Sermons on The Shepherd Goes Before:

The Meaning Of Membership

Contributed by David Quackenbush on Apr 17, 2008

This message highlights the biblical importance of being a member of a local church. It was delivered on membership Sunday before presenting the new members to the congregation.

New Members Sunday “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household” (Eph 2:19) “…so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually * members one of another.” (Rom 12:5) Introduction When you become a believer ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No Compromise Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

Before the world is ever going to take Jesus seriously, the church has to take Jesus seriously. Before the world is converted to a lifestyle devoted to Jesus Christ, the church must be converted to a lifestyle devoted to Jesus Christ. We are called to put

No Compromise Matthew 10:26-33 Before the world is ever going to take Jesus seriously, the church has to take Jesus seriously. Before the world is converted to a lifestyle devoted to Jesus Christ, the church must be converted to a lifestyle devoted to Jesus Christ. Mother Theresa was once asked, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:26-33

Denomination: Methodist

Grievous Mourning In Persia Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 14, 2021

The Jews were condemned and needed someone to intercede on their behalf before the king. All are born in a body of flesh, prone to sin, separated and condemned before God. Our only hope was for someone to provide deliverance for us and intercede on our behalf.

Grievous Mourning in Persia Esther 4: 1-9 As we continue our study in Esther, the tension and anxiety continue to increase for the Jews in captivity. Haman’s hatred for Mordecai prompted him to persuade Ahasuerus to sign a decree calling for the complete annihilation of the Jewish population ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

How Do I Handle My Anger? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 22, 2021

The Bible says a Christian is a changed person. Like HGTV and the fixer-upper homes, a Christian is to have a "before and after" in their story. Our "after" is supposed to be really different than our "before."

It was one of the best-known photographs and most tragic photographs of the Vietnam War. The picture a young burn victim running down the road in terror with her arms outstretched while soldiers walked behind her at his distance. On June 8, 1972, Kim's village came under attack. The South ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26, John 3:36

Denomination: Baptist

The Sign Of The Season Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 4, 2006

The "sign" the shepherds received was a baby in a manger. But compared to the sights and sounds of the angels in the sky... a baby in a feeding trough would seem somewhat anti-climatic. Why did God do it that way?

OPEN: A Salvation Army woman was informed by a policeman that a local ordinance would prevent her from ringing her bells to invite contributions. She was contrite and apologetic that she had “broken” the law. But the next day she was back in front of the store… doing a brisker business than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Promised Blessings Of Those In Christ Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Aug 8, 2011

Paul finished Romans 7 discussing the struggle between the 2 natures we have as Christians. But even in the midst of those struggles, Paul goes on in Romans 8 to tell us of the promised blessings to all who are in Christ!

The Promised Blessings of those in Christ! Romans 8:1-39 Those in Christ will not be Condemned (8:1-17) Those in Christ will not be Forgotten (8:18-34) Those in Christ will not be Separated (8:35-39) Good morning. Slide We are back into our Series, “Summer in Rome” after taking a week off for our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open-Minded To A Narrow Way? - Matthew 7:13-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 16, 2024

The dominant religion of our culture is pluralism – no one goes to hell. Jesus tells us to enter the narrow gate because the more popular, less exclusive, less difficult road leads to hell, whereas the sparse, exclusive, hard road leads to life.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Introduction Pluralism Whatever you think about President ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Christmas Messengers

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Dec 10, 2010

When we think of the Christmas story, we often think of Christ, of Mary and Joseph, of the shepherds and the wise men. But this message is dedicated to the most overlooked character(s) of the Nativity (Angels) and to their message!

When we think of the Christmas story, we often think of Christ, of Mary and Joseph, of the shepherds and the wise men. But this post is dedicated to the most overlooked character(s) of the Nativity: Gabriel and the angels. Angels appeared at least six times in the few months surrounding the birth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Suddenly

Contributed by John Mccaherty on Dec 23, 2002

: Picture the amazement of the shepherds as they are out watching their sheep, and then SUDDENLY angels appear. For hundreds of years the prophets had been foretelling the coming of the messiah and not SUDDENLY here are the angels proclaiming the time ha

Suddenly 12/22/02 Rev. John McCaherty 1st Baptist Murphy Text: Luke 2:13-14 Lu:2:13: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Lu:2:14: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Intro: Picture the amazement of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Preoccupied Passenger Povokes Pilot Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Feb 29, 2008

The piolt of the ship-a Bentile-goes to call upon a Jewish man to pray for him and for his crew. Not all of Jonah 1:6, can be viewed as true tyoes, yet there are enough of instances where we see Jonah, a type of the Church, is called to pray at the behest

JONAH 1: 6 PREOCCUPIED PASSENGER PROVOKES PILOT I. PERIL: A. Perishing. B. Punishment. C. Pariahs. II. PIOUS: A. Predicament. B. Prayer-less. C. Provoked. III. PILOT: A. Pattern. B. Piousness. C. Pleadings. The scene on board the ship carrying Jonah is not a serene scene. ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Half-Time Talk Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 27, 2007

The Disciples had experienced one or two Passover Meals with Jesus before this. Why did Jesus wait til this last one to refer to how it applied to Him?

OPEN: There is a part of a basketball game that no spectator gets to see. No matter how important the ticket holder may be. No matter how much he’s paid for his seat. There is one event he will NOT be INVITED to observe. And yet this one event can change the entire course of a game. I’ve read of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:12-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Freedom For Prisoners"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 16, 2002

As we envision the Nativity-—the baby Jesus surrounded by his parents, shepherds and wise men—-let’s remind ourselves that our Lord came to suffer and set captives free.

"Freedom for Prisoners" Rev Dr Robert Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s also be aware of how He began His ministry. Jesus read these words from Isaiah, and applied them to Himself: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18

Denomination: Congregational

When Does Life Begin?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 18, 2015

God has worked in the life of His people since before the foundations of the world--preparing and appointing them for service.

“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’” [1] It is most humbling to realise that we cannot boast of anything we possess or of who we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

Going And Coming PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

The main point of this sermon is that God, as our loving shepherd, constantly watches over, protects, and guides us in every season of our lives, providing comfort and assurance in His unending care.

Just as Lewis pointed out, our loving God has equipped us and is watching over our every step. "God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain." —C.S. Lewis Our Heavenly Father is not only aware of our every move but also actively ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:8

Topics: Going, Coming

Philadelphia: The Church Of The Open Door Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Apr 2, 2008

Here was a cutting edge church! They were the original Bb4D church! Is your church a Be Before Doing church?

Revelation 3:7-13 Philadelphia: The Church of the Open Door The Mandate for the City 7a Philadelphia had four directives. First, their mission was to promote Hellenism. Their intent was to advance the culture and civilization of ancient Greece, especially in the period after Alexander the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist