Sermons on Under Trial:

Make Me A Blessing Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Abraham, Pt. 7

MAKE ME A BLESSING (GENESIS 20) A non-profit organization’s survey of 81,355 people 18 and older, reveals that Americans are a neighborly lot, says a national study that finds 76% trust most or some neighbors, 16% say they trust them all, 44% talk to them frequently and 65% exchange favors. The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rich Believer, Poor Believer Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Apostles, Pt. 6

RICH BELIEVER, POOR BELIEVER (MATTHEW 14:6-21) Are you rich or poor? Do you have a lot or a little? Do you have too much or not enough? Here are some Internet quotes on what makes a man or a person poor: “A person is poor when he or she has fallen below a standard of living which public opinion ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:6-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Point Of No Return Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Joshua, Pt. 2

THE POINT OF NO RETURN (JOSHUA 2:1-24) Worldwide Challenge, the Campus Crusade magazine, published an inspiring and heartfelt testimony of a former monk named Yuttasak Nok Sirikul. Sirikul was a dutiful son who had been a monk four times even before entering college, a few months each time, in ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who's In Charge? Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Joshua, Pt. 3

WHO’S IN CHARGE? (JOSHUA 3:1-17) Famed Japanese director Akira Kurosawabest’s black and white movie “Ikiru” certainly makes one ponder about life’s meaning and purpose. The story is about the choices a dying man faced and made upon learning he had cancer. Kanji Watanabe, the Chief of the Citizens ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Chosen Parents Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Couples, Pt. 8

GOD’S CHOSEN PARENTS (MATTHEW 1:18-25) The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has kept track for many years the cost of raising a child through its survey of 12,880 families and 3,395 single-parent families on the cost of a child’s housing, food, transportation, clothing, health care, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Two Halves Make A Whole Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Couples, Pt. 10

TWO HALVES MAKE A WHOLE (ACTS 18:1-4, 18-26) A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Their domestic tranquility had long been the talk of the town. A local newspaper reporter was inquiring as to the secret of their long and happy marriage. “Well, it dates back to our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Have More Power Than You Think Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Judges, Pt. 2

YOU HAVE MORE POWER THAN YOU THINK (JUDGES 6:11-35) Dietrich Bonhoeffer, known for his opposition to Hitler, was imprisoned and executed in 1945. One of Bonhoeffer’s poems in prison is a masterpiece, revealing his fear, courage and faith in the face of unspeakable evil. “Who am I? Who am I? They ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

They Love Me, They Love Me Not Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Samuel, Pt. 5 (Final)

THEY LOVE ME, THEY LOVE ME NOT (1 SAMUEL 8, 12:16-25) A joke on the management of cows has been circulating for many years under the subject “World Economics,” “World Politics,” or “World Ideologies”: Communism: You have two cows. The government takes both, milks them, keeps the milk, and gives you ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Win The War, Not The Battle Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Saul, Pt. 3

WIN THE WAR, NOT THE BATTLE (1 SAMUEL 13:5-15) There are many tests in life: death of loved ones, getting the pink slip and losing a stable job, to name the most stressful. One of the most stressful periods of my life was when I returned to full-time continuing theological education. My savings ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:5-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does It Mean To Be "Perfect?"

Contributed by James Cloud on Dec 21, 2007

Exploring the principles that make us more Christlike.

What Does It Mean To Be Perfect? Illustration: (There was a young boy who had been writing God a note on how good he had been throughout the past year. He began by writing, “Dear God, I have been good for six months now and I think I deserve a good gift for Christmas.” Upon thinking about it he ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Anglican

All Is Vanity Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Solomon, Pt. 3

ALL IS VANITY (1 KINGS 11:1-14) A Jewish story tells of Alexander the Great’s presence before the gates of paradise on his journey home after he had conquered the whole world. Seeing that the gates would not open for him, he asked for a token to prove that he was there. All he got was a human eye. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Are Hired! Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Parables for Seekers, Pt. 7

YOU ARE HIRED! (MATTHEW 20:1-16) The economic crisis at the turn of the 21st century that hit the airline industry reflects the cost of doing business. United Airlines and Continental Airlines filed for bankruptcy, and American Airlines avoided bankruptcy after the union gave back $1.62 billion in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pay Up Or Pack Up Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Parables for Seekers, Pt. 8

PAY UP OR PACK UP (MATTHEW 21:33-44) US News and World Report (3/31/97) polled 1,000 people several years ago on who they thought were people “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to go to heaven. The person most likely to go to heaven was none other than Mother Teresa, who garnered 79 percent of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:32-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

To Forgive Is Human Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Parables for Stewards, Pt. 2

TO FORGIVE IS HUMAN (MATTHEW 18:21-35) Some officers during the Korean War rented a house for themselves and hired a Korean houseboy to work for them. He was a cheerful, happy soul, and they were young and had a lot of fun playing tricks on him. The officers would nail his shoes to the floor, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Power Game Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 25, 2007

Esther, Pt. 3

THE POWER GAME (ESTHER 3) I am highly suspicious of people in power and with power, from politicians to pastors. My low regard and utter disdain for power can be traced to the power game and the power struggle I have witnessed. The church I was a part of in my youth had a heartbreaking split every ...read more

Scripture: Esther 3:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible