Sermons on Abigail Adams:

Palm Sunday: Choose A Donkey Over A Horse

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 9, 2019

Sermon explores the message of servanthood in JEsus's​ choice to ride a donkey into JErusale​m.

Choose A Donkey Over A Horse St. Matthews Episcopal Church The Rev. Rian Adams For over a decade I’ve preached from the Passion narrative on Palm Sunday. This year I’m going to follow my personality and deviate from the norm. Today I’m preaching from the Palm Sunday Gospel reading. Why? Palm ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:26-40

Denomination: Episcopal

Trusting God When Times Are Tough

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Jan 20, 2020

The season after Christmas can be blah. All the excitement is gone and we're left with the emotional crash after. This sermon speaks to how we can trust God when times are tough.

Trusting God When Times Are Tough: The Christmas Hangover Have you ever had a hangover? I hear they can be rough. You know the story… the night before, you felt alive. You even loved everyone. Then you wake the next morning, and you can't say for sure, but you might be dead. Once in a while, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15, Matthew 2:19-23

Denomination: Episcopal

Responding To Disappointments: A Star And A Stable (Epiphany)

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Jan 20, 2020

Difficulties are part of life, how we respond is what makes the difference. Joseph and Mary faced the difficulty of being refugees in the land of Egypt in order to save the child Jesus from Herod. The "ah ha" moment is when we realize God is with us no matter where we find ourselves.

Stars and a Stable: Responding to Disappointments One of my closest friends loves UGA! He’s a graduate and a dedicated football loyalist. Now let’s not question his Christianity just yet. He has a saying, "When I die, make sure you chant the Eucharist at my funeral mass. And make sure the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal

Do You Want The Church To Grow?

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Jan 20, 2020

This is a sermon on evangelism that is tied to Jesus's call to the apostle Andrew. Andrew 1) grows in discipleship and 2) grows the church. The sermon tells people that they can be excited and happy about their faith, and share it with other people.

Do you want the church to grow? Andrew wasn’t the popular kid in class. His name is only mentioned in twelve verses in the Bible, and eight of those describe him as "Peter's little brother." Even though he was one of the first two or three followers of Jesus, Peter was still the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-32

Denomination: Episcopal

The Parable Of The Lost Sons Luke 15:11-32

Contributed by Damon S Adams on Mar 16, 2016

This message is a exposition of the Parable of the Prodigal. The message demonstrates how rich the parable is and how the Middle Eastern context adds to our understanding of the meaning and application of the three main characters of the parable.

The Parable of the Lost Sons Luke 15: 11-32 Introduction – Going to Cyprus for an extended stay of 3 months when I was 3yrs old back in 1963, I experienced village life that plunged me into a context that in some ways probably resembled something of the village setting of the parable of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fishing And Fighting: Leave Your Safety Nets

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 6, 2020

The first disciples were willing to step out in faith to follow Jesus. The writer says "They left their nets." What nets do we need to leave behind so we can follow Jesus?

Fishing and Fighting: Leave Your Safety Nets “We all have one thing in common,” says Brene Brown, “we’re sick of feeling afraid. We’re tired of the national conversation centering on “What we should fear” and “Who we should blame.” She points out a spiritual problem; fear is everywhere. With ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Episcopal

Patience And Perseverance (Epiphany 4 Candlemas)

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 6, 2020

The readings of Simeon and Anna speak of Jesus being presented in the temple as a child. Each character are examples of patience and perseverance.

Patience and Perseverance Epiphany 4 Candlemas When I was a kid, my least favorite Church service of the year occurred on Super Bowl Sunday. You see, I grew up in a pastor's home, and my grandfather's church had a Sunday night service every week. I wanted to watch the Super Bowl instead of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Episcopal

Never Surrender Your Authenticity

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 6, 2020

Jesus says let "yes" be yes and "no" be no. Righteousness must exceed the Pharisees. They surrendered their authenticity to appear more religious. This sermon is an encouragement to live in the opposite manner.

Never Surrender Your Authenticity Counterfeiters make over a billion dollars a year, making fake designer clothes and handbags. That billion is from the United States, not the rest of the world. These are not cheap knock offs from street vendors; they are well-made fakes. There's an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Episcopal

Ash Wednesday: Confronting Our Sins, Embracing Our Vulnerabilities

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 6, 2020

Ash Wednesday sermon about confronting our sins, but how that is a call to vulnerability by the Holy Spirit

Ash Wednesday: At one time Advent was my favorite season of the church year. The happiness, the joy of anticipation, the hope of a manger, the birth of a child… it all added a hopeful newness to my soul. But our culture ruined Christmas with the rabid consumerism and those lame made for TV ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Denomination: Episcopal

Temptation Is Information

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 6, 2020

First Sunday in Lent. The sermon is about how our temptations in life can give us information about ourselves, and the world.

Temptation is Information Temptations are too much for some people to handle. I heard a few years ago a 340lb man sued a hospital for 900k, claiming it ruined his gastric stapling operation. The man underwent weight loss surgery to cure his overeating. The surgeon implanted 70 tiny staples to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal

The Labor Of Love Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Couples, Pt. 4

THE LABOR OF LOVE (GENESIS 29:9-35) One of the best quotes on love I know of comes from Liz Carpenter. She said, “Love is a moment and a lifetime. It is looking at him across a room and feeling that if I don’t send the rest of my life with him, I’ll have missed the boat.” More than 66 percent of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:9-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who’s Really Running This Show

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 26, 2018

A study in the book of 2 Samuel 3: 1 – 39

2 Samuel 3: 1 – 39 Who’s really running this show 3 Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 3:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Heart Of The Matter Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 13, 2004

David, Pt. 1 of 15

THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART (1 SAMUEL 16) During the wedding rehearsal, the groom approached the pastor with an unusual offer. “Look, I’ll give you $100 if you’ll change the wedding vows. When you get to me and the part where I’m to promise to ‘love, honor and obey’ and ‘forsaking all others, be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Enjoy Fortune Together, Endure Misfortune Together Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Apr 27, 2005

Bible Couples, Pt. 2 "Abram and Sarai"

ENJOY FORTUNE TOGETHER, ENDURE MISFORTUNE TOGETHER (GENESIS 12:1-13:1) Larry's barn burned down and Susan, his wife, called the insurance company. Susan told the insurance company, “We had that barn insured for fifty thousand and I want my money.” The agent replied, “Whoa there, just a minute, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Price Of Disobedience

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Jan 14, 2011

David and his time in Ziklag. How he moved out of touch with God and then realizes his mistake and leaves the enemy terriroty.

The Price of Disobedience I Samuel 27-30 Illustration – Once upon a time the devil decided to have a garage sale. He did it because he wanted to clear out some of his old tools to make room for new ones. After he set up his wares, a fellow dropped by to see what he had. Arrayed on a ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God