Sermons from the Cleveland, Ohio congregation

Resolution or Repentance?

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
January 3, 2026

Ever heard of “Quitter’s Day?” Apparently it’s what some call the second Friday in January. You can probably guess the connection—to the idea of “New Year’s Resolutions” and just how long they sometimes last! Could treating the concept of personal change in such a trivial fashion hide what God expects to see in His children?

Think on These Things

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Bill Johnson
December 13, 2025

Our minds run on constant “loops,” and what fills our hearts will show up in our thinking, speaking, and actions. Paul gives eight non-negotiable filters in Philippians 4:8—true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, and praiseworthy—within a pathway of rejoice → pray → think → practice that moves us from anxiety to peace and ultimately to “the God of peace” being...

What Happened Before the Earth Was Created?

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Hal Henderson
December 13, 2025

Ever wonder what was going on in the spirit world before the earth was created? The Bible gives evidence of meticulous planning for a place and process where mankind could live, grow, and mature toward eventually becoming spirit-born children with eternal life in the Family of God.

Are You Discouraged?

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
December 6, 2025

All of us have our “ups and downs” in life. But what if it goes beyond that, to a more emotionally and spiritually crippling state of deep discouragement? There are unseen forces that the Bible warns us are at work in our world—from the enemy of God. How can you and I use the powerful message of hope from God’s Word to...

Words of Wisdom and Thanks

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
November 22, 2025

The national holiday of Thanksgiving reminds us of an important quality of character—gratitude. “Quotable Quotes” from public figures, known and obscure, may help us focus on important qualities from God’s Word.

Blind Spots: A Spiritual Analogy

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
November 8, 2025

The human eye, as marvelous as it is, has a “blind spot”—a little spot called the “optic disk” (on the retina), where the optic nerve exits the back of the eye. Because this tiny place has no cones or rods, there is no pathway to relay images to the brain. Physically, God designed our bodies in a way that it doesn’t g...

Can You Spot the Counterfeit?

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
November 1, 2025

Counterfeiting (especially when it comes to money!) has been with humans for many centuries. But that’s still physical, even if anything that has to do with money interests almost everybody! But are there such things as spiritual counterfeits? Where would those come from? And if they exist, can you spot them?

This is the Way

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
October 25, 2025

Our future responsibilities in the Family of God are illustrated in the prophecy of Isaiah 30 with the familiar words of the title of this sermon. Does our daily life reflect the “teacher training” God is showing us now? Is walking this path (“way”) our constant companion?

Character, Competence, and Leadership

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Gabe Ellis
October 25, 2025

The world lacks strong Godly servant leadership. We are preparing now to be effective Kings and Priest in the Kingdom of God. What does the Bible say about leadership? What are the qualities of leadership we need? How can we identify poor leadership? Who is the model we should imitate to develop Godly leadership qualities?

To Reconcile the Entire World

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
October 4, 2025

To move from the Feast of Trumpets to the Feast of Tabernacles runs through the Day of Atonement on the calendar. The spiritual symbolism is even more important. The binding of Satan gives meaning to the events foretold by Trumpets and makes possible the millennial conditions pictured by the Feast of Tabernacles.

Where Does Our Hope Lie?

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
September 13, 2025

When tragedies, brutal acts of violence or times when sanity itself seems to have vanished from the world surround us, what do we as Christians do? With the gift of God’s spirit, is it clear to us where we turn for hope? If not, why not? God’s word is very clear: only He can open human eyes to His understanding. Do ...

Our Spiritual Citizenship: How we should conduct ourselves in times of tragedy?

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Gabe Ellis
September 13, 2025

We live in a time when brutal acts of violence circulate the media in moments from thousands of different points of view. When tragedy strikes, how should we respond as Christians? What is our duty as future citizens in the family of God? During these distressing times, we need to have specific scriptures we turn to that ground us in...

Annual Festivals—A Fundamental Difference

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
September 6, 2025

One of the 20 “Fundamental Beliefs” of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association (#13) is our belief that the annual festivals given to ancient Israel are still commanded observances for those called by God. Yet most in our world who identify themselves as Christians don’t keep them. Few could even name them, and virtually none know what they mean. Why is that,...

The Seven “Cs” of Character

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
August 30, 2025

The word “character” never appears in the Bible (in the Authorized Version). But the topic is everywhere! Beginning our study with the admonition to “Let this mind be in you…” (Philippians 2:5), let’s look at seven characteristics of character that all start with the letter “C.”

For You See Your Calling, Brethren

Cleveland, Ohio
Given by Doug Johnson
August 23, 2025

Those words introduce a familiar passage from Chapter One of Paul’s first letter to the Christians in Corinth. As written, those memorable words are a simple statement of fact. But how might it help our personal Bible study, prayer and meditation if we reworked them into a question we ask ourselves?