In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 48

If Necessary, Use Words

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on May 9, 2009

Ours is a living God who can only be known through relationship.

This morning I’ld like to focus on three words from John 15 – the words of Jesus, “Abide with me”. In John 15, Jesus talks about three vital RELATIONSHIPS. Our, • RELATIONSHIP to Christ (Jn 15:1-17) • RELATIONSHIP to other believers (Jn 15: 12-18) • RELATIONSHIP to the world (Jn 15:19-27) If I ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who Is This Jesus?

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Feb 3, 2009

To this day people still have difficulty defining who God is, and if Jesus was God incarnate, then who is Jesus?

Patrick Morley wrote, “The turning point in our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is.” (quote from SermonCentral.com) In the person of Jesus Christ, God came to earth to live among us in the person of His only begotten Son. Yet, even to this day people ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Donkey's Tale Of Divine Direction

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Jan 28, 2009

How many of you have a knowingness of God’s ways but don’t necessarily chose God’s way over your own way?

I believe it pretty much goes without saying that “God’s ways are best.” But how many of you have a knowingness of God’s ways but don’t necessarily chose God’s way over your own way? There’s a BIG difference between "saying" and "doing" – isn’t there? I believe it was Bernard Shaw who said, “The ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Unspectacular Faith: The Story Of Esther

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Jan 28, 2009

Often times our attempts to be faithful servants of God make us feel so alienated from those around us, that it seems impossible to both “serve God” and “be in this world” at the same time.

Scripture: Esther 9:20-22 I Peter 4:7-11 Dean Willimon of Duke University tells of a conversation he had with a student who had recently transferred to the university and joined their Bible study. Willimon relates: “The student told me how much he was enjoying his Bible study group here at ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:20-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reflections Of The Heart

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Jan 28, 2009

God’s plan for us is that we should be, “. . . transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

John 10:1-10; 14:20; 4:14; 6:50,51 Matt. 6:19-21 Eph. 2:5,6 Rom. 8:29 1 Jn. 3:8 1 Pet. 5:8 A few years ago, when the new Volkswagen Beetle was introduced, one feature that received lots of attention was the claim to be burglarproof. Volkswagen bragged there was no way anybody ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Our Awesome God

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Jan 28, 2009

We know, in the abstract sense, that God can do anything, but we have a problem believing that He’ll do anything for us.

Isa. 40:3-8(9-24; 38:4-8) 1 Sam. 17:36 2 Peter 3:8-13 Ps. 34:18-19 I was reading recently about the island of Mindoro in the Philippines. It’s a beautiful tropical island which had been popular as a tourist attraction and a place to live – popular that is – until August 26 this year. That’s ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Do You Remember?

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Jan 28, 2009

On this day, Easter Sunday, we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, from the dead. It’s a subject of the utmost importance to the church; and, not just this church; but, to the Church of Jesus Christ in all of its various expressions!...We’

Acts 10:34-43 Isaiah 25:6-9 On this day, Easter Sunday, we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, from the dead. It’s a subject of the utmost importance to the church; and, not just this church; but, to the Church of Jesus Christ in all of its various expressions! Sometimes, I think ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Keys Of The Kingdom

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Sep 6, 2008

As followers of Jesus Christ, we’ve each been given authority, but like many Christians today, we don’t often use our authority as God intended.

THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM We all feel like a nobody sometimes. It’s like the new employee at a Wal-Mart Store who had such an experience. The young man had just been at work a few days and was the low man in the pecking order. He was holding a broom in his hand near the entrance when an irate ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reflections Of The Heart

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Apr 16, 2008

Your personal identity resides in your soul. As John Lawson once said, if your soul is stolen, that’s the ultimate “identity theft.” The most dangerous thief of all isn’t out to steal your worldly goods. After all, possessions can be replaced, but your s

A few years ago, when the new Volkswagen Beetle was introduced, one feature that received lots of attention was the claim to be burglarproof. Volkswagen bragged there was no way anybody could steal their car. To demonstrate their point, VW hired a highly skilled burglar and called a news ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Dare You! Series

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Aug 26, 2007

• Belief is both subjective and objective. It’s subjective when you believe it. It’s objective when someone else doesn’t, and . . .their objective is your silence.

Let’s imagine dialogue between Abraham and God. “Abraham, this is God speaking. I want you to leave everything and go to the land I will show you.” “Where’s that?” “If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.” “Try me.” “It’s 1500 miles from here in a place called Canaan.” “Never heard of it.” “I know, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's Not A Contract Series

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Jan 21, 2007

Service to God is not a contract with an expiration date. We’re called to reflect the spirit of Christ, beginning from the first day that we receive his grace, and continuing until he calls us home. Of himself, Jesus said, “I have not come to be served

I heard about a Union Meeting where the Union Representative was explaining the new Work Contract. He said, "I have great news, Comrades. Management has agreed to lighten our work schedule!” The crowd shouted, "Hooray!" "And we will have a 150% pay rise." "Hooray!" "We will finish work at 4 PM, not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:26-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's Time To Open The Gift Series

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Jan 21, 2007

God gives each of us gifts by His Holy Spirit. Some gifts are special blessings while others may be special talents. These gifts are different for each of us, but they all have one thing in common. They must be unwrapped and opened or they have no valu

My sermon today is the first of two sermons I’ve planned and entitled, “Serving Up God’s Miracles.” On the last day of school, children were bringing gifts to their teacher. The florist’s son brought the teacher a bouquet. The candy store-owner’s son brought the teacher a box of candy. Then the ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Valley Life

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Nov 6, 2006

It’s so tempting to believe that God will somehow protect us from such catastrophic trials if only our faith is strong enough, our convictions deep enough, our conduct good enough. God’s plans, however, are frequently confusing and mysterious.

Before I can begin, I have a confession to make. Personally, I find it very hard to “glory in tribulation.” I’m not talking about flat-tire tribulations or ants-in-the-kitchen tribulations. I mean the tribulations of Job that rock us to the very core of our faith. It’s so tempting to believe ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Love Message Of Ruth

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Nov 5, 2006

The story of Ruth is proof that love is not what you say. It’s what you do.

Frederick William 1 ruled Prussia in the early eighteenth century. He was said to be an eccentric man who stood on no ceremony. He would walk the streets of Berlin unattended, and when anyone displeased him he frequently beat them with his walking stick. It’s no wonder that Berliners often dove ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Whom Shall I Fear?

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Oct 16, 2006

In 732 AD, Charles Martel, AKA "The Hammer", stopped the Islamic invasion of Europe and preserved the future of Christianity for a thousand years. Was Charles choosen by God?

The date was October 11, 732 A.D. The place was southern France in the modern day province of Poitou-Charentes. On that date, two mighty armies met on a wide rolling plain between the ancient, walled cities of Tours and Poitiers. Their confrontation is known as the “Battle of Tours,” and it ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed