Sermons on the power of persuasion:

Materialism Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Aug 15, 2022

This sermon focuses on the concept of materialism and Jesus' response to it.

If you have your Bibles and you want to follow along, please open them up to the book of Luke 12:13. It will take us a few minutes to get there, but we will get there pretty shortly. As you know, we have been going through the series “Do not conform. Be transformed.” It is based on a passage ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10-11, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Luke 12:13-21, Deuteronomy 8:18, Psalm 39:6, John 1:16, Proverbs 3:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

When God Changes His Mind (Jonah 3:1-10) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 8, 2022

The king of Assyria knows that there's a chance that God will change his mind, and not bring about the promised judgment. God prefers to forgive, and bless. For three chapters in a row, God has shown mercy, not judgment.

The book of Jonah began in a surprising way. Yahweh called Yonah to go to Ninevah, and Yonah disobeyed. This is not what prophets do. Prophets obey. But Yonah ran the wrong direction, to the end of the known world, at Tarshish. When that didn't work, he chose death over Yahweh. He refused ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10, Numbers 22:18-25, 1 Samuel 15:10-29

If You're Thankful And You Know It...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 8, 2022

A message delivered on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This is a study of the impact of a thankful heart on the follower of the Christ.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Managing Finances And Rest Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Oct 9, 2022

What's next, Lord? I think that's the question we need to ask ourselves regularly. What's next, Lord? What are you going to do in my life next?

What's next, Lord? I think that's the question we need to ask ourselves regularly. What's next, Lord? What are you going to do in my life next? But I think some people approach that kind of a statement with fear and trepidation. You've heard the statement: Don't pray for ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 10:31-39

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rabbit Trail Week #1: The Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1:1-9) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 24, 2022

Unpacking what the burnt offering is, how to do it, why, and what we can learn as Christians from it. Using Exodus 20:4 as a launch point, as part of my Exodus series.

Today, I want to start a two week rabbit trail on the topic of OT sacrifice. I should warn you, up front, that this is the most complicated thing I've ever tried to work through in biblical studies. I'll do my best to explain it as simply as possible, and hide as much of the hard stuff as ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 1:1-9, 2 Chronicles 29:20-36, Numbers 15:1-4

What Kind Of Person Do You Want To Be? (James 1:1-12) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 19, 2022

James encourages us to be all-in for God, responding "in faith" to testings, and steadfastly live in faithfulness toward God and people.

Who do you want to be? (James 1:1-12) Today, we begin a new series on the letter of James. The sort of weird thing about teaching on James, from my perspective, is that I've done this before. Maybe 10 years ago, I preached through James in two little churches in Kulm and Medina. I'm ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

What Is Your Integrity Quotient? - Genesis 20 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 24, 2021

Did you know that there are only three people in the Bible that are said to have integrity.

Did you know (I didn’t know this before this week) that there are only three people in the Bible that are said to have integrity. Now there are lots of people who had integrity in the Bible, don’t get me wrong. But only three people the word ‘integrity’ is used to describe them. One of them is Job. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus "i Am" The Good Shepherd! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 25, 2021

: Jesus is the Good Shepherd because he laid down his life to save the sheep. He lead’s the sheep to safety, security, pasture and the good life but not to slaughter or harm. Jesus guards, encourages, supports and protects His sheep because He loves them.

I am playing these videos to get your mindset focused on Shepherding – agriculture lifestyles – a common sight in the time and teaching of Jesus – not so much today – as a matter of fact you would be hard pressed to find many sheep farms in this area of Illinois! Opening Video Transition (2 ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-42, John 10:11, John 10:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Importance Of Roots - Genesis 31:19-55 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 25, 2021

Jesus told one parable in particular that talked to everyone about their lives, a whole life. I find the parable fascinating because it’s very real to us today.

Jesus told one parable in particular that talked to everyone about their lives, a whole life. I find the parable fascinating because it’s very real to us today. That is after Christ lived on the earth it also helps us. But it also helps people before us. In fact Jacob would have benefited from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:19-55

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's Just A One-Night Stand! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 19, 2021

Though adultery is often justified in our world, there is no justification for this infidelity. God holds the adulterer to account, especially if that one bears the Name of Christ.

“It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Will You Let Just Anyone Eat At Your Table? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 5, 2021

A discussion of the oversight of the Lord's Supper, focusing on the participants at the Meal and the attitude with which we are to partake of the Meal.

“When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

Enough Is Enough Series

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Jun 13, 2022

The same God that heard and answered Elijah's prayers, the same God that brought the rain, is the same God that is with us today. What a marvelous joy the foundation before us upon which we can rebuild the altars in our heart, that He is with us every step of the way.

Is Religion Good for Society? When preparing this message, I came across a survey conducted by the NCLS (or National Church Life Survey) that was released in November 2019. This survey has been conducted among 20 different denominations every five years since 1991, and surveys several thousand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:19-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Makes Me Angry Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jun 16, 2022

The story of Nehemiah, the word charah, that is anger and how to deal with it.

This week I went to BJ’s. How many of you are members at BJs? Okay, a lot of you. I'm not a member of BJ’s. But I decided to walk around there and see what was all going on. As I was walking around BJ’s not being a member, I felt a little uncomfortable not being a member and walking around ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Blinded Minds Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 1, 2022

Romans 1:24–32 vividly portrays the consequences of a blinded mind to God and God’s abandonment of the rebellious showing: 1) The Essence (Romans 1:24–25), 2) The Expression (Romans 1:26–27), and 3) The Extent (Romans 1:28–32) of human sinfulness.

Romans 1:24–32. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:24-32

Denomination: Other

Adultery Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 11, 2022

Adultery is extramarital sex considered objectionable on social, religious, moral, or legal grounds. Although the sexual activities that constitute adultery vary, as well as the social, religious, and legal consequences, the concept exists in many cultures.

Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:27-30 (Adultery) Jesus states, "Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery." Adultery Matthew 5:27–30 — The New International Version (NIV) 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Denomination: Baptist