Sermons from the Cleveland, Ohio congregation

Salvation is Education

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
June 27, 2026

God is very clear on how the process of learning His way starts. It’s in John 6:44, beginning with these familiar words—“No man can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” That’s just the beginning! Salvation itself is education, but only if it’s education in God’s way of life. That kind of education is the reason we draw breath—...

How Does God Bless Us?

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
June 13, 2026

The Book of Acts recounts many fascinating events from the earliest days of the Church. Acts 9:31 has a beautiful description of a period of peace experienced by our long-ago brothers and sisters. That peaceful period came after a period of persecution and trial ended with the conversion of Saul (Paul). Does God still work in similar patterns in our modern...

Overcoming Deception with Discernment

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Gabe Ellis
June 13, 2026

Have you ever been deceived? It could have been with a false advertisement, a scammer targeting tourists on vacation or someone telling you a direct lie. How do we avoid being deceived? How can we identify good vs. evil? An essential key to overcoming deception is stirring up the spiritual gift of discernment.

I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
June 6, 2026

We’ve read those powerful words many times, especially in the Old Testament record of God’s dealing with His people. What do they mean for us? Does God still “connect” His name to His modern servants? Why does He explain Who He is by associating His name with flawed human beings?

Fasting to Feasting

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Rich Johnson
June 6, 2026

In Zechariah 8:19, the prophet makes a startling statement. He tells the people returning from Babylonian captivity that He would turn four national days of mourning (the fasts of the 4th, 5th, 7th and 10th months) into cheerful days of joy and gladness. Then he says they need to “love truth and peace.” Many years earlier, the prophet Jeremiah had liv...

Lessons From Gideon

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Matt Pavlik
May 2, 2026

What can we learn from the experience of Gideon?

How Do We Prepare for Pentecost?

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
April 25, 2026

Getting ready for Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread has a predictable pattern. The fall holy day season has a different, but also recognizable “check list.” But how do we “prepare” for the Feast of Pentecost?

Grow in Gentleness

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Gabe Ellis
April 25, 2026

The fruit of gentleness is a hallmark quality of God’s character. Why is it important for us to be gentle? Does gentleness mean weakness? How can we develop gentleness? What is in store for those who practice gentleness?

Moving Forward with Unleavened Lives

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
April 11, 2026

The Days of Unleavened Bread are over. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul gave very clear directives on what we should have learned. In 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, he uses five powerful words to point us forward—"purge, malice, wickedness, sincerity and truth.” How do we put them together to form a personal spiritual roadmap?

Renewing “Again”

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
February 28, 2026

There is a definite pattern of repetition in the annual observances God commands for His people. We repeat the pattern every year, no matter how many times we’ve done it before. If we talk about people repeating things over and over, we might say they’re being “redundant.” Yet God use that very pattern to help us. How can we make th...

Building Service-minded Character

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
February 14, 2026

More than one writer or podcaster has noticed the connection between literal shepherds (of sheep) and “shepherds” of other humans (such as pastors!). But the lessons learned from a shepherd’s mindset go even deeper. After all, who is the “Great Shepherd” and what are we learning about caring for others from His example?

Clothed with Humility

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Gabe Ellis
January 31, 2026

A common piece of clothing used by a waiter, waitress, or server is an apron. How does wearing an apron relate to our spiritual life? What is the connection between wearing an apron and the character quality of humility?

A Labor of Love

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
January 31, 2026

History is filled with astonishing examples of the best and worst of human behavior. Astonishing examples of courage and ingenuity involved in efforts to rescue Jewish children at risk in pre-World War II Europe (known as the Kindertransport) comprise some of the “best” side of human conduct. But God has in mind a much greater rescue effort—involving the entire human race!...

Freedom in Obedience

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
January 24, 2026

Human history is filled with examples of people fleeing captivity to rejoice in freedom. Some of those stories are relatively recent, while others are ancient, including familiar biblical epics, like Israel’s flight from Egypt to the Promised Land. But what about our lives? Do we know all we should about our own flight from captivity to freedom? Do we know w...

Aloneness Vs. Fellowship

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
January 10, 2026

Do current societal trends make you ask yourself where our world is headed? One perceptive researcher has come up with a phrase he says defines that direction: he labels our era “The Anti-Social Century.” A scary thought! What’s the biblical answer to the plague of loneliness in our world? What can combat the solitude of “aloneness by choice?” Enter the...