Sermons on Ashes:

Moma’s Prayers

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on May 11, 2020

Mom's prayers help each of us through life, her prayers changed me, change things, gets us closer to God, help us face the unknowns of life, and keeps us in the will of God.

Moma’s Prayers Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16 1. My Momma’s Prayer’s I certainly believe have got me where I am Mama's prayers by Merle Haggard lyrics go “ Mommas prayers were always with me through the battlefields of life She prayed for me and said amen in the name of Jesus Christ • Mom prayed for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Reflection B.12 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / Ezekiel 16, Israel, The Brazen Prostitute

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

Ezekiel explains why God will judge Judah.

Today, we’re moving on to Ezekiel in our whistle-stop tour of Old Testament prophecy. Just to keep our goal in mind, our purpose in this series of Reflections is to look at passages of scripture which tell us about how and why God judges, and about ‘End Times’, so we can see if coronavirus and/or ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection C.6 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Waves?!

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 27, 2020

Matthew, Mark and Luke have a lot in common. But only Luke mentions waves in connection with 'End Times'. It sounds strange. But perhaps it isn't.

Luke 21:25 says the following: And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves… The first part of the verse has a parallel in Matthew and Mark: ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Failed In A Time Of Crisis

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jan 27, 2022

I've had a rotten feeling in my gut since the beginning of this COVID-19 crisis. But I've been afraid to say it out loud. I've been afraid of criticism and hostility.

I've had a rotten feeling in my gut since the beginning of this COVID-19 crisis. But I've been afraid to say it out loud. I've been afraid of criticism and hostility. But I'm just going to say it. I'm going to tell you what I really think. We let the government shut down our ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Denomination: Salvation Army

Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time; 28th Sunday B Rich Young Man

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 9, 2021

By the apostles leaving all of that, we can see that Jesus relativized all of the central institutions of his society.

The rich young ruler is not boasting; he is just speaking as a devout Jew. Not all Christians are called to literally give away their possessions, but all disciples are called to give up everything by way of detachment; that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. Spiritual poverty means to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-30

Denomination: Catholic

Joy Sunday

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Dec 9, 2020

Today is third Sunday of Advent we celebrate today Joy. Israel celebrated joy of God how he delivered and how through Jesus God delivers people everywhere through the birth of the Christ.

Joy Sunday Psalm 126 1. The Psalm shares Israel history and shares a hope for a glorious and joyful future • It’s a message about Joy, It’s a message about God power to save Israel and to save Us. • Notice the verse — "When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion" - The Holy ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Abimelech Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 2, 2023

After the death of Gideon, Abimelech craved to inherit his father's position of authority over Israel. But as the son of a concubine, he does not enjoy the privilege to succeed. So, Abimelech used money to hire rough, immoral men as paid goons to help him slaughter his brothers.

Text: Judges 9 Theme: Abimelech Introduction: After the death of Gideon, Abimelech craved to inherit his father's position of authority over Israel. But as the son of a concubine, he does not enjoy the privilege to succeed. So, Abimelech used money to hire rough, immoral men as paid goons to ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Validating Our Christian Identity

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 4, 2025

Lent is a time in which we engage our interior self with its brokenness, weakness and intentional wrongdoing. We are all sinners, but we are sinners endeavoring to become saints, by our faith and practice.

Friday after Ash Wednesday 2025 A priest of my acquaintance many years ago was in conversation with a Lutheran minister. He asked the minister if he believed that Martin Luther had made any big mistakes setting up a parallel Christian church. The minister candidly admitted that he thought Luther ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9, Psalm 51:3-6, Matthew 9:14-15

Denomination: Catholic

Complete But Maybe Not Flawless? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 14, 2024

Ordinarily we think of anything “perfect” as being totally flawless.

First Sunday of Lent 2024 When we begin a project, it’s always helpful, even critical, to look forward to the end, to the moment when the project is complete. In the Latin, the word we want is perfectus. Ordinarily we think of anything “perfect” as being totally flawless. That is a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:8-15, Psalm 25:4-9, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:12-15

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus' Death: A Human Meaning Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 20, 2024

In this reflection, we delve into the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and its implications for individuals and society at large.

Jesus' Death: A Human Meaning Scripture: John 18:1-40; John 19:1-42 Introduction: In this reflection, we delve into the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and its implications for individuals and society at large. Reflection Good Friday, the solemn day marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-40, John 19:1-42

Denomination: Other

Abraham: Persistance In Prayer Series

Contributed by Tim Byrd on Aug 27, 2002

Abraham shows us the persistance in prayer pays off.

ABRAHAM PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER “LORD I’M ASKING ONE MORE TIME” Date: February 24, 2002 Place: Allendale Baptist Church Text: Genesis 18:23-33 Introduction This may sound or may be a strange lead in to my sermon, but I ask you stay with me for a while. As we pick up in the story, God here tells ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:23-33

Denomination: Baptist

Kept From Falling

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Feb 28, 2002

The strength of God’s grace can heal inner weaknesses that would otherwise cause you to crumble.

It was at 5:30 a.m. on March 13, 1933 that a giant, vigorous redwood tree crashed to the floor of a california forest. Its fall ended a life of more than 1200 years. A section of the stump was removed and studied through the science of tree ring chronology and the life of the tree was ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-17

Denomination: Church Of God

Esther - Unlikely Heroine

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Dec 10, 2003

Story of Esther

August 18 Esther - unlikely Heroine Thank people for reading Esther, ahead of the game. Next week Job 1,2 & 46 Story line - 1. Vashti disses King Xerxes 2. Esther wins beauty pageant 3. Uncle Mordecai foils assassination plot. 4. Haman has issues - buys off king for Holocaust heyday, 5. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shining Faces

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 15, 2007

A sermon on the transfiguration of Jesus and how his being "changed" or "transformed" affects our daily living.

Luke 9:28 – 36 Shining Faces Intro: “A teacher of a primary Sunday School class was reading this passage of scripture to her class. As she read, she noticed Johnny staring at her with a puzzled look. When she finished reading, she asked Johnny to tell her where Jesus was in the story. Johnny ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Creative Word

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jan 5, 2006

As God created light from darkness, that same God can take the darkness of my life and turn it into daybreak.

God’s Creative Word – Genesis 1: 1 - 5 Intro: What is it about the dark that makes us uneasy? All sort of negative things are associated with the dark. All the “bad guys” in the Star Wars movies are on the “dark side.” The bad cowboys always wear the dark hats and ride the dark horses. And ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed