Sermons on Utility:

What Do I Do When Someone Sins Against Me?

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 15, 2016

Sometimes, it is necessary to bring about confrontation, not so that you feel better and are happy, but so that relationships are restored, and sinners are brought back to obedience.

What do you do when you are hurt by the sinful actions of others? Authors Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp provide us with examples of people who are hurt by the sinful actions of others. As you read these stories, you will perhaps identify some of the feelings of frustration that can arise when others ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

“jesus Prays To His Father” Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on May 24, 2016

Hours from Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prays to His Father in regard to their eternal mutual glory.

“Jesus Prays to His Father” John 17:1-5 John 17 reveals the prayer of Jesus immediately before His arrest and crucifixion for those who would believe. It is often known as the High Priestly prayer of Jesus since He intercedes for Himself, His Disciples and for all those who would ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Civil Wars - Pt. 3 - D Day Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 22, 2015

Brother against brother. Father against son. Son against father. It was a war that was anything but “civil”. Wars are inevitable.What if we could learn to fight fair? What if we could wage civil wars?

Civil Wars
Pt. 3 - D Day I. Introduction
After the war, 650,000-850,000 fathers and sons did not return. Thousands of those that did return home were wounded and maimed. As a result, many women found themselves widowed and alone, running farms, plantations, and businesses. Countless ...read more

Scripture: John 13:21-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Word Is Truth Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Aug 27, 2018

We can trust the Word because the Word is Truth.

Video: Stewarding the Truth (3:15 min. - available on Sermon Central) 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. How do we rightly divide the word of truth? For much of the world they would ...read more

Scripture: John 17:17

Denomination: Baptist

Thanks Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 7, 2023

Why do the Gospels tell us the story of the 10 lepers. What does their gratitude (or lack thereof) teach us about them - and about us as Christians?

September 1923 - a devastating earthquake rocked the islands of Japan. And just in the city of Tokyo it destroyed nearly 75% of the buildings. The New York Tribune called the earthquake “Undoubtedly the greatest disaster in recorded time.” It was estimated that nearly 300,000 people died, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Love Of Christ: Civil Rights Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Jun 30, 2022

Greetings In The Holy Name Of Jesus, My brothers and sisters, I think best to fundamentally understand God’s law, Christ Jesus’ law—-…

The Love of Christ by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (June 29, 2022) “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18, King James Version[KJV]; “And Jesus answered ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:18, Mark 12:29-31, Deuteronomy 10:12, John 1:1

Denomination: Friends

The Right To Remain Silent Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 9, 2024

Jesus was faced with numerous unfair and unjust accusations and trials... and yet He never responded to those. Why was He silent, and what can that mean to us?

OPEN: One day my dad was driving down the road a little over the speed limit. He was going about 65 in a 55 mph zone… and then he saw some lights flashing in his rearview mirror. Dad was resigned to the fact he’d have to pay a speeding ticket (after all, he was going 65) and when the policeman ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sloth Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Jan 20, 2021

Sloth is a sluggishness of soul or boredom because of the exertion necessary for the performance of a good work. Are we guilty of it?

In the rain forests of Central and South America dwells a small ugly looking mammal called a sloth. This little creature is so sedentary that algae grows on its furry coat. When it moves—which is rarely, since it spends 20 hours a day sleeping—it travels at a top speed of 0.15 mph. When we think ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Heard You The First Time

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Jul 24, 2022

One of the greatest weapons the devil uses against us is... the weapon of delay. But delay is not denial. Satan may hinder your answer, but he can't stop it.

Daniel 10:12-14 Have you ever spoken to someone and you just felt like somehow there was a communication break-down, and so you repeat yourself. But it feels like either you're being ignored or to give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe it was a very noisy environment, so you say the same ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 10:12-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Giving Honor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 2, 2021

David chose to invite Mephibosheth to the king's table and took care of all his needs. Why would he do this and what can we learn from his example? Check out these thoughts from Scott Jewell, our Family Minister.

We’ve been looking at a number of “children’s stories” from the Bible this summer. I finally get a turn to share what has become one of my favorite stories because of how it’s been connected to the week of church camp at the Ark, where Jeff and I have been faculty. I’ll talk more about that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lent 2019 – Our Weeping Savior (Palm Sunday) Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 13, 2019

Our Lord has emotions. We see it both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. When He entered into Jerusalem on a donkey to the shouts of "Hosanna" why did He weep. Does He weep or rejoice over us?

Lent 2019 – Our Weeping Savior (Palm Sunday) Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44, Deuteronomy 6:5, Isaiah 43:1-3, 1 Samuel 8:1-9, Matthew 23:37-38, 2 Peter 2:9-10, Mark 12:30, James 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

M3 – Mobilizing Disciples 3 Acts 1:8 Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Apr 11, 2019

The call of every Christian is to become broken bread and poured out wine to others until they are able to feed on God for themselves. O. Chambers

M3 – MOBILIZING Disciples 1/24/16 Acts 1:8 Sunday AM A beggar boy had staked himself on a bridge in Rome w/ an old violin on which he played pitifully. The only people who gave money were those who felt sorry for him. One day a man came by who after listening asked the boy if he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Luke 14:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation Study Series 14b - God’s Mysterious Plan Fulfilled (Chapter 9b) Series

Contributed by Clayton Beck on Mar 1, 2023

Jesus came! Jesus died! Jesus resurrected! Jesus is coming back!

Revelation Study Series 14b - God’s Mysterious Plan Fulfilled Chapter 9b 02.06.22 Message… An article in the Akron Beacon Journal written just a few weeks ago by Mark J. Price spoke of a man named W.L. George who in 1822 wrote a “full-page article in the New York Herald” about what life would be ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lost Sheep Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Apr 14, 2023

Christ seeks the lost, the outcast, and the weak, leaving the herd for the sake of the one.

INTRODUCTION • Do you feel comfortable as you look around you today in the sanctuary? • Many of you know many of the folks here, and that is comfortable for many. • Do you think we have enough people here today? • What do you see when you look at the world around you and the people around you each ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"From Genesis To Glory: The Legacy Of African American Labor” Honoring The Past And Inspiring The Future

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Feb 21, 2025

The inspiring theme "African American Labor," a reflection not only on historical events but also on the resilience and ingenuity of our people. Just like Joseph, our journey has spanned from bondage to blessing, shaped by faith, struggle, and an indomitable spirit.

"Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph! Is my father still living?' But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come close to me. When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:3-15

Denomination: Methodist