In Sermons: showing 76-90 of 534

Inserparable Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 19, 2015

God's passionate love for his children; despite their disobedience he cannot give them up.

Hosea 11:1-9 “Inseparable” INTRODUCTION Video “Borning Cry” My mom’s favorite (and perhaps most effective) discipline for poor behavior was having the child sit on a chair in the corner. It was difficult for the child to be excluded or marginalized. When the ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

God Above All Others Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 12, 2015

Elijah calls fire from heaven on Mount Carmel to reveal God's presence and power.

1 Kings 18:20-39 “God Above All Others” INTRODUCTION There’s nothing like a good old, knockdown, drag out fight to get the adrenaline flowing and the heart pumping. It might be a school fight where the student body gathers around to watch to opponents duke it out. Or it may ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Celebrate Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 3, 2015

David becomes king over all Israel. He brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with song making Jerusalem a place of worship.

“Celebrate” 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 6:1-5 INTRODUCTION Today is a day of Celebration. Our scripture reading for today celebrates David’s anointing as king of Israel and his bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Historically this is Reformation Sunday—a day when we ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Finding Family Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 3, 2015

Ruth is a foreigner who finds belonging among God's people. "Where you go I will go, your people will be my people, your God will be my God.

Ruth 1:1-17 “Finding Family” INTRODUCTION Stories are a powerful force in our lives. They do more than merely entertain. Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a powerful, gripping anti-slavery novel that was first published in 1852. It solidified the abolitionist movement. When President ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Where Is God In All Of This?" Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 3, 2015

Rehoboam and the need for servant leadership divide the kingdom. God appears to be distant.

1 Kings 12:1-17, 25-29 “Where’s God in All of This?” INTRODUCTION Today is All Saints Sunday. It is a day that we remember those faithful disciples of Jesus Christ who have gone before us. We celebrate those who have gone before us who have been more than a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:1-29

Denomination: Lutheran

A Pleasing Life Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 12, 2015

In giving us the Ten Commandments, God calls us to love God with all our heart, soul and might.

Deuteronomy 5:1-21, 6:4-9 “A Pleasing Life” INTRODUCTION Multi-tasking is a popular idea in our culture today. The idea that we can accomplish more by doing two, three or four things simultaneously is appealing. There is only one problem, though—experts say it doesn’t ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

On A First Name Basis Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 5, 2015

Israel is in slavery and calls for help. God calls Moses to bring release.

Exodus 1:8-14, 3:1-15 "On a First Name Basis INTRODUCTION One of the greatest figures in the Old Testament is Moses. We have all heard stories about Moses confronting Pharaoh with the ten plagues and splitting the Red Sea. Most of us have viewed movies about Moses ala Charlton Heston and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

The Wrestling Match

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 5, 2015

Jacob wrestles with an angel. He receives the name Israel, for he strives with God.

Genesis 32:22-30 “The Wrestling Match” INTRODUCTION It has been a long time since I have attended a wrestling match. I do remember how exhausted the wrestlers looked after six minutes of wrestling. I can’t imagine what an all-night match would be like. I do know what it ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-30

Denomination: Lutheran

True To His Word Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 5, 2015

The promise of Isaac's birth to an aged Sarah and Abraham brings laughter

Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7 “True to His Word” INTRODUCTION A few weeks ago we talked about faith. From the perspective of Hebrews 11 we learned that faith was “the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. I pointed out that this is not an illogical ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Community And Companionship Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 5, 2015

We have been created for relationships. Adam and Eve were to till the garden and be companions for each other.

Genesis 2:4b-25 “Community and Companionship” INTRODUCTION We just celebrated the groundbreaking for our worship and community center. It was a great day for us—an historic event. In constructing the worship and community center, we are communicating who we are and what we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-25

Denomination: Lutheran

A Life Of Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 12, 2015

Jesus invites us to live lives of faith and as we look to those who have gone before us, we are see examples of lives of faith entail.

INTRODUCTION One of the most profound line spoken in a movie occurred in "The Santa Claus." Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen) is at the North Pole for the first time. He has just been told that he is the new Santa. Scott objects and says, "But what if I don't believe." A wise elf by the name of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Proper Timing Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 28, 2015

Through the ebb and flow of life God is with us.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-17 “Proper Timing” INTRODUCTION Video Clip Ecclesiastes 3, especially verses 1-8, is one of the best known passages of scripture. This probably due, in part, to the popularity of the 1965 release of the song, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” by the Byrds. Most of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Gift Of Wisdom Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 21, 2015

Though more precious than gold, wisdom is not hidden like gold is. Wisdom is all around us and is easily accessible for all who seek it.

Proverbs 8:1-11, 22-26 “The Gift of Wisdom” INTRODUCTION Normally we think that wisdom comes with age, but not always. Sometimes it comes from the mouths of children. · Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.” · Michael, 14, said, “When ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-26

Denomination: Lutheran

In Pursuit Of Wisdom Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 16, 2015

Though more precious than gold, wisdom is not hidden like gold is. Wisdom is all around us and is easily accessible for all who seek it.

Proverbs 1:1-7, 3:1-8. "In Pursuit of Wisdom" INTRODUCTION Sometimes people post pictures on their refrigerator or bathroom mirror in order to help them reach a goal, for which they are striving. A picture of a Tahitian thatched hut might help them save for an exotic Polynesian vacation. A ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Site Of Hope Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 7, 2015

God is the source of our hope and the reason for our praise

Psalm 146:1-10 "The Site of Hope" INTRODUCTION I recently received an email from a former Nigerian royalty, stating that she had decided to give me $22 million. All I needed to do was to deposit $350.00 in a bank account that she identified. This would pay for the bank charges. She would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran