Sermons on Alan Burgess:

Epiphany's Success Lessons

Contributed by Alan Holden on Jan 2, 2013

The story of Jesus’ epiphany has several success lessons that are often ignored. If these lessons are discovered and practiced, they will yield a hundred fold. So what are these success lessons?

The story of Jesus’ epiphany has several success lessons that are often ignored. The word “epiphany” means “appearance, or manifestation.” The story is found in Luke 1:21-40. In fact, the whole story of the Epiphany is nearly non-existent in many evangelical churches. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:21-40

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' High Priestly Prayer

Contributed by Alan Perkins on May 26, 2019

In Jesus' longest recorded prayer, offered to the Father just hours before his arrest and crucifixion, he asks for three critical things that we need, and for which God's power is both necessary and sufficient: (1) purity and protection, (2) unity, and (3) glory.

Chapter seventeen of John’s gospel consists of a prayer, offered by Jesus to the Father. It is a remarkable prayer. First of all, it’s the longest prayer of Jesus which is recorded in any of the gospels. Jesus was known to pray for long periods of time, but usually he went off by himself to do so. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How Can We Be Good?

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jul 7, 2019

In order to grow in obedience and godliness, we must start by having minds that are "alert and fully sober".

In this passage, Peter is addressing a question that each of us struggles with: how can we be good? Because we do want to be good, at least theoretically. Don’t we? We want to be people who do the right thing, who are honorable, who are worthy of respect, people who tell the truth. We want to be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God Sees You, Not Only As What You Are, But As What You Are Becoming

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jul 14, 2019

When Jesus met Simon, he named him "Peter", or "Rock", even though Peter's character at that time was decidedly un-rocklike. But Jesus saw what he would become, just as he sees as, not only as we are but as what we will become in Him.

The first thing we notice in these seven verses is the number of references to stones. Living stones. Precious stones. Corner stones. Stones that are chosen by God but rejected by men. A stone that causes people to stumble and fall. Now, think about that for a moment. Why would that be? Why would ...read more

Scripture: John 1:40-42, 1 Peter 2:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

Your Resources Are Insufficient. That's What God Intends.

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Feb 20, 2022

It was never God's intention that our resources should be sufficient. He wants to show us what he can do with the little we have.

As we consider the world that we live in today; as we watch the news on television, as we read the paper, or more likely, read the news online; as we look around us, and consider everything that is happening in our nation and in the world, it’s easy to become discouraged and disillusioned. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do We Sing?

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Oct 16, 2022

On the occasion of dedicating new hymnals, it is fitting for us to think about why we sing, and how important singing hymns is to our spiritual health and growth.

This morning we are dedicating new hymnals for use in our worship. Lord willing, these hymnals will bless our congregation for many years to come. We are thankful to have them. We are thankful to the committee which compared and evaluated several hymnals before choosing this one. And we are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Forget It!

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jul 31, 2022

In order to press on, to move forward, in the Christian life, we must first "forget" the past. We must forget the sins of others and our own sins and mistakes; we must forget our successes and failures; we must forget our vision of how our life would turn out.

My text this morning is a familiar one, from Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, chapter three, verses twelve through fourteen. Let me set the context. Paul begins by listing his credentials as an authentic descendant of Abraham, in rebuttal to those who were attacking him and his message. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Go To Church?

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 17, 2024

Attending church has many benefits - social connection, uplifting messages, inspiring music, coffee. But all of those needs can be met in other ways. There is one thing, however, that is absolutely unique about meeting together to worship, and that is the promised presence of Christ among us.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! How many of you are wearing green? Good for you. But - wasn’t it just Christmas a couple of weeks ago? It’s hard to believe that Easter is only two weeks away. I realize that what I’m about to say will betray my age, but don’t you find that every year seems to go by ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-12, Romans 8:35-39, John 15:4-8, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Matthew 18:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Palm Sunday - The Triumphal Entry

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 25, 2024

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he was at the height of his popularity. But only a few days later, the crowds were calling for him to be crucified. What happened? And what did the Triumphal Entry signify that the people didn't understand?

Today is Palm Sunday, one of the most significant days of the church calendar. And I think it’s fitting to remind ourselves that as we worship this morning here in our church we are part of a worldwide celebration, one that has been repeated every year for twenty centuries. In other words, this is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Hebrews 2:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

How To Get Along With Christians

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Aug 4, 2024

Jesus said that our love for other believers would be a testimony to the gospel. But sometimes, it's hard to tolerate, much less love, our fellow Christians. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul tells us how to do it.

As I look around the room this morning, I see a lot of white and gray hair. That’s nothing to be ashamed of; in fact, Proverbs 16:31 tells us that “Gray hair is a crown of glory”. A “crown of glory”. I like that. My problem is that my crown gets a little smaller every year. By the way, I tried to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Dancing To Their Tune?

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 30, 2023

Many people want you to dance to their tune, to order your life according to their convictions and demands. Some of them are in the church. But the freedom that we have in Christ releases us from being slaves to the opinions of others, and even requires it.

This morning, I’d like us to consider a passage of Scripture in which Jesus makes an astute observation about the social and religious culture of his day. It’s a fairly brief remark, but one that is full of significance for us today, because it gives us a perspective on how to react to criticism ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Before Easter

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 31, 2024

What was the disciples' state of mind on Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter? And what lessons can we learn from their change of perspective?

What we are remembering this morning is the central, defining event of the Christian faith. Today all over the world, Christians are gathering together, in cathedrals and in rented storefronts, in remote villages and in crowded cities, in thousands of different languages, all celebrating and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-8, Luke 24:33-44

Denomination: Baptist

Jars Of Clay - By Design

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Sep 7, 2025

When we think we aren’t enough, we’re right! We’re not supposed to be.

Recently, something very strange happened to me. Something that I always knew was theoretically possible, but which still came as a shock. A couple of weeks ago, I woke up one morning and realized that I was now — wait for it — a “Grandpa”. Now, the event which brought about this transformation ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoice Always

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 8, 2003

Sermon highlights joy in the midst of pain, defines the Latin word Gaudete. Reflection on the difference between joy and happiness.

Grace be to you and peace from the One who was, and is, and is to come. Amen. Today is the third Sunday in Advent, which was historically called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for ‘rejoice’. Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday, if we had a pink candle in our Advent wreath, that we would light the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-20

Denomination: Lutheran

The Times And The Season

Contributed by Michael Deaton on Feb 1, 2003

Reflections on the Columbia Disaster

The Times and the Seasons 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 I remember, as many of you do, 1957. We each remember ift for many different reasons. Television was new in my hometown. Cable had found it way to that part of Texas. The world was opening up and it was opening at a time that I was growing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Methodist