In Sermons: showing 46-60 of 100

Divine Dynamite Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 7, 2011

This is a sermon on the power of God (divine dynamite) and what it can do

* Dynamite = power // Divine Dynamite = power of God * What we mean when we say we need to "live in the power of God" or we need to have the power of God: the ability to act in a situation so as to produce an effect or to exercise authority over something or someone * Living in God’s power means ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:22-41

Denomination: Baptist

Doing The Impossible Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 6, 2011

This sermon explains how the disciples (and the church today) were able to do a seemingly impossible task: taking the Gospel to the world

* Assignment from Acts 1:8 is impossible in Acts 1 because the disciples have no spiritual power to help them * Explain Holy Spirit’s role, pre-Acts 2 (came upon isolated individuals or small groups for a specific purpose or on a special occasion) * Disciples know the facts about Jesus but lack the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Kind Of Person God Uses To Transform The World Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Feb 23, 2011

What kind of person does God use to change his/her community with the Gospel?

INTRODUCTION * God has chosen to accomplish his task of redemption through the efforts of...YOU AND ME! * We have been appointed and chosen to change the world. John 15:16 1 Cor. 12:28 Eph. 4:11 * Before God can use us for this mission, we must become "usable." The kind of person God uses to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

Accepting The Challenge Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Feb 23, 2011

Will the church accept the challenge of Christ to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth?

"Accepting the Challenge" (Acts 1:1-11) INTRODUCTION Now that Christ was physically gone, he gave the disciples (and the church) their "job description." * Matthew 28:18-20 * Mark 16:15-16 * John 20:21 The perpetual message and challenge for believers is to go and transform the world. Challenge ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Because He Lives

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Sep 14, 2007

Looking at what we have because of the resurrection

1. Because he lives, I have PROMISE A. The promise of his companionship (Heb. 13:5; Prov. 18:24) B. The promise of his comfort (John 14:16) C. The promise of his conformity (Rom. 8:29) 2. Because he lives, I have POSITION A. I have a position in his will (John 17:20-21) B. I have a position in his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Prayer Before The Cross

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Sep 14, 2007

Examining Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane

The prayer Jesus prayed in the Garden, shortly before his death, reveal to us three characteristics of his life. 1. We notice his SORROW (v. 36-38) A. He was "sorrowful" (v. 37b-38): grived to the point of distress B. He was "very heavy" (v. 37c): full of heaviness C. He was "sore amazed" (Mk. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Baptist

A Reality Check

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Aug 28, 2007

Examining what it means to live a "real" and authentic Christian life

The text reveals four characteristics that describe a "real" Christian - a believer who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. By asking four questions we can give ourselves a realtiy check. 1. Are you HONEST? (v. 3) We must be honest in the way we live our lives. Message paraphrase: "But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Focus Of The Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 12, 2007

Examining what the biblical concern of the church must be

The question to be asked: "What should we, as the church, be concerned about?" Examples of a faulty focus: 1. Seats Occupied (numbers attending) 2. Status Quo (just maintain) 3. Self Satisfaction ("My way or the highway") The Biblical focus is found in the Great Commandment: Focus must be placed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Future Of The Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 12, 2007

Examining the church’s future from both the theological and practical aspect

The question to ask: "What is going to happen to the church in the future?" The answer is two-sided: there is a theological answer and a practical answer The Theological Side: 1. There will never be a time when the church does not exist (Matt. 16:18). 2. There will be times when the church ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

The Marks Of A Missionary

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 12, 2007

Examining Isaiah’s "missionary" call to serve God by spreading his message

Key Text: Isaiah 6:8 1. A Missionary Heart SEES God (v. 1-4) A. Isaiah saw God personally (v. 1) B. Isaiah saw God positionally (v. 1-4) C. Isaiah saw God purposefully (v. 3) 2. A Missionary Heart SURRENDERS to God (v. 5-7) A. It was a personal surrender (v. 5) B. It was a purifying surrender (v. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

What's Wrong With Wrath? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 12, 2007

Examining Jonah’s anger at God’s compassion for the Ninevites

Key Text: Jonah 4:8-9 Jonah’s anger caused five things to happen in his life. 1. Jonah’s anger caused him to RESIST God’s call (v. 1-2a) A. We resist the call to pray when we are angry (1 Thess. 5:17). B. We resist the call to love when we are angry (John 15:12; 1 Cor. 13:5; John 13:35). C. We ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Happens When We Worship Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 12, 2007

Examining Isaiah’s worship encounter with God

Key Text: Isaiah 6:1-8 Four things happened to Isaiah as he encountered God in worship. The same four things will happen to us when we experience God in worship. 1. When we worship we will become aware of God’s PRESENCE (v. 1-4). A. Isaiah sensed the humble presence of God. (God was close to him, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Where Do We Go From Here?

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 11, 2007

A look at how to move forward and grow in our spiritual lives.

We have three choices regarding our spiritual lives: 1) We can make the choice to do nothing: to stay where we are. 2) We can make the choice to go in reverse: backtrack 3) We can make the choice to move forward: grow How can we follow through on our choice to move forward in our spiritual journey ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-23, Habakkuk 14:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Exchanging Fear For Faith Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 11, 2007

Examining how believers can give God their fear and receive faith

When we understand three things about fear from this text, we can learn what will enable us to exchange that fear for faith. 1. The SOURCE of Fear A. Some fear trials (1 Kings 19:3) B. Some fear trouble (1 Sam. 17:24) C. Some fear tomorrow (Matt. 6:34) D. Some fear the tomb (Ps. 23:4) 2. The SIN ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

When Your Life Is At Ground Zero

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 10, 2007

Examining the "Ground Zero" moment in Habakkuk’s life and learning the lessons of what we should do when we’re at "Ground Zero" in our lives

Ground Zero: A place of crisis Habakkuk’s "Ground Zero" occurs in chapter 1. Notice his reaction to his moment of crisis in chapters 2-3. 1. When at Ground Zero, Live Faithfully (2:4-20) A. "The justified man" 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 1:16-17 B. "by his faith" Heb. 10:37-38; 11:1 C. "shall live" Gal. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist