In Sermons: showing 76-90 of 312

Living In Mission

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 13, 2014

Because of the sacrifice that Christ has made for us, we can do no less than to sacrifice for others through mission.

As Christians, a lot is expected of us. Our identity is grounded in our belief, our faith in God the Creator, his saving Son Jesus Christ, and the empowering Holy Spirit. But being a Christian requires more than simple affirmation. We have to conduct our lives according to those beliefs. We must ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40

Denomination: United Methodist

We Live For The Lord Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Aug 6, 2014

Among those who are called and claimed by God, there are a variety of different beliefs and practices, but those differences are secondary. What is of primary importance is living in faith before God.

There’s an old story about a stranger who came into a small town one day and stood in the center of the town square. He had on a very strange coat. It was black, and sewn into it were patches of cloth of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Word quickly spread of this strange visitor, and pretty ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

The Obligation To Love Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jul 30, 2014

The point of love, genuine Christian love, is to copy the self-giving love of Jesus himself. This is a love that is active, extravagant, and enthusiastic.

In his book, Love Does, author Bob Goff shares a particular “coming of age” story. Bob recalls his junior year when he decided he was done with high school. His plan was to move to Yosemite, find work in the valley, and rock climb in his spare time. He took his $75 and packed his meager ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Denomination: United Methodist

At Peace With All Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jul 23, 2014

Here in Romans 12, Paul gives us the keys (sacrifice, transformed life, sharing of gifts, hospitality to strangers, and love) to living at peace with God and with one another.

Show video: “Reflections on the deaths that haunted us…” If that was a secular, or humanitarian reasoning against war and strife, then what we come to in Romans chapter 12 this morning is the spiritual counter to violence and destruction. Keep that clip in mind as you hear now ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Waiting With Hope Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jul 16, 2014

In Christ and through the Holy Spirit, God has tipped the scales in our favor, so that we can overcome even the sufferings of this present life and hope in God's coming glory.

This week, the kids and Grace and Fairview learned about imagining and building with God in the Workshop of Wonders Vacation Bible School. On the first evening of Bible Study at Grace, the kids did a science project where they learned about balance. Using ordinary objects, they built a balance and ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Power To Be Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jul 9, 2014

Beginning with the bold statement, "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." Paul teaches about how living in Christ changes us, taking away the weakness of the flesh and instead clothing us in the power of Christ-likeness.

We come this morning to the heart of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. Of all of Paul’s writings, the words of this one chapter are probably the best known. And the opening sentence of hope is almost beyond compare: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Dealing With The Consequences Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jul 2, 2014

If we ignore the truth of Christ's saving work, then we suffer the consequences of a life mired in sin and death. But if we can remember that we are "in Christ", then we can rest secure in Christ's power to give us life!

We continue this morning our study of Paul’s letter to the Romans. We began a couple of weeks ago with Paul’s sweeping introduction to the letter and his words about Christ’s amazing work on the cross. Paul opened our eyes to see that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was made ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: United Methodist

God Shows Love Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jun 25, 2014

Even at are deepest, darkest, saddest, most unworthy moments of life, God shows God's love to us, and that happens in and through the person and work of God's very own son, Jesus Christ.

Who here wants to be perfect? Is there anybody who doesn’t want to be perfect? We spend a lot of time and energy trying to achieve perfection, don’t we? Women will spend hours in front of a mirror trying to make sure the hair and makeup are perfect, with every blemish covered. Guys will ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

Faith In The God Of All Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jun 18, 2014

The good news of the gospel is offered to all people without distinction, and the only requirement to experiencing the saving grace of God is to believe in the one who made it possible, Jesus Christ!

Perhaps many of you have seen the billboards around advertising the Marines. One ad for the U.S. Marines pictures a sword, and beneath it the words: “Earned, never given.” If you want to become a Marine, you must be prepared to earn that name through sacrifice, hardship, and rigorous ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Co-Mission: On Being One In Mission

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jun 12, 2014

Though we are vastly different, and though we all have weaknesses and hang-ups, we still share a common mission to "make disciples of all nations." This is a commission made by the authority of God, and possible through God's power alone.

There’s a common storyline found in books and movies these days. Usually, it is in the sci-fi genre or dystopian novels, and it goes something like this: some force, whether human or alien, takes over a large bulk of humankind. This takeover may or may not be hostile, but it does not involve ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Unity In Diversity

Contributed by Clair Sauer on May 28, 2014

A sermon for Pentecost Sunday about the uniting power of the Holy Spirit.

We are dealing with a major problem of division in our modern culture. Even if you have your head stuck in a hole, it’s not hard to take notice of the rifts that are popping up in every facet of society. There’s division between rich and poor, between conservative and liberal. We are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:3-13

Denomination: United Methodist

You Are Not Alone

Contributed by Clair Sauer on May 21, 2014

As the disciples face the reality that the One who loved & accepted them unconditionally will soon be leaving, Jesus assures them that his love & acceptance will continue through the Spirit, if they will also love as Christ loves them.

Almost 35 years ago, the NBC news affiliate in Knoxville started a special news segment that ran once a week called, “Monday’s Child.” Every Monday, this unique segment featured the story of a child, usually a little older and usually with some sort of special needs or other ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-21

Denomination: United Methodist

A Place To Hang Your Heart

Contributed by Clair Sauer on May 14, 2014

We talk about home as the "place you hang your hat." We say, "home is where the heart is." But Jesus teaches us that our true home is with God, which means we have to give God our hearts.

Home. It’s a word we tossed around all the time; a word we say all the time. When you hear the word “home,” what comes to mind? When you say the word, “home,” what are you trying to convey? At the end of the work day, we inform our colleagues that we are “going ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: United Methodist

Everything That Has Happened

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Apr 30, 2014

Christ walks with us in every step of our lives, even when we are most down, even when we are not aware of his presence. Christ wants to know all that we have been through and show us that because of all that he has been through, we can have new life!

In the Talmud, a sacred Jewish book that offers rabbinical interpretations of passages from what we call the Old Testament, there is a beautiful story, which I want to share with you this morning. “Rabbi Joshua ben Levi came upon Elijah the prophet while standing at the entrance to a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: United Methodist

Dealing With Doubt

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Apr 23, 2014

Christians deal with doubt everyday, particularly as it relates to the resurrection story. But a look at the way Christ handles the doubt of his followers should be a source of faith.

One of the things many of us preachers enjoy and appreciate is the opportunity to participate in Study Groups that help us prepare our weekly sermons. It is a place to bounce ideas off one another, to share insights and illustrations, to recommend good books and resources for sermon preparation. A ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: United Methodist