In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 137

Where Is Dr. Phil When Jacob Needs Him Series

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Feb 25, 2008

Jacob had periods in his life when he could have used some psychological intervention by someone like Dr. Phil. But in the end, he grew up, put his past behind him and became a great man.

Where is Dr. Phil When Jacob Needs Him? Genesis 25:19-34 February 24, 2008 Our son Matthew did his first two years of college (actually it took him three years to do his first two years) at Vincennes University. We were living in Elkhart at the time and VU had a satellite campus there. So Matt ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Methodist

Abraham's Struggle To Be Faithful Series

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Feb 19, 2008

Abraham is not really a "bad boy" but he did have some occasions when he had trouble making good decisions. What can he teach us when he did obey God and was ready to sacrifice his son?

Abraham’s Struggle to Be Faithful Genesis 22:1-19 February 17, 2008 One of the greatest privileges I have had in my adult life is to visit the Holy Land. It was a relatively short trip, but we traveled from Jerusalem down to the Dead Sea and the desert fortress of Masada, up along the Jordan ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

Adam's Declaration Of Independence Series

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Feb 11, 2008

Adam declared his independence from God by his disobedience and his deliverate act of defiance. Because of him, the word "sin" entered the human lexicon.

Adam’s Declaration of Independence Genesis 3:1-12 February 10, 2008 For the next few weeks, I want to concentrate my messages on a few of the Bad Boys of the Bible. They are, to be sure, a mixed lot: Adam, Cain, Abraham, Jacob, and Samson. I can make the case that some are worse than others. I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Jonas Stutzmann's Chair For Jesus

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Feb 4, 2008

Stutzman, an old order Amishman who built a chair for the return of Jesus, was wrong about a lot of things. But he had a passion for the presence of God. Do we?

Jonas Stutzmann’s Chair for Jesus I Corinthians 3:10-19a February 3, 2008 On a chilly, rainy day in October of 1871, Jonas Stutzmann was buried in the old Stutzmann cemetery in Holmes County, Ohio. He died in the home of his son Daniel and one of his last wishes was that his casket be carried to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-19

Denomination: Methodist

Does Your Heart Sing?

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Jan 21, 2008

The Psalmist of Ps. 40 was in deep despair when God set his feet on rock and put a new song in his heart. Can our hearts sing of the saving power of God?

Does Your Heart Sing? Psalm 40:1-11 January 20, 2008 I know that this may sound pretty odd…maybe crazy to you. As I look back on my years in ministry, I can say that some of the most profound experiences I have had have been associated with death and dying. I generally tend to lump people into ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Giving Makes Your Brain Happy

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Jan 7, 2008

New discoveries in neuro-science indicate that there is a "warm-glow" effect in our brains when we are generous. God has built into our brains a great way to feel happy - be generous.

Giving Makes Your Brain Happy Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14 January 6, 2008 I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. December always leaves me exhausted and I look forward to January o that I can relax a little bit. Butt God has this interesting, and sometimes infuriating was of not letting me rest. I ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Living For Today

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 31, 2007

It doesn’t matter how long we live. What matters is how well we love Christ in the years we have.

Living for Today Isaiah 61:10-62:3 December 30, 2007 I remember a story from a few years ago. An eighty two year old woman appeared on Good Morning America. She had just gotten a face lift, breast implants, botox injections to smooth out the wrinkles, lip resculpting, and a chemical peal. I ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Away From The Manger

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 24, 2007

It is too easy to get distracted by an intellectual search for Jesus. Tonight is about being drawn to the manger to experience Christ.

Away From the Manger Matthew 2:1-12 Christmas Eve, 2007 A social worker was called in on a case that involved a family which was unable to take care of their personal health needs. Specifically, they had trouble remembering to take their medicine. Now that is not an unusual problem for many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Humble Beginnings

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 24, 2007

The humble beginnings of Jesus in Bethlehem are not really so humble at all because he came to deliver all of us regardless of our place on the economic ladder or position in society.

Humble Beginnings Luke 2:8-20 December 16, 2007 A couple of years ago, Toni and I were trying to get home from vacation. Our plans called for us to catch a plane out of Miami International Airport to Chicago and then on to Fort Wayne. The problem occurred when we arrived in Miami just a day ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Methodist

Christmas At The Kitchen Table

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 11, 2007

Can you make room in your homes and families for Jesus this Christmas season?

Christmas at the Kitchen Table Luke 2:1-7 December 9, 2007 Toni and I have some friends who have two daughters the same age as our youngest two children. I’m actually amazed that we’re friends because our families are so different. We are not at opposite ends of the Annual Conference and so we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Christmas At The Mall

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 3, 2007

Enjoy the season of Christmas, but remember that the season isn’t about the mall. It is about Jesus Christ.

Christmas at the Mall Matthew 2:1-12 December 2, 2007 Now this is my own personal opinion, but I believe that one of the most fearsome places in Fort Wayne is Glenbrook Mall. I go to the mall and it takes me about 15 minutes to reach my limit. When Toni drags me to the mall, I generally end up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Abundant Life With A Capital "L"

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Nov 19, 2007

God offers us abundant life through our commitment to him. He has committed himself to us. Our job is to commit to him through our prayers, presence, gifts, and service.

Abundant Life with a Capital “L” Luke 9:18-27 November 18, 2007 Today is Thanksgiving Sunday; a day when we stop and intentionally remember how blessed we have been by God. On this coming Thursday, we will do what our American ancestors have done since before we were even a nation: we will feast ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27

Denomination: Methodist

Guarding Against Spiritual Obesity

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Nov 12, 2007

Being fed in church is fine, but if all we do is eat and not put our faith into action, all we get is spiritual obesity.

Guarding Against Spiritual Obesity Mark 10:35-45 November 11, 2007 We are coming to the end of our autumn stewardship emphasis. Next week is Consecration Sunday when we will present our Estimate of Giving cards to God’s work through Calvary church. Throughout the last few weeks, we have been ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Methodist

Give Until It Feels Good

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Nov 8, 2007

The tithe is not about giving because God needs the money. It is about giving because we need to give.

Give Until It Feels Good Mark 12:41-44 November 4, 2007 There is a risk in telling you this story. It is a risk of sounding like I am bragging. There is a risk of sounding arrogant. I hope you won’t take it that way because I think there are certain things about a pastor that people need to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: Methodist

T-E-A-M

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Oct 31, 2007

We are the body of Christ and members of one another. It takes all of us to make a team for the well-being of the church.

T – E – A – M Romans 12:3-8 October 28, 2007 We come today to the third in the series of stewardship messages as we move along toward our Consecration Sunday celebration. Two weeks ago, we talked about our commitment. If you remember, I said that God has made a commitment to us so perhaps it is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Methodist