Sermons on Bishop Michael Curry:

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

God Encounters: Nathanael Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 8, 2004

This is about Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus.

Jesus is beginning his ministry. John the Baptist had baptized him. He has just called Andrew and Peter. He had been a carpenter. Read John 1:43-51. I. Proposal. Jesus makes a proposal to Philip: “Follow me.” He was from the same town as Andrew and Peter. It was a simple and direct proposal. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: The Samaritan Woman Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 13, 2004

This is about Jesus and woman at the well.

This is a rich passage. I could spend a couple months preaching from this passage. Give background of animosity between Jews and Samaritans. Women were marginalized. Read John 4:1-42. What does it mean that Jesus had to go through Samaria? Was it divine or geographically necessary? ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Zacchaeus Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 21, 2004

This is about Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus.

Sing “Zacchaeus was a Wee Little Man.” Share recollections of Zach from Sunday school: short, tree, etc. Read Luke 19:1-10. Who was Zacchaeus? What happened to Zacchaeus? Who was Zacchaeus? The only biographical info is right here: “a tax collector and rich.” * He was DESPISED. To say that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: The Thief On The Cross Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 30, 2004

This is about Jesus’ encounter with the criminal next to him.

Read Luke 23:39-43 using Lectio Divina method. Can you see it? Can you visualize the scene? Can you see the blood and the agony? Can you hear the mockers? Experience the moment. There are some things we can take away from this.  REVILING the REDEEMER This reflects the words of Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: On The Road To Emmaus Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Sep 7, 2004

This is about Jesus’ walk with the two on the Road to Emmaus.

We don’t always get all the facts right away when something momentous happens. The day of 9/11 was filled with confusion and speculation. More confusing the closer to NYC and WTC. Recap Passion Week: triumphal entry, Last Supper, prayer, arrest, trial, execution, and burial. Now there were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Wesleyan

Basics For Dealing With People Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This sermon shares some basic biblical principles for dealing with people.

Intro to series: “Dealing with People.” Sometimes we say, “Life wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for all the people.” We have to deal with people. Next week: “Dealing with the Spouse” Controversial passage. Then: “Dealing with the Kids” Parent/child relationship is vital. Finally: “Dealing with ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

Dealing With The Spouse Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This sermon gives some basic biblical principles of marriage.

Marriage is the most intimate relationship we will ever have. As much as we need other relationships, the marriage relationship is the most intimate, and perhaps the most complicated. It affects our other relationships as well. Kids, work, friends, and family. This controversial passage has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33

Denomination: Wesleyan

Dealing With The Kids Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This sermon outlines some basic biblical principles of raising kids.

Kids are a great joy and a great trial. Joy – birth, first words, first steps, riding a bicycle, graduation, and wedding. Trials – 2:00 AM feedings, spilled milk, broken things, tripping over toys, driving, rebellion, and expensive college. As parents our most important relationship is with our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Wesleyan

Dealing With The Boss Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This sermon deals with workplace relationships.

Workplace satisfaction is a big topic today. Surveys, articles, and studies are abundant on the topic of workplace satisfaction. Companies calculate the cost of employee dissatisfaction. Foundations for Excellence put out a paper a few years ago entitled “Employee Satisfaction: Why it is so ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

The 1st "Gc” Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This sermon is about our responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission.

There are two green things I have been able to grow. One is mold. Now it’s not terribly difficult to grow that. Just place some leftovers in the back of the fridge and forget about it for a few months. That’s one thing I’m real good at. The other green thing I have had success with is grass. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

The 2nd Gc Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This sermon is about the Great Commandment.

Recently Major League Baseball polled fans to see what they thought was the most memorable moment in baseball history. Was it Bobby Thompson’s “shot heard ‘round the world”? Was it Cal Ripkin’s consecutive games streak? Was it Nolan Ryan’s 7th no hitter when he was well past the age of 40? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Wesleyan

How's Our Vision?

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This sermon is about knowing God’s vision for our church.

How fast can you cover 300 miles? Five or six hours? What about on foot? The average person can walk a mile in about 15 minutes, and that’s moving pretty fast. Continuous walking would allow you to cover 300 miles in 75 hours; that’s over 3 days. Take time out to sleep, eat and take care of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Those Were The Days

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This is an advent sermon.

Play “All in the Family” theme song. Oh, the good old. Do you remember the good old days? I remember my parents talking about the good old days. “I remember when . . .” my parents would say. “Back in my day . . .” was another favorite. What about, “When I was you age . . ..” Simon and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan