In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 65

Something To Sing About Series

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

So lets begin to rediscover something to sing about by beginning where Paul began. From his declaration of God’s worthiness of our full-tilt, no holds barred worship, Paul includes three additional “to the praise of …” statements. Each statement is attach

Something To Sing About Ephesians 1:3-14 What makes you sing? Not a little whispered song, but a belt out the volume song. (Share your answer with someone seated next to you.) It doesn’t take much to make me sing. It might be a simple statement made in a personal conversation that rings a bell ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Drama Of Christma

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

Matthew presents what Fred Craddock calls "the hard side of Christmas." But in a world that is getting increasing smaller and tremendously more urban, its message may be more relevant to us than the others for Matthew has a Christmas message for the city.

The Drama of Christmas Matthew 1-2 In our day there is a cultural and social battle over the meaning of Christmas. The battle has extended from the schoolyard to the courtyard. However, the battle over Christmas has not only impacted schools and public places. The struggle over the meaning of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Transforming Role Of The Word

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

The greatest threat to the Bible is believers who don’t live close enough to God’s Word for it to perform its purpose.

The Transforming Role of the Word Hebrews 4:12 What is the greatest threat to the Bible? A Soviet Russian dictionary defined the Bible as a ‘collection of fantastic legends without scientific support. It is full of dark hints, historical mistakes, and contradictions. It serves as a factor for ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The World In Our Backyard

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

And not only is the world in our backyard, the world is each in of our backyards. No longer do we have to go out into all of the world. The world has come to us. And it tears at the heart of God when Christians and Churches race to relocate simply becau

The World In Our Backyard Movement #1: THE WORLD IS OUR MISSION FIELD Isn’t that exciting, to see people seal their commitment to Christ by being baptized makes all the effort of witness worthwhile. It speaks powerfully that there is indescribable truth to Jesus statement, which brings the book ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Christianity All About

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

This is a book sermon to introduce the major themes of the book of Ephesians. It is built on a series of contrasts between secular faith and Biblical christianity.

What Is Christianity All About? Book Sermon in Ephesians Discussion: What is Christianity all about? Living dead “You were dead in your transgressions and sins … 1) It’s not about what we’ve been … It’s about what we are. “God, who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ.” (Eph 2:1a, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Jesus Like

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

. What a man is like stems from his character. And here the Gospels are eloquent. What would I have noticed had I spent time with Christ? What impression would He have made on me? As we walk through these verses in Mark 1 and 2, we will get close eno

What Is Jesus Like Mark 1:35-2:17 What was Jesus like? A very fair question. But how impossibly difficult to answer! One thing, though, is certain. The Jesus who meets us in the pages of the four Gospels is very different from the picture many have of Him. He is nothing like the “gentle Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What God Wants Most

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jan 24, 2007

The point here is not that Martha’s activities are bad. The choice Jesus discusses with Martha is between something that is good and something that is better. Life is full of tough choices, and Jesus is addressing the relative merit of good activities her

What God Wants Most Luke 10:25-42 Suppose you have to choose between two people who want to go to dinner with you. The first is very warm and takes a genuine interest in others. He listens attentively and is fun to be with. Those who develop a friendship with him want it to last a lifetime. In ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Life Isn't Fair

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jan 24, 2007

As a Christian how should I react? What should I say? What should I do when I am treated unfairly? The greatest test of the Christian life is ones attitude when LIFE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE. For many of us life has been very smooth: health, prosperous, happy.

When Life Isn’t Fair Book of Job As most of you are aware I attempt to have my sermons lined out months in advance. This morning I have something to say that has not been on the burner for that long. But I bring a message that I feel that someone here needs. I am not sure who that someone is and ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Outside Of Ourselves Series

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jan 24, 2007

Christianity is rooted in moving outside of ourselves – to the oppressed and the powerless. If we are going to go where God desires we will need to move outside of ourselves and move into the lives of others. In chapter 2, James provides two illustrations

Outside Of Ourselves James 1:26-2:26 Caring for unwanted children, building hospitals and schools, providing financial assistance to needy families, providing food for the hungry and homes for the homeless, advancing literacy, caring for widows, championing the abolition of slavery, advocating the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wherever He Wants Series

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jan 24, 2007

Living a life that follows God’s will is God’s purpose. God’s will is always attached to purpose. Our responsibility is to go wherever he wants.

Wherever He Wants Assorted Texts Just before Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a group of ministers urged him to grant immediate freedom to all slaves. “It is my earnest desire to know the will of Providence in that matter,” Lincoln wrote. “And if I can learn what it is, I will ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Back To The Bible Series

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jan 24, 2007

Scripture is the guidebook that provides the only reliable directions for spiritual formation.

Back To The Bible 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 Where do we go from here? Where do we get our directions? On the Friday after Christmas, I had the opportunity to hang a garage-door opener. Before I did anything else, I opened up the manual. On Tuesday, January 2, Timothy began the journey back to Groton, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christian Cost Assessment

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Aug 16, 2006

Discipleship is not a casual affair. In a series of three encounters, Jesus shows the high priority he places on discipleship.

“Let’s cut to the chase. After nearly two decades of studying Christian churches in America, I’m convinced that the typical church as we know it today has a rapidly expiring shelf life.” This dire assessment of the state of the church begins George Barna’s 1998 book, The Second Coming of The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cross And Community

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jul 6, 2005

God freed us to live in community. His design from the very beginning of the church was that the church would exhibit the kind of self-sacrificing love that he exhibited on the cross. Since God saves us in community, what does this community look like? Le

The Cross And Community Galatians 5:13-6:3 The war in Iraq is over. It took only 28 days for Coalition Forces to completely dismantle the regime of Saddam Hussein. And while Hussein and a large number of his henchmen are still at large, the only opposition that remains is a scattering of ill ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Heaven's Empathy

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jun 17, 2005

We have heard numerous stories about Jesus’ temptation. Yet, perhaps the amazing thing of the story of Christ’s temptations is that He knows our story so well.

Heaven’s Empathy for You and Me Luke 4:1-13 Movement One: Jesus was tempted Set Stage: (Bracket discussion by familiarity). Questions: We know this story, don’t we? You have heard it preached many times? You have studied it in Bible studies and Sunday School haven’t you? I think we would all say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Design Our Dreams

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jun 17, 2005

This message helps us to restore God’s design and our shattered dreams by looking at the restoration story with Peter.

God’s Design - Our Dreams John 21:1-25 I want to begin this message with a word from Scripture and a line from a song. One of the most thoughtful and most perceptive folk groups of the 60’s and 70’s was the group Peter, Paul and Mary. This group disbanded in the early 70’s, only to regroup at the ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ