Sermons on Bertrand Russell:

Semper Reformanda

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 30, 2006

Shall we BE reformers? Do we dare change ANYTHING?

46They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ¡§Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!¡¨ 48Many sternly ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: United Methodist

Loosed And Let Go

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Nov 7, 2006

How should you live when you’ve been raised from the dead? There are some principles we can see from the life of Lazarus.

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, "Where have you ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Wise Counsel

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Nov 13, 2006

How can you learn to trust God?

1Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, ¡§My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. 2Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3Now wash and anoint yourself, and ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

#4. Unpaid Bills - Take A Deep Breath And Exhale! Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 12, 2007

Whether you¡¦ve got a mountain of unpaid bills or a mountain of surplus money, take a deep breath and exhale¡Ktrust God with either!

Each of us has had an unpaid bill or two (or ten) lying on the desk or kitchen table. Those bills call to us; they harass us and wake us up in the middle of the night (if they let us get to sleep at all). Unpaid bills are a tremendous creator of stress and anxiety; they cause worry that can ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9

Denomination: United Methodist

I Believe In Believing Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Sep 21, 2006

Two CHARACTERISTICS of faith that will keep you on solid ground even when the rest of the world has turned upside down.

When the two days were over, he went from that place to Galilee (for Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in the prophet¡¦s own country). When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the festival; for they too had ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-54

Denomination: United Methodist

Salty People; Peaceful People

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 5, 2006

Jesus told his disciples (and us) to have salt within us, and peace between us.

John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: United Methodist

I Believe In Spiritual Gifts Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 5, 2006

How does God decide who gets what gift?

Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NRSVA) What pictures enter your mind when the phrase “spiritual gifts” is spoken? For some it is the picture of a wild crowd that has been whipped into a frenzy of emotional outbursts…running the aisles…speaking in tongues…attempts to heal the sick ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Denomination: United Methodist

The Confession Of Our Hope

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Nov 27, 2006

Everything a believer does is aimed at impacting others for Christ...or should be.

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: United Methodist

Pain Has A Purpose

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 13, 2006

We all know pain is going to be a part of life. The main question is "why". If I understand God’s purpose for pain I can deal with it.

March 12, 2006 Second Sunday in the Season of Lent -------------------------------------------------- Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Love One Another Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 20, 2001

Helping a church remain healthy in its relationships requires paying attention to the "one anothers" of the Bible. (Sermon series originally published in Proclaim! The Journal for Biblical Preaching)

August 26, 2001 These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:17 Stop the first one hundred people you meet on the street and ask them this question: What¡¦s wrong with the church today? You will get plenty of answers! It¡¦s so easy to criticize what others are doing. If ...read more

Scripture: John 15:17

Denomination: United Methodist

Befriend One Another Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 30, 2001

Friendship is important...critical to living the Christian life.

September 2, 2001 What makes for a real friend? What is the value of friendship? Philosophers have discussed and debated that for centuries. Mencius said, Friendship is one mind in two bodies. In the 1950¡¦s Norman Vincent Peale said, Getting people to like you is only the other side of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: United Methodist

Eternal Investments

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 22, 2001

The difference between investing -- eternal or temporary rewards. Which will you pursue?

October 21, 2001 What does it take to make a good investment? Inside information aside, the more conservative advisor might say, "Get started, work hard at it, and avoid chasing rabbits." That¡¦s good advice. An immigrant came to this country with little more than the clothes on his back. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Addicted To The Ministry

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 22, 2001

What does a functioning ministry team look like? See the characteristics...

October 21, 2001 13Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. 14And everything you do must be done with love. 15You know that Stephanas and his household were the first to become Christians in Greece,and they are spending their lives in service to other Christians. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-16

Denomination: United Methodist

Corinthian Chippies (A Lord's Supper Meditation)

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 26, 2001

How do grace and peace speak to a society that is falling apart? Paul’s attitude shows us how.

October 28, 2001 1Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Denomination: United Methodist

Wise Fools Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Nov 5, 2001

Paul’s appeal to Christians to be united in the body of Christ is still valid.

November 4, 2001 10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-31

Denomination: United Methodist