Sermons on Watching:

Why Are We Here? Series

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 20, 2000

Fourfold purpose of the church: 1)Worship God 2) Show love for others 3)Proclaim the Gospel 4)Help Christian grow in their faith.

A few weeks ago a woman called the church office. She said she had heard some real good things about our congregation and was interested in attending, but she had one concern. Someone had told her that you had to pay money, annual dues, if you wanted to come to this church. Barb, the church ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 22:37-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Who Hated Christmas

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

Today we are going to talk about a real person, an individual who plays an important part in the Bible's account of Jesus' birth, but who is seldom mentioned in Christmas programs or sermons. His name is King Herod.

The man who hated Christmas. Who am I talking about? Is it Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser whose motto for Christmas was "bah-humbug"? Or is it The Grinch, the creature who tries to steal Christmas because he can't stand to see people happy? Well, neither. Today we are going to talk about a real ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18, Luke 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

Nothing But The Truth

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

Today we want to explore some interesting words about truth-telling that Jesus gives us.

A few weeks ago, President Clinton spent Saturday and Sunday huddling with his lawyers preparing for his grand jury testimony. As I thought about that, it seemed a bit odd. If your goal in going before a grand jury is to tell the truth, to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, why does it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

Why Is He So Special?

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

Part of the reason Jesus is not someone people can ignore or forget, is how He lived and what He did during His thirty-three years on earth

A panel of historians recently voted Winston Churchill as the greatest person of the 20th Century. He was born.......does anyone know when? Even a guess? It was November 30, 1874. Does anyone have any idea where Sir Winston was born? Oxfordshire, England. How about the names of his father and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-31

Denomination: Baptist

Wise Men Still Worship

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

The Wise Men remind us that true worship comes from the heart.

Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Looking Both Ways

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 22, 2000

We are going to look back at some of the obstacles and opportunities the church has faced the last decade, and look ahead at some obstacles and opportunities which may be in our path during the next ten years.

A few weeks ago I was sitting at my desk planning my sermon schedule for the holiday season. I came up with topics for Advent, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, but I really wasn't sure what would be appropriate for the first Sunday of the year 2000. So, I paged through my files and came across an ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Making Sense Of Baptism

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

the meaning and significance of Biblical Baptism

There is a story about a Baptist pastor who had just started serving a new congregation. For eight Sundays in a row he preached on the importance of baptism. Finally, the chairman of the deacon board approached him and said, "Preacher, we think you need to choose another theme to preach on." The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 6:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping (A Godly) Perspective

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

Since we know God is sovereign we don't have to worry in times of trouble (1 week after presidential election chaos)

"Fellow citizens! Clouds and darkness are round about Him. The dark waters of the seas and stars of the skies form His pavilion. Justice and judgment are the establishment of His throne. Mercy and truth go before His face. Fellow citizens, God still reigns! He will enable the government in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1, Psalm 97:1

Denomination: Baptist

A Blueprint For Building

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

with Christ as our foundation, we as a church and as individuals need to make sure we build with the right materials; make sure we stay God-centered; we need to rely on the Lord's strength and wisdom and avoid the temptation to take shortcuts

This church building was constructed about nine years ago. These are the blueprints for our church. Whoever put them together did a fine job, and they provided direction for the folks who built this structure which we often call First Baptist Church. It is good to keep in mind, though, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Nothing But The Blood

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

There is nothing to take away our sin other than the shed blood of Christ our Savior.

Nothing But The Blood Hebrews 9:11-15 The days were long and the nights were filled with nursing sore muscles and trying to reassure one another that hope was not lost, that YHWH would one day replace their sorrow with celebration. Days were filled with the sounds of the whip cracking on ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nehemiah For President

Contributed by Steve Hong on Oct 18, 2000

So, who do you like for our next President? It’s a pretty important decision, isn’t it? We have problems with the economy, the Muslims, oil prices, corruption, roads, utilities.

So, who do you like for our next President? It’s a pretty important decision, isn’t it? We have problems with the economy, the Muslims, oil prices, corruption, roads, utilities.......even the weather! The problems facing the next president of the Philippines are complex — more than any one man or ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-14

Can God Trust You?

Contributed by Drew Mills on Jul 12, 2006

Will we be faithful when the going gets rough?

You know being trustworthy is one of the best character traits to have. Smart is good, but if you cant be trusted, no one will believe your smart-ness. Friendly is good, but if you cant be trusted it is only a shallow hello. A winsome personality is wonderful, but if you cannot be trusted you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, 2 Corinthians 8:1

Denomination: Wesleyan

Are You Ready Yet?

Contributed by James May on Jul 16, 2006

Do you have on your garments of Righteousness? That’s what it will take to be a part of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Are You Dressed Yet? By Pastor Jim May Jesus taught very often through the use of parables, or stories that made a point, because we are often too earthly-minded to grasp the spiritual truths that He tried to present. Though we might look at the Jews and think of them as a rebellious people who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Famine In The Land

Contributed by Toni-Brooke Brown on Jul 17, 2006

There is a famine in the land, not because there is no water and food available, but because we are not taking the water and food to those who are hungry and thirsty.

Famine – meaning starvation, deprivation, a shortage, in need, in want. Famine is lack, insufficiency, hardship, distress Famine is the opposite of abundance In this chapter of Amos, God is pronouncing judgment on Israel. God showed Amos a basket of ripe fruit and He told Amos it was ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:11-12

Denomination: *other

The Great Adventure: "Step Up To The Plate!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 17, 2006

Moses is given a second chance ‘at bat’ to do a great thing for God, reluctantly steps up to the plate and hits a homer for God! Aim: To challenge Christians to step up to what God is calling them to in the church, in their families and as disciples of C

Last month my son’s ball team went to a Star’s baseball game for “Bat Night.” I tell you, there’s nothing quite like twelve six year-olds running around a ball park swinging their brand new wooden bats! Life can be exciting sometimes… • But that’s okay… the Christian life is supposed to be ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ