Sermons on Are We:

Recipe For Avoiding Moral Failure Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Feb 5, 2004

Disregarding God’s moral and ethical principles as David did can have disastrous consequences.

I recently saw a photo of three expensive cars encased in ice in the garage of a million-dollar house when the pipes froze while the owner was away. One of the rules for living in a cold climate is to take special precautions so your water pipes don’t freeze. Disregarding that rule can exact a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-15

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

Pressing On

Contributed by Wes Richard on Jan 7, 2004

A new year’s challenge to faithfulness

As many of you know, I don’t follow sports teams closely. And football is not my favorite sport, but I do try to find out who is playing in some of the bowls on New Year’s weekend. This year I heard that Ohio State would play in the Fiesta Bowl, not in the Rosebowl where they would like to have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

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

When The Truth Of Jesus Dawns Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Mar 16, 2007

The story of Nicodemus helps us see that until the truth of Jesus dawns on us, we remain in the dark.

Because of Daylight Savings Time, some of you probably feel like you got up an hour early today. Some of you may be here and not even know it because you are not awake yet! I’ve told this little story before, but I’m going to tell it again because it helps to make a point I want to make ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Brethren

Introducing Jesus Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Mar 4, 2007

John 1 describes three ways in which Jesus was introduced to the world. Now it is our turn.

The Pastor/Spouse retreat Sue and I attended last week was an incredibly rich time. We got to hear a wonderful speaker and learned to know 50 other pastors and spouses a little better. I want to tell you what happened on Monday night as we heard stories about what God is doing in other ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-51

Denomination: Brethren

Seeking The Son

Contributed by Wes Richard on Mar 31, 2008

As people of the resurrection we should be seeking the Son even as new flowers seek the sun and a compass needle orients itself to north.

One of the little surprises I enjoy every spring is seeing the sprouts of new life burst out of the ground. Some of you may have noticed the little crocuses by the front door of the church. Already before the snow was completely gone, I saw their green shoots breaking through the soil. And even ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1

Denomination: Brethren

Four Principles For Following Jesus Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Apr 1, 2008

What might happen if our church were to follow the Starbucks example and temporarily close its doors to examine the way we follow Jesus?

Starbucks Opens A new Starbucks has opened, of all places, at St. Rita’s Medical Center. We had never tasted Starbucks coffee, so last Wednesday we stopped in to see what it was like. With all the flavors and sizes and prices up on the board, it wasn’t easy to decide what we would order ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-6

Denomination: Brethren

Lessons From Lamentations Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Jul 21, 2008

Through calamities and suffering we can learn about God’s judgement, about our own sin, and about God’s renewing power.

Lessons from Lamentations Lamentations 3:1-3; 19-24; 40-42 For the past couple of weeks, we have been inundated with reports of the floods in the Midwest. The reports about Iowa are of special interest to Sue & me, since we come from there, so we perked up our ears when we heard names of ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:1-42

Denomination: Brethren

Hold The Ropes Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Aug 25, 2008

Like the paralytic in Mark 2, school kids need someone to hold the four ropes for their encouragement and success in school.

Holding the Rope Mark 2:1-12 One of the stories we read in VBS was the story of the man who was completely helpless. He couldn’t walk; he couldn’t use his hands. The only way he could get anywhere was when his friends carried him. Then the news got around that Jesus was healing people. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Brethren

God's Call On Your Life Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Sep 10, 2008

The unique literary structure of Ezekiel’s vision points to the importance of ingesting God’s word in obedience to His call

God’s Call on your Life Ezekiel 2:8 – 3:4 If you haven’t read from Ezekiel recently, these verses probably strike you as the strangest thing you have read in a while. Here is the story of a man whom God told to eat a scroll – paper, ink, and all. And he says it was sweet as honey. I ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

A Word From God's Sentinel Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Sep 24, 2008

God calls his church to broadcast his warnings loud and clear in today’s world. He wants our hearts to be broken by the careless, godless people who are paying no attention to God’s warning signs and he wants us to take seriously our responsibility to do

A man living on the first-floor of an apartment got upset every night because the guy living above him dropped his shoes on the floor when he got ready for bed. Every night, the same thing happened. First, the noise from one shoe, then the noise from the other. Finally, the man downstairs ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:16-19

Denomination: Brethren

The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 8, 2008

In Ezekiel 34, using the language of promise, God introduces a new plan for shepherding his people which we see fulfilled in John 10. Jesus, the Good Shepherd still calls his sheep.

The Good Shepherd Ezekiel 34:1-6; 11-16;23-24; 30-31 Children’s Story Just before school started, I invited four kids from next door to go with me to the city library. These kids ranged from 7 – 10 years old and had never been to the library. We went upstairs where they have all the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-31

Denomination: Brethren

The Rattling Of Bones Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 27, 2008

Only the Spirit of God can reverse the process of spiritual death and can make dry bones live.

This is a crazy time of year with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all stepping on each other’s toes. You have probably noticed the Halloween display at the corner of Elm and Metcalf with its grave stones and skeletons. According to Monday’s paper, the owner says she enjoys setting it up and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Brethren