In Sermons: showing 166-180 of 534

Demonstration Of Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 29, 2013

We understand how to live by faith today, by seeing examples of how others have lived by faith before us.

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 “Demonstrations of Faith” INTRODUCTION Have you ever had one of those days? You know the type of days that I’m talking about—those days when everything goes wrong, your world falls apart, you throw your hands up in despair, and you simply want to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

New Life Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 6, 2013

Everything is transformed in our lives because of the cross of Christ. The old life is dead and gone. We are now living a new life.

Colossians 3:1-11 “New Life” INTRODUCTION The tale of “The Ugly Duckling” begins, when a mother duck's eggs hatch. One of the little birds is perceived by the other birds and animals on the farm as a homely little creature and suffers much verbal and physical abuse ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Rooted In The Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 6, 2013

The roots of faith in the work of Christ on the Cross enable us to withstand the strong winds and storms of life.

Colossians 2:6-15 “Rooted in the Faith” INTRODUCTION During the football season a sub-specie of Homo sapiens arises called the armchair quarterback. These are people who may or may not have ever played football, and may or may not know how to throw a football, but do know how to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Reconciled Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 6, 2013

We are reconciled—brought into a right relationship—in all aspects of our lives through the life, death, resurrection of Jesus.

Colossians 1:15-28. "Reconciled" INTRODUCTION I did quite a bit of traveling this past week, in parts of this country with which I was unfamiliar. Thankfully, I knew where I needed to go, and I had my trusty GPS "Gidget" to show me the way. I can't imagine what a mess I would have been in ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Inner Strength Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 13, 2013

The Spirit provides Christians with an inner strength that enables us to endure with patience and joy.

Colossians 1:1-14 “Inner Strength” INTRODUCTION Our text today contains one of my favorite Bible verses. It was a passage of scripture that I learned when I participated in a weekend retreat in high school. The verse is Colossians 1:10, “To lead a life worthy of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Perseverance Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 13, 2013

Perseverance is needed in one’s walk of faith.

Galatians 6:7-16 "Perseverance" INTRODUCTION One of the most difficult times, for parents, is when they need to give their children the ability to make decisions on their own and experience the consequences of their decisions. There are a lot of prayers that go up at this time. Parents can ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Freedom And Fruit Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 13, 2013

Christians are free, but we are not freed for self-indulgence, but for service.

Galatians 5:1, 13-26 Freedom and Fruit INTRODUCTION There are specific times in our lives when we experience an expansive sense of freedom. One of the times that I specifically remember is when I received my drivers license. Suddenly I was free. I was no longer limited to walking or riding ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Promises Kept Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 17, 2013

God made a promise—a covenant with Abraham. That covenant, which is based on faith and not on the law, is still valid today.

Galatians 2:15-21 “Promises Kept” INTRODUCTION We are a people who believe that justice is one of our unalienable rights along with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We are frustrated when justice doesn’t take place. For example, we don’t like the lack of ...read more

Scripture: John 2:15-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Personal Revelations Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 17, 2013

Paul declares that his teacher was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, also, but the Spirit many teachers to provide us with our personal revelation.

Galatians 1:11-24 "Personal Revelations" INTRODUCTION I'm a history buff, and I enjoy a good, well written biography. Biographies help us see inside the person and enable us to begin to understand why that person did or said what is recorded in history. Today's text is a brief autobiography ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Only Grace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 17, 2013

Many claim to have the truth, but Paul proclaims that there is only one “gospel—good news” and that is God’s love and grace in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Galatians 1:1-12 “Only Grace” INTRODUCTION One of the greatest movies of all time—at least for the critics—is “The Wizard of Oz.” We all know the story of Dorothy and Todo, her dog, who want to get home to Kansas. They are joined by a scarecrow who wants a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The Next Chapter Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 17, 2013

The church engages the world empowered and informed by the Holy Spirit.

John 16:12-25 "The Next Chapter" INTRODUCTION Today is Trinity Sunday. It is a time when we contemplate and attempt to understand to a greater degree the God whom we worship. Often it is a rather boring Sunday as pastors around the world attempt to explain the Trinity. "The trinity is ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Unity Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 23, 2013

Unity is not formed from agreement, but from love and forgiveness.

John 17:20-26 “Unity” INTRODUCTION The words contained in today’s lesson are some of the most troubling Jesus ever spoke. We think we understand Jesus’ parables, like the Parable of the Sower, or the Parable of the Prodigal Son.” The significance of “Come ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

A Humble Walk Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 23, 2013

The journey of faith is not necessarily a walk of holiness, but rather a walk of humility.

Luke 18:9-14 “A Humble Walk” INTRODUCTION Christians have a saying among ourselves, “Please be patient, God isn’t through with me, yet.” This saying is talking about the Holy Spirit’s ongoing process of shaping us into the image of God, or as theologians ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Lutheran

All One Family Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 23, 2013

Though different and unique, the people of God’s family are united by one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.

Acts 15:1-17 “All One Family” INTRODUCTION There are times when it is rather easy to tell that people are in different groups. For example, it is usually easy to tell a diet/exercise fanatic from a couch potato. We can have a hand inspection and probably tell who’s a blue ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Squabbles Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 13, 2013

Even though saved, long held prejudices and human selfishness threatens division among the early Christians.

Acts 6:1-14, 7:47-60 “Squabbles” INTRODUCTION One of the things we crave most in life is power. We want power to make our own decisions, and power to determine our own goals and our path through life. The struggle for power can be seen in the arguments parents have with children ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran