In Sermons: showing 16-30 of 97

Eating At The King's Table Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jan 20, 2010

Many of us willingly choose to live in spiritual, emotional, and physical poverty, but we are heirs to a great covenant between God and Abraham.

Series Introduction: Middle Eastern people in the Bible, from Abraham to Paul, were as acquainted with covenants as we are with weddings. The Greeks and Romans did not have covenants. In fact, when the Jews translated the OT into Greek, they had to use the Greek word for “will” or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

Who Do You Trust? Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jan 20, 2010

Sin is deadly in the end even though it may seem pleasurable in the beginning. Humans cannot determine what is right and wrong in the universe God created. It is beyond our limitations. So we can and must trust God. The question is will you trust him.

Series Introduction: Middle Eastern people in the Bible, from Abraham to Paul, were as acquainted with covenants as we are with weddings. The Greeks and Romans did not have covenants. In fact, when the Jews translated the OT into Greek, they had to use the Greek word for “will” or ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Wesleyan

It's Everywhere Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jan 20, 2010

Telling someone "God loves you" seems trite and meaningless. Too many people act as though that's his job. But I have respect the agnostics you say it's presumptuous to believe a Supreme Being would care about us. They get it. The idea that God would

Introduction: What do the following have in common? • A man & woman lighting one candle • A man & woman exchanging rings • "Dearly beloved we gathered here in the presence of these witnesses...." They're all part of a wedding ceremony. Middle eastern people in the Bible, from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-18

Denomination: Wesleyan

Refresh My Strength Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Oct 16, 2009

Jesus came with an invitation not a list of religious rules and rituals.

PATTERN: DEDUCTIVE TEXTUAL – EXPOSITORY Introduction: The top 10 reasons you are too busy to pray today: 1. You wake up feeling rested, then realize your alarm should’ve gone off an hour ago. 2. Your spouse is away on a two-day business trip that’s lasted all week. 3. None of the clean clothes you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Wesleyan

Restore My Soul Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Oct 16, 2009

We often seek restoration for our weary souls in the very things that tear us down but we need the Lord to restore our souls.

PATTERN: PASTORAL CARE INTERVENTION THIS IS OUR PROBLEM: Everyone in this room has seen someone with a worn out, dried up, caved in, torn down, burned out soul this morning. Perhaps you woke next to him. Possibly it was the guy who cut you off in traffic on the way to worship. By chance it was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:5

Denomination: Wesleyan

Return To The Word Of God Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Oct 16, 2009

God can only renew, refresh and transform your life if you will invest time in understanding and obeying the principles of his Word -- the Bible.

PATTERN: INDUCTIVE – Biblical Narrative Introduction: Today, I want to do something new for me. I will read a long text from the Bible, give a short explanation and then ask a few questions before asking you to make a commitment to God. Text: Now in [October], when the Israelites had settled in ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Rebuild The Wall Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Oct 16, 2009

We often wonder what one person can do, but God says one person’s intercession can change the course of history.

PATTERN: INDUCTIVE - Relational Outline by Andy Stanley Me (my dilemma or question) I’ve felt a little tired over the summer. • Lots of changes in our house • Changes in my responsibilities with the District I’ve begun thinking things like, “One person can only do so much.” Then later I thought, ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:23-31

Denomination: Wesleyan

Who Loves You More Than Mom?

Contributed by Mark Haines on May 8, 2009

We tend to think no one can love us as much as our mothers can. However, our mothers’ love is limited and one day they will die. Only God can love us more than our mothers can and he will never forget us or die.

Introduction: This is a classic Mother’s Day Calvin & Hobbes comic strip. Calvin is standing by his mother’s bed. "Hey, Mom! Wake up. I made you a Mother’s Day card." "My, how sweet of you." she says. "I did it all by myself. Go ahead & read it." She begins to read, "I was going to buy a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:15-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

No Resolutions Just Commitments

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jan 7, 2009

Jesus calls us to make cross-carrying commitments. These are not resolutions that can be broken and forgotten in a matter of days. When a person picks up a cross, it’s a one-way trip. No one expects to come back.

I HATE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS For nearly a decade, I said, “Next January, I will start eating right and exercising.” You can tell what happened with my resolutions. NOTHING. I did not start eating healthy foods. I did not start exercising, but that all changed last January 14th. I had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-35

Denomination: Wesleyan

Immortal Invisible Immanuel

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 31, 2008

We tend to underestimate God. We fail to appreciate his divinity and his humanity. We need to keep these realities in balance. Jesus is the infinite, immortal, invisible Immanuel.

Text: Matthew 1:18-25 NLT Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

Our Prince Of Peace Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 31, 2008

The problem is that we want Jesus’ peace without recognizing Jesus’ authority in our lives. We want to live our way and escape the negative consequences. We need to surrender to the Prince of Peace in order to experience his blessings.

Series Introduction: God has a Christmas gift list for you. It involves four gifts only Jesus can give. God’s Christmas list for you is found in Isaiah 9:6. A child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Our Everlasting Father Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 18, 2008

Some of us are trying to earn God’s love and acceptance. Some of us are afraid he’s angry with us. Some of us wonder if he even exists. But Jesus comes to each of us this Christmas assuring us of God’s unconditional love, his wonderful care and his con

Intersection (Common ground illustration) An economy driving tradition in our Christmas celebrations involves giving gifts. We exchange gifts most of the time because we love each other. Sometimes we give because of a sense of obligation. Our gift giving leads to unavoidable lists – lists of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Our Wonderful Counselor Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 9, 2008

Many people don’t do what their doctors or counselors suggest. It’s a terrible mistake to treat Jesus in the same way. Whenever he gives advice it is for our healing. From now on we need to listen and do what our Wonderful Counselor says.

Series Introduction: Part of our Christmas celebrations involves the giving of gifts. We exchange gifts most of the time because of our love for each other. Sometimes it’s out of a sense of obligation. The gift-giving tradition looks back to the first Christmas scene when the wise men brought ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Our Mighty God Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 9, 2008

We all are very independent individuals. Some of our first words – perhaps even our first sentence – expressed that self-reliance. "I can do it myself." This is healthy when we’re dressing and cleaning up. It becomes unhealthy when we try to control o

Introduction: The names in this story have been changed out of respect for their privacy. Julie W told her family’s story in a magazine article. [My daughter], Allison, came home for the weekend. She opened the door, didn’t speak, and dropped her duffel bag. Smudges of mascara circled her eyes. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Behold Your King

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 5, 2008

It is time to trade in our childish view of Jesus, meek and mild, for the adult vision of Jesus the conquering King.

Introduction: The last book of the Bible, called the Revelation of Jesus Christ, is a beautiful and dangerous book. It always has been. It still is. The original author was Jesus’ closest earthly friend and perhaps one of his cousins. His name was John and the visions recorded in this book are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-18

Denomination: Wesleyan