In Sermons: showing 361-375 of 534

God's Watchful Eye Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 5, 2008

Not only does our help come from the Lord, but the Lord is alsokeeping a watchful eye upon us. We are never out of God’s care.

Psalm 121:1-8 “God’s Watchful Eye” INTRODUCTION While traveling up to Jerome the other day, my mind wandered and I began to think what it must have been like traveling though the area as a pioneer. It must have been a daunting adventure. Certainly the trip that now takes us two hours must ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

A Merciful God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 28, 2008

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect--God knows us better than that. God does encourage us, though, to acknowledge our sin, seek to turn away from our rebelliousness, and received God’s forgiveness.

Psalm 51:1-19 “A Merciful God” INTRODUCTION For decades, the church has focused on sin. Preachers appear to have taken delight in telling the members of their congregation how bad and sinful they were. The theme seemed to be, “If it felt good, then it had to be bad.” Congregational members ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Lutheran

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 23, 2008

God is not only a fortress and a refuge. God is the only effective fortress and refuge for us as we face the challenges of life and take seriously the call to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 46:1-11 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” INTRODUCTION One of the most popular reformation hymns was based on the words of this psalm. Martin Luther combined the thoughts of this psalm with a popular beer drinking song and wrote the powerful hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” The hymn ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

An Amazing God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 16, 2008

There are times when God seems distant and hidden to us. The psalmist reminds us of God’s greatness and where we can experience God’s presence in our lives.

Psalm 19:1-14 “An Amazing God” INTRODUCTION As a child, I loved to play the game, “Hide and Seek.” I would spend entire summer afternoons hiding and seeking with five or six of the kids in my neighborhood. I gave up the game when I grew older, but I now find myself increasingly occupied with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Blessed By God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 1, 2008

God wants us to experience an abundant, blessed, happy life. The Psalmist gives us direction on how we can be open to God’s blessings in our lives and be like trees planted by water.

Psalms 1:1-6     “Blessed by God”INTRODUCTIONThe Bible often talks about joy and happiness. Jesus talks about being happy, or blessed, in the Sermon on the Mount. One of the fruits of the Spirit that Paul lists in his letter to the Galatians is “joy.” Psalms, like this psalm, talk about being ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Remember Your Potential Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2008

We have great potential. We are God’s children, empowered by the Holy Spirit, equiped with specific gifts and talents to change the world (one life at a time) for Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 21:1-11 “Remember Your Potential” INTRODUCTION I’m not a fan of class “B” slasher films. I don’t like the blood and gore, but I have to laugh at the unimaginative scenario that they have for eliminating many of the innocent characters. Usually it is a dark and stormy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Renew Your Love Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 6, 2008

While serving others and bearing witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is vital that we keep our love for God fresh and vibrant.

Revelations 2:2-5, Mark 1:11 “Renew Your Love” INTRODUCTION Faye and I grew up in a time when standard equipment on cars included bench seats. A bench seat was one continuous seat in the front. It was atrocious in terms of safety, but it sure beat bucket seats when you were on a date. The ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:2-5

Denomination: Lutheran

Redefine Your Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 6, 2008

Faith is a verb; it is action. The gospel proclaims that we are saved by grace and not by works. Still, we are saved for good works and service

Ephesians 28-10, James 2:14-17 “Redefine Your Faith” INTRODUCTION The message of God’s grace is unique to the Christian gospel. Other religions have saviors that were born of virgins, incarnate gods, and rose from the dead, but only Christianity boldly proclaims that God did all of this as a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Reassign Your Resources Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 6, 2008

It is impossible to love from afar. Christians are called to share their blessings and get "down and dirty" in their sharing of the gospel and their service of others.

Much of the content of this sermon was taken from a sample sermon by Rick Rusaw, author of "Living a Life on Loan" Standared Publishing Luke 10:27-37, Matthew 25:14-30 “Reassign Your Resources” INTRODUCTION We are people who have been created, loved, forgiven and called by God. God has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:27-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Reexamine You Values Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 19, 2008

A second step, as we begin to live our lives on loan, is to reexamine our values. Are the values that determine how we live our lives in line with the teachings of Jesus?

1 John 4:11-12, Isaiah 32:5-8, Luke 7:36-44 “Reexamine Your Values” INTRODUCTION It was rush hour. The woman was late for an important appointment. She cursed the drivers around her as she weaved in and out of lanes. When a car wedged in front of her, she laid on the horn and flipped the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Who Are You Really Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 13, 2008

One of the first steps in understanding how we are to respond to God’s grace it to discover who we are and what God has done for us.

Psalm 139:1-4, 13-18 “Who Are You, Really” INTRODUCTION We are going to begin something new. Isn’t that exciting! I’ve always enjoyed beginning a new class or starting a new activity, even though I knew it was going to take work and determination. I’ve anticipated the change and the benefits ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

The Church For Everyone Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 4, 2008

Christians are called to be witnesses to the ends of the earth and to make disciples of all nations. No person or group of people is excluded from God’s love and God’s desire to have them participate in God’s kingdom.

Acts 10:1-23 “A Community for Everyone” INTRODUCTION We conclude our examination of the early Church and the early Christians this Sunday. Our brief study has been both exciting and empowering. We have discovered what the mission and purpose of the church is. We have learned how to maintain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

The Church Witnesses In Words And Actions Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 4, 2008

The church carries out its calling to be witnesses to the ends of the earth through the gifts and talents of Christ’s disciples in everyday situatiosn in life.

Acts 3:1-16 “The Church Witnesses in Words and Actions” INTRODUCTION We continue on our path of discovery. Our goal is to gain greater insight and understanding about the Church, by studying the early Christians who are portrayed in the Book of Acts. So far we have learned that the early ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

A Church In Training Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 14, 2008

From the early Christians, we see what it means to be transformed by the cross of Christ and the filling of the Holy Spirit. These Christians adopted a life style of spiritual discipline and generosity and are examples to us today.

Acts 2:42-47 “A Church in Training” INTRODUCTION The United States is a nation that is out of shape. • 58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese • Eight out of 10 over 25’s Overweight • 78% of American’s not meeting basic activity level recommendations • 25% ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Lutheran

Commissioned And Empowered Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 14, 2008

Jesus commissioned his disciples to be his witnesses and make disciples to the ends of the earth. To fulfill this awesome calling God gave the church the Holy Spirit. This is who we are.

Acts 1:6-11, 2:1-4 “Commissioned and Empowered INTRODUCTION What comes to you mind, when you think of the word, “church.” Some people might imagine white clapboard buildings sitting on the prairie, or pot luck dinners with Jell-o. Other people might remember Sunday School Christmas Pageants, ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran