 | Facing Your Appointment With Death
- 1 Chronicles 28-29 (Redick) This message examines the account of the Patriarch, David, as he approached his death. The teaching reminds us of the need to plan for our own death. |
| The Garesene Demoniac Mark
5:1-18 (Redick) "Suddenly, the quiet lapping of the water on the shore is interrupted by a piercing scream! It sounds human and yet, unearthly. Seemingly, out of nowhere, a wounded, naked man - hair matted, eyes wild, broken chains rattling from wrists and ankles, runs up to Jesus on the shore and throws himself down at His feet." In this sermon parallels are drawn between the desperate condition of this demoniac and the plight of the person under the influence of sin. Salvation is offered. |
| How To Fail Successfully Exodus
2 and Acts 7 (Redick) Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage with a mighty hand, but forty years before, he failed in his attempt to do so. How does God use failure in the life of his children? |
| How To Start All Over Luke
4:16-21 (Redick) The "fresh start" concept of this message is taken from the Old Testament account of the year of Jubilee. A Scriptural parallel is drawn between the release Jubilee offered and that offered by Christ. A good message for discouraged Christians and non-Christians who believe they are just too messed up to start the Christian walk.. |
| Come and Meet the World's Finest
Father" Luke 15:11-32 (Redick) Luke 15 is usually thought of as containing the account of the "Prodigal Son." The focus of Jesus' parable, however, was really on the boy's father. This message considers three qualities of the father the rebellious boy left behind when he departed. A Father's Day message. |
| What We Believe and Why We Believe
It Concerning the Bible Various Texts (Walker) The Bible is God's Word, God-breathed, and God's Will. This is a message that should be heard often in the church in this age of neglect and infidelity. |
| On The Road: A Post Resurrection
Appearance of Jesus Luke 24:13-35 (Redick) The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were downcast because of the crucifixion. Suddenly they were joined by a stranger who seemed somehow familiar to them. A sermon that considers the reality and necessity of the resurrection. |
| One Meal You Can't Eat In The
Kitchen Luke 10:38-42 (Redick) Martha busied herself with preparations for the meal while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. While we cannot fault Martha for her industry, she was missing something very important. So do we when we allow busyness to crowd out our personal devotions. |
| Radical Amputation Matthew
5:27-30 (Redick) Jesus made some pretty tough statements in Matthew 5:27-30 about amputating body parts. What did He mean? What does it mean to us today? How can it be applied to help us conquer the more difficult sins? This sermon explains the passage, then applies it to some critical areas of the Christian life. |
| How To Stay Married All Your Life
Genesis 2:18-31 and Mark 10:2-12 ( Redick) "I have not yet been married all my life, but my wife and I been married for 26 years. We've known each other for 32 years. (She was my high school sweetheart.) I'm beginning to believe we're going to make it. More specific to this message, however, I'm beginning to understand what works from both my own marriage and the observations of others' marriages I have seen. I'm seeing where the Scriptures have been right all along (though I never really doubted that)." |
| A View From the Kitchen Window
Proverbs 7:1-27 (Walker) Chapter seven of Proverbs begins at the kitchen window. There Solomon observes a group of young men doing whatever it is they were doing down on the street. Laughing, swapping stories, telling jokes, or playing a game. Solomon had a keen eye. In this group of ordinary young men, he noticed one who stood out.... one who was "lacking sense." Perhaps he is "lacking sense" because he separates himself from the rest of the "youths" and begins his solo journey to destruction. In this sermon, Alan Walker exposes the truth from Scripture about sexual temptation and sin. Relevant! |
| Jesus For the Defense 1
John 2:1-2 (Walker) Much better than Matlock or Mason, having Jesus for our defense makes our case a sure winner! |
| How Jesus Explained It: Covetousness
Luke 12:13-21 (Helt) "What we do with our money and all the things that it can and does buy says a lot about us. For example, how many people here this morning think money is itself evil? Now, before anyone raises their hand, I’m going to warn you — if you think it’s evil in and of itself, then I’m going to ask you to give it to me. In fact, it’s my Christian duty to keep you from sin! If money’s evil, you don’t want it in your wallet or your purse! You’d better get it out right now and get rid of it." This apt illustration is one of several that expose the issue of covetousness in this sermon by Derek Helt. An excellent sermon. Much needed. |
| If I Had Two Wishes Proverbs
30:5-9 (Walker) From Aladdin's lamp to Barbara Eden in "I dream of Jeannie," we are familiar with the "Genie" in the bottle who, when discovered, will grant a number of wishes. This sermon investigates the two wishes of a writer of Proverbs named Agur. "Two things I asked of Thee, do not refuse me before I die..." |
| Why People Turn Away From The
Faith Various texts from Hebrews (Redick) "How many people do you know who have begun on the road of salvation and then turned back? They escaped the city of destruction, walked on the trail there in front of you or behind you for a time, then, in spite of your best efforts to the contrary, they turned around... people whose spiritual lives, like Lot's Wife, have turned to pillars of salt." (A quote from this message) |
| God's Flight School Deuteronomy
32:9-14 (Redick) The process of God's training us to live the life of faith is compared in Deuteronomy 32:9-14 to an eagle teaching its young to fly. This sermon by Dave Redick investigates the analogy and turns up seven "stages" in "God's Flight School." They are (1) Demonstration, (2) Discomfort, (3) Danger, (4) Decision, (5) Direction Change, (6) Doing (7) Deliverance. Challenges Christians to recognize God's hand in their lives and cooperate with Him. |
| Blessed Are The Persecuted Matthew
5:10-12 (Redick) "Once again, it was Bereway who shot the first arrow. It took almost as many arrows to down Phil as it had Stan... Yemu and the three Danis waited until they knew Phil was too badly wounded to survive... At the sight of the killings, after both missionaries had fallen on the stony beach, the Yali dragged their battered bodies away from the stones and placed each of them in separate forest alcoves, overhung with boughs... Bunu, moved with fear, beheaded Stan and Phil." This quote from Don Richardson's book, Lord's of the Earth, is used in this message to illustrate the fact that believers are sometimes hated and persecuted by those who don't understand them. "All those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." How and why do persecution come? This message seeks to establish the answer. |
| The Need For Sound Doctrine Various
texts (Redick) "We have come to the place today where, among many followers of Christ, doctrine is no longer an issue. There was a time when hard and fast lines were drawn between people on the basis of their particular brand of doctrine - and those lines were not crossed. Certainly, while we abhor division, indeed, the scripture tells us to strive to agree, it seems that many have gone to an opposite extreme where accurate biblical doctrine is purposely avoided and is felt to be the source of division rather than the solution. I believe such wrongheaded thinking is disastrous to the body of Christ." |
| This Labor Day Remember Two Great
Laborers For The Lord: Priscilla and Aquilla Acts 18:24-28
(Walker) "I would like to introduce you to a married couple who lived many years ago. Simple people. Tent makers. Today we might refer to them as home builders. Probably their earnings were not incredible. They did not understand our 40 hour work week. There were no unions,& no week- ends off. Yet, they stand out in the scripture as a couple who found time to not only labor as part of the work force, but also, they labored for the Lord Jesus. Their impact on the Church of their day was felt for years to come. This labor day, look with me at a couple of hero's of the early Church: Aquilla & Priscilla." A Labor Day sermon. |
| Wrong Is Always Wrong Various
texts (Walker) "Where faith in God is not evident we find there are no clear cut moral distinctions. The definitions of what is right and wrong have blurred. What used to be absolutely wrong without question is now common place. One has said it this way, 'If there is no God everything is permissible.' What has begun to trouble me more is the thought that even if they believe there is a God, many have began to feel everything is permissible." This sermon, by Alan Walker, is called, "Wrong Is Always Wrong." |
| Three Secrets of a Great Life
Philippians 3:12-15 (Simmons) Three Secrets to a Great Life: Forget the Past. Face the Future. Keep Your Eyes on the Goal. This sermon is by an new contributor: James Simmons. |
| A Rock and Role Model 1
Corinthians 16:13 (Redick) "I don't care how you might feel about her at present, and I don't care how good things might seem to look on the outside of your marriage, you're looking the destruction of your family in the eye if you allow your marriage to be separated." A quote from this father's day sermon. |
| How To Break Out of a Rut Mark
10:46-52 (Redick) One would be hard-pressed to imagine someone caught in a deeper rut than blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10. Yet one day his chance to get out came walking by him in the form of the Son of God. His actions suggest seven necessary steps we should take if we wish to escape our ruts. |
| Daddy, How Do Your Spell Love?
1 John 4:7-16 (Simmons) "Daddy, How Do You Spell Love?" is the question asked and answered in this timely message. According to James Simmons, Love is a combination of Trust, Involvement, and Commitment. After giving us a practical and workable definition, Mr. Simmons presents two examples of love from Scripture, then proceeds to make the valid point that " love... can only be spelled with help from God the Father." An excellent message for the church. |
| Insight Various texts
(Redick) "As I understand it, the ore from which diamonds are extracted is a compound called kimberlite. According to Compton's Encyclopedia, one seeking diamonds must sift through twenty tons of kimberlite in order to extract one diamond. If one of the 'hidden treasures' the writer of Proverbs had in mind here was the diamond, you get the idea that if you want insight, you're going to have to seek it with diligence." (Quote from this sermon called "Insight.") |
| Jet-Skiing the Galilee Luke
2:8-20 (A message on the birth of Christ) (Redick) Why did God choose to deliver the message of the birth of His Son to Shepherds? Why not tell the elite so they could have put their money behind the spread of the good news? And what happened to the "peace on earth" that the angels announced? Were they mistaken or is this story just a myth that doesn't deliver on its promise? This sermon on the birth of Christ called "Jet-skiing the Galilee" provides one man's answer to these questions. |
| The Foolishness of the Birth of
Christ I Corinthians 1:27-29 & Luke 2:1-20 (A Christmas Message) (Redick) From the perspective of the unbelieving world, the events and places surrounding the birth of Christ seem foolish. The birth city (tiny and insignificant.) The birth parents (poor folks.) The birth place (a stable.) The birth announcement (to lowly shepherds.) But this viewpoint is only in those who are perishing. To Christians, the story, including all the events, is precious. |
| As God's People, You Are...Special
1 Peter 2:9 (Walker) This sermon assures the Christian of his special calling by God. A great message to pull folks out of discouragement. A great encouragement for the New Year! By Alan Walker. |
| How to Get A Life Matthew
16:21-25 (Redick) This message is named after the common expression used among young people today that says, "Get a life!" With them it is an insult, an expression of contempt that implies something like, "Your life is meaningless. You're a zero." We don't mean it that way here, of course. We're asking the more serious question, "How can we find life that has real meaning and doesn't end up being a zero now and in eternity?" |
| A Sacred Trust Luke
16:10-11 (Redick) "When you need to have your car repaired, when you are going to have surgery, when you take a check from someone, you usually make some effort to be sure you're dealing with someone you can trust. When you are going to take a trip across the country, when your teenaged daughter is picked up for a date by a young man, when you sit down in a restaurant for a meal hoping you won't get food poisoning, you are trusting either someone or something. When you bare your soul before another Christian, when you pass through an intersection while driving (hoping someone doesn't hit you), when you as a husband or wife leave your mate to go on a trip, you are trusting someone. We trust people dozens of times every day without even thinking about it. Can you imagine what life would be like if suddenly you could trust no one?" |
| Don't Become The Lion's Lunch
1 Peter 5:8 (Redick) "A lion is much stronger than its prey. It is also more experienced. While an adult lion must chase it's prey and feed several times every week, the average animal of prey is probably actually chased by a lion just a few times in its lifetime (Once, of course, if it gets caught!) Consequently, it is not nearly as experienced as its predator. The same is true with us and Satan. He has been prowling around for thousands of years. You and I are relative newcomers on the scene. We face a sleek, powerful, well trained predator who can overpower us quite easily if we let him maneuver us into a vulnerable position." |
| Mulberry Trees and Mass Murderers
Various texts (Redick) Bitterness, defined in this message as "anger gone sour" is a common human problem. It is a common church problem. This message defines the issue and offers a Biblical solution to it. |
| The Best Seat in the House
Luke 14:7-11 (Redick) The best seat in the house at a sports event is probably the sky-box seat, or the seat on the fifty-yard line, or the one directly behind home plate. Diplomatic teams spend thousands of dollars setting up seating for negotiations in order to afford proper honor to visiting dignitaries. Countries can go to war over mistakes made in seating. It is human nature to want to sit in the best seat in the house. Jesus had some things to say about seating in Luke 14:7-11. This message looks at Jesus' instruction about humility. |
| Why Does God Allow Christians To
Have Problems? 1 Peter 4:12-13 (Redick) "The punishment you gave me was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws. They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold!" (Psalm 119:71 TLB) This is one of the verses used in this message to answer this common question. Five reasons are given. |
| How To Make An Ideal Appeal Book
of Philemon (Redick) The tiny book of Philemon is one of the finest examples of tactful Christian persuasion there is. A short letter, written by Paul, it offers for us a model of making an ideal appeal under very difficult circumstances. If you are ever in a position of needing to personally pursuade someone to do right, this book and message are for you. |
| What It Means To Be Converted
Book of Philemon (Redick) What does it mean to be converted? Why not ask someone who has obviously experienced it? This message consists, for the most part, of an imaginary interview with the former runaway slave, Onesimus. Turn up the gain on your imagination, but read the tiny letter of Philemon first so you can keep the Bible text in mind and not stray from the truth. A fresh approach to sermon form. |
| Praise for Small Churches
Judges 7:1-8 & 16-22 (Redick) We rejoice when we hear of great things being done in large churches. Somehow, though, the small churches across our land seldom get any attention. Worse, because of their diminutive size, they are often characterized as being insignificant and hokey. It is time we realized that much of what gets done in the name of Christ is done by smaller congregations. If you are a lonely preacher out in the highways and byways, faithful to your post with a congregation that is tiny, take heart. Your work is worthwhile! |
| On Judging Others Matthew
7:1-5 (Redick) "Judge not, lest you be judged" is probably at least a strong contender for "Most Often Quoted Passage Of All Time" award, perhaps second only to, "Take a little wine for your stomach's sake." Yet, so often it is quoted ignorantly, in the wrong context, and applied to situations where it doesn't belong. As a result, many Christian people are troubled about it. How far are we to go in judging others? Is it permissible at all? If not, how can we discern right and wrong? Is it better not to judge at all? This message considers the issue and offers a checklist of seven directives. |
| The Beginning and End of True
Repentance Psalm 51:1-17 (Redick) Repentance is important when we come to Christ and as we continue to live with Him. True repentance signals the end of some things and the beginning of others: (1) The end of fooling ourselves; (2) The end of blaming others; (3) The end of covering up; (4) The beginning of concern for God's presence; (5) The beginning of concern for others; (6) The beginning of true joy. Based on Psalm 51. |
| A Friend Is... Various
texts from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (Redick) Try to hang wallpaper by yourself, or, as I did recently, move a heavy, metal desk without someone to help you. It doesn't work very well. Yes, you may get it done, but not without a greatly increased amount of effort, and that wall paper will probably never hang as straight. Friends are indispensable for hanging wallpaper, moving desks, and just living. We need 'em! |
| Little By Little Exodus
23:29-30 and Deuteronomy 7:22 (Redick) All of us enjoy seeing big, noticeable, spectacular movements of God in our lives and in the lives of others. It is true, however, that more often than not, He works in less noticeable ways. This message shows how God works in our lives little by little. |
| Ten Truths About Heaven Various
texts (Myron Wells) What do you say when you preach the funeral of your own mother? If she has faithfully served the Lord for many years and died in Christ, there is much that can be said. Myron Wells brought this message at the memorial service of his dear mother, Agnes, earlier this year, after she had suffered many years with Alzheimer's disease. Through tears at the gathering of the church, there was a note of joy and victory in the air, as Myron's message testifies. |
| Your Declaration of Independence
John 8:36 (Redick) Signed in the Continental Congress in 1776, the Declaration of Independence meant two things among others: (1) It meant war, and (2) It meant separation from England. When we become Christians, we declare our independence from the god of this world (Satan.) This has a similar result: War with the forces that control this world and Separation from the same. |
| The Why, What, and How of
Forgiveness Various texts (Redick) Why shouldn't a person who has wronged us terribly be made to pay for the harm done? Why shouldn't we be allowed to spend our lives hating our assailant? Why should the one who is the victim forgive? What is forgiveness anyway, and how do you do it in the tough situations? |
| The Meaning of Freedom Various
"freedom" texts (Redick) You would think that the citizens of a country that was founded on the need for individual freedom would continue to understand it's foundation principle. Yet today, many no longer grasp this most basic concept. This message will challenge you to re-think the meaning of freedom and perhaps, stir you to stand up for what remains of this precious possession. Message is called "The Meaning of Freedom." |