In Sermons: showing 106-120 of 125

How Do You Connect With Your World Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

To reach the world you need to speak to it on its terms, in its language and with integrity

In the early 1940s a young graduate of Wheaton College went to a small Baptist church in a Chicago suburb. His name was Billy Graham. Although he felt his gifts were more in the area of evangelism, he agreed to give it a go. Within several months, the church was growing, and so was his popularity. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:20-22, Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Can We Protect Our Most Valued Resources Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

Personal time with Jesus protects that which is most important in our lives--and keeps us on task

One hundred forty vertical stone slabs that stretch 494 feet long and stand 10 feet tall at the highest point. Engraved on this coal-black wall are 58,132 names of American soldiers dead or missing. If you’ve been to the Vietnam Memorial, you have witnessed the somber silence that sets on the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:15-22, Nehemiah 2:11-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Run Away! Run Away! Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

Fleeing Sin is a necessity for the believer in Christ

You probably wondered what the “Detour” signs are doing in the church. You’re pretty use to them by now up here in North Portland and probably pretty sick of them as well. They are here to remind us of the struggle that each of us has in doing more than just surviving life. They help us remember ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-36, Genesis 39:1-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Worship For The Disciple Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

How does one enjoy the "presence" of the Lord

Came across a comment by a missionary in Paraguay. Who wrote, “While …serving in Paraguay, a Maka Indian named Rafael came to sit on my porch. I was eating and went out to see what he wanted. He responded, "Ham, henek met." Again I asked what I could do for him, but the answer was the same. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 13:6-14, 1 Chronicles 15:1-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Jesus?

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

In a world with so many choices why choose Christ?

Visual images tell stories. From the cave paintings on the walls of La Grotte Chauvet in France to the latest Tom Clancy novel we’ve “seen” with our minds the story unfold. Its been said that movie theaters are the Church for post-moderns and it shouldn’t surprise us to see the concept of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Preparing Our Community: Letting Them Know We Are Here Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

How does a Church build community recognition while not falling into the world’s traps

General Motors in 1998 tried to sell us on the fact that “It’s not your father’s Oldsmobile.” Most people didn’t by it however and so there is still a threat that Oldsmobile will go the way of Wards and Kmart. What accounts for such radical changes in our economic world? Mikhail Gorbachev ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:15-23, Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Preparing Our Community: How To Pray For Them Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

Reaching out to new people demand that we pray for them first and foremost

During a recent church service in one of the “nicer” neighborhoods of Portland some visitors came to worship. They weren’t dressed like the rest of the folks. They had robes, neat but not spotless. The men wore beards and sandals and the women or headscarves. Their skin wasn’t milk white, in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Leviticus 19:33-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Here Are Words To Live By…

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

God changes lives through His Word

Colonel Floyd J. Thompson, the longest-serving American prisoner of war in any conflict died July 16, 2002, at age 69. His obituary reported that for nine years he "endured cold cells, jungle cages, and torture in Vietnam.” The citation that accompanied his Distinguished Service Medal said "Jimmy" ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Common Sense About Commonality

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

Love for one another is a prerequisit for real fellowship with one another

He was a denominational executive who found himself being accused of heresy simply because he’d participated in a prayer service with people who weren’t Christians. Another congregation flaunted a young man who was sleeping with his stepmother. Still another group saw those who lived lives against ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:19-21, Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fellowship: It Ain't About Potlucks

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

The nature of Fellowship and why we mess it up so badly

An interview with Tia and Tamara Mowry, the stars of WB’s Sister, Sister yielded a very mature comment from these then 19 years old. One of them said (they’re exact twins); “A lot of girls expect this prince to come into their life on a white horse and make everything wonderful. What the Lord told ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Choosing The Best: And Leaving The Rest Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

Learning to look for God’s will

Let me share with you some statistics from 1992. The New Republic in its January 27 issue reported that the number of products in a typical supermarket in 92 was some 30,000. In 1976 it was 9,000. Likewise in 1992’s produce section there was 285 products while in 1975 only 65. My how our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Is This Jesus All About? Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

Continuing a look at Jesus and his ministry

Recently I saw a cartoon with Adam and Eve both eating apples. They are obvious startled by a billboard with a large apple and the international sign of “no”, a red circle with a line through it, and the words above reading “Just Say No”. Adam says, “Where was that billboard ten minutes ago.” ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Just Who Is This Jesus?

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

A look at the unique claims of Christ

Pax Romana, Roman peace, held the empire together for centuries. Among it’s dictates was one concerning religion. It seems that if Rome took over a nation or people with their own religion they never made them switch to the Roman gods. Their thinking was sound…why give them a reason to rebel. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:24-47, Matthew 3:4-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Making A Resh Start Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 13, 2003

Facing eternal questions at the start of a new century

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. This is self-evident when it comes to electrical wiring or high explosives. It may not be so clear with relationships such as family and friends. And I would suggest no one would believe it when it comes to discussions about philosophy, politics, or God. ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Does The Church Do? Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Oct 21, 2003

The world today sees the church as powerless and irrelevant in our culture and the reason is due in great part because of our failure to live life differently than the world around us.

In the play, My Fair Lady, Eliza is being courted by Freddy, who writes to her daily of his love for her. Eliza’s response to his notes is to cry out in frustration: Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!... Don’t talk of stars Burning above, If you’re in love, Show me! Don’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-5, Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed