Posts belonging to Category Sermons



Nine Lepers Went to Church

Ten lepers were healed. Nine went to church. One went to Jesus!

 
I preached on Jesus and the ten lepers this past Sunday from Luke 17:11-19. It was my first time preaching on the passage and I really enjoyed it.

One thing that stuck out to me was at the beginning of the passage all ten lepers called out to Jesus in a loud voice for healing. And then later on, the one leper who returned came back praising God in a loud voice. It raises a good question. Do we praise God as loudly and as passionately when he answers our prayers as we do when we call out to him for help?

Anyways, if you would like to read the whole message, you can find the transcript here: Give Thanks! (Jesus and the Ten Lepers) – Luke 17:11-19 Blessings to you, and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
 

Would You Like to Be an Advance Reader?

Name above All Name (Isaiah 9:6): An Advent Series
 
Free advance review copies:

The next book in the Understanding God’s Word series comes out next week. It’s a Christmas book on the names of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 (Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God; Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace).

I am looking for a group of people who would be interested in reading the book and possibly leaving a review on Amazon when it is released. It’s a short book (only five chapters), and an easy read. I have a limited number of advance copies available.

If you are interested in being a part of this group, just let me know and I will send you a link where you can download your free copy. Thanks for your support! (You can email me at ray@pccflorida.org)

P.S. Feel free to share this post with anyone you know who may be interested in participating.

Understanding God’s Word Series

Understanding God's Word

I’m excited to announce a new series of books that will be appearing over the next months. Understanding God’s Word is a new series of books exploring various books and topics in the Bible. Each book in the series is adapted from actual sermons preached in the local church. These books are part commentary, part exposition, but mostly offer a clear explanation of the text, showing how it relates to other Scripture and to our lives today.

This style of preaching is modeled after Nehemiah 8 where the Levites under Ezra “read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read” (Neh. 8:8). These books are ideal resources for teachers preparing lessons, for pastors preparing messages and for personal Bible study.

———————

Currently available (click on the book images to view on Amazon):

Habakkuk: The Journey from Doubt to Faith   Fruit of the Spirit: Growing More Like Jesus   Name above All Name (Isaiah 9:6): An Advent Series   Lord, Make My Life Count!

 
Upcoming in 2024:
Biblical Foundations
Famous Mothers in the Bible (Vol. 1)
Lord, Make My Life Count
Life of Samuel
Real Answers about Heaven

 
Note: Click here for all books in the Understanding God’s Word series.
 

Hebrews 11 “Growing in Faith” Series

We just completed a series of Sunday morning messages on “Growing in Faith” from Hebrews 11. Here are the links to the various sermons in the series.

Growing in Faith Series
(Click here for a PDF of all the sermon outlines for the series.)

Hebrews 11 - Growing in Faith

1) Faith: Being Certain of What You Do Not See – Hebrews 11:1-2
2) Creation: Understanding the Power of God’s Word – Hebrews 11:3
3) Abel: Giving God the First Portion – Hebrews 11:4
4) Enoch: Believing God’s Goodness – Hebrews 11:5-6
5) Noah: Heeding God’s Warnings – Hebrews 11:7
6) Abraham (1a): Following God’s Leading – Hebrews 11:8
7) Abraham (1b): Following God’s Leading – Hebrews 11:9-10
8) Abraham (2): Believing God’s Promise – Hebrews 11:11-12
9) The Patriarchs: Longing for Heaven – Hebrews 11:13-16
10) Abraham (3): Unquestioning Obedience to God’s Commands – Heb 11:17-19
11) Isaac, Jacob, Joseph: Trusting God with the Future – Heb 11:20-22
12) Moses and His Parents: Fearing God Rather Than Man – Heb 11:23, 27-28
13) Moses: Identifying with Christ and His People – Hebrews 11:24-26
14) The Red Sea: Trusting in God’s Deliverance (1) – Hebrews 11:29
15) Jericho and Rahab: Trusting in God’s Deliverance (2) – Hebrews 11:30-31
16) Old Testament Believers (1): Triumphant in Victory – Hebrews 11:32-35
17) Old Testament Believers (2): Triumphant in Suffering – Hebrews 11:35-38
18) New Testament Believers: Something Better for Us – Hebrews 11:39-40
 

Coronavirus and God’s Protective Care

Today’s message was called Coronavirus and God’s Protective Care, taken from Psalm 91:1-16. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Trust God (1-2)
   A. Dwell in the shelter of the Most High (1)
   B. Say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and fortress.” (2)

II. Do not fear (3-8)
   A. God covers you with his wings (3-4)
      – Psalm 57:1
   B. God is with you day and night (5-6)
      – Psalm 121:3-6
   C. God is with you no matter how bad it gets (7-8)
      – 1 Peter 3:14

III. Look to God for protection (9-13)
   A. No harm will befall you (9-10)
      – Psalm 139:16
   B. God’s angels are guarding you (11-12)
      – Matthew 18:10
   C. God gives you power over the enemy (13)
      – Luke 12:4-5
Two errors to avoid when claiming God’s promises:
   1) Do not be foolish and test the Lord (Matthew 4:5-7)
   2) Do not limit God’s promises to this life only (Philippians 1:21)

IV. Rest in God’s love (14-16)
   A. God rescues and protects his people (14)
   B. God answers the prayers of his people (15)
   C. God gives eternal life to his people (16)
      – John 10:28
Nothing can separate us from God’s love! (Romans 8:37-39)

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

New “Praying For” Series

We are doing a new series of messages Sunday mornings on praying for various things. Here are the links to the various messages in the series.

Praying For … Series
(Click here for a PDF of all the sermon outlines for the series.)

Praying For series

Praying for Things – 1 John 5:14-15
Praying for Forgiveness – 1 John 1:5-10
Praying for Healing – James 5:13-16
Praying for Victory over Sin – 2 Peter 1:3-4
Praying for Church and Family – Matthew 6:9-13
Praying for the Lost – Colossians 4:2-6
Praying for Missions – Matthew 9:35-38
 

Saul and Goliath

Have you ever heard the story of Saul and Goliath? I didn’t think so! Yesterday’s message in the David and Saul series was about Saul and Goliath. The message was called Paralyzed by Fear, taken from 1 Samuel 17:1-31. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. You have a fearsome foe (1-11)
   A. You are in a spiritual battle (1-3)
      – Ephesians 6:12
   B. The enemy is stronger than you are (4-7)
      – 1 Peter 5:8
   C. The enemy opposes God and God’s people (8-11)
      – Revelation 12:17, 13:6

II. The problem with fear (12-24)
Giving in to fear:
   A. Will make you lose time and opportunities (12-16)
      – Ephesians 5:15-16
   B. Will leave you going through the motions (17-22)
      – 2 Timothy 3:5
   C. Will make you want to quit the fight (23-24)
      – Ephesians 6:13

III. Getting past your fears (25-31)
   A. Remember the benefits of following God (25)
      – 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 103:2-4; Revelation 3:21
   B. Be zealous for God’s honor (26-27)
      – Psalm 4:2-3, 119:53
   C. Don’t let others discourage you from following God (28-31)
      – Numbers 13:30-32; Joshua 1:9

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Home for Christmas series

Our new Advent Message series is called Home for Christmas.
You can read the various messages at the links below.

Home for Christmas

Home for Christmas Series
1) Banished – Genesis 3:21-24
2) Wandering – Genesis 4:10-16
3) Longing – Psalm 137:1-9
4) Home – John 1:1-2, 14
 

New Sermon Series on Samson

On Sunday we started a new sermon series called Samson: Strong Man Gone Wrong. Here is a list of the five messages in the series:

A Promising Beginning – Judges 13:1-25 (Samson’s birth)
Marriage Gone Wrong – Judges 14:1-20 (Samson’s marriage)
Vengeance Gone Wrong – Judges 15:1-20 (Samson and the Philistines)
Love Gone Wrong – Judges 16:1-22 (Samson and Delilah)
God’s Purposes Fulfilled – Judges 16:23-31 (Samson’s death)

(Note: Links will go live as each message is preached.)

Sunday Morning SoundBytes – 5/20/2018

Sunday’s message in the Hot Button Topics series was called Living Together: Dishonoring those you love the most, taken from Hebrews 13:4. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. You dishonor God
   – Genesis 2:24-25; Hebrews 13:4

II. You dishonor each other
   – Proverbs 14:12; Ecclesiastes 3:1,5; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 6:7-8; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:2-5

III. You dishonor your family
   – Genesis 39:9; Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:25

Living together without sex:
   1) The problem of temptation
   2) The problem of testimony
   3) The problem of trivialization

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.
 

Hot Button Topics (Sermon Series)

Starting Sunday, April 15 we will be starting a new series of messages at church called “Hot Button Topics.”

hot-button-topics

Over the next eight weeks we will be looking at various hot button issues that often stir up controversy in our culture. The culture around us is constantly presenting its ideas on these topics, and it’s important that we know what God’s word has to say on each of these important issues.

The purpose of the series is to present each topic in its cultural setting, to study the appropriate Scriptures, and to equip people to better respond with God’s love and truth to each situation.

If you’re interested in following along, you can access each message as it is preached at the following link: https://www.rayfowler.org/sermons/hot-button-topics/

Here is a schedule of the topics we will be looking at together over the next eight weeks:

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4/15 Abortion:
Caring for mothers and children in crisis pregnancy situations (Psalm 139:13-16)

4/22 Assisted Suicide:
Caring for the elderly and infirm (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

4/29 Alcohol:
God’s dangerous gift (Psalm 104:14-15; Proverbs 20:1)

5/6 Racism:
A sin against God, humanity and the gospel (Revelation 5:9)

5/20 Living Together:
Dishonoring those you love the most (Hebrews 13:4)

5/27 Divorce and Remarriage:
Covenant, commitment, grace and forgiveness (Matthew 19:3-9)

6/3 Homosexuality:
Caring for those who experience same sex attraction (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

6/10 Transgender:
Caring for those who experience issues with gender identity (Genesis 1:26-27)
 

God and Natural Disasters (Hurricane Irma)

I preached yesterday on God and Natural Disasters following Hurricane Irma here in South Florida. You can click here to listen to the message: God and Natural Disasters (audio) or click here to read it: God and Natural Disasters (transcript). Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Natural disasters are not natural
   A. God created the world good
      – Genesis 1:31
   B. Sin affected the natural world around us
      – Genesis 3:17-19

II. Natural disasters are part of God’s judgment for sin
   A. They are part of God’s general judgment for sin
      – Psalm 148:8; Romans 8:20-22
   B. We should not presume to know whether they are God’s judgment for specific sin
      – Luke 13:1-5

III. Natural disasters are meant to turn you to God
   A. They are a reminder that this world is passing away
      – 1 John 2:15-17
   B. They are a warning of the judgment to come
      – Proverbs 10:25; Matthew 24:6-8
   C. They are an occasion to put your trust in God
      – Ezekiel 33:11; Nahum 1:7; Romans 8:37-39
   D. They are an opportunity to show God’s love to others
      – 1 John 3:16-18
   E. They help you remember what’s really important in life
      – Matthew 6:19-20, 33

Note: Click on the Sermons tab at the top of the blog for this and other messages.