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Chris Tiller
Contributing sermons since Oct 18, 2005
Newest Sermons
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The Wonder Of It All
Contributed on Jan 3, 2006
God has come to you in a way you can see…in a way you can touch…in a way you can understand. God has come, not to overwhelm you with terror, but to reach out to you with gentleness. Come see the baby. He will show you the way.
Outside of Bethlehem, every night of the year, for thousands of years, there have been shepherds watching their flocks by night. In that respect, this particular night was no different from any other. At least, it started out no different from any other. Sheep huddled in the cold night air. ...read more
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Recognition
Contributed on Dec 20, 2005
Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus immediately to be the promised Redeemer. How did they recognize him? What can we learn from their recognition of him?
The very first time John the Baptizer encountered Jesus the Messiah, he recognized him. John was six months in the womb of his mother Elizabeth at the time. Jesus was a mere flicker of cells in Mary’s womb. Do you remember the story? It was the angel Gabriel who gave Mary the news. “Do not ...read more
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More Than Just A Healing
Contributed on Dec 16, 2005
The account of the ten lepers: Grace was extended equally to all ten, but in only one did that grace bring a response of faith. With wild abandon, and gratitude, and excitement, he turned from going through the motions and fell at Jesus’ feet.
Some texts are just too obvious. Ten lepers were cleansed. One came back and said thanks. Nine did not. The one was commended. The nine were scolded in absentia. Ah...it’s important to write thank-you notes. My mama, your mama, and Miss Manners would be pleased. End of ...read more
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Let's Make A Deal
Contributed on Dec 14, 2005
Parable of the dishonest manager: The Kingdom of God works on different principles than we’re used to. Efficiency, practicality, and self-interest are not the core values of the Kingdom. God expects a lot more for us (and from us) than we expect him to.
There was a rich man. This man was so rich that he didn’t make his own bed. He had a personal maid who did that. He didn’t make his own dinner. He had a personal chef who did that. He didn’t drive his own car. He had a chauffeur who did that. He didn’t balance his own checkbook. He had a ...read more
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Much Grace Was Upon Them All
Contributed on Dec 14, 2005
First, Jesus is alive. Really alive. Abundantly alive. Second, because Jesus is alive, a new community of people is formed-—people who demonstrate the reality and power of the risen Christ in their life together. Real life. Abundant life.
When Jesus walked the earth—teaching, and preaching, and healing—-strange things happened. Not strange as in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. More like strange as in counter-intuitive. Strange as in turning upside-down what everyone knew to be true about how the world worked—what was important and ...read more
Newest Sermon Illustrations
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Source: Gonzalez, Justo, The Story Of ...
Contributed on Nov 15, 2005
(Source: Gonzalez, Justo, The Story of Christianity, Volume 1, HarperSanFrancisco, 1984.) In the year 155 A.D., Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna was arrested. The proconsul tried to persuade him to recant and save himself. Surely given his advanced age it would be better for him to avoid torture ...read more
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Jesus Says In His Society There Is A New Way For ...
Contributed on Nov 15, 2005
“Jesus says in his society there is a new way for [people] to live: you show wisdom, by trusting people; you handle leadership, by serving; you handle offenders, by forgiving; you handle money, by sharing; you handle enemies, by loving; and you handle violence, by suffering. In fact, you ...read more