Sermons on Bishop Michael Curry:

What's My Test Score? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jun 5, 2014

Checking our test scores is a common experience. In Psalm 139 David is aasking to see his test score - the only difference i that he asks God.

“Soul Talk: What’s My Test Score?” Ps. 139:23-24) We’re all familiar with test scores. I remember the pre-computer days at college. Test scores were posted outside the professor’s office; students went to the office to look at the postings to see their score. High ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What's Living Together All About? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jun 9, 2014

We never really know someone until we live with them day after day.

“Soul Talk: What’s Living Together All About?” Ps. 46 We never really know someone until we live with them day after day. Just ask roommates who first met each other on a piece of paper and thought they were a good match – until they lived together day after day. Just ask ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When You Want To Give The Very Best Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 20, 2015

What would your life be like if you were giving Jesus your very best?

“When You Want to Give the Very Best” Mt. 2:1-12 Are you giving Jesus your very best? What would your life be like if you were? What might be different – perhaps even radically different? As you reflect on that, let’s look at the Magi - the Gentiles – who made a long ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Do You Really Want God To Come? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 20, 2015

Even so, come Lord Jesus. Really? Are you sure?

“Jesus 101: Do you Really Want God to Come?” Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-14 Many liturgical prayers end with the phrase “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” One of our communion prayers ends the same way. Even the book of Revelation (22:20) ends with “He who testifies to these ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

No Need Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 20, 2015

You have no need! Can you believe it?

“Jesus 101: No Need” Matthew 3:1-17 It must have been quite the scene. First, consider the location: the Desert. It’s not where an up and coming preacher should try to build his new church! Second, there was John the Baptist who was quite a sight! “John's clothes were made ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Drawing From Our Roots Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 27, 2015

Jesus' baptism was high point of His life - but it led Him straight to the desert of testing and temptation.

“Jesus 101: Drawing From Our Roots” Luke 4:1-13 & 6:46-49 The night of my Ordination – the time at which I officially became a Minister of the Word – is still vivid in my mind. The joy, the solemnity, the anointing through laying on of hands – when the night was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Nothing But Trash Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Feb 9, 2015

Wouldn't it be horrible to have to keep all our trash and haul it around for ourselves?

“Jesus 101: Nothing But Trash” Is. 53:1-12 Every Thursday evening Barb and I pull trash duty – we put all our trash and garbage in the big brown container and place it by the street. Friday, trash haulers come by and carry it all away to a place designed to dispose of nothing but ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grabbing The Glory Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Feb 17, 2015

People love to finish strong. Jesus, in fact, spent significant time doing just that.

“Jesus 101: Grabbing the Glory” Mark 9:2-13 People love to finish strong. Most of us desire to “go out in a blaze of glory.” Athletes want go out as champions. Actors hope their last performance is award winning. Preachers want their last sermon to be their best. And ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Is Just Another Man Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Feb 24, 2015

Some say 'Jesus is just another man.' How would you respond?

“Cross Currents: Jesus Is Just Another Man” Col. 1:1-14 Have you ever heard someone say, “Jesus is just another man - a great one, perhaps, but just another man.” Professor Virginia Ramey Mollenkott is a leading teacher of this view – she states “Jesus is simply ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Lilfe Sucks Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on May 19, 2015

Let's face it - sometimes life just plain sucks. It is, as little Annie sang, a hard knock life.

“Getting Into Shape: When Life Sucks” Job 1:1-2:10; 38:1-3; 42:1-5 Let’s face it – sometimes life just plain sucks; it draws all the energy and strength out of us as we work hard at just trying to survive. Little Annie was right: “It’s a hard knock life.” ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When You Feel Powerless Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on May 26, 2015

When you feel powerless, remember the Holy Spirit and get ready for a power surge.

“Getting Into Shape: When you Feel Powerless” Acts 2:1-21 & 4:23-31 When have you felt powerless? When the doctor said “There’s nothing more we can do?” When the boss said, “We have no choice but to let you go?” When the Counselor stated, “I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Strengthening Your Union Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jun 23, 2015

It is a human tendency to believe that conflict is always the fualt of someone else. Paul knew better.

“Living A Joy-full Life: Strengthening Your Union: Phil. 2:1-4 There’s a classic For Better or For Worse cartoon. Frame 1 – Husband says, “Should I put on some tea, honey?” “Sure.” Frame 2 – “But not in that pot!!” Frame 3 – ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Develop A Healthy Attitude Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jun 30, 2015

Our attitudes flow from our minds - so our mindset is critically important.

“”Living a Joy-full Life: Develop A Healthy Attitude” Phil. 2:5-11 Dr. Norman Vincent Peale once walked by a tattoo parlor in Hong Kong. In the shop window there was a display of decorations that could be imprinted on one’s skin – flags, patriotic slogans, anchors, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Know Your Profits And Losses Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jul 23, 2015

We either believe that Jesus Christ alone is sufficient for a life of faith or He is not.

“Living a Joy-Full Life: Know Your Profits and Losses” Phil. 3:1-11 I recall a conversation that took place during a Consistory meeting of another church I served. It was about requirements for who should serve on Consistory. Some wanted to add guidelines to what the Scriptures have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Developing A Race Strategy Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jul 29, 2015

The past is done, the future has not yet happened - so the present moment is important.

“Living a Joy-full Life: Developing a Race Strategy” Phil. 3:12-16 English author Storm Jameson once said, “I believe that only one person in a thousand knows the trick of really living in the present. Most of us spend 59 minutes an hour living in the past, with regret for lost ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed