In Sermons: showing 46-60 of 89

Imperfect People; Perfectly One Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 24, 2004

We are all imperfect, yet Jesus prays for us to perfectly one. Here are some insights on how we can live in a more perfect oneness.

When we go to Alabama to see Maryanne’s family every summer, I often go to People’s Shoe Store. They sell Johnson and Murphy shoes at greatly reduced prices. The catch is that they sell their shoes “as is.” It’s a way to say that “these are damaged goods.” They sell Johnson and Murphy shoes ...read more

Scripture: John 17:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Building A Community Of Unity Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 19, 2004

This is a message encouraging believers to follow the wisdom found in the following: In essential things, unity. In non-essential things, liberty. In all things, charity.

Remember Pat Tillman? He’s the football player who turned down a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the Army in May 2002 in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy. Tillman was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan. Sports pages all across America told his heroic story. ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-22, John 17:23-26

Denomination: Baptist

Something To Stand For...

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 1, 2004

This is a message to encourage God’s people to vote according to biblical values

The commercials come at us back to back. Vote for Bush. Vote for Kerry. Everybody wants your vote. Many of us are left thinking, “What should I do? I don’t like this about that party. I don’t like that about this party. I like that about this guy. I like this about that guy. Help. I’m ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Baptist

How Now Shall We Live? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Apr 5, 2004

Since Jesus died for our sins, what should be our response? Here are three: restoring our relationships, forsaking our sin, and carrying our cross.

Who really killed Jesus? What crime did Jesus commit? Just how badly did Jesus suffer? Why did Jesus die? Couldn’t there have been another way? How now shall we live? Good Friday: What did He say and when did He say it? How now shall we live? Series: The Passion of the Christ: True or false? Text: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, John 11:51-52

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did Jesus Die? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 24, 2004

Since we need to talk about the Passion film with our friends, we have to be prepared to answer their questions. It’s a mystery to non-believers: Why did Christ have to suffer so? Why did He have to die?

Sarcastic reviews. Late night jokes. Hateful criticism. Promises to ban him from work in Hollywood. Mel Gibson has faced all that and more over the last year. All because of the making of The Passion of the Christ. Why all the controversy? The brutality? R-rated slasher movies come out ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalm 22:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Just How Badly Did Jesus Suffer? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 18, 2004

The violence in The Passion of the Christ has many moviegoers asking: Does the movie have to be so bloody?

The violence in The Passion of the Christ has many moviegoers asking: Does the movie have to be so bloody? Most film critics have felt the need to stress their discomfort with the amount of violence in the film. Roger Ebert, who gave it a thumbs up, said The Passion of the Christ is the most ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:14, Isaiah 53:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

What Crime Did Jesus Commit? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 9, 2004

We see the context that sets up the reason Jesus was rejected by the Jews. He called for integrity, challenged their authority, claimed to be deity. We then move from the reasons to the purpose - our justification.

Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus asked His followers a question: “Who do you say I am?” It’s still the fundamental question of life. And the answer creates controversy. It’s one reason why Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ, is so controversial. This is a film that has had the audacity ...read more

Scripture: John 8:57-59

Denomination: Baptist

Who Killed Jesus? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 9, 2004

This message seeks to give the Biblical answer to who killed Christ. It’s part of a series of messages related to Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ.

The cover of a recent Newsweek magazine asks the right question: “Who really killed Jesus?” This debate began about a year ago as Mel Gibson’s new film, The Passion of the Christ, hit the media’s radar screen. He immediately ran into a buzz saw of opposition from the liberal media and Jewish ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming A Lifelong Learner Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Dec 1, 2003

We can keep on growing all the way to the end of our days if we hear, hear, and hlep our godly critics.

Some of the meanest people I knew growing up were church people. I noticed that some people just don’t change. I knew people who came to services every Sunday. They wouldn’t miss their small group meeting on Sunday morning. They came back for evening services on Sunday night. They showed up ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

God's Power In Our Weakness Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 17, 2003

In the Bible is a man who tried and tried to follow Christ closely but failed time and time again… miserably. His name is Peter. Yet God showed His power in Peter’s life. If he can do that with Peter, he can do that with you.

A spiritual leader named Henry Varley shared some words that still serve to challenge God’s people. Here are the words: “The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by a man who is fully consecrated to Christ.” God used these words to change a man named D.L. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Failing Forward, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 10, 2003

Do you feel God has placed you on a shelf because of something you’ve done? Never forget that you are serving the God, not only of a second chance, but countless chances.

For some of you, it was all you could do to even come here today. You failed over and over. You had such a bad week or month that you really didn’t even want to show up today. We sometimes want to give up because of · the regularity of our sin (“I just can’t seem to stop!”), · the reproach of ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

When You're In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 22, 2003

When you are in a personal wilderness, you are where God wants you to be. That’s when He’s seeking to get your attention. Here’s how to get in on God’s plan A for your life.

Dreamworks did a nice job with the movie “The Prince of Egypt.” But they changed an important fact. Moses wasn’t in the prime of life when this happened. He was 80. God is confronting you with the truths of this tonight so you can get the message now. Get it while you’re young. Don’t stay in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Truth@work Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 1, 2003

Work. It’s a four-letter word to many people. But it doesn’t have to be that way. God wants us to go through even our work life energized, passionate, and joyful. Here’s how.

Yesterday, I was in the checkout line at Guan Eagle. I said to the cashier, a young man in his 20s, “How are you.” “I’m here.” Work. It’s a four-letter word to many people in NE Ohio. But it doesn’t have to be that way. God doesn’t want it to be that way for you. He wants us to go through ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Helping Your Friend Become God's Friend Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Aug 26, 2003

If your friend were God’s friend how would their life be different? If your friend were God’s friend how would your relationship with each other change? If your friend were God’s friend how would you feel about their eternal destiny?

On our vacation, I asked God to open some doors for me to give a clear word about Christ. I was looking for opportunities. Let me share a story with you about one of them. I was in a pool playing around with Evan, our ten-year-old son, when a man asked me, “Are you finding you way around here ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

How Truth Works Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Jul 7, 2003

There are lots of reasons why people are rejecting the faith. Here’s the number one reason. People are rejecting the Bible and its truths because our lives are so ineffective. Here’s why truth doesn’t work: Who you are speaks so loudly that I can’t hea

Josh McDowell tells about a conversation with Amber, a 16 year old girl – a Christian from a solid youth group. “Is it wrong to engage in premarital sex?” “Well, I believe it’s wrong for me.” “But do you believe that the Bible teaches that premarital sex is wrong for everyone?” Amber’s eyes ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist