Contributors
  • R. David Reynolds

    Contributing sermons since Jul 20, 2003
R. David's church

Chatsworth and Forrest United Methodist Churches
Marion, Illinois 62959-5907
618-364-0221

About R. David
  • Education: Marion (Illinois) High School, 1966 A. B. Asbury Collge, 1970 MDiv. Asbury Theological Seminary, 1970
  • Experience: I have served Churches in the former Southern Illinois Annual Conference and now the Illiois Great Rivers Annual Conference since June of 1973. It was my joy to serve for seven years as the chairperson of our Annual Conference’s Committee on Annual Conference Sessions whose ministry is to assist our Bishop in planning Annual conference each year. Liz and I love leading music as music directors in our local Emmaus Community, and I currently serve the Central Illinois Emmaus Community as the Ass
  • Comment to those looking at my sermons: I always feel closest to Jesus during the time of preparing sermons. If these can benefit other brothers and sisters in the ministry and be used in other places in any way for the glory of God and the building of His Kingdom, you are welcome to use them in your own ministry and sermon preparation.
  • Sermon or series that made a difference: While I was in College and Seminary at Asbury in Wilmore, Kentucky, the sermons of Dr. David Seamands, Pastor of the Wilmore, Kentucky, United Methodist Church, and of Dr. Dennis Kinlaw, President of Asbury College always touched my heart. I remember one sermon by Dr. Seamands in particular entitled "For Your Camels Also," based on the text from Genesis 24 that made a lasting impression. In February of 2004 at the Asbury Seminary Ministry Conference Dr. Dennis Kinlaw preached a message at the
  • One of my favorite illustrations: “In CONSPIRACY OF KINDNESS, Steve Sjogren (pronounced “SHOW-GREN”) tells the true story of Joe Delaney and his eight-year-old son, Jared, who were playing catch in their backyard. “Jared asked, ‘Dad, is there a God?’ “Joe replied that he went to church only a few times when he was a kid; he really had no idea. “Jared ran into the house. ‘I’ll be right back!’ he yelled. “Moments later he returned with a helium balloon from the circus, a pen, and an index card. ‘I’m going to send God an airmai
  • Family: I have been married to the former Eliazabeth Ann Bluff from Sparta, Illinois, since September 28, 1974. Liz is a 1968 graduate of Sparta, Illinois, High School, and a 1972 graduate of Greenville (Il.) College. We have two sons Justin Daniel, born on May 16, 1977, and Shane Anthony, born on January 4, 1982. Justin is the Father of our graddaughter Sheila Renee, born on November 7, 1996, and Shane is the Father of our grandson Tristin Michael, born on February 26, 2004.
  • What my parents think of my sermons: My Dad went to be with Jesus in 1987 and my Mom in 1998. They were always so supportive of my preaching and my ministry. I thank God every day that they made it possible for me to attend a Christian College and Seminary at Asbury.
  • What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She is my biggest supporter and critic, but above that she is absolutely my "best friend" next to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
  • Best advice given to me about preaching: I have always appreciated the quote that comes, I believe, from Phillips Brooks, "Preaching is the communication of Truth through persoanlity." It is so awesome and encouraging to be assured that the Holy Spirit can somehow communicate the truth of Jesus through my personality.
  • Books that have had an impact: John Wesley, A PLAIN ACCOUNT OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION David A. Seamands, THE HEALING OF DAMAGED EMOTIONS Ed Robb, THE SPIRIT THAT WILL NOT BE TAMED Kenneth Kinghorn, SPIRITUAL GIFTS Haddon W. Robinson, BIBLICAL PREACHING
  • Hobbies: Running and music. I began running in the summer of 1968 on the original Kenneth Cooper Aerobics program. Since September 18, 1978, I have logged a total distance of 28,660 miles. Running for me is a deeply spiritual experience and time for communion with the Lord as well as a good means for trying to keep physically fit. Our whole family loves music. I am a keyboardist and have enjoyed directing Church choirs throughout my ministry as well.
  • If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: "Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith."
  • Something funny that happened while preaching: I was serving as pastor of the Beulah United Methodist Church in rural Sumner, Illinois, in the early 1980s. On a Sunday Morning in August it was the closing service of our Fall Revival. As our song evangelist had to leave after the Saturday evening service, I asked a family of young sisters "The Bennett Sisters" to provide a ministry of music just prior to our evngelist’s closing message. I had asked them to sing a song they had done on several other occasions entitle "I’m Standing on the So
  • What I want on my tombstone: II Timothy 4:7
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Newest Sermons

  • So You Think You Have It Bad?

    Contributed on May 25, 2008
    based on 4 ratings
     | 9,061 views

    Rather than observe this service on All Saints Sunday in November, we always hold a Memorial Service honoring the memory of all the saints from our Church Family on Memorial Day Sunday in May each year. This sermon was for this occasion in May 2008.

    So You Think You Have It Bad? --Job 19:25-27 Today we honor the memory of those who were part of our Church family or recipients of the ministry of our Church that God has called home within the past year. It is a time to remember and honor those who were loyal to God and His Kingdom, but are ...read more

  • The Deadly Sin Of Sloth

    Contributed on Mar 30, 2008
    based on 15 ratings
     | 12,330 views

    This is the final message in the series on The Seven Deadly Sins with the thesis that God’s ministry is never to be done slothfully by His people.

    The Deadly Sin of Sloth --Proverbs 6:6-11 and Mathew 25:14-30 James S. Hewett, former pastor of Saratoga, California’s Presbyterian Church, tells this story: “A class of high school sophomores had been assigned a term paper. Now the day of reckoning had come, the papers were due. The ...read more

  • Since By Man Came Death

    Contributed on Mar 23, 2008
    based on 6 ratings
     | 4,765 views

    The message of Easter is that Jeus has won the victory over sin and death and His victory can be ours as well.

    Since by Man Came Death --I Corinthians 15:21-22 Writing in The Christian Reader, Laura Conklin shares a family story. “My husband and I home school our two children, Seth and Glenna. One day, the lesson was on opposites. “Glenna, who was six at the time, was being quizzed. I would say a ...read more

  • The Deadly Sin Of Anger--Part Two

    Contributed on Mar 10, 2008
    based on 4 ratings
     | 3,909 views

    The second of two messages on anger in this series, this message deals with constructive anger and the need to let go of the anger that leads to grudges, bitterness, and sin through repentance and forgiveness.

    The Deadly Sin of Anger—Part Two --Ephesians 4:26-5:2 During Christmas Break of my junior and senior years at Asbury College and the summer before that senior year, I had the privilege of working for my good friends from my home Church V. G. and Mary Buckner at their Gospel Bookstore in ...read more

  • The Deadly Sin Of Anger--Part One

    Contributed on Mar 5, 2008
    based on 8 ratings
     | 7,184 views

    When wronged or hurt by someone we are often tempted to lash out in vicious anger seeking revenge.

    The Deadly Sin of Anger --Matthew 5:21-26; Romans 12:14-21; Ephesians 4:31-5:2 Peter Johnson related this story in the April 14, 1988, issue of USA TODAY. “Have you ever noticed that sometimes we get angry and remain bitter with people and actually forget why we’re so upset? Take, for ...read more

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  • Since At Least January Of 2008, We Have All Seen ...

    Contributed on May 25, 2008
     | 1,919 views

    Since at least January of 2008, we have all seen daily television commercials for the annual "Avon Walk for Breast Cancer." One young lady, walking in memory of her Mother, who was a breast cancer victim, laments, "I really didn't have any say so about my Mother's death, walking in her memory ...read more

  • Jesus Has Gone Before Us. In The Words Of John ...

    Contributed on May 25, 2008
     | 1,913 views

    "Jesus has gone before us. In the words of John 13:1, He has made the crossing from this world toward the father and summons us to come after Him. We will do this definitively when, at the hour of our death, we will have to summon up whatever resources we have in order to cast ourselves into the ...read more

  • Writing In Leadership Magazine, Bernabe Spivey ...

    Contributed on Mar 30, 2008
    based on 1 rating
     | 2,618 views

    Writing in LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE, Bernabe Spivey relates this incident: “Going down some old cement steps, I noticed an ant carrying a leaf on its back. The leave was many times bigger than the ant. Then the ant came to a big crack in the cement that it couldn’t cross. The ant stopped a moment. ...read more

  • James S. Hewett, Former Pastor Of Saratoga, ...

    Contributed on Mar 30, 2008
    based on 1 rating
     | 3,868 views

    James S. Hewett, former pastor of Saratoga, California’s Presbyterian Church, tells this story: “A class of high school sophomores had been assigned a term paper. Now the day of reckoning had come, the papers were due. The teacher knew that a particular student, named Gene, had not been working ...read more

  • In His Alpha Talk "What About The Church," Nicky ...

    Contributed on Mar 30, 2008
    based on 3 ratings
     | 2,325 views

    In his Alpha Talk “What About the Church,” Nicky Gumbel tells this story about John Wimber, the founding pastor of the Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship and the Worldwide Vineyard Movement: “John Wimber was once approached by a member of his congregation who had met somebody in great need. ...read more