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Genesis Sermons & Studies
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God
Sees Me
Genesis 16:7-13 
God
Will Provide Himself A Lamb
Genesis 22:3-18
Kingdom
Rest (Two Parts)
Genesis 1.31-2.3; Hebrews 3.14-17
Look
Now Toward Heaven
Genesis 15:1-6
Pitch
Your Tent
Genesis 13:12
Thine
Only Son
Genesis 22:1-2
Two
Trees
Genesis 2:9; 3:22-23
True
and False Faith
Genesis 3.1-10
When
God Comes Calling
Genesis 18.1-14
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Exodus
thru Leviticus Sermons & Studies
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Spiritual
Perspective
Exodus 14.10-18
Syncretism:
The Blending of Christianity Exodus
32:1-8
Thou
Shalt
Exodus 20:3-17
Upon
The Head: Communion Message
Leviticus 1:1-5
Who
Are You Relying On? (Revival)
Exodus 8.5-10
What
Is That In Thy Hand?
Exodus 4:1-5
Without
The Camp
Leviticus 13:46
Wilderness
of Paran
Numbers 13:2-3 - 14
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Numbers
thru Judges Sermons & Studies
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Ruth
thru 1 & 2 Samuel Sermons & Studies
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1
& 2 Kings Sermons & Studies
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1
Chronicles thru Esther Sermons & Studies
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"Wallbuilder"
Series
Nehemiah
1:3-4
Wallbuilder #1
From Broken To Blessed On Bended Knee (Transcript)
Nehemiah
2:18
Wallbuilder #2
The
Hand Of Our God Will Be
Upon Us (Transcript)
Nehemiah
4:6
Wallbuilder #3
So
Build We The Wall Transcript
Audio
of Sermon 
Nehemiah
4:10-12
Wallbuilder #4
Be
Working Warriors Not Workless Worriers (Transcript)
Audio
of Sermon
Nehemiah
5
Wallbuilder #5
United
In Love, We Build (Transcript)
Audio
of Sermon
Nehemiah
6
Wallbuilder #6
Courage
Together In God
Audio
of Sermon
Nehemiah
7
Wallbuilder #7
Love
Not The Wall, Love God
Audio
of Sermon
Nehemiah
8:1
Wallbuilder #8
The
High Definition Life
Audio
of Sermon
Nehemiah
9:5
Wallbuilder #9
Stand
Up And Be A Blessing
Audio
of Sermon
Nehemiah
10-13
Wallbuilder #10
God
Is Watching & God Remembers
Audio
of Sermon
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Job
thru Proverbs Sermons & Studies
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Taking
Heed of God's Word
Psalm 119:9-16
The
Best Resolution:
Wait On The Lord!
Psalm 27:14
Booklet
of Sermon
Special
Music
Audio
of Sermon
The
Life That God Blesses
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalms
117
The
Power of Praising God
Sherry
Buffaloe Special
Sermon
Audio
The
Lighted Path
Psalm 119:105
The
Lord Is My Shepherd
Psalm 23
The
Lord Is My Shepherd (II)
Psalm
23
Sherry
Buffaloe Special
Sermon
Audio
The
Lord Is My Shepherd (III)
Psalm 23
Audio
of Sermon
Sermon
Transcript
There
Is A Way
Proverbs 14:12; 16:25
The
Sin That Binds
Psalms 51.2-10
The
Simple Thread Of Grace
Psalm 84.9-12
The
Valley of Absalom
Psalm 61:1-4
This
Land Is God's
Psalm 24
Three
Laws of Christian Living
Psalm 37:4-11
Undefiled
In The Way -
The Marriage That God Blesses
Psalm 119:1-8
What
Will You Give ... God?
Psalm 116.12-19
Yasha
YhVh: Help Lord!
Psalm 112
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Solomon
thru Malachi Sermons & Studies
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Matthew
Sermons & Studies
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A
Crown Of Thorns
Matthew 27: 27-31
A
Christmas Quiz
Matthew 2 (Riverview)
All
Power
Matthew 28:18-20
A
Candle In The Wind
Matthew 5.10-16
A
Memorial Faith
Matthew 26:6-13
A
Sower Went Forth
Matthew 13:3-9
Be
Not Afraid
Matthew 14:22-33
Be
The Children
Matthew
5:43-45
Hayes
Sisters Special
Sermon
Audio
Beyond
The Tree (Resurrection Week)
Matthew 26.63-70
Birth
of Jesus
Matthew 1:18, 21
Breaking
of Bread
Matthew 26:26-30 (Communion)
By
Thy Words
Matthew 12:34-37
Dark
Religion, Bright Relationship
Matthew 5.17-24
Decision
- Direction - Destiny
Matthew
7:13-14
Sherry
Buffaloe Special
Sermon
Audio
Defeating
The Devil
Matthew 3:13-4:11 Riverview
Do
I Know What I'm Saying?
Matthew 15.3-9
Do
Your Duty
Matthew
22:15-21
Emmanuel
- God With Us
Matthew 1:20-23
Examine
Yourselves
Matthew
7:1-5
Sherry
Buffaloe Special
Sermon
Audio
Fellowship
Of The Cross
Matthew 16:24
Five
Wise, Five Foolish
Matthew 25:1-13
Follow
His Star
Matthew 2:1-2 (Riverview)
Following
Christ: Sermon Outline
Matthew 8.16-27
For
If, Forgive
Matthew 6:14-15
Four
Sons
Matthew 21:28-31
Fulfilled!
A Communion Address
Matthew 5.17-18
Full
Authority (Revival)
Matthew 8.5-13
God
Of The Living
Matthew 22:23-32
God
Of The Living
(new sermon) Matthew 22:23-33
God's
Yoke
Matthew 11:27-30
Golden
Links of Grace (Revival)
Matthew 1.5-6
Guess
Who's Coming To Dinner?
A Communion Sermon
Matthew 9:9-13
Happiness
Matthew 5:1-12
His
Cross
Matthew 27:32 (Riverview)
I
Never Knew You
Matthew 7.21-23
Jesus
Is Coming (Two Parts)
Matthew 24.36-5
Kingdom
Truths (Two Parts)
Matthew 17.1-6; 1 Peter 1.3-5
Light
Of The Body
Matthew 6:22-23
Like
A Little Child
Audio
Matthew 18:1-5
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Lord
Of The Harvest
Matthew 9:36-38p
My
House Is Built On The Rock
Matthew 7:24-29
Near
And Far
Matthew 2:1-12
Not
My Will, But Thine Be Done
Matthew 4.1-11
Once
Upon A Star
A Christmas Sermon
Matthew 2:6-12
Out
of Egypt
Matthew 2:13-21
Out
of Egypt
Matthew 2:13-15 (Riverview)
Please
Pass The Salt
Matthew 5.13
Potter
And The Clay
Matthew 10.2-4
Render
Therefore
Matthew 22:15-21 (Riverview)
Rest
Only In Jesus
Matthew 11:27-30
Seeking
Hearts
Matthew 2:9-11
Signs
of The Times: Sermon Outline
Matthew 16.1-12
Simple
Gospel
Matthew 16.21-26
Star
of Christ
Matthew 2:10-11
The
"Be Attitudes"
Be Unified
Matthew 5:20-26
The
"Be Attitudes"
Be The Children Of Your Father In Heaven
Matthew 5:38-48
The
Empty Tomb
Matthew 28:6
The
Forgotten Beatitude
Matthew 11:6
The
Nazarene's Table
A Communion Message
Matthew 2:23
The
Prayer That God Rewards
Matthew 6:9-13
The
Star Of Christmas
Matthew 2:10-11
Audio
of Sermon
Sermon
Transcript
The
Unforgivable Sin
(Missions Emphasis)
Matthew
25:31-46
Audio
of Sermon
The
Way of Christ
Matthew 4:1-11
To
Be In The Kingdom,
Walk With The King
Matthew 4:1
Booklet
of Sermon, Part 1
Booklet
of Sermon, Part 2
Special
Music
Audio
of Sermon, Part 1
Audio
of Sermon, Part 2
Unpardonable
Sin
Matthew 12:31-32
Watch
Therefore
Matthew 25:13-15
What
A Friend We Have In Jesus:
Communion Message
Matthew 26: 26-32
What
Think Ye Of Christ?
Matthew 16:13-18
Witness
Of Angels
Matthew 28:1-7 (Riverview)
Who
Shall Enter Heaven?
Matthew 7:21
Who
Shall Enter Heaven?
Matthew 22:32
Works
of Christ(ian)
Matthew 11.2-11
The
BE ATTITUDES Series
(Riverview
Baptist)
Part
1, Forgiving: Matthew 6:14-15
Part
2, Pure In Heart
Part
3, Be Salt And Light
Part
4, Be The Children of The Father
Part
5, Be Straight & Narrow
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Mark
Sermons & Studies
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The
Believing Father
Mark 9:23-24
Sermon
Manuscript
Sermon
Audio Recording
Two
Little Fishes
Mark 6.30-44
What
Is Good?
Mark 10:17-27
What
Is Your Vision?
Mark 5.24-34
Wheel
of Life
Mark 8:34-38
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Luke
Sermons & Studies
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Lay
The Foundation
Luke 6:46-49
Look
To The Cross
Luke 22.31-34, 54-62
Mary's
Song (Christmas)
Luke 1:46-55
Message
From A Manger
Luke 2:8-14
No
More Room
Luke 2.5-7
Remember
A Communion Message
Luke 22:19
Sifting
The Saints
Luke 22:31-32
Simeon's
Prophecy
Luke 2.22-35
Swaddling
Clothes
Luke 2:7
The
Kingdom of God Is Within You
Luke 17:20-21
Booklet
of Sermon (Parts 1 & 2)
Booklet
of Sermon (Part 3)
Special
Music
Special
Music
Audio
of Sermon (Part 1)
The
Stone
Luke 24:1-7
There
Is A Way
Luke 22:47-53
Thine
Is The Kingdom
Luke 9.59-62
Three
Crosses
Luke
23:32-46
Two
Names
Luke 1:68-69, 78-79 (Riverview)
Unpardonable
Sin of Self Righteousness
Luke 15:1-2
Part
1, Sermon Manuscript
Part
1, Choir Special
Part
1, Sermon Audio Recording
Part
2, Sermon Manuscript
Part
2, Sermon Audio Recording
Weeping
Over Jerusalem
(Palm Sunday)
Luke 19.28-44
What
The Christmas Card Doesn't Say
Luke 2:14
With
God
Luke 1:37 (Riverview)
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John
Sermons & Studies
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Lazarus,
Come Forth! (Two Parts)
John 11
Love:
A Resolution That Must Be Lived
John 15:9-17
Miracles
or Customs, Love or Law?
John 18:28-40
My
Sheep
John 10:27-28
Nail
Prints In His Hands
John 20:24-29
Nobleman's
Faith
John 4:43-54
Passed
From Death
John 5:19-25
Past
To Present Tense
John 3:16 (Riverview)
Peter's
Denial
John 13:33-38
Receiving
Jesus
John 1:11-12
Secret
of Power In Prayer
John 15:7
Single
Vision
John 1:32-42
Sons
of God
John 1:12
Standing
At The Door
John 18:15-18
The
Comforter
John 16:7-16
The
Comforter
John 16:7-11
The
Door
John 10:9
The
Eleventh Commandment
John 13:34-35
The
Golden Prayer
John 12:23-28
The
Good Shepherd of the Sheep
John 10:1-6
The
Lord's Prayer
Audio
(MP3)
John 17:9
The
Nail Scarred Hands
Joh 20:24-29
The
True Vine
John 15:1-8
These
Things
John 16:33
This
Light Bread
John 3:14-15; Numbers 21:2-9
To
Build A Mansion
John 14:1-4
True
Bread From Heaven
John 6:1-14, 26-33
Two
Voices, Three Lies
John 15:18-27
Two
Witnesses
John 8:10-19
UnBlind
Faith
John 9:21
Untroubled
Hearts
John 14:1-3
Untroubled
Hearts
John 14:1-6
What
Is Truth?
John 18:37
Which
Were Born
John 1:6-13
Whom
Seek Ye?
John 18:1-11
Wilt
Thou Be?
John 5:1-18
When
Jesus Came
A Funeral Message
John 11:17-27
Where
Is Peace?
John 16:33
Why
Are We In Business?
John 4.27-39
You
Must Be Born Again
John 2:23-3:5
You
Must Be Born Again (II)
John 3:3
Audio
of Sermon
Sermon
Transcript
You
Must Be Born Of The Spirit
John 3:5-15
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Acts
Sermons & Studies
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Tempting
God
Acts 15:1-11
The
Marks of the Christian
Acts 11:26 (Riverview)
The
Message
Acts 4:1-11
The
Damascus Road Experience
Acts 9:1-8, 10-16
The
God of Glory
Acts 7:2
The
Message
Acts 4:1-11
The
Sixth Hour
Acts 10:7-16
They
That Believed
Acts
2:44-47
Sherry
Buffaloe Special
Sermon
Audio
This
Is Not A Time For Silence
Acts 1:8
Sermon
Manuscript
Sermon
Audio Recording
Three
Spirits
Acts 16:16-25
To
The Unknown God
Acts 17:22-31
Turn
From These Vanities
Acts 14:8-22
We
Must
Acts 5:27-29
What's
Filling You?
Acts 6:1-8
Why
The Lamb?
Acts 8:32-33
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Romans
Sermons & Studies
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Much
More, Then (Part 2)
Romans 5:15-20
No
Condemnation
Romans 8:1-4
No
Difference
Romans 3:22-23
No Glass Ceiling
Romans
6:1-8
No
Household Gods
Romans 9:13-16
Peace
With God
Romans 5:1
Promise
of God
Romans 4:20-25
Put
Ye On The Lord Jesus Christ
Romans 13:11-14
Reasonable
Service
Romans 12:1-2
Redemptive
Love
Romans 11:3-6
Salute
One Another
Romans 16:16-20
Separated
.. Singled Out .. Servant
Romans 1:1-7
Self
Judgment
Romans 2:1-4
Spirit
of Adoption
Romans 8:15-18
Spirit
Within
Romans 8:5-15
Started
in Righteousness, are You Finished to Service?
Romans 5.19-6.6
Stop
- Yield - Go
Romans 8:28
Booklet
of Sermon
Hayes
Sisters Singing Special
Audio
of Sermon
The
"I AM" Christian
Romans
1:14-17
Sherry
Buffaloe Special
Sermon
Audio
The
Love of Christ
Romans 8:33-39
The
Right Side Of The But
Romans 6:23 (Riverview)
Three
Witnesses
Romans 1:18-22
We
Are More Than Conquerors
Romans 8:37-39
Audio
of Sermon
Transcript
of Sermon
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1
& 2 Corinthians Sermons & Studies
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Spiritual
Giftedness
1 Corinthians 12.1-7
Spiritual
Giftedness (Part 2)
1 Corinthians 7.7
Spiritual
Giftedness -
The Needs Of The Body (Part 3)
1 Corinthians 12.19-25
Table
of God (Communion)
1 Corinthians 11.17-34
Thanks
Be To God
1 Corinthians 15:57; 2:14; 9:15
The
Best Blessing
2 Corinthians 13:14
The
Gospel Seed
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
The
Mind of Christ
1
Corinthians 2:16
Sherry
Buffaloe Special
Sermon
Audio
Weapons
Of Our Warfare
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Booklet
of Sermon
Children's
Message
Sherry
Buffaloe Sings Special
Audio
of Sermon
Will
We Know?
1 Corinthians 15.17-28
Will
We Know? Part 2
1 Corinthians 15:17-23
Without
Love
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
When
The Church Is Like The World
1 Corinthians 13.1-6
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Galatians
Sermons & Studies
|
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Crucified
With Christ
Galatians 2:19-21 (Riverview)
Of
Law or Grace? (Parts 1&2)
Galatians 1.1-5; 1.6-12
Of
Law or Grace? (Part 3)
Galatians 2.1-6
Be
Not Weary
Galatians 6.9
Cast
Out The Bondwoman And Her Son
Galatians 4:21-31
Crucified
With Christ
Audio
Sherry
Buffaloe Special
Galatians 2:19-21
I
Am Crucified With Christ
Galatians 2:20
Booklet
of Sermon
Baptism
of Alexandria S
Audio
of Sermon
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Law
of The Harvest
Galatians 6:7-9
Living
For Jesus
Dying To The World
Galatians 2:20-21
Litmus
Test For Christianity
Galatians 5.13-26
No
Other Gospel
Galatians 1:3-5 (Riverview)
Righteousness
By Faith
Galatians 5:4-6
Righteousness
By Faith
Galatians 5:4-6 (Riverview)
The
Dangerous Detours of Satan
Galatians 5.1, 9-15
Three
Crosses
Galatians 6:14
Throw
Out The Bondwoman
Galatians 4:21-31 (Riverview)
Until
Christ Be Formed In You
Galatians 4:12-19
Walk
In The Spirit
Galatians 5:16
Walk
In The Spirit
Audio
Sherry
Buffaloe Special
Galatians 5:16-19
Walk
In The Spirit
Galatians 5:25
Walk
In The Spirit
Galatians 5:13-18 (Riverview)
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Ephesians
Sermons & Studies
|
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Musterion
(Related Study Here)
Ephesians 1.9-14
My
Brethren
Ephesians 6:10-13
No
Corrupt Communication
Ephesians 4:29
One
Ephesians 4:3-7
Pax
(related study here)
A Communion Address
Ephesians 2:11-16
Photizo
(Related Study Here)
Ephesians 1:17-23
Shield
& Sword
Ephesians 6:16-18
Simplicity
In Christ
2 Corinthians 11:2-4
Sweet
Surrender
Ephesians 5:1-8
That
Christ May Dwell
Ephesians 3:17-21
The
Beloved
Ephesians 1:1-6
The
Cup (Communion)
Ephesians 4.7-10
The
Great Prayer of Paul
Ephesians 3:14-21
The
Unsearchable Riches of Christ
Ephesians 3:8-17
Understanding
The Will of the Lord
Ephesians 5:17-21
Vision
of God (related study here)
Ephesians 3.1-11
Walking
In Love
Ephesians 5:1-10
Walking
In New Life
Ephesians 2:1-10
Walking
Worthy
Ephesians 4:1-7
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Philippians
Sermons &Studies
|
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|
The
Right Ingredient
Philippians 1.7-11
Voices
Philippians 4:6-9
Winning
Christ
Philippians 3:8-11
With
Fear And Trembling
Philippians 2.5-13
Holding
Forth The Word of Life
Philippians 2:14-16
How
To Avoid Identity Theft
Philippians 3:1-3
I
Can Do All Things
Philippians 4:11-13
Marks
of a Great Church
Philippians 1.27-30
Paul's
Resolution
Philippians 3:14
The
Power of His Resurrection
Philippians 3:8-12
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Colossians
Sermons & Studies
|
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Hebrews
Sermons & Studies
|
|
|
Pertaining
To The Conscience
Hebrews 9:6-9
Pertaining
To The Conscience, Part 2
Hebrews 9:11-14
Pleasing
God
Hebrews 11:6
Profiles
of Faith: Hebrews 11, Part 1
Hebrews 11:1-4
Profitable
Preaching
Hebrews 4:1-2 (Riverview)
Seeing
Jesus
Hebrews 2:9 (Riverview)
Simple
Faith
Hebrews 11:8-10
Strive
Against Sin
Hebrews 12:4-13
The
Death of Death
Hebrews 2:14-17
The
Faith That Pleases God
Audio
(MP3)
Hebrews 11:6
The
Faith That Pleases God
Hebrews 11:6 (Riverview)
The
Lord Is My Helper
Hebrews 13:5
Sermon
Manuscript
Choir
Special
Sermon
Audio Recording
The
Lord Is My Helper
Hebrews 13:5-6 (Riverview)
The
Matter Of Faith
Hebrews 11:6
There
Remaineth a Rest
Hebrews 4:1-9
There's
Power In The Blood
Riverview Pulpit Committee
Hebrews 10:19-20
The
Wrong Root
Hebrews 12:12-17
Things
That Accompany Salvation
Hebrews 6:9 (Riverview)
We
Have a High Priest
Hebrews 8:1-2
We
See Jesus
Hebrews 2:9
Sermon
Manuscript
Sermon
Audio Recording
Who
Is Jesus?
Hebrews 1:1-2 (Riverview)
With
Christ In The School Of Suffering
Hebrews 5:8
Without
The Gate - A Revival Sermon
Hebrews 13:12-16
Who
Is Jesus?
Hebrews 1:1-8
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James
Sermons & Studies
|
|
|
Greater
Grace
James 4:6-10
He
Giveth More Grace
James 4:6-7
The
Coming Of The Lord
Audio
(MP3)
James 5:7-11
Wicked
Little Things
James 3:5
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Thessalonians
- Timothy - Titus Sermons & Studies
|
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Faithful
Is The Word
1 Timothy 1.15; 4.8-10;
2 Timothy 2.11-13; Titus 3.7-8
Grace
Bringeth Salvation
Titus 2:11-15
I
Am Now Ready
2 Timothy 4:6-8
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1
& 2 Peter Sermons & Studies
|
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|
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1,
2, 3 John Sermons & Studies
|
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Abide
In Him
1 John 2:28-29
Anointing
of God - The Holy Spirit
1 John 2.24-29
As
He Is
1 John 4:17
A
Woman Taken In Adultery
John 8:1-11; 1 John 3:2-8
Called
The Sons of God
1 John 3:1-3
Christ
Is Our Life
1 John 5:12
God
Is Light
1 John 1:5-7
He
Is Our Lamb
1 John 2:2-11
In
The Flesh
1 John 4:2-3
Logic
of Love
1 John 4:11-19
Love
Of God
1 John 3:1; John 3:16
Love
Only God
1
John 5:21
Sermon
Audio Recording
Love
Not The World
1 John 2:15-17
Love's
Signature
1 John 5:21
Measure
Of A Man (Father's Day)
1 John 3.13-19
My
Little Children
1 John 2:1-2
No
Darkness At All
1 John 1.1-5
No
Darkness At All, Part 2
1 John 1.5-10
Perfect
Love
1
John 4:17-19
Resurrected
Living
1 John 5:1-5
Secrets
To Answered Prayer
1 John 3:14-24
Sin
Unto Death
1 John 5:16-18
That
It Might Be Made Manifest
1 John 2:18-22
|
That
Your Joy May Be Full
1 John 1:1-4
The
Overcoming Life
1 John 4:1-8
This
Is He
1 John 5:6-11
We
Have An Advocate
1 John 2:1-2
Who
Says?
1 John 2.26-29
Light,
Life, Love Series
Sermon
1: That Your Joy May Be Full
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
2: Children of God
1
John 2:1-11
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
3: Are You On The Winning Team?
1
John 2:15-17
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
4: Anti-Christ and anti-Christs
1
John 2:18-29
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
5: The Seed Planted Is Seen In The Fruit
1
John 3:1-8
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
6: The Toughest Thing
You Must Do
1
John 3:16
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
7: Push Back The
Darkness
1
John 3:18-19
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
8: Jesus Christ
Is Come In The Flesh
1
John 4:1-3
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
9: Avoiding The Abyss
1
John 4:16-17
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
10: Are You Natural
Or Supernatural?
1
John 5:1-5
Sermon
Audio Recording
Sermon
11: He That Hath
The Son Hath Life
1
John 5:12
Sermon
Audio Recording
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2-3
John Sermons & Studies
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Amazing
Grace
2 John 7-11
Grace,
Mercy, & Peace
2 John 3-6
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The
Elder To The Elect Lady
2 John 1-2
He
That Doeth Good Is Of God
3 John 5-11
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Jude
Sermons & Studies
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Revelation
Sermons & Studies
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Various
Texts Sermons & Outlines
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I.
Choose Your Text : It is best to rely on expository
book studies for the steady diet of your people. However,
the following may be occasions for special sermons: Special
calendar occasions: Christmas, Easter, etc. Special external
circumstances which are in the public mind. Special needs
discerned by the preacher or others. Truths which have specially
inspired the preacher. Keep a notebook to scribble down
ideas for sermons, insights, burdens, illustrations, etc.
Record them immediately wherever they come to mind, because
you will usually forget them later.
II.
Meditate on the Text :
Whenever possible, plan out texts weeks or months in advance.
This gives the benefit of "subconscious incubation". Concentrated
"incubation" should begin at least one week before
preaching. It should involve the following: Read, re-read
& re-read the text. Be sure you understand what it means.
Do your own interpretive work. Never use commentaries until
you have formulated specific interpretive questions which
you have been unable to answer, or until you have completed
your interpretive work. Brood longer over how it applies
to your people, to the culture, to you, etc. All the while,
pray for God to illuminate the text, especially its application.
All the while, scribble down notes of thoughts, ideas, etc.
Solicit the insights of others through tapes, talking with
other preachers, etc.
III.
Isolate the Dominant Thought
: Your sermon should convey only one major message. All
of the details of your sermon should be marshaled to help
your people grasp that message and feel its power. You should
be able to express the dominant thought in one short, clear,
vivid sentence.
IV.
Arrange Your Material to Serve the Dominant Thought :
Chisel and shape your material. Ruthlessly discard all material
which is irrelevant to the dominant thought. Subordinate
the remaining material to the dominant thought by using
that material to illuminate and reinforce the dominant thought.
Your sermon structure should be suited to the text, not
artificially imposed. Avoid structure which is too clever,
prominent or complex. Decide on your method of preaching
for this text: argumentation, faceting, categorizing, analogy,
etc. Carefully choose words that are precise, simple, clear,
vivid and honest. Write out the keys sections, phrases,
and sentences to help you in your word choice. Stick to
short declarative and interrogative sentences with few,
if any, subordinate clauses. Come up with illustrations
and examples which will explain and convict. Employ a wide
variety: figures of speech, images, retelling biblical stories
in contemporary language, inventing fresh parables, retelling
true historical and/or biographical events, etc. Keep a
file of these, especially if they do not come easily to
you. Avoid making illustrations and examples so prominent
that they detract from the dominant thought. Also avoid
applying them inappropriately or overusing them.
V.
Add the Introduction and Conclusion
: The introduction should not be elaborate, but enough to
arouse their curiosity, whet their appetites and introduce
the dominant thought. This can be done by a variety of means:
explaining the setting of the passage, story, current event
or issue, etc. The conclusion should not merely recapitulate
your sermon - it should apply it. Obviously, you should
be applying all along, but you should keep something for
the end which will prevail upon your people to take action.
"No summons, no sermon". Preach though the head
to the heart (i.e. the will). The goal of the sermon should
be to "storm the citadel of the will and capture it
for Jesus Christ". WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO DO? Employ
a variety of methods to do this: Argument: anticipate objections
and refute them. Admonition: warn of the consequences of
disobedience. Indirect Conviction: arouse moral indignation
and then turn it on them (Nathan with David). Pleading:
apply the gentle pressure of God's love, concern for their
well-being, and the needs of others. Vision: paint a picture
of what is possible through obedience God in this area.
VI.
Write Down and Pray Over Your Message
: Writing out your sermon forces you to think straight and
sufficiently. It exposes lazy thinking and cures it. After
you are thoroughly familiar with your outline, reduce it
to small notes. Pray that God will enable you to "so
possess the message that the message possesses you."
Condensed
from John R. W. Stott, Between Two Worlds (Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1982), pp. 211-216.
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