Sermons on Spiritual Life
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.…
2 Timothy 4:1-8 – Finish the Race Faithfully
How do you finish the Christian life well? In 2 Timothy 4:1–8, Paul writes his final words before his death and urges believers to live faithfully in light of Christ’s return. Christians are called to live with the awareness that Christ is the judge, to receive God’s truth even when it is difficult, to remain faithful through hardship, and to persevere until the end. The goal of the Christian life is not simply to start strong but to finish well.…
2 Timothy 3:10-17 – Surviving In An Ungodly World
In a world filled with ungodly influences, how can Christians remain faithful to Christ? In 2 Timothy 3:10–17, Paul gives Timothy a clear roadmap for surviving and thriving in a hostile culture. By following godly examples, expecting opposition, resisting the drift of evil, and anchoring our lives in Scripture, believers can remain steady even when the world pulls them in the wrong direction. Ultimately, Paul reminds us that God’s Word is the anchor that equips us for salvation, shapes our…
1 Timothy 6:3-10 – True Contentment: Pass It On!
Guest speaker, Mike Nerney, looks at 1 Timothy 6:3-10 and talks about what true contentment is and the importance of telling others about it. Mike is a former pastor and currently services as the Executive Director of the Maine Baptist Association. 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, Salem,…
2 Timothy 2:14-26 – The Anatomy of a Man of God
In this passage, Paul reminds Timothy—and all believers—that the Christian life is not about checking religious boxes but becoming a certain kind of person. Using three vivid pictures, Paul shows us what that life looks like: an unashamed workman who knows the truth, a clean vessel set apart for honorable use, and a gentle servant who speaks the truth with love. Christianity is not about winning arguments or appearing impressive, it is about faithfully knowing, living, and speaking the truth…
2 Timothy 2:1-7 – Living A Gospel-Focused Life
In this passage from 2 Timothy 2:1–7, Paul calls believers to live a gospel-focused life marked by endurance, obedience, and hard work. Using the images of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer, Paul shows that following Christ requires perseverance in suffering, faithfulness to God’s ways, and steady commitment over time. The mission is not just to believe the gospel but to pass it on by making disciples who make other disciples. Though the task is difficult, God does not…
2 Timothy 1:8-18 – I’m Not Ashamed
Fear makes it easy to stay quiet about our faith, but silence always costs something. In this passage, Paul shows Timothy that believers can respond to pressure in two very different ways: by being ashamed of the gospel or by standing unashamed. Some abandoned Paul because following Jesus had become risky. Others leaned in, suffered with him, and stayed faithful. Paul reminds us that the gospel is worth defending, worth suffering for, and worth living out because Jesus has saved…
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…
Matthew 28:18-20 – Our 2026 Vision
In this message, we pause to look ahead and clarify where Island Pond Baptist Church is going in 2026. Rooted in Jesus’ command in Matthew 28, the sermon reminds us that our mission never changes: we exist to make disciples. From that unchanging mission flows a practical, flexible vision for the year ahead, centered on three priorities—Gather, Grow, and Go. Together, these guide how we worship, mature spiritually, and engage our community so that more lives are changed by the…
Matthew 11:25-30 – The Over/Under
Guest speaker, Dave Herring, looks at Matthew 11:25-30 and talks to us about how we are over-resourced and under-committed. Dave is a former church planter and pastor. 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, Salem, and Haverhill. If you live in Southern New Hampshire, we would love for you…
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…