2022, I had the privilege of doing a presentation in Denver at the Rocky Mountain Symposium on Addictive Disorders, the Integration of Spirituality and Psychotherapy. The dialogue it stimulated was exciting, especially with the wide range of professionals attending. One counselor ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Soul, Mind, Strength - Mark 12:29 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 10, 2024

You know what it means to love God with all your heart. But what does it mean to love him with your soul?

Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29, Matthew 22:34-40

Why Me? Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 15, 2024

Refuse to blame God in your disappointment. Instead, believe in Him and get back to work.

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am.” The woman below replied, “You’re in a hot air balloon ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:1-23, Exodus 6:1-13, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Peter 2:9-10, 1 Peter 1:3-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"What We Don’t Or Do Know Can… (Help Or Hurt Us) (Sermon On Salvation)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 22, 2024

We all know in life what we know can be very helpful in this life.

For example: (1) What we know can be helpful in our security. For example, when you travel into certain countries it is very important that you know there are some parts of certain cities that you do not travel. Illus: A preacher in South Carolina tells how that he and his wife were in a foreign ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

Does The Bible Teach Meditation And Guided Imagery

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 12, 2024

There is a resurgence of the word 'meditate' being used in churches today about personal devotional prayer as a way to draw closer to God as a person contemplates His divine attributes.

Many 'techniques' have risen to help people along the path of daily sanctification by learning how to pray and worship, which has resulted in something called contemplative spirituality, also known as meditation, guided imagery, centering, or listening prayer, using imagination and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8, 1 Timothy 4:11-16, Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Follow The Steps Of Our Savior Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 22, 2024

Here’s how: 1. Mimic our Master (vs. 1a). 2. Learn how much we are loved by God (vs. 1b). 3. Love like we are loved by God (vs. 2). 4. Live with godly holiness (vs. 3-7). 5. Walk as children of light (vs. 8-14).

Follow the Steps of Our Savior Jesus Christ Ephesians 5:1-14 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The Book of Ephesians (Prepared May 22, 2024) BACKGROUND: *We are studying the Apostle Paul's letter to the Church in Ephesus. J. Vernon McGee gave this background: "Around the year 60 A.D. four ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Nothing Is Going To Take My Song

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Jan 5, 2025

One of the greatest revelations of David's life was the power of song. No one understood praise any better than David, and no one understood the power of a song like David. A song is more than words strung together to a tune. A song is a helper, a companion, and a weapon.

Psalm 137:1-4 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. [2] We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. [3] For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-4, Psalm 34:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pentecost: 'the Holy Spirit Is Given'

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jun 8, 2025

PENTECOST: 'The Holy Spirit is Given' - Acts chapter 1 verses 1-13 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). The Day of Pentecost (vs 1a) (2). The Coming of the Spirit (vs 2-4) (3). The Reaction of the Crowd (vs 5-13) SERMON BODY: Ill: • Happy Birthday is probably the best-known song, • In the English-speaking world, • It was written in 1893 by two sisters, • Mildred & Patty ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Brethren

God's Comfort (Nahum) Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 12, 2025

When you feel threatened, find comfort in a God who will avenge, abolish, and embarrass His enemies, causing His people to rejoice.

Several years ago, The Huffington Post ran a series of cartoons depicting the fears that both children and adults have. They titled the series “Childhood Fears vs. Adult Fears.” Here they are: • Childhood fear: Doctors. Adult fear: Doctor's bills. • Childhood fear: Bad dreams. Adult fear: ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 1:1-15, Nahum 2:1-13, Nahum 3:1-19, Romans 8:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Love God Above All Else Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 14, 2025

Commandment 1 - love God above all else

Ten Words to Live By: Put God First Exodus 20 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 07-13-2025 I Pledge Allegiance When I subbed at the junior high, we began every morning with The Pledge of Allegiance. Most schools still do the pledge in the morning. The Pledge of Allegiance ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Marriage Part 4: The Four Horsemen Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

Part four of this five part series on marriage focuses on how to handle conflict based on the Gottman Institute identifocation of the Four Horsemen that can destroy a marriage. I highly recommend everyone to visit their website for resources for addressing marital conflicts.

Marriage Part 4: The Four Horsemen Scripture: First Peter 3:7; Matthew 5:22-24; Ephesians 4:26-27 Good morning Strangers Rest. This is part four of my series on marriage. The title of today’s message “The Four Horsemen” and I will be focusing on when we face conflict within our marriage. In part ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7, Matthew 5:22-24, Ephesians 4:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sticks, Stone, And Words Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach foundational truth that are designed to challenge, encourage and, most importantly, flame the fire of hunger in the Christian who wants to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus.

Sticks, Stones And Words – Part 1 (Rev. Rodney Johnson and Rev. Barry Johnson) NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their ...read more

Scripture: John 8:41-44, James 3:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God: Your Best Covering (Isaiah 22:1-14; Psalm 91:1-16) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 20, 2025

a one week rabbit trail, setting the stage for next week, focused on the idea of "covering" as protection. In the U.S., we are covered by our military, and the constitution. But God's covering is better.

Today, we will take a one week rabbit trail from our Revelation study, and work our way through the first oracle in Isaiah 22. This will seem beyond random until next week, but I do have this vague plan of how everything should come together. My end goal is really the second oracle-- the one ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 22:1-14, Psalm 91:1-16

Faithful And Unfaithful Servants (Isaiah 22:15-25; Revelation 3:7-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 22, 2025

Focus is on the "key of David" as being about access to David's house/kingdom. Jesus has this key. Also, a focus on how Rev. uses OT in a not-straightforward way. Prophecy-fulfillment is not a good core model to use.

Last week, we took a one week rabbit trail into the first part of Isaiah 22. Today, we'll begin by finishing off Isaiah 22, reading the second oracle in that chapter. I will then more or less smoothly transition back to Revelation, to the letter addressed to the church in Philadelphia. So ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 22:15-25, Revelation 3:7-13, Isaiah 45:14, Isaiah 49:22-23, Isaiah 60:14-16  (view more)  (view less)