In Sermons:

"producing Fruit"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 7, 2023

A sermon about the importance of staying connected to Christ.

John 15:1-17 “Producing Fruit” There is a story in the Bible where Jesus comes across a fig tree, and He tries to find some fruit on it. But there is no fruit, and so Jesus curses the fig tree saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” (pause) Boy, life is scary crazy, and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

"love Drives Out Fear"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 1, 2023

A sermon about accepting the love God has for us--really accepting it.

“Love Drives out Fear” 1 John 4:7-21 This passage of Scripture contains so much, so many nuggets that you could probably have an entire sermon series based on these 14 verses. There is one thing, however, that has always stuck out to me about this passage. It’s something that has always ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Becoming Prepared

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 31, 2023

Jesus prepared his disciples to receive the Holy Spirit. We also need a preparation period to understand the gift of the Holy Spirit which we receive through baptism.

Becoming Prepared John 20:19-23 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “1bPeace be with you.” 20 And ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: United Methodist

"you Are The Joy Of Christ"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 24, 2023

A sermon about learning to find joy in the fact that we are Christ's joy.

“You are the Joy of Christ” Hebrews 12:1-3 Have you ever wondered what it was like for God to put on skin and become a living, breathing human being? It couldn’t have been easy. Think about it; Jesus experienced the ordinary pains we experience. He knew what it was like to have a cold, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: United Methodist

Can You See Jesus?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 24, 2023

What happened on Easter morning according to John and how can it affect us today?

Can You See Jesus? John 20:1-13 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 20:1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

"it's Not Our Job To Judge The World"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 18, 2023

A sermon about loving people into the kingdom.

“It’s Not Our Job to Judge the World” Matthew 7:1-6 Mission Insight is a program that our Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church pays for and makes available to local churches such as ourselves so that we can find out about our community. The information comes from the census, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

How Many Were There?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 17, 2023

What is important to remember about Jesus funeral?

How many were there? Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 19:31-42 John 19:31 Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-42

Denomination: United Methodist

"come Be Crucified! We've Got A Cross For Your Back Too!"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 11, 2023

Following Christ isn't glamorous. It is hard, but it is worth it.

“Come! Be Crucified! We’ve Got a Cross for Your Back Too” Mark 10:35-45 Have you ever seen a church sign that read, “Come! Be Crucified! We’ve got a Cross for Your Back Too!” And yet Jesus was this up-front. You can’t accuse Jesus of false advertising. When James and John come up to Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: United Methodist

Jesus’ Work Is Not Finished – Evil Must Go!

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 10, 2023

Evil inclination is still in the world. Jesus' work to rid us of evil was not finished on the cross. It passes on to us who follow him as Lord and Savior

Jesus’ Work is NOT Finished – EVIL MUST GO! Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 19:17-30 John 19:17 They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. 18 There they crucified Him, and with Him two other ...read more

Scripture: John 19:17-30

Denomination: United Methodist

"the Distinguished Gentleman: Embracing God's Commandments For Manhood"

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 7, 2023

Today, we gather in the house of the Lord to explore God's Word and reflect upon His wisdom concerning manhood and being a distinguished gentleman. While we hope for some Joy and levity, Manhood in Congress and God's eyes is No Joke.

"The Distinguished Gentleman: Embracing God's Commandments for Manhood" Introduction: Today, we gather in the house of the Lord to explore God's Word and reflect upon His wisdom concerning manhood and being a distinguished gentleman. While we hope for some Joy and levity, Manhood ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-20

Denomination: United Methodist

We Don’t Want To Hear It

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 4, 2023

The Temple leaders did not want to hear what Jesus had to say. Do we today want to hear the same?

We Don’t Want to Hear It John 18:28-19:16 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 18:28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate went ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"going Through The Eye Of A Needle"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 3, 2023

A sermon about the impossible becoming possible through God.

“Going Through the Eye of a Needle” Mark 10:17-31 Our Gospel lesson for this morning starts out with a bit of irony. What do I mean by that? The story begins with these words: “As Jesus started on his way…” “On his way,” is a code phrase for Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. It’s Jesus’ final ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: United Methodist

Quarreled & Tested: For The Long Haul

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 30, 2023

Exodus 17:1-7 is a story of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, which mirrors our struggles and tests. This passage reveals how the Israelites quarreled with God and faced a profound test of faith, a test that we, too, may encounter on our spiritual journey

1 October 2023 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR A Quarreled & Tested: For the Long Haul The Message 17 1-2 Directed by God, the whole company of Israel moved on by stages from the Wilderness of Sin. They set camp at Rephidim. And there wasn’t a drop of water for the people to drink. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

Longing For The Food In Egypt

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 30, 2023

When things get rough and disorienting, the predictability of the past starts looking pretty good. The story of the Exodus, with its powerful imagery of liberation from Egyptian slavery, holds a significant place in African American culture and history.

When things get rough and disorienting, the predictability of the past starts looking pretty good. The story of the Exodus, with its powerful imagery of liberation from Egyptian slavery, holds a significant place in African American culture and history. It has been a symbol of hope and resilience, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15

Denomination: United Methodist

"is God's Church For Everyone?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 27, 2023

A sermon about God's inclusion in this period of polarization and division.

“Is God’s Church for Everyone?” Acts 8:26-40 When I was a brand-new Christian a friend of mine and I were doing some street witnessing. What I mean by that is we were meeting strangers on the street and asking them if they knew Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We were 18 years old and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: United Methodist