Sermons on Be Nice:

Cheap Talk And Free Speech Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Words have power. And whether that power accomplishes good or evil depends on where it comes from, and what it is intended to do.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” You’ve all heard that saying, haven’t you? We’ve probably all used it, in fact - usually when a child comes home from school upset because someone called her a bad name. We do distinguish between words and actions. That is what ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Peace Work Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

God’s peace is not the same as the world’s peace - even though people filled with God’s peace DO bring peace to the world.

We human beings are not naturally peacemakers. On the contrary: we’re naturally trouble-makers. A few years ago a group of people tried walking across America on a mission of peace. They couldn't get along and divided into two groups by the time they were half way across. According to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Gift Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Persecution is the flip side of peace-making. If we live out the first 7 beatitudes, this one, the 8th, follows on their heels as surely as water flows downhill.

About 35 years ago, a Romanian pastor came to visit the church I belonged to, a nice white church in a rich western suburb of Minneapolis. He had gotten to know my pastor, who had been involved in a Bible-smuggling ministry when the Iron Curtain was still up. Pasor John asked him what he thought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Foreigner Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 27, 2022

Imagining Jezebel's story - a woman who clung to her power and her gods in the face of enormous pressure. Are the two connected?

My name is Jezebel. I am a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Eshbaal, King of Sidon and the Queen of Israel, the strongest nation in the world from Assyria to Egypt. My father Eshbaal gave me in marriage to Ahab of Israel to strengthen the alliance between our two countries, because although we ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Greater Gift

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Oct 8, 2020

Many churches today have chosen convenience over conviction and pleasure over principal...

The last time Christmas fell on a Sunday was 2011. That has only happened 11 times since 1938. I am told there is a pattern. The pattern is 11/6/5/6 years between. This means the next time Christmas falls on a Sunday will be in the year 2022, God willing. In 2005 the New York Times reported ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost Series

Contributed by David Grate on Oct 23, 2020

It is important to remember, when following the Revised Common Lectionary cycle, that this cycle and these readings do relate to each other.

It is important to remember, when following the Revised Common Lectionary cycle, that this cycle and these readings do relate to each other. This week, Miss Justine’s reading helped us to witness the peaceful passing of the first Hebrew leadership baton from Moses to Joshua, setting the stage for ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46

Denomination: Wesleyan

"hello, My Name Is Debt" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 15, 2021

We meet individuals in a variety of places. We come to church and we don’t know the person seated near us so we introduce ourselves. Hello my name is and we shake hands.

“Hello my name is Debt” Luke 16:1-14 We meet individuals in a variety of places. We come to church and we don’t know the person seated near us so we introduce ourselves. Hello my name is and we shake hands. Perhaps ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracle Of The Manger Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Dec 24, 2021

The miracle of the manger is the incarnation. God becomes a man. A Scripture references are from the NASB.

As we consider the miracles of Christmas, the most obvious miracle of all is the incarnation, God became a man. That is Christmas, the birth of our Savior, God coming to earth as a man as foretold of the prophets of old. Matthew 1:23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

"Glorify God In Your Body”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 6, 2022

After a person becomes a child of God, his purpose in life is forever settled.

Paul states very clearly how it should be. Look at Phil 1:21. We read, “For to me to live is Christ...” That is so simple, it makes one wonder why some Christians can not comprehend it. There are at least two reasons why they can not. (1) There is some kind of mental problem. For example, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:20, Galatians 1:13-24

Denomination: Baptist

What Difference Does The Resurrection Make? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Pagans expected nothing to happen after a person dies. Jews expected the faithful to be resurrected at the end of time. And Christians have felt that not only has Christ risen from the grave but His resurrection guarantees His follower's resurrection.

Happy Resurrection Day to Cross Church! Maybe you grew up thinking miracles happened a long time ago, if at all. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll introduce you to both ancient miracles and modern ones. But if you’re looking for a miracle, you need not look any further than the empty ...read more

Scripture: John 5:28-29, Romans 6:5-11, 2 Timothy 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Hate Your Family Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

There is no such thing as an instant disciple. Look at the word for a minute in your mind, to be a disciple it takes discipline.

If you didn’t bring a Bible with you, you’ll need one today. And we’ve provided you with one if you didn’t bring it. Turn with me to Luke 14:25-35 or page 1111 in the black books in front of you, there in your pews. If I asked you who Mary Lucy Phalen is, would you immediately recognize that name? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Fruit Of The Spirit: Peace

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jul 18, 2021

Jesus is our peace, and He gives us His peace through His Holy Spirit.

July 18, 2021 Sermon - The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace Shalom. Has anyone ever said that to you? Any guesses at what that means? If you have an idea, please type it in the chat. In English we say “Hello” and “Goodbye”. The dictionary says it was Thomas Edison, the so-called inventor of the ...read more

Scripture: John 14:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Greatest Conversion In History

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 19, 2021

We can make a case for Nineveh's conversion being the greatest conversion in history. But whether it was or not, Jesus was clearly impressed. It shows us what genuine repentance looks like.

When I was a child people would sometimes give me a book called ‘the Guinness Book of Records’ as a Christmas present. I guess many of us have come across it. I remember as a kid browsing through the records. You can now find most of the records online and it’s now called simply ‘Guinness World ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Only The Gospel Can Fix This

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Aug 22, 2022

An examination of the Gospel and it's transforming power

Only the Gospel Can Fix This Romans Read Romans 1:18-32 I know it is tempting sometimes to look at the world, to look at society, and to say, “It is too late. The world is going to hell in a hand basket. There is nothing I can do about it. There is nothing I can do to change things. To want to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Authority

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Aug 24, 2022

Jesus demonstrated that the religious authorities did not have the authority to create laws for the people which violated God's Torah.

Religious Authority John 5:1-18 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 5:1 After these things there was aa feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. John 5:2 Now there is in Jerusalem by athe sheep gate a pool, which is called bin 1Hebrew 2Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist