In Sermons: showing 91-105 of 534

Giving Thanks Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 4, 2015

God has moved mightily and lovingly in our lives. We have much for which to be thankful

Psalm 40:1-10 "Giving Thanks" INTRODUCTION I'm a "Star Wars" fan. In addition to the special effects and the good versus evil plot, I really like the relationship between Yoda and Luke Skywalker. We have the personification of wisdom and the struggle of a student to become wise. In essence, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

In God's Hands Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 4, 2015

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we can live confidently and boldly knowing that God holds us in the palm of God's hand.

Psalm 27:1-6 “In God’s Hands” INTRODUCTION Today is one of two Sundays when we celebrate parenthood and family, as a nation. I have to agree with the thoughts expressed on the short video that we viewed that parenting is the greatest privilege one could have. I realize ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

A Life Of Praise Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 9, 2015

Living in a relationship with a God who is present and powerful results in lives of thankfulness and praise.

Psalm 113:1-9 “A Life of Praise” INTRODUCTION As most of you know, I’m not a big sports fan, especially of professional sports both college and pro leagues. My mother was a huge sports fan and my sons are fans, but the gene skipped a generation when it came to me. As a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 113:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Living The Bold Life Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 9, 2015

Our words and actions have consequences for both ourselves and others.

Psalms 1:1-6 “Living the Bold Life” INTRODUCTION The 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 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Empowered Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 9, 2015

Our ability to face life with the courage to be victorious comes to us from the Holy Spirit and God's steadfast and inseparable love.

Romans 8:26-39 “Empowered” INTRODUCTION Today is the Day of Pentecost. It is the birthday of the Church and the celebration of God’s gift of the Holy Spirit—God’s presence in our lives. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit that allows Paul to say that we are more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Simple Trust Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 22, 2015

God has moved powerfully in human history and in our lives. In response, we are invited to simply trust in what God has already done.

Romans 1:1-17 “Simple Trust” INTRODUCTION There are times when we are forced to go to the very core of our being in order to rediscover ore reaffirm who we are as individuals. The young man in this video reaffirmed that he was a “good” boy and that he wasn’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Boundless Love Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 22, 2015

God's love knows no bounds. It is capable of touching every life and every situation.

Romans 5:1-11 "Boundless Love" INTRODUCTION What do you do after you have been set free? I heard a story several times about how the circus trains elephants to stay in captivity. I do not know if the story is true or not. As I understand the elephant trainers begin when the elephant is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Simple Trust Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 5, 2015

God has moved powerfully in human history and in our lives. In response, we are invited to simply trust in what God has already done.

Romans 1:1-17 “Simple Trust” INTRODUCTION There are times when we are forced to go to the very core of our being in order to rediscover ore reaffirm who we are as individuals. The young man in this video reaffirmed that he was a “good” boy and that he wasn’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Expanding The Boundaries Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 5, 2015

"Paul begins is ministry and those who have walked in darkness begin to see a great light. God's Kingdom is expanding.

Acts 13:1-3, 14:8-18 “Expanding the Boundaries” INTRODUCTION May is soon upon us, the month of graduations and new chapters in the lives of people. Walking across the stage and receiving a diploma or degree is the end of years of effort. It is also the beginning as the graduates ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Vision Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 21, 2015

Peter's vision reveals that all people from every nation are acceptable in God's Kingdom

Acts 10:1-17, 34-35 “The Vision” INTRODUCTION Recently a relative visited us for a few days this past year. She’d been to Surprise a few years ago and she was astonished at how Surprised had changed. Surprise had to change in order to accommodate increased population and a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Commissioned Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 17, 2015

God's Kingdom has come. The world has changed and Jesus commissions his disciples to go far and wide to tell others the good news.

Matthew 28:16-20 “Commissioned” INTRODUCTION At the Sunday school that I attended each month we would have a “Missionary Sunday.” Missionaries who were on furlough would come and speak to us about their adventures. I was entranced by their stories. What really amazed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Bumping Into Jesus Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 7, 2015

The experience that the women have at the tomb--their encounter with Jesus-- turns their mourning into dancing and transforms their lives forever.

Matthew 28:1-10 “Bumping into Jesus” INTRODUCTION Have you ever had the experience of bumping into an old acquaintance who you never thought you’d ever bump into? That happened to Faye and me one time when our family went to a Twins game in Minneapolis with my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

The Question Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 7, 2015

Jesus cries out from the cross, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" He dies alone and forsaken so that we may never be.

Matthew 27:27-61 "The Question" INTRODUCTION We have come to the end of Holy Week. Since Palm Sunday, the tension between Jesus and both the religious and political authorities has built up. It came to a head on Thursday night when Judas betrayed Jesus, Jesus was arrested and after a fake ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 27:27-61

Denomination: Lutheran

Confrontation Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 31, 2015

Jesus confronts the world's powers with the truth of God's Kingdom. As at his birth, the results are fear and violence.

Matthew 21:1-13 “Confrontation” INTRODUCTION We all have our fits of anger even the most mild mannered and calm among us. We may stomp out of the room and slam the door behind us, or yell and pound the table. Some of us may pout, or do the passive aggressive thing of saying ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Turning The Tables Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2015

The path to meet Jesus may come as a surprise to some. Instead of being cloaked in robes of religion, Jesus is clothed in rags of need.

Matthew 25:31-46 “Turning the Tables” INTRODUCTION Whether in high school or college most of us have had the joy of taking a “final.” We studied hard for the final, because a large percentage of our grade was determined by this one test. More than a few all-nighters ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Lutheran