In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 184

Running Into Jesus

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Apr 30, 2017

Like the two on the Emmaus Road, we sometimes grow disappointed with God. But, if we seek his will through his word, he speaks to us and clarifies his plans. Then, our disappointment turns to joy as we begin to see things from God's perspective.

Luke 24:13-35 Running into Jesus The Bible records ten different resurrection appearances of Jesus. Today we look at one of the most captivating, a story only found in the gospel of Luke. The setting is a round trip hike between Jerusalem and Emmaus. A couple of Jewish believers are heading home ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

Daring Devotion

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on May 14, 2017

(Mother's Day sermon, but not limited to that day.) Hannah is famous as the mother who gave away her child. But she never stopped being a mother to him. Hannah gifted her son Samuel with a heart for prayer, praise, and service.

1 Samuel 1:1-28; 2:1-2, 18-21, 26 Daring Devotion In my research this week, I was able to uncover some words from mothers of very important people in history: COLUMBUS'S MOTHER: I don't care what you've discovered, Christopher. You could have written. MICHELANGELO'S MOTHER: Mike, can't you paint ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A King-Sized Comforter

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on May 21, 2017

Moments before Jesus' arrest, the Lord took time to explain to his disciples the coming Holy Spirit. For those followers of Jesus and for us, the Holy Spirit reminds us that God is for us, God is with us, and God is in us.

John 14:15-21 A King-sized Comforter Jesus shares today’s scripture with his disciples over the Last Supper. He knows his arrest is imminent, that he will soon be nailed to a cross, so all of his words here carry a weighty importance. He wants to reassure his disciples, to help them to keep going ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-21, 1 John 2:1, Matthew 28:20

Denomination: Baptist

Marching Orders

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on May 28, 2017

In the story of Jesus' ascension, God reminds us to leave God's work to God (including our worry), to trust God's power to guide our witness, and to be prepared for Jesus' return.

Acts 1:4-11 Marching Orders Three days ago marked “Ascension Day” on the church calendar. This is the day we celebrate Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Today’s scripture records the story. And as Jesus interacts with his disciples, we see him shift their focus from temporal to eternal; he broadens ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 24:36, Acts 1:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Perfect Father

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 18, 2017

Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us how to treat others: with freemdom to make mistakes, with forgiveness in second chances, and with favor out of unconditional love. God is the perfect Father, showing us all three. (Father's Day message)

Luke 15:11-32 Parable of the Perfect Father Today’s story is probably my favorite in the Bible. I’ve shared it with you before, but never in the context of Father’s Day. Since the real hero of the story is the father, I thought it might be a good story to look at today. Let’s consider some gifts ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:25, Ephesians 4:32, Psalm 68:5, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Free From Sin

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 25, 2017

God through the Apostle Paul gives us an outline for breaking free from sin: 1) Remember who we are (dead to sin, alive in Christ), 2) Say no to temptation, and 3) Say yes to God. Dead people don't sin! With God's help, we can obey rather than sin.

Breaking Free from Sin - Romans 6:1-13 “Dear God, you’re really going to be proud of me! I haven't gossiped, lusted, or lost my temper today. I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm very happy about that! But in a few minutes, I'm going to get out of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Matthew 12:43-45, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 4:8, James 4:7, 2 Corinthians 5:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Rest For The Stressed

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 9, 2017

In this short passage, Jesus gives three simple invitations to bring rest for the stressed: come to Jesus, take his yoke, and learn from him. Here is the essence of Christian discipleship, to bind ourselves to our Lord 24/7.

Matthew 11:28-30 Rest for the Stressed I choose our scripture each week from the Lectionary, which is a systematic reading through most of the Bible over the course of three years. On any given Sunday, it contains an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a New Testament reading, and a passage from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Matthew 5:17, Isaiah 40:28-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Heart Trouble

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 16, 2017

In his parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus shows us various kinds of spiritual heart trouble. From the story, we learn to share our faith indiscriminately, trust God to bring the growth, and cooperate with God in the growth he wants to bring in us.

Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23 Heart Trouble Have you ever wondered why some seem to embrace God’s good news of salvation and others don’t? Have you ever wondered why God sends people to hell? Or maybe they send themselves there, as they reject the God who desires that all people be saved. Jesus used a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23, 1 John 2:19, Matthew 7:13-14, Romans 8:29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

When God Shows Up

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 23, 2017

Jacob had an encounter with God that shook him to his core. This fugitive on the run discovered that his ancestors' God was his God, and that this God would be with him wherever he went. Great lessons for us to learn on our faith pilgrimage.

Genesis 28:10-19 When God Shows Up In today’s story, Jacob was in a strange place to meet God. You might expect to encounter God at a church retreat or a revival meeting, or in an inspiring church service. You might expect to find God when you are serving him with all your heart. But Jacob had ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-19, Psalm 139:7-10, John 1:51

Denomination: Baptist

The Pain Of Betrayal

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 13, 2017

The story of Joseph is a story of betrayal by those closest to you. But it is also a story of how God will see you through, no matter what you face, and how God can bring good out of the worst possible situation.

Genesis 37:2-4, 12-28 The Pain of Betrayal Boy, does it hurt when someone betrays you! As the anonymous saying goes, “The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.” We went through a painful experience in one of my churches. A small group was full of people ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:2-4, Genesis 37:12-28, Genesis 50:20, 2 Samuel 13:8-9, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6, Genesis 42:21, Genesis 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of Reconciliation

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 20, 2017

As Joseph reconnects with his brothers, he models for us three steps toward reconciliation: 1) Turn away from revenge. 2) Test for repentance. And 3) Trust in God's sovereignty. Judah's sacrifice reminds us of our Savior Jesus who reconciled us to God.

Genesis 45:1-15 The Joy of Reconciliation We are covering the amazing story of the Old Testament character of Joseph in two Sundays. The actual story covers 14 chapters of Genesis. I urge you to read it on your own. It is a fascinating account of the worst kind of betrayal and the most amazing ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35, Proverbs 19:21, Romans 8:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Kind Of Debt

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Sep 10, 2017

Paul, like Jesus, tells us to love everyone, even those who irritate us. We should practice love in action because 1) God tells us to do so, and 2) Jesus is coming soon.

Romans 13:8-14 A Good Kind of Debt Tomorrow is Patriot’s Day, the 16th anniversary of the deadliest single attack on U.S. soil, even eclipsing Pearl Harbor in casualties. Thousands of courageous people risked their lives to save others. Firefighters rushed against the crowds to enter the doomed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 22:37-39, Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 3:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Living With One Foot In Eternity Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Sep 24, 2017

In Paul's "to live is Christ, to die is gain," we learn a new boldness, a singlemindedness, and a fearless approach to death when God brings it. We can serve God fully with yearning expectation for the life to come.

Philippians 1:21-26 Living with One Foot in Eternity Over the next four weeks, we’ll look at the tiny New Testament book of Philippians. It’s actually a letter the Apostle Paul wrote around 61 AD to the church in Philippi. Paul wrote from prison in Rome, probably during his first imprisonment, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

Advancing Through Anxiety Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 15, 2017

Paul gives us the antitode to worry, and he calls us to think right, pray right, and live right, as we live lives victorious for Christ.

Philippians 4:4-9 Advancing through Anxiety Today we wrap up our four-Sunday walk through Philippians. I hope you have found it as relevant as I have. We’ve looked at keeping a heavenly perspective while living fully this life. We’ve sought to become a servant like Jesus. We’ve been challenged ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9, Daniel 3:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Drawing On The Power Of God

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on May 15, 2016

At Pentecost, God enabled Jesus' disciples to do what they could not do on their own. God fulfilled Jesus' promise to spread the gospel to all lands, as the pilgrims heard the good news in thier own language. God calls us, too, to be his witnesses.

Acts 2:1-21 Drawing on the Power of God A few days after the Thanksgiving holiday of 2016, Eric Heffelmire was working on his GMC truck at his family home in Vienna, Virginia. As he recalls, “I was on my back, face up, and I was trying to get some corroded brake lines when apparently the jack ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21, Acts 1:4-8

Denomination: Baptist