In Sermons:

God Is Able Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Jan 22, 2010

Jude's benediction is a wonderful description of what God is able to do

God is able Jude 24,25 1. Look at the order of our worship in the bulletin. Regular worshipers have come to expect several public prayers in a worship service. Opening Prayer/Invocation- The first prayer of a worship service has one purpose: to invite and acknowledge God’s presence among the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:24-25

Denomination: Brethren

Honoring God's Name Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 19, 2009

Malachi identifies four changes God’s people need to make in order to honor God’s name.

Last week I was talking with a man who owns a rental property in this neighbor-hood. It is a nice looking house and he told me that he had just finished fixing it up – again. “People just don’t care,” he told me. “My last renters put holes in the wall, broke three windows plus the glass in the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:1-14

Denomination: Brethren

Repent, Refine, Renew Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 5, 2009

Zechariah emphasizes God’s desire to renew his people through a process of repentance and refining, even as he points to the coming of Christ.

I once read about a young man who had run away from home because he could not get along with his parents. Somehow, his parents were able to get a message to him, inviting him back home. He wrote back, saying that he was coming home and if they were sure he was welcome, they should hang a white ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Serving In One Accord Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Aug 19, 2009

Spiritual renewal is not just an exercise to make us feel good; it is God’s way of making us better servants.

Last Tuesday, as I began to prepare for this second message from Zephaniah, a prophet who lived some 2600 years ago, I was searching for a way to connect his words with our own experience, but I was not making progress. By mid-afternoon, I had stalled, so I got up from my desk to do something ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:1-13

Denomination: Brethren

The Day Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Aug 17, 2009

The prophet Zephaniah points us to the meaning of spiritual renewal

Today I want to begin with a question. How long has it been since you have felt God nudging you to follow him more closely? Some of you may have committed your life to Christ many years ago and you haven’t thought much about it since. Others may be struggling right now with the question of how to ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:1-18

Denomination: Brethren

Partners In A Heavenly Calling

Contributed by Wes Richard on Jul 28, 2009

As the people of God, we are called to work in partnership with Christ and with each other.

I am always encouraged when people from congregations across Northern Oho can blend their gifts and energy for the good of the entire district and especially when we can worship together. Hebrews 2:12 says, “In the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” And that is what we want to do this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1-14

Denomination: Brethren

Crucified With Christ Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Jul 9, 2009

The Bible makes clear that it is not what we do that gives us merit, it is what we are because of the blood of Jesus.

If you are like me, sometime in your life you have received a letter from some place you did not expect and you wondered, “What in the world is this?” A couple of years ago, we received a letter from city Code Enforcement. All kinds of questions went through our heads. What had we done? Is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:15-21

Denomination: Brethren

What Is Your God Quotient? Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on May 26, 2009

Many people who sit in the pews have "no knowledge of God," as Hosea says. Knowing God is possible; it is about living; and knowing God brings hope.

Last Thursday was a beautiful spring day, so my wife and I decided to knock on some doors on Pine Street, meeting new people and getting reacquainted with people we had met before. At the last house, an apartment, we could see a man through the open door sucking the last drops of liquor ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Parable Of A Broken Covenant Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on May 13, 2009

God uses Hosea’s broken marriage to paint a picture of covenant unfaithfulness, but the story doesn’t end there because God is a pursuing God.

This is one day when our nation pays special attention to the importance of motherhood. Many of you have planned some special way to observe this day with a meal, a gift, or a visit. And it is wonderful that you can do that. I also recognize that Mother’s Day is not easy for a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:1-11

Denomination: Brethren

Christian Marriage 101 Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Feb 3, 2009

It is impossible to understand marriage without understanding the church.

If you have seen the movie “Fireproof,” you probably remember the scene of the salt and pepper shakers glued together. And if you have attended weddings, you have probably heard the minister say to the bride and groom that the two will become one flesh. Do you know where to find those words in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-33

Denomination: Brethren

18 Principles For Church Life Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Nov 11, 2008

In Paul’s closing words to the Thessalonians, Paul offers 18 principles for healthy church life regarding leaders, ministry, worship and the Holy Spirit.

For the past several weeks we have focused on a letter that missionary Paul wrote to a young church he started in the city of Thessalonica. He wrote this letter in 50 A.D. and, of all the books in the New Testament, this one was written first. When he gets to the last part of his letter, Paul ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

Denomination: Brethren

When Death Invades A Congregation Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 27, 2008

Paul provides three insights for a congregation faced with the death of one of its members.

Friday was a difficult day for this congregation when we learned that a person who often worshiped with us had suddenly passed away. We all recognize that life can be cut short at any time, but when it happens without warning to a person so young, whose family we have come to appreciate, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Brethren

The Rattling Of Bones Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 27, 2008

Only the Spirit of God can reverse the process of spiritual death and can make dry bones live.

This is a crazy time of year with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all stepping on each other’s toes. You have probably noticed the Halloween display at the corner of Elm and Metcalf with its grave stones and skeletons. According to Monday’s paper, the owner says she enjoys setting it up and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Brethren

The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 8, 2008

In Ezekiel 34, using the language of promise, God introduces a new plan for shepherding his people which we see fulfilled in John 10. Jesus, the Good Shepherd still calls his sheep.

The Good Shepherd Ezekiel 34:1-6; 11-16;23-24; 30-31 Children’s Story Just before school started, I invited four kids from next door to go with me to the city library. These kids ranged from 7 – 10 years old and had never been to the library. We went upstairs where they have all the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-31

Denomination: Brethren

A Word From God's Sentinel Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Sep 24, 2008

God calls his church to broadcast his warnings loud and clear in today’s world. He wants our hearts to be broken by the careless, godless people who are paying no attention to God’s warning signs and he wants us to take seriously our responsibility to do

A man living on the first-floor of an apartment got upset every night because the guy living above him dropped his shoes on the floor when he got ready for bed. Every night, the same thing happened. First, the noise from one shoe, then the noise from the other. Finally, the man downstairs ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:16-19

Denomination: Brethren