Sermons on American Flag:

"I Am About To Do A New Thing;” Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Mar 31, 2022

Understand the same God who brought this people out of the land of Egypt is not yet done with them. Babylon is not an end but rather, an opportunity for God to display his power and his grace to his people once again.

The book of Isaiah is divided into three sections: (1) events leading up to the captivity and exile in Babylon, (2) redemption and restoration (Comfort), and (3) the Messianic Reign. Today’s message comes from the Messianic Reign and describes the suffering servant. Today’s reading is the first ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Sixteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C: Martha And Mary

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 1, 2022

When Martha brought her stress and complaints to Jesus, he heard her deepest need. He wanted Martha’s soul to catch up to her body.

A journalist with Bon Appetit Magazine asked readers to submit examples of their worst dinner party experiences. A woman names Bea Stein wrote about how the candles on her patio table fell over and set the whole table on fire. Another hostess had 50 guests coming over for brunch when the city ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Catholic

Sermon On Celestial Voices

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 9, 2022

There are many known medical benefits to singing, especially when we are praising God for everything in life.

Anne Lamott, an American novelist and non-fiction writer once remarked: “Then the singing enveloped me. It was furry and resonant, coming from everyone’s very heart. There was no sense of performance or judgment, only that the music was breath and food.” 2 Chronicles 5:12-14 reminds us: “And all ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13, Job 38:7, Nehemiah 12:31, 1 Corinthians 14:26

Sermon On The Importance Of Prayer

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 21, 2021

Prayer is our personal communication with God

William Franklin Graham, (Billy Graham) the American evangelist, once remarked: "We are to pray in times of adversity, lest we become faithless and unbelieving. We are to pray in times of prosperity, lest we become boastful and proud. We are to pray in times of danger, lest we become fearful ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13, Mark 11:24

Sermon On The Perils Of Rose-Tinted Glasses

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 27, 2024

Viewing life through rose-tinted, or rose-colored glasses is an expression that is considered to portray extreme optimism.

Bertie Charles Forbes, often dubbed B. C. Forbes in signature, a Scottish-American journalist and author once remarked: “Optimism is a tonic. Pessimism is poison. Admittedly, every businessman must be realistic. He must gather facts, analyze them candidly and strive to draw logical conclusions, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 8:15-17, 2 Timothy 1:7

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

Sermon On Impatience

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 6, 2023

Impatience is defined as the tendency to be impatient or, more specifically, not to allow sufficient time for events to take their natural course.

James Keller, an American Catholic priest once remarked: “Three hundred years ago a prisoner condemned to the Tower of London carved on the wall of his cell this sentiment to keep up his spirits during his long imprisonment: 'It is not adversity that kills, but the impatience with which we bear ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:14, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:2-3, Romans 12:12

Witness And Prayer

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 10, 2023

Prayer is essential to witnessing. Only God can change other people's hearts. Only God can give us the strength and courage we need.

This was a fairly short talk in the context of a family service Back in March I got an email through our church website. It was from an American called Tagg Wolverton. He works for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Tagg Wolverton explained that Billy Graham’s son Franklin would be ...read more

Scripture: John 1:41, Acts 1:14, Ezekiel 37:1-10, Matthew 9:37-38

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On A Happy Place

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 25, 2023

One of the many definitions of a happy place is considered to be a zone or situation that somebody only has to think about in order to feel happy and relaxed.

Elizabeth Wurtzel, a prolific American writer and journalist, sadly afflicted with cancer and depression once remarked: “It doesn’t matter how many years go by, how much therapy I embark on, how much I try to achieve that elusive thing known as perspective, which is supposed to put all past wrongs ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:13, Revelation 21:27, Psalm 37:4, Proverbs 17:22

Sermon On The Quest For Inner Peace

Contributed by William Meakin on May 18, 2024

Peace is primarily defined as freedom from disturbance. However, it can include a bodily state of tranquility of such magnitude that sublimity virtually becomes the key feature.

Robert Fulghum, an American author once remarked: “Peace is not something you wish for, it is something you make, something you are, something you do and something you give away.” John 16:33 reminds us: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 26:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Peace & Joy: Keeping It Real Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

We often hold inaccurate perspectives on things. Paul reminds us today of a few things: the importance of real joy, the power of real peace, and the disciple's mentality that secures these two.

I. Intro: Perspective A. Newsweek magazine recently made a side-by-side comparison of "threats" of which people have an inaccurate perspective: 1. Murders: 14,180 (2008)—Suicides: 33,289 (2006) 2. Children abducted by strangers: 115 (1999)—Children who drown in pools: 288 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Sermon On Belief Or Doubt

Contributed by William Meakin on Oct 22, 2024

Belief is defined as an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof.

Norman Vincent Peale, an American author once remarked: “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” John 14:12-14 reminds us: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1, John 20:29, James 1:6, Matthew 21:21

Sermon On A Dawn Awakening

Contributed by William Meakin on Oct 25, 2024

Dawn has been regarded as the daybreak of life. It is a time of being that generally awakens, it may enhance an entirely new perspective in vision and clarity of mind that encourages a new hope.

Henry David Thoreau, an American naturalist, essayist and philosopher once remarked: “Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.” Luke 1:78-79 reminds us: “Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:5, Psalm 108:2, Revelation 22:16, Proverbs 4:18

Sermon On The Distinction Of Joy & Happiness

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 20, 2025

Joy is defined in the dictionary as a feeling of great pleasure and exultation, whereas happiness is regarded as a state of elation or cheerfulness.

Adela Rogers St. Johns, a female American journalist and novelist once remarked: “Joy seems to me a step beyond happiness - happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you're lucky. Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love." John 15:11 reminds us: ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22, John 14:16, 1 Peter 5:7, Romans 16:17

Spiritual Development

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Feb 10, 2025

Paper for Erskine Theological Seminary CC52 July 10 2023

This is a paper that critiques theories of spiritual development including Fowler, Oser, and McGoldrick that articulates a personal theory of spiritual development using at least five sources in the APA style. All biblical quotes are from the New American Standard Bible. Fowler faith ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14

Denomination: Vineyard