"faith" Tagged Sermons
Matthew 4:18-22 – Real Faith Follows
Real faith is not merely saying the right words, praying a prayer, or attending church occasionally. Real faith produces real evidence because it comes from a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. In Matthew 4:18–22, Jesus calls his first disciples with the simple command, “Follow me,” showing that true discipleship involves both action and direction. To follow Jesus means obeying what he says, listening to his Word, and loving him above everything else. While Christians will never obey perfectly, there is…
Hebrews 5:11-6:3 – Why So Many Stay Stuck
Spiritual growth does not happen automatically. In Hebrews 5:11–6:3, the author warns believers who had become “dull of hearing.” They had been around God’s Word for a long time, but they were not truly receiving it or growing from it. This sermon challenges us to examine whether we are maturing in Christ or remaining spiritually childish, still needing milk when we should be ready for solid food. Spiritual immaturity shows up when we cannot feed ourselves from Scripture, explain the…
John 3:1–15 – Have You Been Born Again?
In John 3:1–15, Jesus tells Nicodemus that religious knowledge, morality, status, and good works are not enough to enter the kingdom of God. Even this respected Pharisee needed what every sinner needs: to be born again. This sermon explains that the new birth is not self-improvement or outward religious behavior. It is a sovereign work of God where he gives a person a new heart, cleanses them from sin, and brings them from spiritual death to life. Just as Israel…
John 2:23–25 – Belief That Doesn’t Save
Not all belief in Jesus is saving faith. In John 2:23–25, we see a crowd that is impressed by Jesus but not transformed by Him. They believe because of what they see, but their hearts remain unchanged. Jesus is not fooled by outward excitement or religious appearance, He knows what’s truly inside us. Real faith isn’t about being impressed, it’s about being changed. This sermon calls us to move beyond casual belief and come honestly to Christ, asking Him to…
Luke 6:46-49 – The Dangers of Casual Christianity
In this message from Luke 6:46–49, we confront a sobering question from Jesus: Why call Him “Lord” but not obey Him? This sermon exposes the danger of casual Christianity, a faith that hears but does not act. Through vivid illustrations and Jesus’ parable of the two builders, we are challenged to examine whether our lives are built on the solid rock of obedience or the shifting sand of empty profession. Real faith isn’t just knowing, it’s coming, hearing, and doing.…
John 12:12-19 – The Misunderstood King
On Palm Sunday, the crowds celebrated Jesus, but they misunderstood Him. They wanted a political savior, but Jesus came as a humble King to save them from sin. In this message from John 12:12–19, we see how easily people can misinterpret who Jesus is, follow Him for the wrong reasons, or shape Him into their own expectations. This sermon challenges us to worship Jesus for who He truly is, trust Him even when we don’t understand, and follow Him with…
2 Timothy 4:9-22 – Christ’s Presence in Dark Times
Ever felt like everyone left you when you needed them most? In Paul’s final words in 2 Timothy 4:9–22, we see a man abandoned by friends, hurt by others, and facing death, yet filled with unshakable hope. Why? Because even when people failed him, Christ never did. This sermon walks through the reality of loneliness, betrayal, and suffering, while pointing us to the steady, strengthening presence of Jesus. If you’ve ever had an “empty bench” moment, this message reminds you:…
2 Timothy 1:1-7 – When It’s Out Of Your Control
When life feels out of control, it’s easy to freeze, despair, or try to fix everything ourselves. In this sermon from 2 Timothy 1:1–7, we look at how Paul responds to overwhelming circumstances while imprisoned and facing death. Rather than giving in to fear or helplessness, Paul models a better way: trusting God’s promises, doing what he can, practicing gratitude, relying on the Spirit, and praying constantly. This message reminds us that even when situations are beyond our control, we…
Luke 2:8-14 – Glory In The Highest
Christmas often comes with stress, exhaustion, and a sense of spiritual breathlessness, but Luke 2 reminds us that God meets us right in the middle of the mess. Instead of announcing the birth of Jesus to the powerful or impressive, God reveals his glory to lowly shepherds, showing that the gospel is for the weary, the overlooked, and the unworthy. Jesus enters the world humbly in a manger, proving we do not have to clean ourselves up before coming to…
Luke 1:46-55 – The Song Of A Praising Heart
In Luke 1, Mary shows us that real praise is bigger than singing songs. Praise begins with faith in what God has said, not just feelings in the moment. Mary trusts God’s word when it upends her life, rejoices in “God my Savior,” celebrates God’s mercy, strength, justice, and care, and remembers that God keeps his promises all the way back to Abraham. This sermon calls us to respond to Christmas with more than seasonal sentiment, by living a life…
1 Timothy 6:11-21 – Wartime Living
Following Paul’s closing words in 1 Timothy 6:11–21, this message reminds us that the Christian life is not peacetime but a real spiritual war. Believers are called to flee sin, actively pursue righteousness and godliness, and “fight the good fight of the faith” by clinging to the eternal life already given in Christ. Paul also warns against trusting in wealth and urges generous, kingdom-minded giving that stores up eternal treasure. Finally, we’re challenged to guard the gospel deposit entrusted to…
Mark 4:25-41 – Jesus Calms The Storm
Guest speaker, Dwight Knight, looks at the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:25-41. Dwight is Co-founder and Executive Director of Challenge Ministries International (CMI). He and his wife, Stephane, are in full-time ministry focusing on discipleship, teaching and counseling. Island Pond Baptist Church is an SBC church in Hampstead, NH, just seconds from Derry, NH. We also have many people at our church from surrounding cities such as Chester, Sandown, Danville, Kingston, Fremont, Plaistow, Atkinson, Derry, Londonderry,…