Sermons on Burial Sermon:

Sermon On A Sense Of Belonging

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 11, 2025

A sense of belonging is the feeling of being accepted, included, and connected to another person, a group or a community.

Brené Brown, a female American academic once remarked: "True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 4:10, Philippians 2:1-4, Ephesians 4:16

Sermon On The Sparrows Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 14, 2025

A sparrow is defined as a common bird of flight and song.

Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist once remarked: “Look at the sparrows; they do not know what they will do in the next moment. Let us literally live from moment to moment.” Matthew 6:26 reminds us: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:20-21, Psalm 104:12, Proverbs 26:2, 1 Peter 5:7

Sermon On Dreams Or Desires?

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 17, 2025

Dreams are defined as a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.

Edgar Allan Poe, an American poet once remarked: “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” Genesis 37:5-9 reminds us: Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5, Daniel 7:1, Psalm 37:4, Jeremiah 29:11

Sermon On The Way To The Stars

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 21, 2025

The idiom: "The Way To The Stars" is often used metaphorically, especially in contexts like the RAF motto "Per ardua ad astra" (Through adversity to the stars).

Norman Vincent Peale, an American author once remarked: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” Genesis 1:14-18 reminds us: “And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:26, Psalm 8:3-4, 1 Corinthians 15:40-41, Amos 5:8

Sermon On A Gilded Cage

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 25, 2025

A gilded cage is defined as an enclosure, often with gold leaf or other exterior glamorous material intimating luxury.

Lynette Noni, a female Australian author once remarked: “Sometimes the people who act like they don’t care are really the ones who care the most. They feel so much that it overwhelms them, and to keep from falling apart, they hide behind easy smiles and quick laughter, acting like nothing matters. ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-3, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 16:26

Sermon On A Journey To The Light

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 31, 2025

A "journey to the light" has multi-faceted definitions which describe a metaphorical, spiritual, or personal process of growth, healing, and transformation, moving from a state of darkness, ignorance, or despair towards knowledge, hope, and enlightenment.

Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher and writer once remarked: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". John 8:12 reminds us: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” A ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-7, Ephesians 5:8, Psalm 119:105, 2 Corinthians 4:6

Sermon On The Autumnal Equinox

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 4, 2025

The autumnal equinox marks the official transition from summer into autumn.

Albert Camus, a French philosopher and novelist once remarked: “O light! This is the cry of all the characters of ancient drama brought face to face with their fate. This last resort was ours, too, and I knew it now. In the middle of winter I at last discovered that there was in me an invincible ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:22, Psalm 104:19, Job 38:12-13, Deuteronomy 11:14

Sermon On A Wooded Glade

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 7, 2025

A wooded glade is defined as an open, often sunny clearing within a forest. Essentially, a small, treeless meadow that allows sunlight to penetrate the forest canopy.

Elizabeth Gaskell, an English novelist and biographer once remarked: "By the soft green light in the woody glade, On the banks of moss where thy childhood played; By the household tree, thro' which thine eye; First looked in love to the summer sky." Joshua 17:15 reminds us: And Joshua ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:25, 1 Samuel 14:25-26, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalm 96:12

Sermon On An Odyssey Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 26, 2024

“The Odyssey” is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer, a Greek poet.

Bettany Mary Hughes, a British-born historian, author and broadcaster once remarked: “To me that is what the Odyssey is all about, it's about being in the world and unexpected challenges and dangers are thrown at you.” Matthew 5:17 reminds us: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, 1 Corinthians 2:13, John 14:6, Luke 16:17

Sermon On The Art Of Narration

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 29, 2024

Storytelling is defined as the activity of writing, telling, or reading stories.

Edward Miller, an American-born author and illustrator of children’s books once remarked: “Stories are our primary tools of learning and teaching, the repositories of our lore and legends. They bring order into our confusing world. Think about how many times a day you use stories to pass along ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32, James 3:1, Revelation 1:1, Matthew 13:35

2024 Baccalaureate Sermon

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on May 2, 2024

A baccalaureate sermon given to a local high school graduating class 2024

2024 Baccalaureate Service Text: Psalm 90:9-12 Well let me begin by saying that I am honored to stand before you today. I know you students, I’ve met many of you, I’ve talked to most of you, and even taught some of you, so it’s an honor to be able to stand here and hopefully impart some wisdom. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:9-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon For Trinity Sunday

Contributed by William Meakin on May 6, 2024

The Trinity is considered to represent the strong bond of God’s love, centered on its unity. It is regarded as the unique oneness of three.

Vera Nazarian, a Russian-American writer once remarked: “Love is made up of three unconditional properties in equal measure: 1. Acceptance, 2. Understanding, 3. Appreciation. Remove any one of the three and the triangle falls apart. Which, by the way, is something highly inadvisable. Think about it ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:10, John 17:3, Revelation 22:13, Colossians 1:15

A Sermon For Trinity Sunday

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 23, 2024

What do we mean by the Trinity? This is indeed a difficult doctrine to understand. But let us look at this in some detail this morning

A Sermon for Trinity Sunday Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20, John 1:1-3, Genesis 1:1-3, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 1:9-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon On Allegiance To God

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 4, 2024

Allegiance has the importance of an oath, and is defined as loyalty or commitment to a superior or to a group or cause.

Francis Chan, an American author and teacher once remarked: “True faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God’s fidelity to His Promises.” Matthew 5:33-37 reminds us: “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:25, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, John 5:19, 1 Peter 2:24

Sermon On The Pitfalls Of Partiality

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 9, 2024

Partiality is defined as the state or character of a favorable bias or prejudice.

William O. Douglas, a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States once remarked: “The river, for example, is the living symbol of all the life it sustains and nourishes - fish, aquatic insects, water ouzels, otter, fisher, deer, elk, bear, and all other animals, including ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Isaiah 40:22