Sermons on Absence:

800-Pound Gorilla? Or The First Pope?

Contributed by William Mouser on Aug 23, 2005

In Matthew 16, Jesus confers on Peter (and, later the other Apostles) authority to rule the Church, founded on the truth of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah.

Matthew 16:13-20 800-Pound Gorilla? Or the First Pope? There’s a phrase that’s popular in modern discussions of any number of topics, and that phrase is this: “an 800 pound gorilla in the room.” An example would be this line which I plucked from a blog entry on the international economy as it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Parables Of The Talents And Pounds Series

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Aug 26, 2005

Jesus used the Parables of The Talents and The Pounds to teach His followers of the Kingdom of God - of its Coming, postponed in all its fulness until His Return, but in the meantime, Waiting and Working for it, and Accountability for what we do for it.

When Jesus walked the highways and byways of the land of Israel preaching the coming Kingdom of God he caused quite a stir. The religious establishment were generally suspicious and increasingly hostile to His message. His reception by what were known as the ‘common people’ was quite different. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

Delegation Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Nov 2, 2005

Jesus return is the motivation for remaining holy and blameless to be ready when he appears so we can join him, so we’re worthy of him. Paul’s prayer is that Jesus would provide the power to do it.

As we read this section of 1 Thessalonians we get a real sense of Paul’s love for the people he ministered to. There’s no sense of this being made up, no pretence. Rather it feels quite genuine. He really misses them. He’s distressed that he’s had to abandon them just as they were becoming a stable ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Saul's Failure Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Apr 3, 2003

Saul’s mistake was that he was more worried about his success than God’s glory. God became for him a means to an end, rather than an end in himself. So this is both warning and a challenge to us. Make sure that God is at the centre of our focus in everyth

On the surface, the story of Saul’s life is one of wars against his enemies, mostly victorious. But that’s just the setting for a much more significant drama that unfolds as his life as king progresses, a drama that involves his relationship with the God of Israel. It’s ironic that as the story ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:1-22

Denomination: Anglican

The Seven Sayings Of Jesus From The Cross

Contributed by Bruce Morrison on Apr 13, 2003

A comparison of the seven days of creeation with the seven sayings of the cross.

The Seven Sayings of Jesus From The Cross In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. When man sinned, all of creation was affected and to this day travails under the burden of estrangement from its Creator. No part of creation is more ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Peter's Denial

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Apr 19, 2003

What to do when you don’t have the strength to admit you are a Christian.

Psalm 25:1-11 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. Show me your ways, O LORD, teach ...read more

Scripture: John 18:15-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't Steal Anothers Affections Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 5, 2000

A look at Adultery and the Ten Commandments

We’re going to do something a little bit different this morning as we look at the seventh commandment. Which is Exodus 20:14 Be faithful in marriage. I’m going to tell you a story. It all started with a man, figures doesn’t it? He wasn’t just any man he was the most powerful man in the nation, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

Mother’s Day - Security Or Insecurity?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 3, 2001

Let’s talk about family security, and the lack of it; about the things that cause insecurity and the things that can develop security in the home.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK A. Today is Mother’s Day, a day on which mothers are specially honored. Many receive cards or flowers or candy as husbands & children try to show them just how much they are loved & appreciated. And many restaurants will ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-21, Ephesians 5:25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Pitfalls Of A Mature Believer Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 18, 2003

As we grow in Christ we realize just how much freedom we have in Him. But what about the immature believer - what do we do with our freedom if it causes our brother or sister to stumble or be distressed?

For an audio copy of this message, go to: www.LivingWatersWeb.com Paul the Apostle wrote these words: (1 Corinthians 13:11) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. What was it like for you when ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Words Of Assurance To Those In Crisis

Contributed by Todd Riley on Oct 18, 2000

A story has been told of a dying man who asked his Christian doctor to tell him something about the place to which he was going.

A story has been told of a dying man who asked his Christian doctor to tell him something about the place to which he was going. As the doctor fumbled for a reply, he heard a scratching at the door, and then he had his answer. "Do you hear that?" he asked his patient. "It's my dog. I left him ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Wedding: Do The Things You Did At First

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Oct 26, 2000

The theme of this wedding ceremony is based on Jesus' advice on keeping love renewed - "Do the things you did at first." I also personalize the ceremony by including comments from family and friends.

SEATING OF GUESTS SEATING OF MOTHERS SONG – LIGHTING OF SIDE CANDLES BY MOTHERS PROCESSIONAL WELCOME (TO GUESTS) You have been honored by the invitation of a young man and a young woman to share in one of the happiest and holiest moments of their lives. You are their guests and the guests of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, Revelation 2:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The New Wine Of The Kingdom

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Nov 12, 2000

The miracle of Jesus changing water into wine at Cana is a sign pointing to the new wine of the Kingdom found only by obedience to Mary’s prophetic words to the servants "do whatever he tells you".

THE NEW WINE OF THE KINGDOM Have you ever wondered how the stories recorded in the Gospels came to be selected out of the many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of the events in the earthly life of Jesus? (John 20:30; 21:35). The evangelist John gives us the reason for their inclusion in Scripture: ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Our Confidence In God Series

Contributed by David Phaneuf on Jul 31, 2003

"I shall not want... I will not fear... I will dwell..." -- three great affirmations expressing confidence in God who provides for our needs, protects us from harm, and promises us abundant and eternal life.

GREAT STORIES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT: OUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD (The Shepherds Psalm) Psalm 23 We have been looking at some of the Great STORIES of the Old Testament, stories of people and their encounters with God, stories of how God worked in someone’s life. Today’s sermon, however, is not strictly ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

The Home Going

Contributed by James May on Aug 10, 2003

A sermon that brings the salvation message home, preached as a memorial service to one of our elderly Christian soldiers.

THE HOME GOING This morning we are come together as a church family to worship the Lord. We have sung praises to Jesus, the One who died on the cross, that we may have eternal life. This week has been a hard week for many of those present to endure. As one member has said, “the devil has ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9, Revelation 2:10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Believe In The Resurrection Of The Body And The Life Everlasting Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 8, 2003

1. We were made for immortality. 2. What God is going to do cannot be duplicated. 3. God’s gift of immortality changes our life perspective.

A few year back, the newspapers carried the story a few years ago about a man who had been in a coma for several years, but suddenly and unexpectedly awoke. What happened was that the medical staff decided to work on his teeth while he was in the coma, and in preparation for the dental work gave ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:17-19, 1 Corinthians 15:42-58

Denomination: Methodist