Sermons on The Perfect Substitute:

Little Children, Keep Yourselves From Idols

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 2, 2025

Why does John end his frst epistle with a warning against idolatry?

Little Children, Keep Yourselves from Idols 1 John 5:18–21 NKJV We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:18-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Battered, Wounded, But Complete Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 29, 2021

Scripture doesn’t record all Christ's wonderful takings on of our burdens, but I bet He even helped put out neighborhood fires and built some barns.

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Course The readings today revolve so much around the Divine gift of marriage that we cannot ignore that teaching of Jesus. Marriage is a divine gift to bring together in an enduring bond what the devil and sin tried to separate not long after the creation of humans. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-6, Hebrews 2:9-11, Genesis 2:18-24, Mark 10:2-16

Denomination: Catholic

Spirit Of The Law Part 2

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 1, 2023

How does Jesus explain the Spirit of the law. Let's continue our look at the Sermon on the Mount in in Matthew 5 part 2.

Did Jesus tell us to be as perfect as God? How is that possible? Let’s understand the context and the Spirit of the law in Matthew 5:38-48. Eye for an Eye Let’s begin with an eye for an eye. You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. (Matthew 5:38 CEB) Have we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Baptist

Just What Law Is So Precious And Sweet?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 23, 2024

Christ's last commandment is the one that the psalm is talking about, perfect, tasting sweet, priceless. That command is simply this. “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Course What is this Law that is perfect, that refreshes the soul and gives wisdom to the simple-minded? It rejoices the heart, is true and just, and more precious than gold. It tastes sweeter than syrup, or even honey straight from the comb (and I know how tasty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23, Psalm 19:9-11, Exodus 20:1-17, John 13:34-35

Denomination: Catholic

When Faith Soaked The Sacrifice: Elijah's Test Of God's Power

Contributed by Michael Hobday on Aug 22, 2024

In a bold act of faith, Elijah drenched his sacrifice with water, making it impossible to burn—except by the hand of God. What followed was a powerful demonstration that left no doubt: the Lord is God, and His power is unmatched.

Praise be to the wonderful and powerful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He is the Aleph and Tav, the Beginning and the End. The Bible symbolizes the number seven as representing completeness. We see this in the seven days of Creation, the seven times Joshua marched around Jericho, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:38-39, 1 Corinthians 13:9, Isaiah 13:13, Isaiah 66:1-2, Zechariah 2:13, Habakkuk 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Rich Ruler Pt.2 The Role Of The Law - Mark 10:17-27 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 14, 2024

In the message on the rich young ruler, there were some points I didn’t have time for that I’d like to cover. First, I want to explain a little further about the role of the law.

Introduction Why Perfection is Required If you want to be justified by the law, you have to keep it perfectly. Galatian 3:10-12 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27, Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30

I Will Counsel You And Watch Over You.

Contributed by Christopher Raiford on Sep 2, 2004

Funeral Sermon for one who has died in the Lord

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. It is these words from our God, Adelaide Fischer’s confirmation verse that will be the focus of our attention as we gather in grateful praise for the life of Adelaide. And we are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:8

Denomination: Lutheran

Sleeping Through A Garden Moment

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 18, 2022

This is the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. No doubt we have all heard this story preached, read it ourselves, or seen movies regarding the Crucifixion of Christ. He was the perfect Son, in perfect union, with the perfect Father.

Was Jesus attempting to escape the performance of his undertaking? Jesus was communicating his actual sentiments however he did not deny or oppose God's will. He reaffirmed his desire to do what God needed him to do. His petition features the awful enduring he needed to suffer, and desolation ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42, Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Easy Religion

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Oct 3, 2002

Too many people today are trying to substitute easy and convenient religion for Spirit led sanctification. How does Jesus feel about that?

EASY RELIGION Jn. 2:13-22 INTRO. The Bible records a visit by Jesus to the temple at age 12 (Lk. 2:42); and then again at age 30 (text). (See 2:12) The Passover was a commemoration of the Exodus. In N.T. times the Passover sacrifice was ritually slaughtered in the Temple. A company bound ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

Deadwood

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 7, 2008

What have you substituted in your life in exchange for God’s power? Is it rituals? Family activities, Spiritual mountaintop memories? Church duties?

I visited one of our members in the nursing home. He told me that he didn’t have long to live because of his diagnosis of cancer. So I inquired of his wisdom so I could perhaps glean some jewels of knowledge to help me along my life journey. One question that I asked him, was “What one thing would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:18-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Meaning Of The Cross Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Mar 5, 2024

The main idea is to understand two theories of atonement - Penal Substitution and Christus Victor - and to explore the significance of Jesus' death on the cross in defeating the powers of evil.

You know that cross necklace you wear, or the one you see people wearing? It's more than just a cool piece of jewelry. It's a symbol of something huge that happened a long time ago. Jesus died on a cross, and that changed everything. But why did He have to die, and why does it matter so much? Let's ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Hebrews 2:14-15, Colossians 2:13-15

Topics: Salvation, Resurrection, Crucifixion, Redemption

Handed Over Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Dec 25, 2012

The passion of Jesus is happening precisely because Jesus is perfect and in perfect control. All this handing over is going according to script.

Introduction We continue along the road that for Jesus has been a travesty of justice and friendship. First, Jesus, the Messiah of the Jews, is conspired against by their leaders. Judas, one of his disciples, sells his loyalty to the conspirators. The rest of the disciples abandon him at his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Antichrist Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 12, 2013

The Antichrist does not appear as a man in a red suit and a pitchfork. Antichrist does not mean "against Christ" but rather "substitute christ". The false apes the real and tries to replace it.

The Antichrist 1 John 2:18-21 Introduction Last week, we talked about our affections. The source of our being is not to be grounded in this world, but in God. All the things of this world are perishing, and if our hopes and desires were built on them, then our hopes would be perishing as well. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Walk With Your Substitue Series

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Apr 13, 2003

Like Barabbas we are worhty of God’s death sentence; but we, the rebels, are released, and Jesus is suffers our hell on the cross in our place as our Substitute.

Walk with our Substitute Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God through which the Holy Spirit touches our hearts is record in Mark 15: Now, at every festival Pilate used to free a prisoner whom the people asked for. There was a man by the name of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:6-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Good News And More Good News

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This is about God’s perfect timing.

Timing Have you ever had perfect timing? I rarely, if ever, have perfect timing. No matter how hard I try, I always run into some sort of complication when I try to engineer something that requires perfect timing. Farming is something that requires good timing. If crops are harvested to soon, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Wesleyan