In Sermons: showing 76-90 of 114

A New Vision Of Christ

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 26, 2017

A commitment to spiritual formation leads to a new vision of Christ, that allows us to say with absolute conviction, “I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled at me. He is at the helm. All is well.”

Robert Louis Stevenson tells of a ship, tossed by a violent storm, which threatened to drive it and its passengers to destruction along a rocky coast. In the midst of the terror, one daring man, contrary to orders, went to the main deck, making a dangerous passage to the pilothouse. He looked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Other

Seeking, Knowing, Serving

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 19, 2017

Seeking God begins with attitude, not activity. Seek Him with reckless abandon in all things.

An ancient Chassidic parable tells the story of Yechiel, the young grandson of a Chassidic rabbi, who once played hide-and-seek with a friend. When it was his turn to hide, he found a great hiding place where he waited, somewhat impatiently, for his friend to find him. He waited and waited; it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 28:1-10

Denomination: Other

Called To Unity In Christ Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jan 28, 2017

Jesus wants us to abandon our compromised, self-centered involvement in the church and turn to the God-centered communal life He can use for His resolve. The purpose of the church is to reflect God’s character to the world.

An African proverb says, "When elephants fight, grass gets trampled." Elephants do not throw their weight around for nothing. The average African elephant weighs 16,534 lbs. The largest elephant on record weighed about 24,000 pounds and was 13 feet tall! Wild elephants eat all types of vegetation, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Other

Who Needs Theology? Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jan 28, 2017

Knowledge is important, but insufficient. Man’s wisdom is folly compared to God’s. So, what good is knowledge if faith is all that we need?

The word theology comes from two Greek words: Theos (God) and logos (study, research). Thus, theology is the study of God. I am richly blessed to be a graduate of Evangelical Theological Seminary. My course of study (Master of Divinity) included five semesters in systematic theology, among the most ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Denomination: Other

Called To Holiness In Christ Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jan 14, 2017

Are you living up to the life God gives you? You’re endeared and endowed; now what?

In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to spend the rest of his life as a contemplative (i.e., monk). "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you understand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Denomination: Other

One Lord, One Gospel

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jan 14, 2017

Salvation is for everyone; even those who don't resemble us. With Christ’s help, we can put aside the partiality that binds us, and love people as He does.

Most of us like to assume that we're enlightened, tolerant, and unprejudiced people. Unfortunately, a new study reveals many of us have a hidden bias against anyone with a foreign accent. According to a summary of the study in The Wall Street Journal, "The further from native-sounding an accent is, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-43

Denomination: Other

One Lord, One Gospel

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jan 14, 2017

Salvation is for everyone; even those who don't resemble us. With Christ’s help, we can put aside the partiality that binds us, and love people as He does.

Most of us like to assume that we're enlightened, tolerant, and unprejudiced people. Unfortunately, a new study reveals many of us have a hidden bias against anyone with a foreign accent. According to a summary of the study in The Wall Street Journal, "The further from native-sounding an accent ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-43

Denomination: Other

Accept No Substitute: The Incomparable Superiority Of Christ

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 31, 2016

Accept no substitute. Jesus Christ has no equal

In the last few weeks, people searched for the perfect Christmas gift, hunted for bargains, decorated their homes, burned candles, over-ate, wrapped some packages and tore others open; and by tomorrow morning stores will fill again, as the gift return season begins. Sad, isn’t it? It is so easy ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-12

Denomination: Other

Immanuel: God With Us Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 31, 2016

The Importance of the Incarnation

During President Ronald Reagan’s 1979 presidential campaign, a woman of about 80 spoke out from the audience at the end of one of his campaign speeches. "Mr. Reagan, everything you’ve said sounds just fine. But what about the old folks? Haven’t you forgotten us?" The man who was to become the ...read more

Denomination: Other

Mary's Song Of Praise Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 20, 2016

Do you sing with Mary? Do you have that joy this Christmas—are you overwhelmed by the promise of his return, or simply lost in the holiday?

On Sunday June 1, 1975, Darrel Dore was on an oilrig in the Gulf of Mexico. Suddenly it wobbled, tipped to one side, and crashed into the sea, trapping Darrell inside a room on the rig. As the rig sank into the sea the lights went out and the room began to fill with water. Thrashing about in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Other

Prepare The Way Of The Lord

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 20, 2016

The way in which we prepare demonstrates the importance of the One who comes

While attending a convention in Indianapolis on mass evangelism, D.L. Moody asked his song leader Ira Sankey to meet him at 6 o'clock one evening at a certain street corner. When Sankey arrived, Mr. Moody asked him to stand on a box and sing. Once a crowd had gathered, Moody spoke briefly and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Other

Ready And Watching Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 20, 2016

Advent is a season of preparation. Be ready and watching for Christ’s coming.

In October 2003, a string of Southern California wildfires eventually claimed two-dozen lives. The flames moved at a speed faster than people could flee. Responding to complaints that some residents did not receive enough warning, Sgt. Conrad Grayson said, "We are begging people to leave, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Other

When God Changes Your Plans Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 20, 2016

God interrupts. Plans change. We glorify God when we submit to His plans rather than ours.

Poet Laureate John Masefield wrote these lines in his famous poem The Everlasting Mercy (New York: Macmillan: 1912). . . “He who gives a child a treat makes joy-bells ring in Heaven's street, And he who gives a child a home builds palaces in Kingdom come, And she who gives a baby birth brings ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Other

The Restoration Of Hope

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 3, 2011

To wish is about what we want from God; hope is waiting for that which God wants for us.

Eugene Peterson (Living the Message: Daily Help for Living the God-Centered Life) points out that what a lot of people call hope is in reality something different. It’s wishing, not hoping: and wishing and hoping are not the same thing. "Wishing," Peterson says, "is something all of us do. It ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 80:1-19

Denomination: Other

The Magnificence Of His Providence

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Nov 26, 2004

A Thanksgiving mesage from Psalm 65.

John Reynolds, in his Anecdotes of the Rev. John Wesley (1828), tells the story of Wesley’s student days at Lincoln College in Oxford. A porter knocked on Wesley’s door one evening and asked to speak with him. After some conversation, Wesley noted the man’s thin coat (it was a cold winter ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:1-13

Denomination: Other