In Sermons: showing 346-360 of 534

It Happened Once Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 16, 2008

John proclaims the incarnation in the first chapter of his gospel. In the middle of his proclamation John appears as a man, sent, to witness, so that all might believe. We pick up that ministry today.

John 1: 6-8, 19-28 “It Happened Once” INTRODUCTION There are many perspectives of life. • One group of people sees all of life as happenstance. Things happen for no particular reason, and if there is a god, that god is not actively involved in the everyday situations of life. • Another ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-28

Denomination: Lutheran

A Model To Follow Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 9, 2008

John shows us the model of preparing the way for the coming Savior, but preaching the good news in the wilderness--good news of love, forgiveness, new life and a relationship with God.

Mark 1:1-8 “A Model to Follow” INTRODUCTION The greeting, “Merry Christmas” rings a little hollow this year. Try as we might to joyfully prepare for Christmas and the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we fall short of our goal. Anxiety, fear, depression, and grief describe the mood of the season ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

It's All A Gift Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 1, 2008

All of life is a gift. Christians are invited to celebrate God’s gifts in both good times and bad.

Deuteronomy 8:7-18 “It’s All a Gift” INTRODUCTION One Thanksgiving season a family was seated around their table, looking at the annual holiday bird. From the oldest to the youngest, they were to express their praise. When they came to the 5-year-old in the family, he began by looking at the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:7-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Reading The Times Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 1, 2008

Christians wait and watch for Jesus’ return. We know the season, but we don’t know the time, and we live in the paradox.

Mark 13:24-37 “Reading the Times” INTRODUCTION There is probably not a day that goes by that we don’t wait. We might wait for a train at Bell and Grand, or wait in a line at the grocery store, or twiddle our time away waiting to see a doctor. Waiting is a part of lives, even though none of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Liberating Grace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 27, 2008

Jesus died to make us free. Jesus breaks the shackles of legalism and perfectionism and enables us to live true, authentic lives.

Galatians 5:1-6 “Liberating Grace” INTRODUCTION History is said to repeat itself. When it does, one of the constant truths that it displays is that people have a very difficult time dealing with God’s unconditional love and overwhelming grace. The idea that Jesus Christ died for our sins and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Sustaining Grace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 16, 2008

The Lord moves in our lives and empowers us to live victoriously even in the middle of difficlut times and overwhelming obstacles.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “Sustaining Grace” INTRODUCTION These are troubled times. We thought things couldn’t get any worse as we watched gas prices skyrocket out of sight. We were wrong. The house of cards of a society run on credit and debt is tumbling down. The stock market is the most ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Guilt And Grace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 16, 2008

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are able to experience lives that are free. We are free from guilt and shame--not because we never sin, but because we are forgiven.

Matthew 5:17-30 “Guilt and Grace” INTRODUCTION Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hide, by Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the most popular books of the nineteenth. If you haven’t read the book, you probably have seen the movie. Even if you haven’t seen the movie you know about the twisted and tormented ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Getting Along Together Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 9, 2008

Jesus gives his followers rules for the community to live by. They are good rules as we strive to live our Christian lives together in ministry and fellowship

Matthew 18:15-20 INTRODUCTION For the last several Sundays, we have been seeing examples of great faith and discussing how such faith applies to our lives today. In the story of Jesus beckoning Peter to walk on water, we learned that great faith involves getting out of the boat. The story of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Disciples Of Christ Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 2, 2008

Jesus calls his people to discipleship--the daunting response to his love of denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Jesus.

Matthew 16:21-28 “Disciples of Christ” INTRODUCTION People say shocking things at times. • The famous evangelist, Billy Graham, was shocked at the language used by President Richard Nixon on the infamous “White House Tapes.” Rev Graham had believed that that Nixon was a strong Quaker ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

A Picture Of Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 26, 2008

There are many definitions of fatih, but the woman of this text gives a clear demonstration of what makes great faith. We learn that faith is persistent and always relys upon God’s grace and mercy.

Matthew 15:21-28 “A Picture of Faith” INTRODUCTION What would you say if someone came up to you and asked you to define what “faith” is? Here is a short video clip of what some people said. Faith is difficult to define because it is an abstract concept. It is perhaps easier to describe faith ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Dying To Live Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 14, 2008

Jesus invites us to a great faith than one where we hang on to the sides of the boat for the storm to pass. He invites us to get out of the boat and walk on water.

Matthew 14:22-33 “Dieing to Live” INTRODUCTION The story of Jesus walking on water is a familiar story to most of us. I first heard the story in Sunday School and I remember thinking to myself how neat it would be to be able to walk on water. I really wasn’t very interested in feeding a lot ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Lutheran

The Hand Off Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 23, 2008

Jesus calls his disciples and then sends them out to continue his ministry of preaching, teaching, casting out demons and healing.

Matthew 9:35-10:8 “The Hand Off” INTRODUCTION There are times the people image Jesus traveling around Judea and Galilee in something other than the traditional dress of the time. Instead of a loose fitting coat and sandals they picture Jesus clothed in blue tights, with a red cape and a ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Purpose Of Praise Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 28, 2008

The psalm exhorts everyone and everything to praise the Lord. It forces us to ask the question, "Why is praise important in our lives?"

Psalm 150:1-6 “The Purpose of Praise” INTRODUCTION The psalm today exhorts us to praise God. This is a simple command, but it is an exhortation that may inspire questions. We may ask, “What is praise?” Is it something more than a compliment? We may also ask, “Why should we praise?” What does ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 150:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

The God Of History Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 19, 2008

Israel looked back on their history and sawGod’s hand. We can look back on our lives and se God moving in ways that we did not know at the time. Such hind sight inspires praise and thanksgiving.

Psalm 136:1-26 “The God of History” INTRODUCTION One of the most powerful witnesses that we have, as Christians, is a life lived with thankfulness. I believe this is one of the reasons why the Bible is resplendent with exhortations and invitations to be thankful—Psalm 136 being one such ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 136:1-26

Denomination: Lutheran

The Breath Of God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 14, 2008

The parable of the ballon illustrates what life in the Spirit is like, and remindes us why the Church was given the Holy Spirit

John 20:19-23 “The Breath of God” INTRODUCTION Today is a once in a life time experience. Never before has Pentecost fallen on the same Sunday as Mother’s Day. The possibility of it happening again will not occur for well over one hundred years. The gift of the Holy Spirit came during the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Lutheran