In Sermons: showing 76-90 of 90

Who Are You?

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 18, 2007

Americans struggle with who they are. If they would only listen to God and see who He has made them to be.

Who are you? Who has God made you to be? Spiritual Gift assessment Identity crises – mid-life crises – my own identity crisis - James Dobson – Straight Talk God has made you – we are the crown of God’s creation – very good Sin spoiled but 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Anyone who is in Christ is a new ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You Afraid Of The Dark?

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 18, 2007

Twenty-three percent of Americans are afraid of the dark but many more are afraid of the light.

Sleep with a nightlight? 23 percent of people are afraid of the dark Ft. Riley – lost in the dark – infantrymen like most men never get lost only misoriented I’m sure you’ve been in your house when the lights went out – relief when lights come back on – what to do in the meantime – look for ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

I've Been Waiting

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 18, 2007

Waiting is a lost art. What are we to do as Christians to pass the time until Jesus returns?

Waiting, it’s something that we’ve all had to do – this time of year apropos to talk about waiting – lines, traffic, to speak – all of us having waiting issues Share a time when you had to wait for something – turn to person near you and share your story – what helped you get through the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Mountain Top Experience

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

We sometimes have spiritual highs and we’d like to maintain them but we have to stay grounded in reality and do the work of Jesus - communicate the Gospel to a lost and dying world.

Mountain Top Experience – Promise Keepers – Share your story with a neigbhor How did you respond after this experience? I wanted to stay. Can’t stay though. Problem with staying on the mountain top - No blasted good to anyone else 1. We are up so high that can’t connect with anyone else – we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Looking For Love In All The Right Places

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

Sometimes we expect the wrong things from God. We want health and wealth. He gives us His love. Which is better? The gift He gives. If we would only take what He gives.

Hate talking about busyness and misplaced priorities – but it is a real problem We don’t have that problem though – here we are in church on a Wednesday night Or do we? Are we guilty of the same misplaced priorities and looking in the wrong places for the answers to life’s questions? Shared ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:13-14

Denomination: Lutheran

A Word Of Damnation

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

Jesus says the words from the cross that we were supposed to say.

Word of damnation – “Father, father, why have you forsaken me?” Damnation – separation from God – alienation An illustration of when you were alone and afraid would be appropriate here We’ve all felt alone or alienated – lost, rift in relationships with family or friends, divorce, lost a loved ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:46

Denomination: Lutheran

War - What Is It Good For?

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

How does a Christian view war?

Do you remember when Pearl Harbor was bombed? Korea? Vietnam? 1st Gulf War? 12 yrs ago War is on our minds a lot these days – peace protests, demonstrations, seeing dead and dying on television It raises the question whether war is right, whether it is just, whether it is part of God’s plan, ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:20-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Living In A Leaky Tent

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

Sometimes we go through struggles while living here on earth but God has a great reward waiting for us.

I. Raining when camping – Army – raining, training – dream of being in barracks or at home II. Dreaming of home while living in a tent is what our text today is talking about A. Just like our home is in our dreams it is also a reality B. We have to live in these tents while we wait for heaven ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

The Calm Before The Storm

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

Jesus is about to be betrayed and suffer physical torture but he takes time to be with His disciples in the calm before the storm.

I went fishing on a lake one time in Northern Wisconsin with a friend of mine. We took out my aunt and uncle’s paddle boat. It was a nice day and we wanted the exercise. A storm came up and waves started to come up over the sides of the small boat. We tried to paddle against the wind and waves ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Being A 24/7/52 Christian

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

Sometimes in life we just need a little more understanding, insight, training. God’s word is the start.

My brother-in-law was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds - he’s famous for two things: He was #2 on the all-time sports injury list behind the guy who sprained his eyelids blinking and for creating an international incident while going through customs – He’s a good ole boy from Texas who never ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Lost And Found

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

Have you ever lost anything or been lost. It can be scary. When we find something we lost, we are ecstatic. Could we get a little excited when God finds someone?

- You remember the day, when you were walking along in the store, looking around you discover that your child you thought was following you is not and they are nowhere to be seen - You remember when you’ve gone out into the vast sea of parking stalls at night, thinking you remember exactly where ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

What Kind Of Tree Are You? Series

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Apr 10, 2004

This was a sermon as part of our purpose-driven series - Know, Grow, Show and Sow. This was the show sermon that bridged the gap between Grow and Sow. It can stand alone with some minor tweaks.

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? It’s a question you might get asked in a job interview or by a psychiatrist right after they administer the Rorschach test Jeremiah uses vegetation to contrast those who trust in God and those who turn away Those who don’t believe in the one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-8, Jeremiah 17:5-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Tetelestai

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Apr 19, 2003

When Jesus spoke the words, "it is finished!" from the cross, He took care of our eternal destiny once and for all.

How are you at completing projects? My life and house are littered with my half-completed projects – books to read, pictures to hang, messes to clean - even harder now that we have a baby Our “to-do” lists are more like “never-do” lists Mt. Rushmore – supposed to be portrayed to the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, Luke 9:30-31

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Cologne

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Feb 25, 2003

We carry the aroma of Jesus among a lost and dying world as Jesus leads us triumphantly.

I. Paradox – Zechariah 9:12 - prisoners of hope – slaves yet free at the same time – continue this today as well as some others II. Triumphal procession – Roman procession after victory A. Generally, to be led in a triumphant procession means to be a prisoner of war – Spartacus – Kirk Douglas – ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Saved To Save

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Feb 25, 2003

God wants us to set aside our likes and preferences for the benefit of those who don’t know Him yet.

“Saved to Save” 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Who has ever heard of Harriet Tubman before? Her story is an exciting one. She was a runaway slave who was able to get to the north with the help of some sympathetic people both white and black. She was so thankful for the help that she had received that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Lutheran