In Sermons:

"Making Disciples"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 25, 2018

A sermon about the Great Commission.

“Making Disciples” Matthew 28:16-20 Bob Homer’s family lived on “the other side of the tracks” as they used to call it. They weren’t the most “upstanding” and “respectable” family in town. They didn’t go to church. Bob’s dad was boisterous and a bit of a trouble-maker. And Bob was already ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: United Methodist

"Christmas Without Santa"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 17, 2018

A sermon for a Christmas in July worship service.

“Christmas without Santa” Luke 2:1-20 In my 20 years as a pastor I have preached on this passage once every year. But it’s always the same time of year; I have never preached on the birth of Jesus in July!!! But why not? After-all, as far as the exact time of year Jesus was born--we really ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: United Methodist

The Character Of A Disciple: Joy Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jul 16, 2018

There is something about doing the right thing that brings a “joy” … a sense of peace, assurance, righteousness … that comes from doing the right thing for the right reason … whatever may befall us as we do the right thing for right reason.

THE CHARACTER OF A DISCIPLE: JOY Scripture: 1st Peter 1:3-9 We are all familiar with the horrors that Jesus went through during His arrest and crucifixion: The betrayal. Being abandoned by His Disciples and followers. Dragged before angry and determined religious authorities. The beatings. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9, Matthew 6:19-20

Denomination: United Methodist

The Power Of God

Contributed by Randy Shepard on Jul 9, 2018

A sermon that is part of my story interwoven with some theology of disability. I have Cerebral Palsy. The doctors told my parents that I would never walk or talk. God made me a preacher who walks just fine. Feel free to use my story for God's glory.

42 years ago today on July 1, 1976 there was a baby fighting for his life in the PICU at Saint Frances Hospital in Peoria. The baby had begun to breathe while still in the womb, and his lungs coated with fluid cutting off oxygen to the brain. The truth is that the doctors should have done a ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Power In The Thorns Of Life

Contributed by Randy Shepard on Jul 9, 2018

If we are humble enough to ask, Christ will let His power rest on us to help us dear with the thorns we encounter in life.

The year 1527 was the most trying year of Martin Luther’s life. On April 22 he was preaching in Wittenberg when he became dizzy and fainted. Over the next several months he dealt with debilitating depression and sickness. It had been 10 years since he had published his 95 theses. He had battled ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: United Methodist

"New Adventures"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 26, 2018

A sermon for the first Sunday of a new appointment for a pastor.

“New Adventures” Jeremiah 29:11-14a A young preacher had just finished seminary and had taken his first appointment in the hills of Kentucky. Wanting to be effective in his preaching ministry, he walked into the pulpit on his first Sunday and preached about—what he called--the evils of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-14

Denomination: United Methodist

The Character Of A Disciple: Endurance Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jun 19, 2018

Endurance. Strength and inner-lasting ... Digging deep down into your guts, your heart, your soul to find that reservoir of strength that keeps us going when we want to lay down and quit. God is that reservoir and Paul is a great example of enduranc

August, 1974, Fort Dix, New Jersey … That’s where I did my basic training for the U.S. Army. The Vietnam was almost over … but not quite. It would end six months after I joined. So, the Army was still training us as if we were going to the jungles of ‘Nam. All of my drill sergeants were tough ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Denomination: United Methodist

The Character Of A Disciple: Compassion Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jun 13, 2018

I love Jesus’ parables. Sometimes they’re like exploding birthday cakes. Sometimes they’re like a mirror. Sometimes they’re like an onion. And sometimes, like Jesus’ parable of “The Good Samaritan,” they can be all three.

I love Jesus’ parables. Sometimes they’re like exploding birthday cakes. Sometimes they’re like a mirror. Sometimes they’re like an onion. And sometimes, like Jesus’ parable of “The Good Samaritan,” they can be all three. [Read Luke 10:25-37] Let’s begin to examine the different layers of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, 1 John 3:17-18

Denomination: United Methodist

"New Adventures"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 6, 2018

A sermon for a time of pastoral change.

“New Adventures” Jeremiah 29:11-14a When the people of Israel were exiled into Babylon, everything they knew was turned inside out – their homes, their families, even their worship. And so, Jeremiah came with a word of hope for a hopeless people. He told them to build, plant and pray—even ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-14

Denomination: United Methodist

"In The Year That King Uzziah Died..."

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 27, 2018

A sermon about call.

“In the Year King Uzziah Died…” Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that President Kennedy was shot. In the year that Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down. In the year that the Space Shuttle blew up. In the year that the planes hit the World Trade Center Towers. “In the year that King Uzziah ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

You've Got Talent

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 24, 2018

We tend to think of our spiritual gifts as unique units when they are all fruits or manifestation of the Holy Spirit within us. We have what I call "persistent" gifts but there are times when the Holy Spirit gives us other gifts for a season.

Gift of the Holy Spirit Preached: May 24, 2018 Canal Point Thursday Nite Live Service Scripture: 1 Corinthian 12:7-11 Some people just seem to be born with talent. I had a friend growing up that had a natural pitching arm. When we’d horse around and challenge each other to see who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Denomination: United Methodist

The Character Of A Disciple: Integrity Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 18, 2018

When a person has "integrity," our words, actions, values, beliefs, principles, character, our hearts are one. As disciples of Jesus, who was the embodiment of integrity, our words and actions, our values are integral, are one, with our Lord.

“Caveat emptor” … “Buyer beware” … because what you see, well … it’s not what you always get … and that’s been the case, it seems, ever since we’ve been banned from the Garden of Eden. We get our word “integrity” from a very ancient practice that was done to scam the consumers of pottery jugs and ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

"Visions And Dreams"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 16, 2018

A sermon for Pentecost.

“Dreams and Visions” Acts 2:1-21 A young football player, in the last two minutes of the game, his team down by 3, makes a touchdown. He runs faster than his legs can carry him, and farther than he ever dreamed of running. When the game is over, the coach says to him, “I didn’t know you had it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Grace That Never Lets Go

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 13, 2018

We can turn out backs on God but God will never turn His back on us.

One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes is entitled: "It's a Good Life." It starts out with the host, Rod Serling, standing on a dark stage with the map of the United States over his shoulder. Mr. Serling starts out: "Tonight's story on the Twilight Zone is somewhat unique and calls for a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: United Methodist

"Imitators Of Christ"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 13, 2018

A sermon about seeking to adopt the attitude of Jesus.

“Imitators of Christ” Philippians 2:1-10 A mother was making breakfast for her two little boys—Kevin and Ryan. The boys starting arguing over who was going to get the first pancake, and so their mom saw this as the perfect opportunity for a moral lesson. “Now boys, hold on a minute. Let me ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist