In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 407

Nurturing Your Next Pastor

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 25, 2024

Shortly before welcoming a new minister, a seasoned minister and friend of the congregation might come and help prepare the church for this new chapter in their history, explaining the role of ministry and how to care for their pastor.

It will be exciting to welcome your new Pastor! How you view pastoral ministry has been influenced by all the ministers you’ve known. We see ministry through the lens of past experiences, good and bad. Hopefully we see ministry through the teachings of Scripture. My aim is to offer some advice ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

The General And The Servant Girl

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 23, 2024

We’re told that “Cleanliness is next to Godliness;” a bit of an overstatement, but it got generations of kids to wash their hands before dinner.

We’re told that “Cleanliness is next to Godliness;” a bit of an overstatement, but it got generations of kids to wash their hands before dinner. By the way, this saying is from John Wesley, not the Bible. “Wash me and I will be whiter than snow,” king David prayed (Ps 51:7). Spiritual ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Congregational

Angels On Duty

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 4, 2024

With all the books, TV shows and movies featuring angels, and how they’re depicted in art, you’d think we knew a lot about them. Actually, we have a lot to unlearn from popular culture.

Billy Graham relayed an incident at New Hebrides, an island group in the South Pacific: One night, the headquarters of missionary John Paton was surrounded by a hostile indigenous tribe intent on violence. Paton and his wife prayed for deliverance. When daylight came, the would-be attackers were ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

What Prayer Isn't

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 11, 2023

Even though we pray, we may wonder at times: “Why do I pray? What does it accomplish?” Along the way, we may pick up some misperceptions. I want to talk about what prayer isn’t.

The widow of the parable was pretty frustrated. In the Army, if soldiers feel they’ve been treated unfairly, they have several options: They can use their chain-of-command, see the Chaplain, contact Equal Opportunity, call the Inspector General’s office, or even write their Senator. We have the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Congregational

"we're All One Family"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 15, 2023

Prejudice is a social evil present in every culture of our fallen world. It is holding negative attitudes towards others based on generalizations and stereotypes, resulting in discrimination. It is forming conclusions without consulting the facts.

The Apostle Paul affirms the unity and diversity of all nations in Acts 17. He was addressing Greeks who regarded themselves as superior race. Race matters only to racists; the rest of us care about character. It is distressing how people have twisted this passage to justify segregation. In ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-28

Denomination: Congregational

The Unfailing Word

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 2, 2023

The authority of Scripture is crucial to our faith. The Bible is either God’s word or mere human opinion.

I give you my word!” How often have we heard this? We hear it from politicians, salespersons, recruiters, unlicensed contractors, and unreliable people in general. When people give us their “word,” how dependable is their word? When they make claims and promises, we need to know their basis of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:35-37

Denomination: Congregational

The Three Crosses

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 26, 2022

The Cross was a God-forsaken death for a God-forsaken people. In our reading we see 3 aspects of the Cross of Christ: The Cross of Rejection, Reception, and Redemption.

Martin Luther declared: “No one understands the Bible unless they are acquainted with the Cross.” The Cross was a God-forsaken death for a God-forsaken people. In our reading we observe 3 aspects of the Cross of Christ: It is a Cross of Rejection, Reception, and Redemption. ? Rejection The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Congregational

"all Things New, A New Year Message"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 14, 2022

For many of us, a new year is a time for resolutions and getting rid of bad habits. Today is January the 8th…so far, so good! Someone was writing down New Year resolutions: “Gain weight, save less money, set realistic goals.”

Norman Vincent Peal spent New Year’s Eve in Rome. A friend warned him to stay inside his hotel for his own safety, because people have a habit of throwing old, unwanted things out their windows on New Year’s Eve. He explained, “If you should be walking down the street, you’re likely to have an ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

Anti-Semitism Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 3, 2022

The British have a condescending saying: “How odd of God to choose the Jews.”

The British have a condescending saying: “How odd of God to choose the Jews.” They sneeringly look down on God’s chosen people. Yet God’s choice is not odd. The Jews chose God. And through them came our Savior. Some people deny that Jesus was Jewish; the idea that Jesus was a Jew is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-25

Denomination: Congregational

"a Somber Question" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 30, 2022

“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” This is perhaps the most disturbing question in Scripture. It haunts me with each passing year.

“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8 This is perhaps the most disturbing question in Scripture. It haunts me with each passing year. It comes at the close of a parable encouraging faithful, persistent prayer. God answers prayer, but what if a day comes when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Congregational

The Burning Book

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 28, 2022

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, what book would you most want to have? Maybe Ship-Building for Beginners! But to survive the storms of life, we need God’s revelation.

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, what book would you most want to have? Maybe Ship-Building for Beginners! But to survive the storms of life, we need God’s revelation. Karl Barth said, “We must read the Bible through the eyes of shipwrecked people for whom everything has gone ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

"patience, The Virtue That Carries A Lot Of Wait"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Oct 10, 2021

In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, the persecuted Jewish villagers of Anatevka are forced to flee the Russian pogroms. Someone asked the Rabbi, “Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Messiah to come?” The Rabbi answered, “Yes, my son; meanwhile, let’s get packing!”

In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, the persecuted Jewish villagers of Anatevka are forced to flee the Russian pogroms. Someone asked the Rabbi, “Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Messiah to come?” The Rabbi answered, “Yes, my son; meanwhile, let’s get packing!” In the Lord’s Prayer we pray: ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Congregational

Zacchaeus

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 10, 2021

There is hope for everyone, even crooked tax-collectors!

There is hope for everyone, even crooked tax-collectors! We’ve all heard the story of Zacchaeus in Sunday School; it’s a favorite, and raises a smile or two. Just a few days before the crucifixion, Jesus visits Jericho. It was an important center of commerce. King Herod had a palace there. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Congregational

Union With Christ

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Aug 2, 2020

Union with Christ may be the most important doctrine you’ve never heard of. Yet this is a truth that has been taught throughout the history of the church. It needs to be revived for the 21st Century.

“Union with Christ may be the most important doctrine you’ve never heard of” (Kevin DeYoung). Yet this is a truth that has been taught throughout the history of the church. It needs to be revived for the 21st Century. It’s been said that “Once you have your eyes opened to this concept of union ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-11

Denomination: Congregational

Humility

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 24, 2020

Ministers are reluctant to preach on humility. How do we promote humility without sounding like we think we’ve attained it? Needless to say, my sermon title isn’t “Humility and how I found it.” We are all "works-in-progress".

Winston Churchill was reviling a political opponent at a press conference. A reporter interrupted him asking, “But surely, Mr. Churchill, you must admit that he is a humble, modest man?” To which Churchill replied: “He is a humble man, but then he has much to be humble about!” Ministers are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-7

Denomination: Congregational