Sermons on Activated Faith:

Are Divorce And Remarriage Okay? Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Sep 22, 2012

Are divorce and remarriage okay?

Introduction Are divorce and remarriage okay? I suppose of all the questions that have been raised by the letter of 1 Corinthians, this is the one that draws the greatest anticipation as to how it will be answered. Other questions are controversial and spark ardent debate. We may even enjoy the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Good News! Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 16, 2012

An introduction to the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 1:1 Good News! 5/28/00 D. Marion Clark The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Background Mark’s name first appears in Acts 12:12: When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1, Mark 1:1

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus' First Words Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 21, 2012

With his first words, Jesus ushers in the kingdom of God.

Introduction We are now moving out of Mark’s introduction to Jesus’ life and ministry, and getting into the story of his ministry. In verse 1 he introduced the theme of his writing – it is about the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; verses 2-8 presented John the Baptist ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Treasuring God's Grace Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Oct 25, 2012

We live with the knowledge that we sin; we often assume we're getting away with it. In reality, we've just never been caught - or have we?

“Treasuring God’s Grace” 2 Sam. 11:26-12:14 The question on the job application read, “Have you ever been arrested?” The applicant printed the word “No” in the space. The next question was a follow-up to the first; it asked, “Why?” So this ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Real Miracle-Grow Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

The kingdom of God is mystery. Whether we are asleep or awake, whether its seed seems small or large, it will generate life that is abundant and rich.

Introduction A number of years ago at the prodding of a neighbor, who was also a church elder, my wife and I ventured into the mystical world of gardening. A section of our yard had once been a rose garden that one minister had lovingly cared for and another pulled up, so that it was bare when we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Opened Ears Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

As spectacular as giving hearing to a deaf man may have been, what that healing signified was by far more wondrous than anything that life on earth has yet to experience.

Introduction We read in our passage what is a common experience for us – the record of yet another healing. That was not common for the man Jesus healed. To him it was the most spectacular event of his life. And yet, as spectacular as it may have been, what that healing signified was by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:31-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Need A Long ‘exposure’ To Jesus

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 29, 2012

Think camera shutter speeds: the longer they're open, the more light gets in. Corollary: the longer your 'exposure' to Jesus, the more concrete His Image will be on the photographic film of your soul. The 3 disciples who viewed the Transfiguration needed

YOU NEED A LONG ‘EXPOSURE’ TO JESUS Lk. 9:28-36 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Two friends ran into each other. One was so down and miserable that the other said, "What's wrong, brother?" 2. "I'll tell you what's wrong. Three weeks ago my uncle died and left me $40,000. Then two weeks ago ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus’ Warning Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 30, 2012

Anytime I, or you, pare Jesus down to a figure that we can be comfortable with, we are guilty of murdering him.

Introduction There was one club in college that never enticed me to join; that was the Debate Club. My heart beats rapidly enough raising an objection in a meeting! The excitement of public debate is not the kind I care for. I am the kind of person who thinks best at least two days after ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Is Not A Cemetary Keeper Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 30, 2012

The God you worship is your God forever.

Introduction We start round three in the debate matches between Jesus and his opponents. In the first round the religious authorities tried intimidation: Who do you think you are? The result: they slink away intimidated by the crowd. In the second round the shrewdest of the Pharisees and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Savior" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 1, 2012

We are saved in Christ, but we are also judged as Christ followers and will have to give an account before God. Because we are saved we can be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Not to get saved, but because we are saved. If you struggle wi

Create – judge – save or redeem. You could say, create – evaluate – change. That is the creative process whether you are God or human. I think of the process I go through in creating a sermon. I write it out, I judge whether it conforms to certain criteria I have as to whether it will serve the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-23

The Misunderstood God: The List-Keeping God Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Apr 14, 2013

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).

THE MISUNDERSTOOD GOD: THE LIST-KEEPING GOD 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-5 Big Idea: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32). Supporting Scripture: • Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:1-9 • ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-5

Denomination: Nazarene

The Misunderstood God: The Condemning God Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Apr 21, 2013

In Christ we discover God is not cranky and condemning but loving and redeeming.

THE MISUNDERSTOOD GOD: THE CONDEMNING GOD** 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6 Big Idea: In Christ we discover God is not cranky and condemning but loving and redeeming. INTRO Have you ever spoken terrible things to a dog in a kind voice? I must confess I have. I have pet Bogey (my Cocker Spaniel) and said ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-6

Denomination: Nazarene

The Worship Wars

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Apr 21, 2013

A sermon developed around the diviersity of thought concerning what constitutes true worship.

“The Worship Wars” John 4:1-42 John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Some ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should He Love Us So?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 22, 2013

Mankind has made a real mess of the world in which we live. All around us we see the bitter fruits of hatred, selfishness, & greed. No, I don’t know why God should love us. But He does!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK A. There is a beautiful old hymn that begins with these words: “Love sent my Savior to die in my stead. Why should He love me so?” And the chorus of that hymn asks again, “Why should He ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Killing Goliaths

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 30, 2013

David did not kill Goliath - God did.

We all face obstacles in life. Part of what makes life fantastic, exciting, worthwhile, and energizing is having a goal or a purpose or a call that is so worthwhile that we will fight through any obstacle, overcome any difficulty, literally “move any mountain” to overcome it. And I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-51

Denomination: Baptist