Sermons on Bishop Ellicott:

Responding With Thanks To God

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Nov 22, 2004

This is a Thanksgiving sermon.

Sometimes Thanksgiving seems a bit perfunctory. Turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and the like set on the table. Christmas is coming: trees, gifts, travel and cards. Thanksgiving often becomes a stop over on the way from Halloween and Christmas. Read ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jesus Brings Peace

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Nov 29, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Advent is a time of preparation, not just for Christmas, but for the coming of Jesus. The celebration of Advent is more than a memory of Jesus’ birth. It is also a realization that he is coming again. There will be a Second Advent. Are you ready for Christmas? Are you ready for Jesus’ coming ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5

Denomination: Wesleyan

A World Turned On Its Head

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Dec 6, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Read Isaiah 11:1-10. Jesus turned the world upside down, or more appropriately, right side up. People never really understood Jesus. Paul said, “For those who live in Jerusalem…did not recognize him” (Acts 13:27). Everyone expected a military-political leader. Jesus closest disciples didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

True Christmas Joy

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Dec 13, 2004

This is an Advent sermon.

Joy is a big word this time of year. In the song “How Great Our Joy,” we sing “Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!” seemingly over and over. We have “Joy to the World,” “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You,” “Good Christian Men, Rejoice.” We talk of spreading “Christmas joy.” Where does Christmas joy come ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Is God With Us?

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jan 1, 2005

This is a Christmas sermon.

What is Christmas all about? In the classic Charlie Brown Christmas special, C. Brown cries out, “Will someone tell me what Christmas is all about?” Christmas is commercial. Read Isaiah 7:10-16. This passage tells what Christmas is really about: “God with us,” that is what Immanuel means. 1. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

How To Fight Back

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jan 4, 2005

This is about revenge.

The Sermon on the Mount contains many tough sayings. He said that adultery was more than just an act; it was a thought. He said that someone who was angry was also a murderer. Isaiah talked about a world turned upside down. Now Jesus is doing just that. Read Matthew 5:38-42. This is a hard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Wesleyan

Who Can I Hate?

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jan 7, 2005

This is about loving our enemies.

Read Matthew 5:43-48. This is yet another hard saying of the Sermon on the Mount. This goes beyond the revenge we looked at last week. Jesus said that we shouldn’t seek revenge. Okay, fine. I’d love to take revenge, but I won’t. Now he says that I have to love them. Isn’t it enough that I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Is All This Talk About Being Born Again?

Contributed by Neal Bishop on Jan 13, 2005

A small and simple explanation of what being born again is all about.

There are a number of belief systems in the world today, and naturally, they all claim to be “The Truth.” So, if we define truth as being relative to things that change, then what is presented by any belief system has to be equal, in validity, to anything else presented. This would be so because ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Where Does Pride Get You

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jan 14, 2005

This is about the dangers of spiritual pride.

There was a man who received a medal for his unusual humility. It was taken away when he wore everywhere. Read Matthew 6:16-18. The words “pride” and “proud” occur over 80 times in the Bible. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” In the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Wesleyan

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jan 24, 2005

This is about where to save our treasure.

Regis is famous for asking, “Who wants to be a millionaire?” The better question is “Who doesn’t want to be a millionaire?” Perhaps the only ones are the billionaires. We all think about it. Many preachers talk about a prosperity gospel. “Follow God and get rich” is their mantra. Usually it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Wesleyan

Wake Up And Smell The Coffee Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on May 14, 2004

This is on the letter to Sardis.

Do your remember the Folgers commercial where that college student named Peter sneaks into the house at Christmas and started making coffee? Everyone in the house soon woke up to rich aroma. The churches of chapter 2 are told to “remember,” “repent,” “be faithful,” “hold fast,” and other things. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Please Yourself

Contributed by Dave Bishop on Oct 18, 2000

We have seen in recent years the growth in what's known as the Gay Culture - famous people "Coming Out.

We have seen in recent years the growth in what's known as the Gay Culture - famous people "Coming Out." The Gay culture is a complete world view / way of life. Gay identities growing in strength. The Gay lobby is growing in influence.  So where does that leave us as Biblical Christians. As ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

If Jesus Were King Of The Church

Contributed by Dave Bishop on Oct 18, 2000

A boy in Sunday school.

A boy in Sunday school. He had been taught by his teacher for a number of years. She had a way of telling stories and she always ended by saying, "and the moral of the story is . . ." Eventually this Sunday school teacher stood down and a new teacher began. After a few weeks at the start of a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

God Encounters: Ezekiel (Religious Experience Vs. Religious Action) Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 24, 2004

This is about Ezekiel’s God encounter. It explores the difference between religious experience and religious action. Religious EXPERIENCE means nothing without ACTION.

Read Ezekiel 1:4-3:15. This is a bizarre vision. Not all God encounters are alike. We see here two things: Religious Experience (ch. 1) and Religious Action (chs. 2 & 3). What is the difference between the two? * Religious Experience is… In chapter 1, we see Ezekiel’s strange religious ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Simeon And Anna Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 31, 2004

This is about Simeon’s and Anna’s encounter with Jesus in the Temple.

We’ve been looking at God encounters: Abe, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. They pointed to the Messiah (Christ). We turn now to encounters in the NT; encounters with Christ. Outside of the shepherds, this is the first one. Read Luke 2:21-38. Verse 21 was eight days after ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-38

Denomination: Wesleyan