Sermons on Are We:

Wipe Away The Tears

Contributed by Wes Richard on Apr 27, 2003

God provides plenty of opportunities to recognize the risen Lord.

Wipe Away the Tears John 20 (Everyone got a small packet of Kleenex on their way in) We have all seen it happen. A child gets separated from her parents. Soon the child panics and wails and weeps. Tears stream down her face. No one can console her. Nothing can stop her tears. Then her parents ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Denomination: Brethren

Making Every Effort Toward Godliness Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 1, 2005

God empowers us to live ethical, holy, upright lives in a corrupt world

Making every effort toward godliness II Peter 1 Soon after Sue and I arrived here 20 years ago, we began to print a simple church directory each year, mostly so that we all had a way to connect with each other. Soon long-time members began to say they were having trouble putting names with the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-21

Denomination: Brethren

Leading Lives Of Holiness & Godliness Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 5, 2005

God has called us to right living in a world that has a lot wrong with it

Last Wednesday evening, a student from ONU joined our group to do an assignment he had for a class. He was supposed to visit a church and then write a report. He found our church through our website and called us to be sure we were meeting. I’d love to read his report. Every day I’m ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:14-18

Denomination: Brethren

Reaching Out To The Poor Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 10, 2005

The Bible commands us to feed the hungry and look out for the poor.

Reaching out to the Poor Proverbs 14:31 Two events in recent months have turned the attention of our nation to the issue of poverty. One was the conference of the Group of 8 nations in July, where world leaders decided to cancel the debts of the 38 poorest nations of the world to help ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:31

Denomination: Brethren

Church House Or Courthouse? Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Mar 13, 2006

I Corinthians 6 challenges us to follow the way of the cross in dealing with contentious issues within the church

Several years ago, on a Sunday morning, I was responsible for the children’s story. I wanted to help the children think about Jesus as their friend, so I began with this question: Who would you go to if you had a problem? One child said he would go to his grandma. Another said he would go to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Denomination: Brethren

Four Heavenly Voices Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Dec 13, 2005

God speaks four words of comfort, instead of judgment, to his wounded children, and releases them, and us, from those things that hold us captive. And these are voices we all need to hear.

Back in August, many people were glued to their televisions as the tragic events of hurricane Katrina’s onslaught unfolded in New Orleans. With mandatory evacuations ordered, over a million people left the area successfully, traveling to Houston, Dallas, and other cities. This was the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Brethren

God's New Project Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Dec 19, 2005

When God takes us off of the trash heap and makes something new, he has promises and expectations.

Christmas is one time of the year when many people get creative. Some people make new things. Others take old things and make them like new. I remember reading about prisoners who took on the project of refurbishing old toys so some kids could have something special for Christmas. And Kay has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-12

Denomination: Brethren

When The Bottom Falls Out Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Aug 22, 2005

Psalm 55 can serve as a prayer when you experience reversals in life

When the bottom falls out Psalm 55 I read of a brick layer who ended up in the hospital with extensive injuries because of a work-related accident. His insurance company wanted information about his injuries, so he attached the following explanation: In your letter, you asked for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:1-23

Denomination: Brethren

Flee From Secularism Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Mar 30, 2006

Paul’s admonition to the Corinthian church to flee from idols is relevant to our temptations to secularism.

Flee from Secularism I Cor. 10:1-14 Most of you probably saw the story in the news last week about a man in Afghanistan who could be sentenced to death because he converted from Islam to Christianity. Under the religious laws of that nation, converting to Christianity is a crime. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

Denomination: Brethren

Remedy For Rebellion Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Mar 25, 2003

The remedy for rebellion against God is found in the one who was lifted up on the cross.

Remedy for Rebellion In the 70s, when I was studying for my Ph.D at the University of Iowa, one of the books I studied was titled Why Men Rebel (Princeton 1970). In it the author, Ted Robert Gurr, tries to explain why riots, rebellions, and civil wars occur. He cites statistics of nations that ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:9-14

Denomination: Brethren

Parable Of A Broken Covenant Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on May 13, 2009

God uses Hosea’s broken marriage to paint a picture of covenant unfaithfulness, but the story doesn’t end there because God is a pursuing God.

This is one day when our nation pays special attention to the importance of motherhood. Many of you have planned some special way to observe this day with a meal, a gift, or a visit. And it is wonderful that you can do that. I also recognize that Mother’s Day is not easy for a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:1-11

Denomination: Brethren

What Is Your God Quotient? Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on May 26, 2009

Many people who sit in the pews have "no knowledge of God," as Hosea says. Knowing God is possible; it is about living; and knowing God brings hope.

Last Thursday was a beautiful spring day, so my wife and I decided to knock on some doors on Pine Street, meeting new people and getting reacquainted with people we had met before. At the last house, an apartment, we could see a man through the open door sucking the last drops of liquor ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

The Day Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Aug 17, 2009

The prophet Zephaniah points us to the meaning of spiritual renewal

Today I want to begin with a question. How long has it been since you have felt God nudging you to follow him more closely? Some of you may have committed your life to Christ many years ago and you haven’t thought much about it since. Others may be struggling right now with the question of how to ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:1-18

Denomination: Brethren

Christian Marriage 101 Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Feb 3, 2009

It is impossible to understand marriage without understanding the church.

If you have seen the movie “Fireproof,” you probably remember the scene of the salt and pepper shakers glued together. And if you have attended weddings, you have probably heard the minister say to the bride and groom that the two will become one flesh. Do you know where to find those words in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-33

Denomination: Brethren

God Is Able Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Jan 22, 2010

Jude's benediction is a wonderful description of what God is able to do

God is able Jude 24,25 1. Look at the order of our worship in the bulletin. Regular worshipers have come to expect several public prayers in a worship service. Opening Prayer/Invocation- The first prayer of a worship service has one purpose: to invite and acknowledge God’s presence among the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:24-25

Denomination: Brethren