In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 26

Joy In The Journey - A Christmas Sermon

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Dec 31, 2024

As long as we live in this world, our lives are part of a greater journey—a journey of faith, hope, and purpose. When we look closely at the Christmas narrative, we realize that it is also a story of journeys.

Christmas: A Time of Journey When we look closely at the Christmas narrative, we realize that it is also a story of journeys. Every major figure in the story of Christ's birth undertook some form of a journey. The Bible itself is filled with stories of journeys, from beginning to end. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-49

Denomination: Other

Healing And Grace Beyond Pride And Power

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Oct 21, 2024

Pride and Ego can become barriers to blessing.

2 Kings 5:9-14 "So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, 'Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be cleansed.' But Naaman went away angry and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:9-14

Denomination: Other

A Little Maid With A Great Calling

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Oct 21, 2024

This story of the little girl demonstrates that God can use even the most unlikely people and circumstances to fulfill His purposes.

2 Kings 5:1-6 "Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. Now, bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-6

Denomination: Other

Live As Children Of Light

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 27, 2023

Light is just as necessary in our spiritual life as it is in our physical life. In the spiritual realm, darkness means whatever is contrary to the God.

Paul started the chapter saying that the goal of the Christian life is perfect imitation of God. Paul is exhorting the believers in Jesus Christ to "Live as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8) because God is light. The apostle John said that one day, “we shall be like him, because we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8

Denomination: Other

Is There Life After Stress?

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 22, 2023

Stress is part of life. Without stress, there is no life. With burnout on the rise, it’s important now more than ever to manage stress in our personal and professional lives.

What is Stress? Stress is how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened. Distress occurs when stress is severe, prolonged, or both. Distress is stress that negatively affects you and Eustress is stress that has a positive effect on you. Good Stress and Bad Stress Examples of negative ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:7, Genesis 21:12

Denomination: Other

Be Imitators Of God

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 22, 2023

The goal of the Christian life is perfect imitation of God because God is the only one who is perfect. He’s full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God made us to imitate our creator.

The Lent Season is a season of testing our spiritual health and readiness for the end of our life in this world or the second coming of Christ. The annual call to observe a holy Lent by self–examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self–denial; by reading and meditating on God's Holy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

Denomination: Other

Building Each Other Up

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 18, 2023

As a Body of believers, each one of us are responsible for building the Kingdom of God. One important aspect in this process is being actively involved in building one another up.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:9) "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11) As a Body of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ephesians 4:9

Denomination: Other

Lent

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 17, 2023

The Lent Season is a season of testing our spiritual health and readiness for the end of our life in this world or the second coming of Christ.

Lent is the season of forty days (excluding Sundays) leading up to the passion week and Easter. The church calendar starts this season with Ash Wednesday as the start of the Lenten journey of forty weekdays (Monday through Saturday) that takes the church to the eve of Easter. Ash Wednesday ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-16

Denomination: Other

A Watchful Eye

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 6, 2023

"He who watches over you will not slumber" (Psalm 121:3)

The Hubble Space Telescope has taken a number of photos of the Helix Nebula that caught the curiosity of the scientists. Some astronomers describe it as “a trillion-mile-long tunnel of glowing gases.” At its center is a dying star that has ejected dust and gas stretching toward its outer rim. ...read more

Denomination: Other

Ascension And Return

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 6, 2023

"This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

The Miraculous Ascension Jesus is a fulfilled Biblical theme. After Resurrection Sunday, Jesus led the disciples out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven (Luke 24:50-51). Luke began his Gospel with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Denomination: Other

Unity Of The Spirit

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 6, 2023

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)

Lent is a season of reflection on the frailty and vulnerability of human life. The season starts forty days before Easter on a Wednesday, which most churches observe as Ash Wednesday. Some churches have special services on Ash Wednesday and impose ashes on the forehead as a sign of our mortality ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3

Denomination: Other

Speaking The Truth

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 6, 2023

“Speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25)

Four high school boys decided to skip the morning classes. After lunch they showed up at school and reported to the teacher that their car had a flat tire. Much to their relief, the teacher smiled and said, “Well, you missed a quiz this morning, so take your seats and get out a pencil and paper.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-25

Denomination: Other

A Highway In The Desert

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Jul 27, 2022

In the ‘wilderness’ experience of our lives in this world, God establishes a highway, or a way of hope so that those who cannot see a way out might regain their sight of hope.

Sermon: “A Highway in the Desert” Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:3-5 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5

Denomination: Other

Searching For Jesus

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Jan 23, 2021

The story of Joseph and Mary searching for Jesus is an invitation to consider where your are in your journey of faith. If your relationship with God has grown stale, the good news is that Jesus is right where he is supposed to be, just waiting for you to find him.

When Jesus was 12 years old, his parents went to Jerusalem as they did every year at the feast of the Passover. When the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Other

Life Is A Combination Of Contrasts

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Jan 13, 2021

The author, believed to be Solomon, illustrates this truth by comparing the opposites —fourteen pairs of contrasting activities as examples of how life is comprised of contrasting events and seasons.

A new employee had been caught coming in late for work three times and the fourth time the manager decided to discipline him. He said, “Look here! Don’t you know what time we start to work around here? He replied, “No, sir. They’re always working when I get here.” Knowing the time and keeping the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Denomination: Other