Sermons on Vantage Point:

Responding To The Christmas Message

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 24, 2003

The revelation of Christ’s first advent invoked interesting and diverse responses. The responses of the Magi, of King Herod, and of the Priests and teachers in Jerusalem are examined and contrasted. They are rather typical of varied responses to Christ to

Responding to the Christmas Message 12-15-02 Intro: Text: Matt 2 2:1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23, Micah 5:2

Denomination: Charismatic

A Good Way To Live

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 24, 2003

This sermon calls us to the kind of living Paul describes in Ephesians 5:15-21. 1- Make the most of opportunities coming your way 2- Understand what the Lord’s will is 3- Be filled with the Spirit

A Good Way to Live 12-29-02 Text: Ephesians 5:15-21 “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:29, Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Charismatic

Bruce Almighty (Me Almighty) Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Nov 26, 2003

This is the first of a series of sermons based on movie themes, an idea I borrowed from West Family Church in the Kansas City area while I was visiting there this summer. We are not wired to play God.

SLIDE 1 BRUCE ALMIGHTY (ME ALMIGHTY) Stop Playing God and Discover God Almighty’s Plan Good morning and welcome to Bethany—greet guests, etc. SLIDE 2 How many of you have been to the movies this summer? It seems like I get to the movies more in the summer than any other time. How does that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Denomination: Methodist

Do You See What Jeremiah Saw? Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Dec 4, 2003

This is the second in a Christmas series of OT prophecies of Christ. This one focuses on Jermiah 23:6 which says that Jesus is our righteousness. The sermon contrasts righteousness by religion vs. righteousness by relationship.

Do You See What I See? Do You See What Jeremiah Saw? Jeremiah 23:1-6 December 7, 2003 Intro: A. [Standard of Judgment, Citation: Craig Brian Larson, Choice Contemporary Stories and Illustrations (Baker, 1998), p.181; Brian Burrell, Words We Live By, (S&S Trade, 1997)] In Words We Live By, Brian ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Sovereignty In A Family Tree

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Dec 7, 2003

Notice God’s sovereignty on display in Christ’s lineage.

Matthew 1:1-17 God’s Sovereignty in a Family Tree Woodlawn Baptist Church December 7, 2003 Thanksgiving is behind us and we are officially in the Christmas season. Folk are counting down the shopping days, the economic analysts are checking the fourth quarter profits, Santa is out in full force in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17, Revelation 12:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Transformation Of A Scarlet Woman Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 8, 2003

Three aspects of this woman’s encounter with Jesus were crucial to her transformation. These same 3 elements are vital to every conversion. 1- Acceptance 2- Convictaion 3- Revelation

Transformation of a Scarlet Woman Fortifying the Foundations # 9 John 4:1-30 5-25-03 Intro: Read John 4:1-30 (For text in NIV go to end of this manuscript). Sang “Fill My Cup” with verse taken from this text. In text we see a Radical Change occurring in this woman’s life as she encounters the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30, Matthew 7:7

Denomination: Charismatic

I Will Share The Responsibility Of Our Church Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jan 7, 2004

The sermon reminds us of the importance of every member actively participating in the evangelistic purpose of the church.

Membership Covenant I Will Share the Responsibility of Our Church Matthew 28:18-20 January 11, 2004 Intro: A. [Pastor will sing, “People Need the Lord” (Greg Nelson/Phil McHugh, 1983 River Oaks Music Co., BMI)] B. This will be the second in our series of sermons on our new membership ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freed To Serve

Contributed by Mike Hays on Jan 12, 2004

Through Christ we are free, not to indulge our sinful nature, but to willingly lay down our lives in service to our King.

Freed To Serve Galatians 5:13-15 It is time that we get back to our old friend, the book of Galatians, and pray that we might glean from this powerful little book the lessons the Lord has for us this morning. We’ve taken a four week break from our study of Galatians as we journeyed through the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Spirit-Filled Church

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 14, 2004

When a church possesses all the characteristics of a Spirit-filled church, it will attract new people to God and to the church

January 11, 2004 Acts 2:42-47 “The Spirit-filled church” INTRODUCTION Have you ever noticed how much time and energy we as a society spend on being attractive to one another? To get an idea, it only takes a quick trip into Wal-Mart. One very large section is labeled beauty aids. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

Get Smart Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Feb 3, 2004

We think differently (as least we are supposed to...)

GET SMART I Corinthians 2:6-16 S: Holy Spirit Th: Live the Difference Pr: WE THINK DIFFERENTLY (OR AT LEAST, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO…) ?: Why? Why do we think differently? KW: Reasons TS: We will find in our study of I Corinthians 2:6-16 three reasons why we, as Christians, think differently. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Denomination: Baptist

God's Battle Plan

Contributed by James May on Feb 22, 2004

God told Joshua that he was standing on Holy Ground and would have to take off his shoes as a sign that he had surrendered his will to God’s will. That’s how we are going to be over comers too.

GOD’S BATTLE PLAN Joshua 5:13-15 During World War II the United States and Great Britain achieved a great deal of success in cryptography. The German army and the Luftwaffe were wreaking havoc on allied forces and nations in Europe while the Japanese were doing the same thing in the Pacific. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:13-15, Zechariah 4:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Lethal Weapon Named Delilah

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Mar 11, 2004

The devil will use anything he can in this battle of spiritual warfare in order to cause you to fall

“A Lethal Weapon Named Delilah” Judges 16:1-5 & 29. The phrase Spiritual Warfare is not found in the Bible; however, the Bible is loaded with scripture that let us know that there is indeed a battle that is being fought and we are to be prepared in order to be able to fight in this battle ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

What Is God Like? The Prodigal

Contributed by Jeffrey Samelson on Mar 23, 2004

The Parable of the Prodigal is not really about the younger son; Jesus told it to illustrate what God is like, not what sinners are like.

Fourth Sunday in Lent — March 21, 2004 Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD Pastor Jeff Samelson Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 What Is God Like? The Prodigal R________ (Rejected) R________ (Running) R________ (Restoring) W ________ (Waiting) prod·i·gal adj 1. recklessly extravagant, spendthrift 2. giving ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 15:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Let All God's People Say Amen Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Jun 9, 2004

AMEN is not just a meaningless word with which we end our prayers. It is a bold and personal affirmation of the will of God in our lives.

All God’s People Say--Amen 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Intentionality Of A Father

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Jun 15, 2004

Using the priest Eli as an example of what not to do with his sons this message explores some basic suggestions, grounded in the word imploring a man to take a house and make a home.

PEOPLE OF PURPOSE FATHER’S DAY – 2004 INTENTIONALITY OF PURPOSE: TAKE A HOUSE & BUILD A HOME 1 SAMUEL 3:1-10 ©DR. LARRY L. THOMPSON (2004) “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. [2] One night Eli, whose eyes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist