Sermons on Verbal Savvy:

What About Faith And Good Works? (Part 1)

Contributed by Tony Miano on Apr 2, 2001

This morning our focus is going to be on verses 14-17, in chapter two. In this section of the passage we find an assumption (v.14), an analogy (vv. 15-16), and an application (v.17). Included is a historical looks at the relationship between James and Paul.

What About Faith and Good Works? An Answer to the believer James 2:14-17 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church April 1, 2001 Introduction: We’ve spent the last couple of weeks tackling an issue that many people, present company excluded of course, would like to avoid. We ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-17

Denomination: *other

Ready For His Return

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2010

Anticipation of the Master’s return generates a sense of anticipation in His people.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:29-51

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Truth? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 18, 2012

We may either adopt the cynicism of this dying world, dismissing truth when it stands before us, or we may embrace the Son of God who is truth.

“Pilate said to Jesus, ‘What is truth?’” [1] Cynicism best describes the governor’s demeanor when the True Light stood before him. Arraigned before Pilate’s judgement seat was Jesus of Nazareth who testified of Himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” [JOHN 14:6]. Someone has ...read more

Scripture: John 18:38

Denomination: Baptist

Character Counts Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 8, 2016

The response to disruptive people demonstrates the Christian's maturity. Paul counsels the expression of the character that marks all who are mature in Christ.

“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Church 12 Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 20, 2012

The Church is needed by us all and the Bible gives 12 reasons why we all need The Church. These 12 can be broken down into three focuses of God – Upward – Inward - Outward.

Open with video for Father’s Day: Series: The Church Sermon: The Church 12 pt 2 Tag line - 12 reasons why we all need The Church of Jesus Christ active in our lives. Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:23-25: 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fratricide Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 18, 2020

Anger against fellow Christians destroys the Faithful, and especially does it destroy the one harbouring the hatred.

“Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.’ And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Dong Here? (A Message About Depression) Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Oct 20, 2020

This event in the life of the prophet Elijah will show us to both 'fall into' and 'climb out of' Depression,

What Are You Doing Here? As the deer longs for streams of water so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:4, 1 Kings 19:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Physiology Of Faith - Class 6 Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 16, 2023

XI. The Fear Factor XII. Breaking the Fear Cycle

XI. THE FEAR FACTOR “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (Isa 12:2) A. One of the greatest truths of Christianity is God's promise to always be with us. Yet, this is the one truth we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37-40, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 103:8-14, Proverbs 2:1-5, Luke 11:11-13, 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5, 3 John 1:2, John 11:1-44  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Terrible Power Of A Traducing Tongue

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 4, 2023

It is not merely unbecoming for a Christian to slander or to malign a person, it is ungodly.

“An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” “A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.” [1] Life in this modern age has trained us to accommodate the transformation of language. Modern society ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:4, Proverbs 17:20

Denomination: Baptist

The Ecstasy Before The Agony

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2024

Religious excitement does not necessarily translate into spiritual worship. Rather, the one following Jesus must guard against being turned aside by that which appears good. Remember that good is enemy of the best.

“The large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Take And Eat - Mark 14:22-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 4, 2024

Why do some verses in the Bible make our relationship with God sound conditional, and other verses make it sound unconditional? The answer to that question is the key to understanding the gospel and having the closest, most intimate relationship with God possible.

Mark 14:22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:22-26, Matthew 26:26-30, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Christian Response To Social Evil

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 19, 2024

How shall followers of Christ respond to the growing wickedness of our world?

“[Jesus] said to [His disciples], ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Prayin’ Like A Pagan - Matthew 6:7-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 30, 2024

How would you naturally finish this sentence: “God already knows what you need before you ask him, therefore ____.” The conclusion Jesus finishes that sentence gives us great insight into how to pray in a way that truly communes with God, rather than just saying dry words.

Matthew 6:5-8 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-8

The Servant Of Isaiah 49 In Luke-Acts Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 19, 2024

Part 2 of a rabbit trail exploring how the servant's calling is picked up not just by Jesus, but also by Ananias, Paul and Barnabas, in Acts. We are all to be lights, and "salvation," up to the ends of the earth.

Two weeks ago, we worked our way through Isaiah 49:1-6. When I taught on it, I said that these are the words of God's exilic prophet. The prophet feels like his ministry has been a waste of his time and energy. It's accomplished nothing. And God responds to him, not by arguing with him, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6, Luke 2:25-34, Luke 9:28-36, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 13:44-50  (view more)  (view less)

Every Word Matters! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 21, 2025

James tells us that if we want to pursue perfection in Jesus then we need to control our tongues and make sure the words that come off it are fruitful Godly words. The warning he throws at us is the uncontrolled tongue leads to the whole body being set on fire by hell’s flames.

Wild Thing – Every Word Matters – James 3:1-12 Opening Video Illustration: Kids talking about what they hear their parents say to them! Thesis: James tells us that if we want to pursue perfection in Jesus then we need to control our tongues and make sure the words that come off it are fruitful ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 18:21, James 1:26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational