Sermons on Vantage Point:

Be Careful

Contributed by David Taylor on May 5, 2003

We have received the instruction to "be careful" as a church. That instruction serves a purpose.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Be careful! That was two words I heard a lot growing up. It wasn’t that I was accident ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holiness Without Legalism

Contributed by Brian La Croix on May 12, 2003

A message looking to help people live a life of holiness without falling into the trap of legalism.

Holiness Without Legalism 1 Peter 1:15-16, Galatians 5:1 May 4, 2003 Introduction Have you ever seen a proud legalist? I have. They wouldn’t necessarily call themselves a legalist, but they are. They live their lives around making sure everything is just right so they don’t mess up with God or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15-16, Galatians 5:1

Denomination: Wesleyan

Cutting Through The Legalese Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 17, 2003

We look for loopholes in what God has called us to do, but the Bible calls us to a proactive lifestyle, it makes us face who we really are, and it calls us to accountability.

Some of us love to take the simple and make it complex. Some of us thrive on taking perfectly obvious matters and making them as obscure as possible. My neighbor’s car has on it a bumper sticker that says, “Eschew obfuscation”. After about a half-hour with the dictionary, I found out that means, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Time To Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

In Nehemiah 11, we come across a situation where the people are faced with a national referendum. They didn’t believe in “luck” or “chance.” They actually were so committed to the sovereignty of God that they knew God would direct the outcome of the lot

Taking Time to Give Thanks You made a good decision this morning to come to church because I have some inside information about the recent presidential election that you will not hear on CNN. With all the intrigue and controversy surrounding the final tally, coupled with the waiting that we’ve had ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Prayer Of Jabez

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on May 22, 2003

Jabez is distinctly remembered, not for what he did, but for what he prayed. His prayer became the casting distinction in his life to remove him from causing pain to being blessed by the hand of God.

The Prayer of Jabez Scripture Reference: 1 Chronicles 4:9 – 10 Where are you in your relationship with the Lord? Is there visible evidence that Christ is at work within you? If so, is it visible to your spouse, to your children, to your church, to your co-workers? Can the evidence of fruit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Captivity Led Captive" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 23, 2003

Sin made us captives to Satan. Grace made us captives to Christ. (#13 in the Unfathomable Love of Christ series)

“Therefore it says ‘When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men’. (Now this expression, ‘He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:8-10

Denomination: Orthodox

Owning The Mission Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

Do we value the same things that Jesus places a value on? While people are eternally lost apart from Christ, these same people are of tremendous worth in God’s eyes. Amazingly, God chooses us to be involved in redemptive relationships in such a way tha

Owning the Mission Rev. Brian Bill 1/28/01 Jim had a passion for God, a love for people, and a burden to communicate the gospel. But he wrestled with the question of how to bring the message of Christ into a setting that seemed so far from him. How could he help people see and embrace the truth ...read more

Scripture: John 20:21, Luke 20:21

Denomination: Baptist

His Death Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 30, 2003

As we look at Jesus, it’s important to realize that his death was no accident. The cross did not happen to Him – He came on purpose for it. His death resulted in our acquittal and gave us open access to the Father. Just as people have responded differen

The Case For Christ: His Death Rev. Brian Bill 4/8/01 I was on the wrestling team in High School. The wrestlers and the basketball players didn’t get along very well. We practiced on the gym stage while the wimpy round-ball guys ran around in the gym. There was a big stage curtain that we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:26-49, Mark 15:37-39

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Patience Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 30, 2003

Since patience means “slow to get angry,” we’ll focus on some of those things that cause us to burn with anger so that we can learn the discipline of waiting

Preparing for Patience Rev. Brian Bill July 1, 2001 A truck driver sat down to eat at an all-night restaurant. The waitress had just served him his meal when three guys riding Harley’s showed up and swaggered into the diner. One grabbed the man’s hamburger; another took a fistful of his French ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:11

Denomination: Baptist

Find Time

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jun 2, 2003

Is there ever enough time and if there is what should it be used for?

Find Time Rev. Denn Guptill Bedford Community Church Pussy cat, pussy cat where have you been? “I have been to London to visit the queen” Pussy cat, pussy cat what did you there? “I frightened a little mouse right under her chair” You ever think about it? Here is a cat that ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

How Much Is The Fare To Tarshish? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 6, 2003

Jonah refused to go to Tarshish because emotionally he felt unwelcome and theologically he thought he could escape God’s oversight. He paid hidden costs, in vain: the loss of a vessel, the loss of joy, human wreckage, reckoning with eternity.

When I travel, I don’t want to spend too much money on the travel itself. I’d rather spend my money on whatever there is to buy where I’m going. I don’t want to hand much over to the airline or the railroad. I want to travel cheap. But I sometimes miss an important fact – that when I try to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Sending Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 11, 2003

For Reformation Sunday: Luther’s reform taught us that the church has an apostolic gift, whereby each of us -- the priesthood of all believers -- can break new ground for the Kingdom. Sometimes, however, we send back the gift!

Have you ever had the experience of sending a gift, only to have it returned? What does it feel like? Somebody’s birthday is coming up – and you’ve found just the perfect gift. You wrap it up, you package it securely, and you trot off to the post office. She’s going to love this! Three days ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Of God Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jun 13, 2003

The purpose of this sermon is to inspire men to fear God and keep His commands

Father’s Day Men of God Psalm 112 June 15, 2003 Intro: A. [THE FATHER’S DAY TOP TEN LIST OF THINGS YOU’VE BEEN ITCHIN’TO SAY FOR YEARS NOW...] We often hear "the rules" from the feminine side. Ok- well now hear the guys’ side - it’s only fair (realizing of course that Father’s Day is the only ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 112:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Deal Of The Century

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 19, 2003

Many things make Christianity the deal of the century.

THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY INTRO.- Good deals are where you find them. ILL.- It’s been said that our mammas of the past did not hesitate to bargain. Questioning a price was standard procedure. One mamma asked, "How much are these cucumbers?" "Two for five cents." She pushed one aside and asked, "And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life

Contributed by Robert Parker on Jun 22, 2003

God will give us Life and life more abundant when we submit to his will. Jesus said that the words that I speak they are spirit and they are life...

Scripture: John 6:63-64 (6:63) “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing, The words that I speak unto you , they are spirit , and they are life.” (6:64) “ But there are some of you that believe not.” The words I speak to you they are spirit… And they are life… They are ...read more

Scripture: John 6:63-64, John 11:39-44

Denomination: Christian Church