Sermons on Thought Life:

Beyond Human Imagination Series

Contributed by Philip Makari on Jan 8, 2001

Nothing surpasses the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation.

BEYOND HUMAN IMAGINATION Luke 2:8-20 There are several reasons as to why the shepherds’ episode of the Christmas story could not have been a story of human imagination, or a man-made story. 1. If you or I were to make up a story about the birth of the long anticipated Messiah, it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Contempt For Misfortune

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

The problem with saying the right thing at the wrong time when we minister to the suffering.

Introductory Considerations 1. The book of Job is a hard book to follow. I find it a hard book to read and to preach about, at least in the way I normally would read and preach. The book is part of the bible called the wisdom writings - - written by wise men who tried to present the truth through ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Woman And The Dragon

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

1. A couple of weeks ago we took a general look at what still is to happen in the remainder of the book of Revelation.

1. A couple of weeks ago we took a general look at what still is to happen in the remainder of the book of Revelation. At the sounding of the 7th trumpet the actual events will take place. 2. The seventh trumpet is sounded but before the events are given in detail, we hear a response in heaven to ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't Let Peer Pressure Keep You From...

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

DON'T LET PEER PRESSURE KEEP YOU FROM PLEASING GOD JESUS CHOSE THE APPROVAL OF GOD OVER THE APPROVAL OF MEN 1 Pet.

DON'T LET PEER PRESSURE KEEP YOU FROM PLEASING GOD JESUS CHOSE THE APPROVAL OF GOD OVER THE APPROVAL OF MEN 1 Pet. 2:4 "REJECTED BY MEN, BUT CHOICE AND PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD" remember the building analogy INTRODUCTION: We hear a lot about peer pressure - the pressure to conform; to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Building Each Other Up

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

A call to encourage one another.

Introductory Considerations 1. As individuals in the church, we each have different gifts and resources to share with each other. God has given these to us for the building up of the church - as Paul says "for the common good". T that is why we should celebrate our differences as gifts from God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Three

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

As we continue to look at the Apostles Creed we consider what it means to believe in the "forgiveness of sins." Are your sins forgiven?

Introductory Considerations 1. Call in education among many today to go back to basics - "the 3 R’s" - reading, writing, and rithmetic. It may be easy to learn all kinds of other things, but if basics not there a student is in trouble. 2. Today I call on us to go back to basics. To look at the 3 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Receive And Give Forgiveness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

If somebody killed your child, could you ever forgive him? By God’s grace the raging desire for revenge might eventually die down within our hearts, but most of us would probably prefer never to see that person again nor to help him in any way. Yet th

Let the Holy Spirit Help You Give and Receive Forgiveness (Eph. 1:7-18) Illustration: Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. . --Ephesians 4:32 During the war in Kosovo in 1999, three Americans were captured and held hostage for more than a month. After intense negotiations, a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-18, Ephesians 1:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why We Observe Christmas

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Oct 18, 2000

Do not judge or criticize others for an honest, worshipful, loving, and giving attitude about the Christmas holidays.

WHY WE OBSERVE CHRISTMAS TEXT: Romans 14:5-6 INTRODUCTION: Some Christians are touchy, sensitive, and full of objections about Christmas. To you I say (in the words of Scripture): If you regard the day, regard it unto the Lord. If you do not regard the day, then BE SURE YOU ARE CHRISTIAN ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:5-6

Jesus The Great High Priest

Contributed by John Stevenson on Oct 18, 2000

Surely our griefs He himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.

Surely our griefs He himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4). Within the religion of the Jews, there was no more exalted position that could be held among men than that of the high priest. In the days of the New ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

The Master Cleaner Series

Contributed by Kevin Queen on Nov 2, 2000

A journey through the problem of sin in the temple of the heart, and the solution Christ offers.

Our Theme for this weekend is Heart Improvement… Scripture tells us that Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. Eph 3:17 In the Old Testament the temple was the dwelling place of God. Well since Christ came as a sacrifice for sin, he has made it possible for God to live in our hearts. That is why ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Approaches To Counseling Across Cultures

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 19, 2001

Four Approaches To Counseling Across Cultures Eph. 4:12-16

Four Approaches To Counseling Across Cultures Eph. 4:12-16 Encourager - (Exhortative Gifts) - This counselor is gifted in coming up with practical applications for counseling problems. Emphasizing wisdom more than the understanding of knowledge, this counselor is not hesitant to use a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Varieties Of The Way Paul Used Shame, Guilt, Anxiety In Persuading People F

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 21, 2001

VARIETIES OF THE WAY PAUL USED SHAME, GUILT, ANXIETY IN PERSUADING PEOPLE FOR CHRIST

VARIETIES OF THE WAY PAUL USED SHAME, GUILT, ANXIETY IN PERSUADING PEOPLE FOR CHRIST 1. Innocent Shame Guilt, Anxiety - Tension felt when one’s character is slandered without justification. Someone may be guileless, harmless, and lacking any responsibility for a wrong doing, but be wrongly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Are You Ready In Faith"

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Aug 21, 2001

11th Sunday after Pentecost Ready for the coming of Jesus

Luke 12:32-40 "Are you ready in Faith"   Are you a fool? Let me repeat that statement. Are you a fool? Listen to the following story, then decide if you are a fool or not. "A certain lord kept a fool or jester, in his house as a great men did in olden times for their amusement. This lord gave a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40, 1 Corinthians 12:32-40

Denomination: Lutheran

Spiritual Continuity-I Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Aug 22, 2001

Part 1 of a 2 part sermon. The 5th installment in the 5-sermon series describing God’s Provision for the people of Israel as it applies to His Church today. Dealing with God’s provision for the Spiritual Continuity of His people.

SPIRITUAL CONTINUITY—I —Josh. 21:1-45(13:14, 33; 14:3-4; 18:7) God insured the presence/establishment of the priesthood & its continued support in Israel. God established spiritual continuity among His people. How is spiritual continuity established in God’s people? Spiritual continuity can be ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 21:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

Faith

Contributed by John Beehler on Aug 27, 2001

God must be the object of our faith

FAITH A small boy riding a bus home from Sunday school was very proud of the card he had received, which had a picture and a caption that read: “Have Faith in God.” Then to his dismay the card slipped from his hand and fluttered out the window. “Stop the bus!” he cried. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-7, Romans 4:16-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed