In Sermons: showing 301-312 of 312

Sowing The Seeds Of Satisfaction Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Sep 10, 2009

Shaping lives of satisfaction in response to God’s blessings and call to generosity.

I think it is fair to say that we have all experienced restlessness rather frequently in our lives. Sometimes we get restless waiting in line at the grocery store. Or maybe we get restless when we’ve got an appointment and the laundry isn’t quite finished drying. Perhaps we experience ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-8

Denomination: United Methodist

In God We Trust Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Sep 2, 2009

The effects of the current financial crisis are weighing heavy on the lives of many; but we must not allow ourselves to be controlled by fear, because the Scriptures and our faith in God reassure us that we are going to be all right.

Since the middle of the 20th century, every piece of US Currency has printed on it the national motto, “In God We Trust.” Yet how many of us, when we pull a bill out of our wallets to pay a balance due, are gripped not by the confidence borne of faith, but rather by a sense of fear? We find ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: United Methodist

What Do You Say On The First Sunday?

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 29, 2009

Standing at the empty tomb is both an acknowledgment of a difficult past, and a charge to live into the new life offered in Christ Jesus.

Well! Here we are, the moment many of us have been anticipating, or perhaps dreading, or maybe even a little of both for the last few months! No doubt, any expectations that any of us might have had about this day will be somewhat off or maybe even way off, but I pray that the excitement of new ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

We're Only Human

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 29, 2009

Christ expects great things of us, and in Christ, great things are possible if we set our minds on his purposes.

You know, it’s funny the things you think about when you’re moving and getting settled into a new place. One of the things I’ve found myself chuckling about the last few weeks is all the yard sales and flea markets that pop up around the South, particularly in the summer months. There’s nothing ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Wreckless Abandon

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 29, 2009

Our worship of God should be completely authentic; the place in our lives where we give all of ourselves without reservation.

This story of the Israelites moving the Ark of God into the city of Jerusalem is a Bible story that I have always loved. The vivid picture of David dancing with all his might before the Lord is one of the most wonderful glimpses of David’s early reign and his devotion to the Lord as King of God’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-19

Denomination: United Methodist

When I Grow Up, I Want To Be Small

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 29, 2009

Christ’s call to be welcoming extends far beyond the young.

There is a clergy colleague of mine in this district who has two sons. I have known these two boys since they were babies, and since moving to Chattanooga, I have enjoyed playing with them on several occasions. Usually when I encounter the two boys, they have their light sabers in hand and are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: United Methodist

Don't Turn Tail

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 20, 2009

No matter what life throws at us, God has armed and prepared us to stand firm, and when we stand firm, God stands with us.

I’ll just go ahead and admit up front to you that this passage of Scripture has always made me a little nervous. War imagery bothers me. I don’t like fighting. I don’t like the thought of humans being engaged in fatal battle with other humans. The gospel is a gospel of peace, and that’s something I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Mirror, Mirror

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 16, 2009

When we truly see ourselves in the light of Christ, then we cannot help but be changed.

I have always loved sports. As a child, I was involved in several rec sports leagues. I played soccer for a few years. I played tee ball one season, and then I played basketball. I don’t recall that I really had any great intentions of playing basketball; it’s actually kind of funny the way ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: United Methodist

Hell Hath No Fury

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 5, 2009

When we see injustice, we should be inspired to act in compassion, grace, and love as Jesus did.

In New York City this past week a taxi clipped a red Beetle while veering across four lanes of traffic to pick-up a fare. The two drivers got out to examine the damage. The cabbie was a short and rather feeble man; while the Beetle driver could aptly be described as a hulking giant. As the cabbie ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

The Culture Of The Call

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 3, 2009

Discerning our call and living that out in the body of Christ.

One of the wonderful things about Paul’s writings is the fact that they are instructions and exhortations written to the early church, and yet his words to that church are still quite applicable to the modern church. This particular passage from Ephesians addresses a number of matters related to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: United Methodist

The Ultimate Question

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jul 23, 2009

The difference it makes in our lives to say that we truly believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

This Scripture passage from the gospel of John has been my most favorite Bible passage since I was in the seventh grade. I have chosen to share it with you this morning and to reflect on it with you because I love this passage so much, and I thought by sharing it with you that you might learn a bit ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-27

Denomination: United Methodist

Extreme Makeover: Temple Edition

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jul 20, 2009

The “Extreme Makeover: Temple Edition,” as David learned is not about sprucing up the building, it’s about building up the kingdom, God’s kingdom; we must be about the task of justice-bearing, of love-spreading, and of kingdom-building!

Just one week into my seminary career, I found myself in the refectory (that’s the dining hall) one night with a group of five or six other first-year students. Though I hardly knew them at the time, these people became and remain some of my best friends. Since I really didn’t know them all that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-14

Denomination: United Methodist