In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 114

You're Gonna Have To Serve Somebody

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

The Big Idea: Resurrection is the basis of our hope and the impetus behind our service to God

"You may be an ambassador to England or France, You may like to gamble—you might like to dance. You may be the heavyweight champion of the world, You might be a socialite with a long string of pearls. But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed, You’re gonna have to serve ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:4-8

Denomination: Other

Finding Your Passion In Christ

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

The Big Idea: Intimacy with Christ changes our perspective

Legend holds that near the end of the 19th Century, a Swedish Chemist and Industrialist named Alfred awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local paper. It read: “This great scientist, the inventor of dynamite, died yesterday. His innovation made it possible to efficiently kill more ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Denomination: Other

A Faithful Defense

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

The Big Idea: God wants us to be faithful him in our words and actions, even in difficult situations.

Of Christians put to death for their faith in the second century, perhaps no account is as striking as the story of Polycarp. Polycarp (A.D. 70-155) is bishop of Smyrna and a godly man who knows the apostle John personally. When urged by the Roman proconsul to renounce Christ, Polycarp responds ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Other

Pride And Prejudice

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

Two Things that Constrain Our Joy

Legend holds that in 1884 a young man died, and after the funeral his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him. With that in mind they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. Eliot received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do. After ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Other

Repent, And Never Give Up

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

Because God never gives up on us, we too must never give up

From the archives of Winston Churchill’s life comes the report of a singular commencement address. After enduring a lengthy introduction, Churchill rises from his seat, walks to the podium and stares fixedly at his audience of new graduates. "Never give up!" he asserts solemnly. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Other

The Fruits Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

The Big Idea: Repentance is the gateway to holiness. Lent is a time of contemplation; turning—or returning—to God.

King Frederick II, King of Prussia in the eighteenth-century, once visited a prison in Berlin. The inmates there tried to convince him they were unjustly imprisoned; that is, all of them but one. That one sat quietly in a corner, while the rest protested their innocence. Seeing him sitting there ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Other

A Faithful Defense | Our Obligation To Christ And The Gospel Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Mar 24, 2019

God wants us to be faithful to him in words and actions, even in difficult situations. So, what does it take to persevere in the way of Jesus?

Of Christians put to death for their faith in the second century, perhaps no account is as striking as the story of Polycarp. Polycarp (A.D. 70-155) is bishop of Smyrna and a godly man who knows the apostle John personally. When urged by the Roman proconsul to renounce Christ, Polycarp responds ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Other

Remember To Whom You Belong Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Mar 10, 2019

The strength to fight temptation is found only in Christ. Satan uses every effort to convince us to sin. We must remember to whom we belong.

World-acclaimed illusionist Roy Horn goes to work on Friday evening, October 3, 2003, amid a celebrative atmosphere. It is his 59th birthday, and more than a thousand friends have just thrown him a party. And now an audience of fifteen hundred people waits excitedly inside the Mirage Hotel for a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Other

God's Unmerited Favor

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 11, 2019

What role did you play in God’s plan last year? Is Christ happy with your commitment to his church; did you strive to reach your potential in him or did you coast along doing as little as possible, hoping something good will happen?

One of the three ships that bring the colonists to Jamestown is Godspeed, a three-mast square-rigger that sails the Atlantic nearly five months to get to Virginia. The ship is just 88 feet long—about the length of a double tractor-trailer—and has a top speed of +/- 4 miles per hour. Colonists ...read more

Denomination: Other

When God Interrupts

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jan 13, 2019

God Interrupts the Mundane to Bring about the Magnificent

The January 13, 1992, issue of Fortune Magazine featured the "Biggest Business Goofs of 1991": In an act of corporate cooperation, AT&T reached an agreement with the power company in New York City, ConEd. The contract stated that whenever power demands exceeded the utility's grid, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Other

Mary's Song Of Praise

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jan 13, 2019

Do you sing with Mary? Do you have that joy this Christmas—are you overwhelmed by the promise of his return, or simply lost in the holiday?

On Sunday June 1, 1975, Darrel Dore was on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Suddenly it wobbled, tipped to one side, and crashed into the sea, trapping Darrell inside a room on the rig. As the rig sank into the sea the lights went out and the room began to fill with water. Thrashing about in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Other

He Delights In You!

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 16, 2018

What if you knew just how much God loves you?

In September of 2006, Sociologists from Baylor University released the results of a study looking into America's different views of God. The study included a Gallop survey, which identified four distinct views of God's personality and interaction with the world. Those who believe in: • An ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Denomination: Other

Who Is This Jesus? Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 11, 2018

The evidence of Jesus’ deity demands a response from every person: allegiance or rejection.

We open with these words concerning the identity of Jesus: “I can't help wondering how we can explain away the greatest miracle recorded in history. No one denies there was such a man, that he lived and that he was put to death by crucifixion. Where is the miracle I spoke of? Consider this and ...read more

Scripture: John 5:19-47

Denomination: Other

Christ, The King Of Kings!

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Nov 25, 2018

John, on the Supremacy of Christ

A couple driving home from a conference talked about how they might use what they had learned at their jobs. Rounding a curve in the road, they came upon a serious motorcycle accident. The bike seemed to catch on something and flip into the air. The helmet-less driver was thrown fifty yards or so, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:4-8

Denomination: Other

Response, Repentance And Restoration Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Nov 25, 2018

Wisdom is granted, not learned. God wants us to use it to trust Him unconditionally.

The wise captain of a ship looked into the dark night and saw lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south." Promptly a message returned: "Alter your course 10 degrees north." The captain was angered his command was ignored. So, he ...read more

Denomination: Other