Sermons on Aram:

Preparation For Ministry 2: Understanding Power Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 11, 2021

The devil's offer of giving to Jesus authority over all the nations might have seemed like an easy shortcut to fulfill his calling, but of course, Jesus saw through the temptation of power. He saw power far above coercion. He saw the power of love and servanthood.

When you hear me say the word, “power,” I’ll bet it can stir up all sorts of feelings inside. On one hand it may bring memories of a time when someone used power over you in a painful and destructive way and you cringe a bit inside. On the other hand it may stir up a hope of having power ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Talking Religion

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

Many of us have a hard time talking with others about our faith. Jesus gives us a good example.

“1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat them. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, `Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?' 3 Jesus answered them, `Have you never read what David did when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-5, Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28

Men Who Shook The World

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

This sermon was preached 12 days after September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center was destroyed in New York. It looks at the sacrifice made by the terrorists and calls us to invest ourselves to shake the world for Christ.

The whole world is still shaking from the events of September 11, the hijackings, the buildings destroyed, the mass deaths and destruction, the world efforts to put together a coalition to finally stamp out terrorism, the layoffs and financial troubles of the airline industry, the upset of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:12-16, Mark 3:13-19

Candidates For God's Kingdom

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

In the beatitudes Jesus turns the values of our world upside down.

As we work our way through Luke’s Gospel, we have looked at a string of stories that explain why it was that such a good guy as Jesus had enemies. He hung around with disreputable people. The Pharisees developed a long list of rules for what you can do and can’t do on the Sabbath. But Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

How To Get Rid Of Your Enemies

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

The world is torn apart by people reacting to their enemies in ways that just cause further provocation and pain. We all need to know God's way for responding to those who come at us as enemies.

What do you do when people do nasty things to you? What do you do when things happen like someone treating you like an enemy, hating you, cussing you out, abusing you or stealing your coat? That makes it harder to be a Christian, doesn’t it? Everyone here has had an encounter with someone who is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 5:43-48

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

False News

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 24, 2019

A study in the book of 2 Chronicles 18: 1 – 34

2 Chronicles 18: 1 – 34 And now today’s false news 18 Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria; and Ahab killed sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people who were with him and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Promise Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Patrick Mead on Nov 26, 2007

There are several “hugs from God” in Isaiah that remind us what Christmas is all about, and what it really means for those who have Christ in their hearts.

The Promise of Christmas Isaiah 7:1-8:4 Introduction: A pastor was preparing his sermon when his daughter came in and said, “Daddy, can you come and play with me?” Her father responded, “Honey, I need to finish my sermon, but give me an hour, and I will play with you.” “Okay,” said the girl, “And ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Article #14 - Divine Healing Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

The Church of the Nazarene recognizes the role of science and medicine, but affirms the miraculous power of God to intervene and offer divine healing.

Article of Faith #14 - Divine Healing Date: Sunday, September 12, 2004 Author: Rev. Jonathan K. Twitchell If you turned on the television last night, you were probably confronted again with images of the terrorist attacks from three years ago. You may have watched some of the coverage, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Nazarene

Shape Up Or . . .

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 19, 2011

Amos sends Israel a clear message from God: you are not meeting my standards, and I am about to cut you off.

Good morning. I am special correspondent Shinon Byorus for the Mesopotamian News Network, coming to you live from Bethel in Israel, where controversy has been stirring for months around the inflammatory rhetoric from the prophet Amos, who appeared some time ago from Judea with a very harsh message ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:7-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed