Sermons on Aram:

Giving

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

Jesus teaches us a strange math, that when we give to others, we gain more back than we gave.

It was a very long time ago that I learned the basic math facts in school. If I have two hymnals, and I can find people to give me two more hymnals, how many hymnals will I have? Four. I came out ahead. And now that I have four hymnals, if I give one away, how many will I have? Only 3. I’ve ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37-42

It's A Matter Of The Heart

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

Our words and actions flow out of the condition of our heart.

Well, this year of 2001 will be behind us in just a couple of days. I think the events of September 11 and the ripple effects on the economy will etch this year in our memories for a long, long time. But apart from events outside of you, think about who you have been this year. How are you a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:43-45

Amazing Faith

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 19, 2022

It may be hard to find a place to put our faith in this modern world, but Jesus encountered a man who had amazing faith and we can learn from him.

I think we can all feel that right now our culture is really struggling to find faith. We talk about it in different ways. We talk about the need to restore family values. We talk about the need for spirituality. We may not talk about it, but I think we feel a need for a sense of purpose in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 8:5-13

Miracles

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 19, 2022

It can be confusing to understand when to expect God to intervene in our lives in the form of a miracle and when not to expect it. Jesus' encounter with a widow who had just lost her only son can give us some clues.

Two weeks ago we wrapped up the account of the Sermon on the Mount from Luke’s Gospel. This morning we take up the story again of the amazing things that happened as Jesus traveled from town to town in Israel, announcing and demonstrating the kingdom of God. This morning’s text is Luke 7:11-17. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Excuses, Excuses

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 19, 2022

If you had the chance to go back to the time of Jesus and follow him as a disciple, would you take it? Jesus pointed out that there were people who saw his ministry and saw John the Baptist's ministry, but made excuses rather than commitment, so they missed out.

I love preaching through the life of Jesus. There is something about his teachings and the things that he did that just stretches me again and again. Any time I start to think I have it all figured out, I just need to take another look at Jesus, and I know there are more wonders still ahead for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:31-35

Those Who Are Forgiven Much

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 19, 2022

Church life can become awful conventional, safe and predictable. One day Jesus met a woman who blew all of that away.

Our text for this morning is a surprising story of the reaction that different people had when they met Jesus. It is Luke 7:36-50. I encourage you to open your Bible so you can see it for yourself. In the pew Bibles it is on page 66 of the New Testament section. And please stand for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Ruth: Refugee With A Human Face

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jun 21, 2021

The Book of Ruth doesn't get much attention, but it can remind us that God sees refugees and can use them in his purposes.

I imagine we probably all have a favorite book of the Bible. The gospels should be high on everyone’s list because they tell us the story of Jesus. And when the church’s heart and mind are fixed on Jesus, everything comes together. When we lose sight of Jesus things go wrong. Luke is my ...read more

How To Be Good And Mad

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Christians often try to avoid or deny anger because unrighteous anger can be so destructive. But there is a time and place and way to be angry in a constructive way.

This morning I want to talk about finding freedom from anger, or to be precise, from destructive anger, not all anger. And our sermon text for this morning lays out a very simple outline of some really important guidance for us about anger. It is Ephesians 4:25-27. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-27

A Safe Place To Come Close

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Humility and gentleness are keys for creating a church fellowship where people feel safe to come close to one another.

Last week we started with the dilemma of two porcupines on a very cold night, who needed to snuggle up close to each other to stay warm. But the closer they got the more they pricked each other with their quills, so they pulled apart. But the more they pulled apart, the colder they got. So it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 11:28-29

Bearing With One Another In Love

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

All of us have needed to have people be patient with us when we were slow to grow and learn, working through a deep wound in our heart or just having a bad day. One of the best ways to help our churches and all their members is to learn to be patient with them, bearing with them in love.

I don’t get to do it very often anymore, but I love fishing. I grew up near a muddy little lake where you could catch bullheads and bluegills almost any time you tried. But catching fish is only part of the joy. Two years ago we vacationed up in Minnesota. The first evening we went out to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Maintaining God's Unity

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

When God's church is unified in love, wonderful power flows. But too often the flow is blocked. We need to learn to maintain the unity that God provides for us.

We lived for 7 years up in Winthrop Harbor, the Cornerstone of Illinois. Our house was 6 blocks from the Wisconsin border and about 2 miles from the Lake Michigan shoreline. We were maybe 5 miles from the Zion Nuclear Plant. We had several good friends who worked there. This week I’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, James 5:16, Romans 15:7, Colossians 3:16, Romans 12:10  (view more)  (view less)

Be One! Be Different!

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

No one is useless in the church. The Holy Spirit gives everyone some gifting that they can contribute. The church needs you.

This is a bit embarrassing to say, but I have this thing about doing the Tribune’s crossword puzzle each day, and I couldn’t finish Saturday’s and it’s bugging me. Maybe you can help me out. Then I can focus on our sermon text. Can you help me for a minute? I got most of it already. This should ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11-16

Apostles In The Church

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Does it ever feel like the church is timid, afraid to take on new challenges? When we have those feelings, it may be because we are missing an important ministry of the church: the ministry of apostle.

Does it ever feel like the church never changes, or at least that if it does change, then the wheels of change turn very, very slowly? Does it ever feel like the church is timid, afraid to take on new challenges? Does it ever feel like the church is so busy just holding its own, surviving, that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11-16

Part 1: Know What We're Here For: Maturity Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Churches that aren't clear on their purpose for being can hardly be effective. Our goal is maturity in Christ.

One of the deepest joys that I have ever experienced in all my life is the joy of watching our children turn into adults. I guess I always pretty much figured that would happen some day. But then, there were those times when they were upset with each other over the silliest things and the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

2: Equipping The Saints Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Some people are content for church to be a spectator sport. But church works best when everyone gets out of the stands and gets into the game of ministry.

Would all the ministers of the church please raise their hands? You all know I’m the minister with my name on the sign. Are there any other ministers? I see hands going up. Let’s see some more. Let’s see more and more until every hand is up. If you are in God’s family, you are called to be a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16