In Sermons: showing 241-255 of 3,292

"pointing To Jesus"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 12, 2022

Like John the Baptist, our lives are to point others to Christ.

“Pointing to Jesus” John 1:6-8, 19-29 Many thanks to Adam Hamilton’s book: “Prepare the Way for the Lord” for helping guide me in this sermon. John the Baptist is famous for many things, but his most important role is to point away from himself and toward Jesus. In our Gospel Lesson for this ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Scripture Or Tradition

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 8, 2022

Which is more important: Scripture or tradition?

Scripture or Tradition Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Mark 7:1-13 1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with pure hands, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

"what Should We Do?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 7, 2022

A sermon for the third Sunday of Advent.

“What Should We Do?” Luke 3:1-18 For the past two weeks, we’ve looked at the events leading up to John the Baptist’s birth. And then, Luke summarizes John’s childhood with these words: “The child grew up, becoming strong in character. He was in the wilderness until he began his public ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

You Cannot Silence What Is Just And Right

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 7, 2022

The truth of the Bible cannot be silenced as long as there are believers!

“You Cannot Silence What is Just and Right” Mark 3:1-12 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 1 He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. 2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 He said to the man with the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

To Sin Or Not To Sin

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 7, 2022

intentional sin can give a different result for forgiveness

To Sin or Not to Sin Mark 6:14-32 14 And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him." 15 But others were saying, "He is Elijah." And ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Thou Shalt Be Dumb (Advent Sermon 3 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 6, 2022

Zechariah and Elizabeth were a devout couple who did not have any children. We see in today’s text a lack of faith---unbelief. Then, one day the angel Gabriel showed up and told him that God was going answer His prayers and that Elizabeth would give birth to a son who was to be named John.

THOU SHALT BE DUMB Text: Luke 1:5- 25 Luke 1:5-25 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (6) And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: United Methodist

Do Not Let Materialism Overtake Spirituality

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 6, 2022

Developing spirituality is far more important than materialism

Do not let Materialism overtake Spirituality Mark 6:7-13 7 And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff-- no bread, no bag, no money in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:7-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Spiritual Growth And Learning Is A Life-Long Adventure

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 6, 2022

The crops determine when the harvest will occur. If the crop is a metaphor for spiritual growth the harvest must never happen. Thus, spiritual growth can never stop.

Spiritual Growth and Learning is a Life-Long Adventure Mark 4:26-29 26 And He was saying, "The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; 27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. 28 "The soil ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

Denomination: United Methodist

"what Is In A Name?"

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 5, 2022

WHAT IS THE POWER OF A NAME

Luke 1:26 (NAS95S) Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: United Methodist

Only A Lack Of Faith Can Ruin Your Day

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 5, 2022

not having a strong faith in Jesus will allow evil to ruin your day

Only a lack of faith can ruin your day Mark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: United Methodist

Hope Is Not Dead!

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 5, 2022

Society wants to drive the hope in Jesus out of his disciples. We cannot let that happen.

Hope is NOT Dead! Mark 4:21-25 Mark 4:21 And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 22 “For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-25

Denomination: United Methodist

Can The Church Be An Obstacle To Discipleship For Jesus?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 5, 2022

The view outside the church can be damaging. Therefore the church must work to rid itself of its media problems.

Can the Church be an Obstacle to Discipleship for Jesus? Mark 4:10-20 You may want to read Mark 4:1-9, This is the actual parable that I am speaking about. [Why parables?] 10 As soon as He was alone, 1His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. 11 And He was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:10-20

Denomination: United Methodist

The Endgame (Christ The King Sunday 2020)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 3, 2022

This parable about the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31- 46) illustrates three things, compassion, reciprocity and judgment.

THE ENDGAME Text: Matthew 25:31 - 46 Matthew 25: 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: United Methodist

"what Do The Magi's Gifts Mean Today?”

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 2, 2022

What do the Magi's gifts mean to us today. What can we offer yo Jesus to show him our love?

Matt. 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, 1magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod the king heard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

What Happened To Praise For The Lord?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 2, 2022

praise for Jesus needs to increase instead of decreasing. It is up to us.

What Happened to Praise for the LORD? Psalm 148 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! 4 Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist