Sermons on Bishop Michael Curry:

What Am I Worth? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Oct 16, 2014

We live in a culture where the price tags have been switched. So how do we know what we're worth?

“Getting A Clue: What Am I Worth?” Eph. 1:1-14 The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard told a story of thieves who broke into a jewelry store but didn't steal anything; they simply rearranged the price tags. The next morning, the expensive jewelry was sold as junk, and the junk ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Am I Different? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Oct 16, 2014

With all the gender confusion in our society, it's time for the church to speak up.

“Getting A Clue: How Am I Different?” Gen. 1:26-31 & 2:4-7, 18-25; In preparation for this series I discovered a powerful, inspirational, challenging sermon by Mary Kassian, entitled The Genesis of Gender.” (1) Some of her opening words are important for our consideration this ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pressure Cooker Living

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 28, 2014

How do you handle the pressures of life? How can we make sure the pressure cooker of life doesn't cause us to explode?

“Faith That Works: Pressure Cooker Living” James 1:1-12 Pressure cookers are wonderful. They are manufactured to help bring food to a proper tenderness and fitness. It’s an amazing process in which the pressure inside the cooker is intense – so much so that if the cook is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Birth Process

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 28, 2014

Have you ever felt like blaming God for your situation?

“Faith That Works: The Birth Process” James 1:13-18 A young woman came to Christ in a marvelous way. Her conversion was, from a human perspective, partly due to the fact that she had come to a very low place in her marriage, making her intensely aware of her spiritual need. Having met ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Active Life Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 28, 2014

How much time do you spend in front of the mirror? How often do you look in the mirror? What do you do with what you see there?

“Faith That Works: The Active Life” James 1:19-27 A young pastor’s wife came to her husband one day with a look of obvious concern. He lovingly inquired as to the problem. She replied that she had really been struggling lately with the sin of vanity. “How’s ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Setting The Temperature Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Mar 6, 2014

What do you think is the greatest single factor in the life of a congregation?

“Faith That Works: Setting the Temperature” James 3:1-12 What do you think is the greatest single factor in the life of a congregation? What has the most influence in the building up – or tearing down – of a body of people? The preacher? Consistory? The style of worship? ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Going Where Few Have Gone Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Mar 19, 2014

There's something intriguing and exciting about a place where few have gone. So what about Jesus' words, "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

“Going Where Few Have Gone” Matt. 7:13-14 My wife and I once had the privilege of hearing a speech by one of our American astronauts who had spent extended time living on the International Space Station. Between what he had to say and the videos he showed, it was fascinating. After ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Probelm With Carry-Ons Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Mar 20, 2014

The problem with carry-ons is that they restrict our Journey's freedom and hamper its progress.

“The Problem with Carry-Ons”” Zech. 3:1-5; Matthew 8:1-17 When we travel by air, we often cram as much as possible into a piece of carry-on luggage. While it may save time and the frustration of checking and retrieving baggage at the airport, it also slows us down. Because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Equipped For Trouble Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Mar 26, 2014

Life on earth, the road we travel on our journey, is tough; in fact, the Bible clearly states that life is a battle.

“The Journey of a Lifetime: Equipped for Trouble” Eph. 6:10-20 I once saw a poster which showed a little clapboard church surrounded by an X-rated drive-in theater, a munitions factory across the street, and miles of concrete freeway crammed with cars. Two church members were standing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Maintaining Focus Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Apr 2, 2014

As long as we are in the midst of our journey in this world, we are subject to distractions. How do we maintain our focus?

“Maintaining Focus” 1 Jn. 2:15-17 & Phil. 3:1-14 A young woman is taking her final exam. She’s excited and relieved because the teacher asked the right questions and she really knows the answers. But part way through the test she looks out the window and sees her boyfriend ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Hope Is All There Is Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Apr 9, 2014

When Hope is all there is, it is all we need.

“When Hope Is All There Is” Ps. 42 Alexander Solzhenitsyn spent part of his life in a Soviet Siberian prison. At one point he was so physically weak and discouraged that he hoped for death. The hard labor, terrible conditions, and inhumane treatment had taken its toll. He knew the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Everything Has A Price Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Apr 15, 2014

Everything has a price.

“The Journey of a Lifetime: Everything Has a Price” Mt. 21:1-11 A teenaged boy – let’s call him Fred – with great academic potential was unable to go to college because he could not afford it. But one day Fred received a call from the college to which he had applied ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Attitude Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 17, 2014

If the birth of Jesus was good news that brought joy to all the people, why is it so tough to be joyful?

“The Difference Christmas Makes: The Attitude of Christmas” Ps. 126 The words are so familiar: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Security Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 22, 2014

The very season which ought to bring security and hope instead brings insecurity and hopelessness. That's why we need to hear God's message to Samuel.

“The Difference Christmas Makes: The Security of Christmas” 2 Sam. 7:1-17 Christmas, for many people, is a time of great insecurity. There are adults whose frustrations increase and self-image drops because they cannot provide gifts for their children. Some children feel unloved or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-17

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