Sermons on Bishop William...:

Day Of Prayer For The Persecuted Church

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Nov 12, 2004

This is for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

[[A word about this sermon. This was a message for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This sermon was preached in four movements, or parts. We gathered. We read Psalm 23 responsively. We sang 2 songs. I then preached Part I. We sang 3 songs. I then preached Part II. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Spirit Of Unity

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 17, 2004

This is a Pentecost sermon.

The late 1960s was a time of great disunity in our nation. People were protesting the war in Vietnam. Race riots occurred in many major cities. Upheaval was prevalent on college campuses. Meanwhile, in baseball, the New York Mets had been the laughingstock of Major League Baseball for the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Verse

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 17, 2004

This is about Jesus conversation with Nicodemus.

It is perhaps the best known verse of the Bible. Almost anyone can quote it, at least in paraphrase. It is the verse that every child learns in Sunday school and VBS. I remember making a little wall plaque in Bible school with the verse on it. I remember that 15 to 20 years ago, you would see ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Jeremiah Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 17, 2004

This is about Jeremiah’s God encounter.

Too Young the Hero is a movie about 12 year old Calvin Graham who managed to enlist in the Navy during WWII. Read Jeremiah 1:4-10. Jeremiah was young. How young? We don’t know. The word translated “youth, child, boy” could mean an infant to a young man. I. God’s CALL. We typically think of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

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

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

Worry Warts

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jan 31, 2005

This is about worry.

What do you worry about? The future? Money? School? Work? What you’re going to eat or wear? Sometimes we get caught in a spiral of worry. Worry has a way of compounding itself. Read Matthew 6:25-34. Worry can rob us of joy in life. When we worry about tomorrow or yesterday, we compound ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Do We Need?

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Feb 7, 2005

This is on the Transfiguration.

What are our greatest needs? Food? Clothing? Shelter? Those things certainly are important, but is there a greater need? Set the stage: in Matthew 16, Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ. Jesus then went on to tell his disciples that he would soon be rejected and put to death. Jesus then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan