Sermons on The Refuge Cities:

Sabbath As Defiance

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 26, 2015

The Sabbath is a transformative tradition, an antidote to anxiety. We are restless till we find our rest in God. We set aside our anxieties and busyness, our pursuit of more, and we recognize that our refuge is God alone.

The President of local synagogue, and a close friend of mine, asked me if I knew the most sacred Jewish holy day. I said it must be either Passover or Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). He smiled and said, “No, it’s the Sabbath. It is the most important day in the Jewish ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:11-14

Denomination: Congregational

King David’s Theme Song Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Sep 2, 2022

We will look at King David’s Theme song. This song has extremely high praise of God and is filled with metaphors. Some of the metaphors describe God as, a Rock, a Fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, salvation, strength and lamp.

You probably can sing a television theme song, and someone could name that tune right away. The theme song identifies the show. Even when the older shows are gone their theme song live on. If any of us sang Gilligan’s Island or Beverly Hillbillies, then the rest of us could sing along. Do you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Denomination: Baptist

Chapter 45 Tower Of Shechem Burned Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 18, 2021

The tower of Shechem is where the elite of Shechem lived. It was part of the Temple of Baal-berith, and though we don’t know its location relative to the city, we do know that it served as the fortress to which the leaders of Shechem fled from the onslaught of Abimelech.

Chapter 45 Tower of Shechem Burned [Judges 9.46-9.49] Scripture: Judges 9:46-49 (KJV) 46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith. 47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered ...read more

Scripture: Judges 9:46-49

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Place: Finding God’s Presence Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 10, 2025

The secret place is not a mystical idea—it is the real, living presence of God that we can experience daily. It is where our spirits are nourished, our minds are renewed, and our hearts are transformed.

THE SECRET PLACE: FINDING GOD’S PRESENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 91:1 Supporting Texts: Matthew 6:6, Exodus 33:7-11, Psalm 27:5, Luke 5:16, Isaiah 26:3 INTRODUCTION: The "secret place" is not merely a physical location—it is a spiritual dimension where divine ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1, Matthew 6:6, Exodus 33:7-11, Psalm 27:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

He Is Greater

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jan 30, 2022

In the end, God prevails and Jonah misses the point. The book ends with our graceful and merciful God reconciled with the city turned around and our not so heroic prophet still angry. BUT Jesus still calls him, His Prophet!!

Matthew 12:38-41 (NKJV) “He is Greater” The Seeker (Teacher, we want to see a sign from You) The “Seeker Sensitive” Church (God does not hide – If you seek you shall find) Romans 3:11 quotes Psalm 14 “There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.” John 6:26, Jesus answered ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-41

Denomination: Baptist

Jehovah-Sabaoth

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 27, 2017

God is Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts) is mentioned over 270 times .He fights our battles, wins our wars and is the refuge we can run to in time of need. Jesus as our Jehovah Sabaoth will come with armies from heaven to defeat the Antichrist.

JEHOVAH-SABAOTH: THE LORD OF HOSTS INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: The Highest Power 1. One Sunday morning, Victor, a Sunday school class teacher said to his young pupils, "OK children. We've been learning this morning just how powerful were the Kings and Queens in Bible times. 2. But there is even a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Unless The Lord Builds The House"

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Sep 20, 2017

The opening line of Psalm 127 emphasizes a theme that runs through both Psalm 127 and 128 – without God’s direct and crucial involvement in its building and protection, no house, city, or family will survive.

Note: I have developed a few slides in PowerPoint that I used in delivering this sermon. They're not fancy, but if anyone is interested in them I will send them to you directly by Email. Send your request to sam@srmccormick.net with the word Slides in the subject. “UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:22-23, Isaiah 66:1-2, Galatians 4:9-11, Matthew 15:7-9, Psalm 128:1-6, Psalm 127:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Failure Of Naphtali Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 5, 2018

After their victory at APHEK, the Philistines took the ARK OF THE COVENANT to Ashdod and Ekron, cities upon which God’s judgment quickly fell . The ark was removed then to Beth Shemesh , where it remained until it was taken to KIRJATH JEARIM.

Chapter 6 Failure of Naphtali [Judges 1:33] Scripture 33 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Refreshing My Rough Times Series

Contributed by James Botts on Sep 10, 2002

“Refreshing My Rough Times.” Sometimes life can be real rough and it seems as though the whole world is out of control. We’ll study Psalm 91:1-16 in order to learn how to find shelter, peace and refuge in the presence of the Lord.

The Crossing Community Church Times Of Refreshing “Refreshing My Rough Times” Pastor Jim Botts September 8th, 2002 Introduction **FLASH PLAYER CLIP: 9-11** John Blanchard recounts the events of 9-11: The beautiful morning of September 11th, 2001, seemed a day like any other day. But coordinated ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 91:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Power Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 3, 2002

This sermon is based on a man in Acts 8 who the people of the city referred to as "The Great Power." This sermon demostrates how the real "Great Power" is the Spirit of God!

The Great Power Acts 8:9-25 May 5, 2002 Intro: A. Today, we come to a couple of stories about a man whom the people in the city called "The Great Power." B. As we come to the teaching of the Word, I want to ask us to bow very meditatively and sing the first two verses #278 "Open My Eyes, that I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When All Seems Hopeless

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Feb 13, 2003

Following the death of Moses and facing the task of conquering a land of fortified cities, Israel experienced a sense of hopelessness. Trust and confidence in God will restore hope in our life.

WHEN ALL SEEMS HOPELESS “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke unto Joshua saying: ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, the children of ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Building God's Kingdom

Contributed by Amanda Wilson on Aug 26, 2007

This sermon compares the building of the city of Babel in Genesis 11 with the building of the Kingdom of God as described in Acts 1-2 to demonstrate the requirements of building God’s kingdom.

God Is Building God’s Kingdom Have you ever wanted to be part of a really unified community of people? Part of a community that planned and worked together to make something really significant? Part of a community that other people would look at and say, “Hey, I like what you’re doing – I want to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Swing Wide The Gates!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 3, 2010

The names of the gates of the old city of Jerusalem have rich spiritual meaning, full of powerful truths. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Swing Wide the Gates, pt. 3 Nehemiah 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SwingWideGates3.html parts 1 & 2 are here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SwingWideTheGates.html ----- Quick review of first 6 gates... [slide] 1. The sheep gate. v. 1 Thru this gate they would bring the sacrificial animals to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah: Cupbearer On Fire

Contributed by Byron Martin on May 9, 2008

Because one man repented and followed the leading of the Lord; Jerusalem was re-built, thousands of exiles returned to the city and there was a mass repenting from God’s people.

NEHEMIAH: Cupbearer on Fire Rev. Maj. Byron E. Martin for American Rescue Workers DC Corps April 27, 2008 Scripture reference: the Book of Nehemiah We could have ripped this book out of the Bible if Nehemiah had been rational ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hour Of Visitation

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Apr 18, 2011

Palm Sunday Service - A King coming to a rebellious city, a hotbed of resistance against his rightful authority. Willing to make peace - Only on His own terms

Dakota Community Church April 17, 2011 Hour of Visitation Luke 19:37-44 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-41

Denomination: Mennonite