Sermons on 400 Years:

A New Identity

Contributed by Don Aldrich Tamayo on Jan 10, 2025

Just like Jacob in Genesis 32, you may have wrestled with struggles in your life—challenges that tested your faith and made you question your future. But I want you to know this: God is ready to meet you in your struggle, transform you, and give you a new identity.

Sermon: Jacob’s New Identity Text: Genesis 32:22-32 Title: "A New Identity for a New Year" Key Text: Genesis 32:28 (NKJV): "And He said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.' Illustration: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32, Genesis 32:28

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Why I Don't Have A "Vision" Or "5 Year Plan" For Our Church

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 13, 2018

This is an abbreviated sermon used after my annual pastor's report to the congregation explaining why we do not have a written "business plan" for church growth. Instead it lays out the 3 foundational steps the Lord has put in my heart as I serve here.

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8, Jude 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 3:6-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Nineteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle A - 19th Sunday, Year A -- Walking On Water

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 30, 2020

There is an element of test in Peter’s condition, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Peter asking Jesus “to command” him suggests the alignment of Peter’s will with the will of the Lord.

IN THAT BOAT, which the church has always identified as herself, is where we want to be because it can provide the sure way for us to get to the other shore, to heaven; and, in this life, take us to new horizons. But along the way we are caught in a storm and face danger. 1.We need to pray ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-13, Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A -- 27th Sunday Wicked Tenants

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 17, 2020

Don’t season regret with rebellion

In the First Reading, the complaint was with the grapes, they were too sour to be eaten or made into wine despite the favorable conditions (Isaiah 5:1-7). In the Gospel, the complaint was with the vineyard workers, in other words, the religious leaders in Jesus' time who often killed the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-43

Denomination: Catholic

The Solemnity Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King Of The Universe, Year C: A Reflection Or Meditation.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 28, 2019

“heart speaks to heart” (Cor ad cor loquitur).

A writer arrived at the monastery to write a book about the Master. "People say you are a genius. Are you?" he asked. "You might say so." said the Master, none too modestly. "And what makes one a genius?" "The ability to recognize." "Recognize ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:35-43

Denomination: Catholic

What Does It Mean To Take Up Our Cross? - Sermon Of Proper 17 - Year A

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Aug 28, 2020

How do we demonstrate our willingness to follow Christ in our lives - The illustration was found on the internet, but I am unsure of the original source

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. ‘Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Anglican

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover - Year B - Proper 18

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Sep 1, 2021

How do we react to others - are we quick to judge on appearance, and can we learn to be hearers and doers of the word?

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, the congregation had just settled into their service and had begun to sing the first hymn, when their attention was disturbed by a young man who was aimlessly wandering down the aisle. He was unkempt, ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-17, Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Anglican

Will You Come And Follow Me? (3rd Sunday Before Advent - Year B)

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Nov 4, 2021

We consider how the calling of the fishermen affects our lives, and allows us to focus on our own calling and why it is important for us to share our faith beginnings with others.

In the name of the Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. As I sat thinking about our Gospel this morning, a film that I watched a number of years ago came to mind, a comedy called School of life, starring Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds was a school teacher whose job was to teach his students ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Anglican

Twenty-Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B: "When In Doubt, Cut It Out.”

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 15, 2024

It is not hyperbole to say that it is better to enter heaven maimed [one-armed, one-footed, and one-eyed] than to enter hell whole. That is literally true.

“When Jesus exaggerated” is a book title, and there are countless articles on how Jesus uses exaggeration and hyperbole for effect, like we hear this Sunday; to literally cut off your hand or foot or gouge-out your eyes because then you won’t sin with them.1 However, “it is not hyperbole to say ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-48

Denomination: Catholic

"what God Called Clean" Fifth Sunday Of Easter, Year C Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on May 14, 2022

Change is all around us, even in the church. And change is never easy. Our text this week is about a whole new direction for the beginnings of the church.

Acts 11:1-18 The Jewish leaders in Judea, the circumcised, The Church Leaders rebuked Peter for sharing a meal, Breaking Bread, with the uncircumcised, the Gentiles (cf. Galatians 2:11-14). They gave him holy heck for doing what they felt went against the rules. Peter proceeds to tell how it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Fourth Sunday Of Easter, Year B- We Are All Sheep And Some Of Us Are Shepherds

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Mar 22, 2024

There are problems with sheep too

Problems and challenges for shepherds and sheep-- Timothy Laniak in 2007 tells the story of a Bedouin Arab and an American scholar sitting under a tent discussing what it takes to be a true shepherd. The Jordanian shepherd insisted that the heart is the most important thing. He lamented, “My ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-18

Denomination: Catholic

Fifth Sunday Of Easter, Year B-- Vine And Branches-- See You Later, Suckers!

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Mar 27, 2024

“We’re dying on the vine here!”

Today, we hear about pruning and abiding to bear fruit. Regarding pruning, “There’s a sucker born every minute,” is an expression used in the hope of making money selling something worthless to a gullible customer. Similarly, in gardening, sucker shoots are false branches or stems that suck the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Third Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A: Fraternal Correction In 632 Words

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 8, 2023

God’s watchful eye.

On the backside of a one-dollar bill, we are reminded that we are being watched; that eye on top of a pyramid is officially called “the eye of providence: God’s watchful eye.” Although the masons, still today a forbidden group for Catholics to join, adopted the image, the eye was actually added by ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-9, Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Catholic

Praise God And Give Him Thanks! (New Year's Eve Of 2024)

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Dec 29, 2023

I don’t know what you experienced this year and how you view 2023. But as we leave this year, I encourage you to do what David did: praise God and give Him thanks!

In less than two days, we will leave 2023 and enter 2024. Like any other year, 2023 is going to be one to remember! Here are some highlights of what happened in 2023. For the last century, if not longer, China has had the world’s largest population. That ended in 2023. India now does. Its ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thirty-Third Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A.-- Talents And Fear Based Decisions

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 21, 2023

You can teach an old dog new tricks

Sir Michael Costa, the celebrated conductor of the 19th century, was holding a rehearsal. As the mighty chorus rang out, accompanied by scores of instruments, the piccolo player--a little pint-sized flute--thinking perhaps that his contribution would not be missed amid so much music, stopped ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Catholic