In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 100

Real Christians Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 17, 2011

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. This message takes a look at what a "real," biblical Christian looks like and does.

* Explain how the meanings of many words have changed over time (i.e., spam; cell; wicked; awful; etc.) * How the meaning of "Christian" has changed: today there are many "types" of Christians (i.e., active/inactive; marginal; radical; involved/uninvolved; secret; casual; etc.) * The most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Pride & Prejudice Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

Peter came to a point where he was able to overcome his prejudice. This sermon examines how he came to that point, and shares how we can get there, too.

* "The most segregated house in America is 11:00 on Sunday." * The reality/existence of prejudice in Christianity and the church... * Prejudice in the church takes many forms... * Not a new issue for the church to face: it has existed for almost as long as the church itself * The problem that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be A Servant Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

Peter's example in this text reveals to us some qualities of who a servant is and what a servant does.

* Concept of serving others and God is woven throughout Scripture * Why serving others/God is important: - It's commanded (Gal. 5:13) - Service to God is linked to worship (Matt. 4:10) - When we serve others, we are actually serving God (Matt. 25:40) - When we serve others, we follow Jesus' example ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

Before Optimus Prime... Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

This message looks at the lessons we can learn from the conversion of Saul.

* "Transformers" = "more than meets the eye" * Concept of transformation: a complete change; to change into another form (inward and outward) which, under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct * 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18 * The man who wrote more about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

When God Speaks Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

In this text, Philip gives us an example of how we, as the people of God, should interact with God when he speaks to us today.

* The power of words (use examples of powerful words) * The power of God's words ("God said" is used over 1000 times in Scripture) - Creation: "And God said" -- "and it was so" - Jesus raised the dead when he spoke - Jesus calmed the sea when he spoke - Jesus drove out evil spirits and healed the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40, Acts 8:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

Faith That Is Worthless Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

This sermon examines the worthless faith of Simon. It explains why his faith was worthless and how we can avoid a worthless faith today.

* Popular notion: "As long as you believe something you'll be okay before God." * It is possible to believe in the wrong person or to believe the wrong thing. * When this occurs, faith becomes worthless; when what or who we have faith in is not correct * Examples of worthless faith... - People of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Persecuted Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

(Preached on July 4th): This message focuses on the first church-wide persecution in Acts. Attention is given to the implications the Gospel has for believers as members of both God's kingdom and a country.

* The difficulty in approaching a July 4th message: - We sometimes "read" America into Scripture when we shouldn't - Bible doesn't reference America as a country of predict the events of July, 1776 * If we're not careful, we end up using today to exalt a nation instead of Christ - We do not worship ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The First Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 14, 2011

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, teaches us how we can be prepared to live and die for Christ.

* Our culture’s love of records and stats (i.e., longest hitting streak; first to land on moon; etc.) * Our culture’s love of “firsts” = they set the standard and give an example to everyone who will ever follow them * Stephen’s role as one among those who did something first...the first Christian ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 13, 2011

The early church’s response to an internal problem teaches the contemporary church some valuable lessons.

* The dramatic growth of the early church: last count (4:4) around 5,000 men (probably around 20,000 total) * Such growth led to a “good” problem: many more needed to be ministered to than there were people to minister * The 12 did not have the ability to both effectively deliver the Word and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

How The World Was Won Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 13, 2011

By studying how the church in Acts won so many souls the church today can learn how to be faithful and fruitful in our mission.

* The primary task of the church must be to carry on the work that Christ began. * His work = Luke 19:10 * Of all the "work" the church does, evangelism (reaching the world with the gospel) is the only duty of the church that cannot be better done in heaven! * The church in Acts understood their ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Facts Of Church Life Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 13, 2011

Acts 4:32 - 5:11 reveals some facts about church life, both the good and the bad.

* "You take the good, you take bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life." * Scripture does not omit the "bad" aspects of various people (i.e., Noah, Moses, David, Jonah, Elijah) * The church in Acts has been all "good" so far: the Holy Spirit’s arrival; multiple conversions; ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Message Of The Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 7, 2011

This sermon examines what the message of the church should consist of.

* The "real" message a church sends determines that church’s reputation - If always bickering and fighting, the message is sent: "We don’t like each other...or you." - If always doing things for self, the message is sent: "It’s all about us, not you." - If never reaching out, the message is sent: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11-26

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Difficulty Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 7, 2011

This sermon focuses on the first persecution of the church and helps us understand how to deal with difficulty today

* When something big happens, new people come out (i.e, winning the lottery) * There’s both a positive and negative reaction when God does something big (he just did something big in the first church) * Jesus warned that persecution and adversity would occur (John 15:18-19) * Text: First ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Changed Church Changes The World Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 7, 2011

This sermon explains a few lessons about how a changed church can change the world

* Change: to make the form, content, future course, etc., of something different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone; a transformation or modification; alteration * Change is often resisted in the church. Yet one could sum up a church’s purpose with one word: change - We must ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Why You Need The Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 7, 2011

This sermon explains three reasons why every believer needs the church

* The church doesn’t need us in order to be the church nearly as much as we need the church in order to be the person God created us to be. * The importance of the church is based upon its mission * Wrong question: "What can the church do for me?" // Right question: "What can I do for the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist