In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 534

A Different Path

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 11, 2019

By faith, we walk a different path.

INTRODUCTION For the past several weeks, we have been working with the idea that the Kingdom of God is not some future place to spend eternity, but rather is right here and now. Jesus’ words to those who came to hear him teach were, “Repent and believe for the Kingdom of God has come.” This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-14, Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Ancestors

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 29, 2018

Throughout the history of the Israelites, God has moved to fulfill God’s promises.

Matthew 1:1-17 “Ancestors” INTRODUCTION There is great interest in our ancestry. Tens of thousands of people are researching their family histories and genealogical records in order to find out more about their families, their relatives and themselves. DNA scans are also popular as we, who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

A Way Of Life

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 29, 2018

Observing and grieved by injustice and suffering, the prophet realizes that faith is a way of life and not an answer.

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:2-4; 3:17-19 “A Way of Life” INTRODUCTION Today we enter the season of Advent. It is a time of preparation—for two arrivals. We first are preparing for the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. This first arrival happened over two thousand years ago. The second ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, Habakkuk 2:2-4, Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Peace Shall Reign

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 19, 2018

In the face of danger, Isaiah proclaims that there will come a time when peace will reign and swords shall be beaten into plowshares

INTRODUCTION Life is lived in paradox. When writing about Christian liberty, Martin Luther identified a striking paradox. He wrote, “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all.” We daily live in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 36:1-20, Isaiah 37:1-7, Isaiah 2:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

A Humble Walk

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 12, 2018

God desires justice, kindness and humility in the lives of God’s people

Micah 5:2-5, 6:6-8 “A Humble Walk” INTRODUCTION The world of the people to whom the prophet Micah spoke was in shambles. Jerusalem was under siege. The rulers were self-serving and corrupt. They were forsaking the Lord and causing the people to seek other gods and worship idols. There was no ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5, Micah 6:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Foreigners

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 5, 2018

God actions graciously in the life of a foreigner, Naaman, and heals him.

2 Kings 5:1-15a “Foreigners” INTRODUCTION When meeting new people, it doesn’t take too long before we know what work they are (or were) involved in and what they have accomplished. If their golf handicap is below fifteen, we probably know that, too. It’s the way of the world. We are judged ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

The Good Gift

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 29, 2018

Solomon asks for the gift of wisdom so that he can rule justly and righteously over his people.

INTRODUCTION Today is Reformation Sunday. This is a Sunday when we celebrate the work and lives of Martin Luther and other reformers—saints of the Church. It is also a time when we celebrate the reforming work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in our lives. The Holy Spirit is constantly moving. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:4-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Convicted

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 22, 2018

David is a man after God’s own heart, yet he commits a terrible sin. God moves in David’s life—judging, punishing and forgiving him.

2 Samuel 12:1-9 “Convicted” INTRODUCTION When my dad retired, my mother decided to open a day care business. I remember one of the couples who left their child for my mother to care for instructed her never to say “No,” to their child. She was to divert his attention if he was doing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

A Cliffhanger

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 1, 2018

It appears that the end is near with the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian Army fast approaching from the rear. At the last moment God acts and the sea parts.

Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29 “A Cliffhanger” INTRODUCTION Our journeys of faith have many aspects to them. • God’s declaration of steadfast love and our experience of God’s overwhelming grace and unconditional forgiveness. • God’s presence, comfort, strength and hope in our times of trials ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:5-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Called

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 17, 2018

God reveals himself to Abram and Sarai and calls them to follow him and become a great nation.

Genesis 12:1-9 “Called” INTRODUCTION Have you ever experienced God speaking to you? I’ve seen some husbands nudge their wives during my sermons and say something like, “Myrtle, have you been talking to the pastor?” After the worship service, they will come up to me and compliment me by ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Walking In The Light

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 2, 2018

Experiencing God’s love and forgiveness we walk in the light with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

INTRODUCTION What is the result of encountering the God of Light, the God in whom no darkness dwells? This was a burning question for those early followers of “The Way.” They realized that being a Christian involved more than merely giving intellectual accent to a theological doctrine. Loving ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Gift Of Rest

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 11, 2018

We respond to God’s grace and nurture our relationship with God by observing a day of rest. The world can get along without our involvement (for a day).

Exodus 20:3-11 “The Gift of Rest” INTRODUCTION We have a problem. A lack of sleep among the U.S. workforce is costing approximately $411 billion and losing 1.2 million working days per year, a new study has found. The study also found that that a person who sleeps on average less than six ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

May The Circle Be Unbroken

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 6, 2018

Paul is imprisoned, yet he is thankful. He doesn’t glory in his circumstances, but he does celebrate the relationship that he has with the Christians in Philippi and their partnership in the gospel with him. We too can celebrate this partnership.

Philippians 1:1-18a. “May the Circle be Unbroken” INTRODUCTION The focus of our attention changes this week from the Book of Acts to Paul’s letter to the Philippians. With that change of focus comes a change of topics. In the Book of Acts we were focused on the work of the Holy Spirit in and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Something To Sing About

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 6, 2018

Paul and Silas are imprisoned because of their witness. Facing dire circumstances they break out in song and amazing things happen.

Acts 16:16-34 “Something to Sing About” INTRODUCTION Power comes in many shapes and forms. There is the raw horrendous power of an atomic explosion. In contrast to such power is the group power of civil disobedience, which we witnessed in Gandhi’s fight for India’s independence, and Martin ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Deceptive Looks

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 17, 2018

Jesus enters Jerusalem as the Messiah—King of the Jews. Kings hate other kings coming onto their turf. The king is crucified—a messenger of love and a victim of hate. In the process, what looks good turns out bad and what appears to be bad becomes good.

INTRODUCTION There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" A week later, the horse ...read more

Scripture: John 19

Denomination: Lutheran